Exotic Flowers in Boston

• Accessorize a large table by placing a long, narrow centerpiece in the center of the table. Add a few small votice candles on each side of the arrangement for an added effect.
• Ask your the staff at Exotic Flowers to create a centerpiece in a treasured family vase or bowl, or in seasonal pieces such as a cornucopia or a utility vase surrounded by dry corn cobs.

• To create a lot of drama and variety, place a topiary at one end of the table leading to a cluster of small potted plants, then two smaller topiaries with candles leading to a tray of votive candles and flower petals, and so on...
• Ask the Exotic Flowers floral designers to use vegetables or fruits as accents in your floral arrangement.

• Garnish your serving trays with flowers and greens.
• Scatter colorful fall leaves, flowers and votive candles along the center of your dining table.
• Float flowers in crystal wine glasses.
• Place a single long-stem rose on each plate to welcome your guests to the table.
• Decorate small desserts with flowers or make an ice ring with flowers to chill champagne or wine.
• Ask the Exotic Flowers floral design team to design the arrangements for your buffet table on several different levels to keep the eye flowing all along the table.
• Place a garland of fruit, flowers and fall foliage over your front door.

These simple tips will not only enhance your meal, but create lasting memories of beauty amongst your family and guests.

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends and memories. Often times, we end up around the television for football. Leading up to the holiday, Exotic Flowers in Boston is proud to share its top five movies for the holidays.

Starting in reverse order:

5. - Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Because Thanksgiving is about memories, we could not let this Charlie Brown classic escape our top five.

4. Bed of Roses

Our top five movies had to have one that included a flower shop.

3. Scent of a Woman

I attended Boston College (A&S '93) at the same time as Chris O'Donnell; so this one had to make the top 5.

2. Planes, Trains & Automobiles

"Those aren't pillows!" .. need I say more ?

1. Home for the Holidays

This movie is a must see. The movie reminds us that every family has issues, but in the end we are lucky to have family.

Thanksgiving, 2012

                        " I had the blues because I had no shoes. Until upon the street,

                        I met a man who had no feet." - Denis Waitley

Dear friends,

This quote reminds me every day of how thankful I am for what I have. The people in New York and New Jersey and the devastation from Hurricane Sandy, the civil war in Syria and the economic collapse of Greece all serve as daily reminders of how lucky we all are.

Thanksgiving remains my favorite holiday. We celebrate our good fortune with food, flowers, friendly and family. Like most of you all, Thanksgiving Day in my family has many stops, from an early day at work (we are open for hostess gifts until 1pm) to dinner at my house and then to my mother's house for even more feasting.

Thanksgiving is a gateway to the holiday season. The holidays are filled with memories and traditions. It is never too late to start your own tradition. Flowers are a perfect companion to any memory or tradition.

Please know that we are at your disposal and send flowers worldwide.

with gratitude for your loyal patronage and friendship,

@RickCanale

Ask most people about their favorite major holiday and Thanksgiving is likely to be their response two out of three times if not more. After all, what other day combines all of the wonderful elements of the December holiday season (family, food, and flowers) without the added pressure of gift shopping or seasonal decorating? ... Nuff said.

Fall is drawing to a rapid close, and so we must bid a reluctant adieu to all that amazing seasonal splendor. The year is rapidly wrapping up. Christmas lights, wreaths and poinsettias are popping up all over Boston. My friends at Exotic Flowers have even started delivering garland and holiday plants all over Boston. Holiday music is now playing on WODS 103.3FM and WROR 105.7FM. So before we get mind-numbingly bombarded with sonic good cheer, I say we use this time to look back on the year that was and reflect. And as long as I’m making up the rules as I go, I would like to turn our collective focus to one of my favorite topics – SANDWICHES !

 To that end, I bring you The Sandwich Guy’s 2011 Sandwich Hall of Famers. The only parameters for this year’s class are two: first, the nominees being inducted must come from somewhere I ate in the last 12 months, and second, the sandwich must be comprised of ingredients inspired by the Thanksgiving holiday. After all, the only thing better than Thanksgiving dinner in my book are the sandwiches that ensue in the days that follow.

 Here are my favorite turkey-centric sammys of 2011:

1)   The Black Russian from Concord, New Hampshire’s Beefside Restaurant. This place gives the concept of Surf’n’Turf a New England blue collar spin with its combination of meat oriented sandwiches and fried seafood. The results are unquestionably worth the trip, in case the packed parking lot and full dining room didn’t tip you off. I recently lunched on the Black Russian, a combination of fresh cooked and tender turkey and rare roast beef served on grilled pumpernickel bread with melted swiss and russian dressing. This combo serves up all kinds of fresh flavor, nicely blending salt, tang, and a touch of crunch. And the thick sliced, ruffle-cut “french fries” were awesome, and amazingly, for something that thick, not greasy. Definitely a sandwich experience deserving of gratitude.

2)   The turkey sandwich from Meredith, New Hampshire’s own George’s Diner. This unassuming spot resides in the shadow of the area’s better-known Hart’s Turkey Farm, but in terms of the fare, there is no contest. George’s turkey sandwich uses fresh baked bread, fresh roasted turkey, and a combo of cold, crisp tomato, lettuce and sweet mayo to pack a knockout flavor punch. I stumbled across it by accident the first time, and I could think of little else lunch-wise until I got back there to confirm what my taste buds experienced. The fresh cut homemade fries deliver as well. Be sure to ask for George’s special dipping sauce – a combination of mayo, horseradish sauce, ketchup and Cajun spices. A creamy and surprisingly subtle enhancement to the whole experience. Basic homemade ingredients, delicious results.

3)   The Gobbler from 4 Aces Diner in Lebanon, NH. This is one of their “Specialty Sandwiches”. Special, indeed. Fresh roasted turkey with cranberry sauce, stuffing, gravy and mayo on a Brioche. This is literally Thanksgiving dinner in a sandwich, and the results are comfort food heaven. The turkey is not only cooked on site, it’s lightly peppered and browned/grilled on the flattop in the kitchen. The fresh brioche is grilled as well. The stuffing is homemade. The cranberry sauce and gravy are proportioned just enough to lend their flavors to the proceedings, without creating a soppy mess. It’s an original twist on a classic, and the result is sandwich lover’s bliss. Don’t hesitate to accompany it with the seasoned homemade gravy fries with cheese. Do make sure to reserve a couch nearby afterwards for the most blissful food coma ever!

This Thanksgiving, these three all stars have given me much to wax rhapsodic about from the gratitude side of things. Happy holiday to you and yours, and let me know what makes you grateful!

Oh yeah. And would it kill you to send some nice flowers to someone special this holiday?Didn’t think so. Nuff said.

 Sandwich Photo Credits: Jon Bornstein

you can follow Jon at www.twitter.com/zucrow

Thanksgiving remains New England's most celebrated holiday. Whether in Boston or Beverly, Portsmouth or Peabody, we embrace our heritage as the home of the pilgrims. One of the first three Thanksgiving feasts took place in Plymouth in 1621, (the first Thanksgiving feast took place in Virginia in 1619,). Boston residents have been practicing this feast ritual for almost four hundred years. We design menus and decorations with homage to the pilgrims; these decadent spreads of food, flora and fauna pay homage to our ancestors.  This celebratory holiday inspires both brides and wedding planners alike. If your wedding is in Boston, Newport or Cape Cod - here are a few tips to get your Thanksgiving wedding on track.

Let's Eat -  A wedding dinner can be fully repliacted for a Thanksgiving theme. Thanksgiving dinner is the focal point of the holiday. Sharing a meal with friends, family and loved ones creates wonderful and lasting memories. Remember they are loved ones, no fried turkeys. Serve healthy flavorful dishes that harken back to days of the pilgrims. Some traditional and flavorful appetizers include stuffed mushrooms, butternut squash dip, baked brie with apples. Main courses not only feature a gigantic roast turkey but a plethora of side dishes like mashed potatoes, yams, corn bread and stuffing. Tradition might call for wedding cake for dessert, but how about a small dessert plate of miniature pumpkin, apple and sweet potato pies. Several Boston  bakeries offer these mini pies. 

Flora and Fauna - Thanksgiving offers New England brides a host of colorful flowers from the season. Vibrant fall hues allow brides to ignite their wedding with an infusion of fall colors at the reception, for the bride's maid dresses and the wedding centerpieces. Purple, gold and burgundy create a romantic back drop for the oranges yellows and lime greens that illuminate the wedding. A great choice for linen is a gold table cloth with an arrangement of bronze deco mums, all yellow sunflowers, and green cymbidium orchids. Boston wedding planners can even go the extra yard by having flower filled cornucopias on the table. Your guests with be thrilled with warmth and love of your Thanksgiving themed wedding celebration. 

Suzie Canale

http://beantowntales.net

@SuzieCanale on Twitter

November, 2011

Dear friends,

I remember going to Mass at Sacred Heart in Roslindale every Sunday as a youth and during the service the priest would always remind us what to be thankful for. At Exotic Flowers in Boston, we are very thankful.  We appreciate being such a special part of your lives. Your birthdays, weddings, proms, and funerals give our jobs as florists meaning. You give us a huge responsibility. You entrust us to convey your emotions. We will never take that job lightly.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  My day starts with breakfast with my boys. I head into our flower shop in Roslindale at 730am. Yes we are open for walk in customers. What better hostess gift than flowers for the table ? We close about 2pm and I head with Suzie and the boys over to my mother in law Murphy's home in West Roxbury where I feast on turkey with all the trimmings.  After digesting this feast, I move onto my parents home for a spread of homemade ravioli, meatballs, sausage, lasagna and bracciole. Family, food, wine and flowers.

Thanksgiving is about spending time with family, friends and tradition. If you cannot be there, please call or even better send flowers.  Start your own tradition.

Thank you for loyalty. Thank you for your referrals. Thank you for spending your hard earned money at Exotic Flowers & Lombardi Florist.

Sincerely,

Rick Canale