Recent Posts

Follow Me

Exotic Flowers in Boston

Top Things To Do During the Christmas Season in Boston

Posted by Suzie Canale on Tue, Dec 09, 2014

Boston is one of the best places to visit during the Christmas season because there are loads of fun things to do with your friends and families!  Whether you are interested in lights, physical activity or the arts, visitors will not be disappointed with the array of events that this city provides for the yuletide season.  Don’t be intimidated by thoughts of exorbitant expenses for high ticket prices or admittance fees, I assure you there is plenty to do without having to break the bank.  This is the time of year to enjoy quality time with your loved ones, and you shouldn’t have to spend huge amounts of money to partake in the wonderful Christmas activity that Bean Town provides.  Here are some of my favorite things that put me in the holiday spirit while visiting Boston.

 NUTCRACKER_BOSTON

                    photo credit: bostonballet.org

The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker is a time-honored tradition that Bostonians have enjoyed for decades.   The dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies, the Land of Sweets and the running of the mice are exciting to watch as ballet dancers float across the stage and captivating music is played composed by the infamous Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.  Costumes and stage design are also magnificent aspects of this production and are sure to inspire the joy of Christmas to whomever takes a seat in the theater.  Tickets are on sale at the Boston Opera House and shows run from December 3rd to December 31st with ticket prices ranging from the low one hundreds to above.  Perfect for children, you wont be disappointed in the amazing cast, music and directing of The Boston Nutcracker. 

 FrogPondSlideshowFallIce-570x172_c

        photo credit: bostonfrogpond.com

Frog Pond Skating

Get your coats, scarves and mittens on and high tale it over to the Frog Pond located in the Boston Common of downtown Boston.  Skaters come from all over to take their turn gliding across the pristine ice while watching the stunning Boston skyline scrawl across the city.  Amenities include the Frog Pond Café where you can grab yourself a snack or a cup of hot chocolate to warm your bones.  You can even book the rink for holiday parties or schedule lessons for the kids!  The pond is open daily at 10 am only costs $5.00 for those over 58 inches tall and is absolutely FREE for under.  

 FANEUIL_HALL_NY_TIMES

                                          photo credit: nytimes.com

Faneuil Hall Shopping

If you are a shopper at heart, you won't want to miss the deals going on in the infamous Faneuil Hall Marketplacein Boston.  Packed with every boutique imaginable, you’ll be bedazzled by the Christmas decorations hanging from every ceiling as well as the enchanting carols being played both in person and over the loud speakers.  Be sure to check out the largest Christmas tree in Boston along with international phenomenon Blink light show.   If you would like to attend these events, visit their website for more information.

suzie_canale_westwoodSuzie & Rick Canale, Westwood, MA 2014

Suzie's husband Rick managed the Exotic Flowers in Faneuil Marketplace from 2001 to 2011.

 

 

Tags: Traditions, Boston, Christmas, Holiday Memories, Holidays, #EXFL

How to Write a Letter to Santa

Posted by Suzie Canale on Thu, Dec 04, 2014

letter_to_santa

                               photo credit: blogher.com

 

Dear Santa Claus…

It’s the way that every child starts their sacred letter to Old Saint Nick, writing down with vigor all of the toys that they wish for most on Christmas.  Dolls, Legos, bicycles, board games, books-if a child can dream about it, you can bet Santa Claus has seen it scrolled within his letters at one time or another.  Although the task seems simple to most, some little ones have trouble and are unsure of exactly how to go about this important undertaking.  One strategy is to grab a pencil and a piece of paper and begin your itemization of all the things that you want to see underneath the Christmas tree.  Clearly, this is the easiest way to go about it, but what if we could put another spin on the art of wish list writing?  Wouldn’t Santa be pleasantly surprised to open an envelope to find a unique approach to asking him for toys?  If you think your ready to “Wow” Mr. Claus with a fresh letter full of spirit and cheer, take a look at these ideas to spark things up!

 

Write Your Own Christmas Story

Instead of sending the big guy a list of your wants and desires, why not create your own personalized Christmas story?  Come up with a list of characters (maybe your family and friends) and a plot to tell your own yuletide tale!  Don’t worry that Santa might not know what to get you because within your narrative, you can make the toys that you want part of the story.  For example:

 

“Sam thought he had overslept on the most important morning of the year, Christmas of course, but as soon as he jumped out of bed, a brand new skateboard had been left for him tied with a bright red bow and a card attached reading,

“Merry Christmas, Love Santa Claus”.

 

Not only will you definitely give Santa a chuckle, you’ll brush up on your writing skills as well as have a fun time doing it! 

 

Make Your Own Collage

Yes, words get straight to the point but an artistic hand can do wonders when designing a letter to Santa.  Give him something to put a twinkle in his eye by cutting and pasting your wish list into a masterpiece full of images called a collage! This type of creative play is a lot of fun plus a great way to fine-tune motor skills and imaginative thinking.  To start, gather up magazines, newspaper inserts and printable downloads from your computer and carefully select those items that you would really love for Christmas.  Then, carefully cut out the images and paste onto a sheet of paper.  If possible, use the sturdiest available such as construction paper.  If you really want to make something special, you can paste the pictures to form a story thematic after the holiday season.  Once the collage has been produced, allow a good hour for the glue to dry before folding into an envelope for the mail.

 

Santa’s Mailing Address

101 St. Nicholas Drive

North Pole, AK 99705

 

suzie_and_lance_canale Suzie & Lance Canale, Westwood, MA November 2014

Suzie can be found helping her two boys write letters to Santa or in the children's department at the Westwood Public Library.

Tags: Traditions, Childrens Book, Holiday Memories, Kids, #EXFL

The Best Christmas Specials for Kids

Posted by Suzie Canale on Wed, Nov 26, 2014

What kid doesn’t love a great holiday TV special?  I myself have fond memories of staying up a little extra late to catch some of my favorites.  Reruns were always the best where you could memorize the script and look forward to seeing the part that you couldn’t wait to watch over and over again.  Christmas stories are especially popular, adding to the child’s anticipation of Santa Claus to whoosh down the chimney with gifts.  It is an enchanting time of year when magic is everywhere, particularly in the movies and shows that we view both in the cinemas and in our own homes.  Although there’s no denying the hundreds of great children’s specials played during the last two months of the year, I have my top six that I just have to see to get me into the yuletide spirit. 

 rudolph

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer (1964)

A reindeer is out casted for having a bright red nose but finds a path straight to Santa when he is chosen to lead the sleigh on Christmas Eve.   Saving the day by lighting the way, this story tells a wonderful moral that sometimes the parts of us that are different are the ones that truly outshine us from the rest. The postal service this year commemorates this great flick with holiday stamps celebrating the movie. Exotic Flowers will be using these stamps on all their holiday mail.

 frosty

Frosty the Snowman (1969)

A snowman comes to life when a magician loses his hat and finds itself on Frosty the Snowman’s head.  Trouble appears when Frosty’s companion gets sick from the cold and he must get her to a warmer climate other than the chilly outdoors.  Although the beloved snowman melts, Santa Claus promises to have Frosty return every winter to play with the children once again. 

 grinch

 

How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

All of Whoville is bursting with holiday cheer but little do they know that a terrible Grinch is plotting their ruin by planning to take their Christmas away.  After stealing the decorations, cards, presents and feasts, he is stunned to find that the village still joins together to celebrate learning the true meaning of Christmas spirit can never be broken.

 charlie_brown_christmas

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

The Peanuts gang joins together again when Charlie Brown searches for a deeper understanding of what Christmas is all about.  Keeping in theme with the anti-commercialism aspect of the holiday, kids will love Snoopy’s rendition of stringing lights on top of his doghouse and Charlie’s sweet adoration for a small sapling tree. 

 christmal_carol

A Christmas Carol (1984)

“Bah Humbug” are the famous words guffawed by Ebenezer Scrooge as three ghosts visit him with visions of his past, present and future.  The miser soon learns that he is destined for doom if he does not change his stingy ways and open up his heart to the beauty of Christmas.

 christmas_story

A Christmas Story (1983)

This is a fabulous story telling the tale of a typical family celebrating Christmas with one another.  Filled with funny bits including feasting on their holiday meal at a Chinese restaurant, the father’s awful taste in leg lamps, bunny rabbit pajamas, getting tongues stuck to icy telephone poles and the famous scene when Ralphie shoots his eye out with a Beebe gun-you will love this movie as it reminds us of the bloopers that commonly occur during the Christmas season. 

 If you want to just tune in, check out ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas.

suzie_canale_boston Suzie Canale

Fenway Park, 2014

Suzie lives in Westwood, MA and will be watching these shows with her two boys; creating lifetime memories.

 

Tags: Holiday Movies, Traditions, Christmas, Holiday Memories, TV, Kids

The Best Thanksgiving Movie and TV Episodes Ever

Posted by Suzie Canale on Mon, Nov 24, 2014

Holiday movies and TV show ratings accrue some of the highest viewership in the media industry.  Often filled with scenes of delicious foods, gorgeous flowers,  glamorous clothing and most importantly, hilarious family dysfunction, Thanksgiving Day themed scripts are beloved by millions because we often see much of our own family dynamics being played out on the screen and can relate to many of the common mishaps that this time of year is notorious for.  Perhaps it’s the great aunt who wraps up empty packages or the mom’s turkey that was overcooked by four hours or maybe it’s the in-laws who just can't stand their daughter’s husband, but one things for sure, we connect to these stories.  The reason lies in the fact that they are a reminder of own holiday get-togethers and we find both comfort and comedic relief when viewing these similarities on screen.  For many, this niche of entertainment is what allows us to survive the holidays, understanding that the stresses and anxiety traditionally interwoven throughout this season is quite common for most. This entertainment is as much a part of our tradition as the flowers on the table. Although there are several great picks, here is my go-to movie and TV sitcom that keep me rolling with laughter all throughout the Thanksgiving Day season.

 homefor3

“Home for the Holidays”

My all time favorite Thanksgiving Day flick is hands down “Home For The Holidays” starring Robert Downey Jr., Holly Hunter and Ann Bancroft (just to name a few).  This film will leave you in stitches as the main character, Claudia, returns to her childhood home after losing her job in a museum and allowing her sixteen year old daughter to stay back in the city with her sex starved boyfriend.  Bancroft portrays her neurotic mother who just can’t seem to stop worrying about her three children while her husband, played by Charles Durning, just wants to be left alone in peace with his massive turkey.  Filled with sibling rivalry, seductive romances and twisted perceptions of what the life that they are all living really is, this movie promises a whole lot of belly shaking laughter that is all to common for many of us who go “Home for the Holidays”.

 Roseanne

Roseanne

The hilarious sitcom, “Roseanne” has several unforgettable Thanksgiving Day episodes, which all contain both make believe humor and realistic drama that many extended families experience during this holiday encompassing giving thanks, food and football.  The modest means and a-typical chemistry of this normal Illinois family makes this show beloved long after its final season airing on May 20, 1997.  During the 1991 season 4, show 10, all are in disbelief as Roseanne’s mother, Beverly, refuses to take action against her cheating husband.  Or how about 1994’s season 6, show 10, when anger erupts after Becky takes over cooking the dinner and a fist fight boils over between her father, Dan, and her husband, Mark.  With highlights from dynamic characters such as Nana Mary, grandmother and free spirited soul, and Ed Connor, Dan’s irresponsible father, each scene twists you from smiles to tears as the plates are passed up and down the table.

suzie_c Suzie will be celebrating Thanksgiving at her home in Westwood, MA with her husband, two sons, mother and aunt.

Suzie Canale

Westwood, MA 

 

Tags: Holiday Movies, Traditions, Thanksgiving, TV

Three Delicious Side Dishes for Thanksgiving Dinner

Posted by Suzie Canale on Mon, Nov 17, 2014

Giving Thanks

At Exotic Flowers in Boston, we believe that sharing food with family and friends is such an important part of your traditions. Here are three great side dishes that are exquisite and easy to create. My family and I celebrate Thanksgiving dinner with these three dishes every year at our Westwood home.

 

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and excitement is growing towards spending this time-honored holiday with friends and family.  Having special meaning to those celebrating in the New England area, each year we pay particular attention to things that we are thankful for.  For some, it is their family.  For others, it is their friends.  Homes, jobs, health and happiness are all aspects of our lives that we give a noted appreciation for during this time of year.  Although everyone observes the festivities in their own individual ways, it is customary to join together with loved ones and break bread with some of the season’s most beloved dishes!  Here are some of my favorites if you would like to try them out on your table this year.

 Green Bean Casserole

Green Bean Casserole

Green Bean Casserole is one food that I never forget at my Thanksgiving Day dinner because it contains affordable ingredients, its easy to prepare and perfectly delicious!  All you will need is 1 bag of frozen French cut green beans (make sure they are French cut, whole beans don’t bake as well with the other ingredients), 1 can of Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom soup (I prefer the 98 % fat free that saves you tons of calories without sacrificing the taste-they will never know!), 1/3 cup of 2 % milk, 1 large container of French’s Fried Onions and salt and pepper to season with.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and defrost frozen green beans until thawed.  Combined beans with the whole can of mushroom soup, milk and half of the container of fried onions.  Add salt and pepper to taste (I really like white pepper) and mix thoroughly.  Place in casserole dish and shake the rest of the container of onions over the top.  Bake in the oven for 35 minutes and you are done with your first Thanksgiving dish!

 zucchini_bake

Zucchini Bake

This is one of my favorites and goes with just about any meat, poultry or fish that might be your main course.  For this easy bake, you will need 1 large yellow onion, 2 ripened zucchini, 1 sleeve of reduced fat Ritz crackers, olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.  Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and thinly slice the onion and zucchini into round rings.  With a cooking mallet, crush the Ritz crackers until they resemble the size of breadcrumbs.  Layer the glass casserole dish with 1 layer of zucchini being careful not to overlap and then doing the same with 1 layer of onion.   Dust with a light salt and pepper and then sprinkle top with Ritz breadcrumbs.  Very carefully dash olive oil across the layers to seal the vegetables.  Continue this process for 1 or 2 more layers until all of your ingredients have been used.  Place the dish into the oven and bake for 40 minutes or until the top is crisp.  Serve immediately and enjoy!

 tortellini_spinach_tomato

Tortellini with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes

This is a great one for those who love Italian food served along side their turkey!  For this recipe, you will need 1 large package of spinach and cheese Buitoni tortellini (you can use many other varieties of tortellini but this one tastes the best), 1 package of fresh baby spinach, olive oil, 1 package of cherry tomatoes and salt and pepper to taste.  Bring a pot of water to boil and add a dash of olive oil and salt.  Once bubbles appear, place the tortellini in the pot and cook until they rise to the surface (a sure way to tell when they are done).  Drain noodles and place to the side.  In a sauté pan, add olive oil and spinach and cook until leaves are soft.  Add the cherry tomatoes and season with spices until the desired taste is achieved.  Mix the tortellini into the pan and stir thoroughly until adequately blended.  Serve immediately and watch your guests swoon over this amazing recipe of pasta and veggies!

suze Suzie Canale lives in Westwood, MA with her family. An employee of the Westwood Public Library, Suzie has published four children's books and serves as the director of The Women's Lockerroom Foundation.

 

Tags: Traditions, Thanksgiving, Suzie Canale

What My Fall Color Palette Symbolizes for Me

Posted by Suzie Canale on Sat, Oct 25, 2014

10980534393_80bcdcb28c_z

Autumn in New England is a time of year in which Bostonians relish in seasonal activities of carving pumpkins, jumping in piles of raked leaves and baking pumpkin pies that infiltrate our homes with decadent aroma.  We often sit in anticipation of these crisp few months before snowfall because they are reflective of themes embodying outside activity, family and warmth.  As a Boston florist, we attempt to capture this feeling when designing centerpieces, funeral arrangements, party planning, wedding bouquets and general storefront décor.  While purchases from the flower market often reflect varieties that are locally grown during the months of September and October, flower buyers are also aware of color selections, often opting for tones of red, orange and yellow.  Occasionally, you’ll see a fun accent of purple, green or pink but this base palette is the most popular and supports a strong product line for the fall season.  Why do we depend on this traditional spectrum when creating flower arrangements?  The answer is simple.  Particular colors bring forth particular emotions, many of which revolve around pleasant memories that Bostonians generally experience during this time of year.  Certain colors represent familiar seasonal symbols and events, arousing pleasant thoughts and moods.  The memories make us feel good, which is why we put pumpkins on our doorsteps, tie hay bales to our lantern poles and yes, buy flowers emanating the hues of autumn.  Here’s what my fall color palette symbolizes for me.

 

Red

10980461336_d4c23bb6d6_z

Red is often associated with the emotions connected to passion.  Whether love or hate, there is strength behind this hue, a quality that makes us react more so than any other color on the spectrum.  When connecting red to autumn facets, thoughts of crackling fires when the weather drops colder, plucking a ripened Macintosh apple off of an orchard branch and Japanese maples tree leaves blanketing the ground in a luxurious carpet.  The color red connects me to the words warmth, ripe and decadence. 

 

Orange

10981815373_2fc4f4be91_z

When feeling the color orange during fall, there is no getting around the obvious imagery of pumpkin patches. What is so wonderful about pumpkins is that they fulfill almost all of the human senses including sight, taste, scent and touch, a desirable reaction when incorporating this color within your flower arrangements.  Pumpkin patches can symbolize the scent of pumpkin pie baking in the oven, the fun touch of seeds slipping through your fingers and the site of bright orange globes of bittersweet resting in curls of vines.  Orange for me represents the idea of health, enjoyment, laughter and imagination.  Of course we all know what Cinderella’s carriage changed into at the stroke of midnight!

 

Yellow

10980517114_d542b1b486_z

Who doesn’t love the color yellow?  Its happy, dazzling and uplifting to the eye where in most cases, brings a person’s general emotion state to a higher level after visual contact.  Sunflowers, chrysanthemums and dahlias are favorites of florists when using this shade within their pieces for exactly this reason.  When associating yellow with fall, I think of the comforting rays of sunshine that we learn to appreciate as they grow fewer and fewer, a field of sunflowers standing stiff with their round faces full of light and the emotion hope as we see more and more candles flicker with the changing months.

- Suzie Canale

Westwood, MA

suzie_canale Suzie Canale is an avid gardener, accomplished floral designer, mother of two boys, works at the Westwood Public Library, has published four children's books, and is the director of the Women's Locker Room Foundation.

 * all images in post supplied by Flower Factor's flickr site

 

Tags: Traditions, New England, Autumn, Fall, Suzie Canale, Colors

What are the best flowers to use for Oktoberfest ?

Posted by Rick Canale on Tue, Sep 23, 2014

oktoberfest flowers resized 600
photo credit. 1800flowers
When we hear about Oktoberfest, we think about beer. What we neglect to mention is that Oktoberfest is a tradition. At Exotic Flowers in Boston, our slogan remains as 'start your own tradition,'. As Americans, our heritages have been watered down. Cultural traditions have often been forgotten. Traditions also create memories and good times shared amongst friends and relatives. Ask the folks at St. Pauli Girl Beer, you do not have to be German to celebrate Oktoberfest. st pauli girl oktoberfest resized 600Oktoberfest is not only a celebration of copious tankards of beer, but also an abundance of foods like bratwurst, sauerkraut, dumplings, schnitzel and various mustards.  Bratwurst3 resized 600 As Americans we are fortunate to indulge in delicacies from various cultures. Who cares if your ancestors were not German ? Oktoberfest is a chance to celebrate and start your own traditions. What celebration is not complete without fresh flowers to adorn the table and your New England home ?
The golden hues of mustard, the bronzed bratwurst and pickled cabbage can all be enhanced with amazing floral and plants. The colors of the fall season are a perfect complement for the menu.  Bronze mums, burgundy calla lilies, free spirit roses and yellow orchids all lend to the illumination of your home for the party. 
Even the White House when entertaining German heads of state made a point of incorporating these hues into the tablescape. obama german flowers resized 600 Note how the yellow oncidium orchids, green trick dianthus, and green heleborus illuminate the dinner setting for this illustrious event. Remember, if heads of the world have flowers on their dinner tables, then you should too.

Tags: White House Florist, Traditions, Germany, Oktoberfest, Presidental Flowers, Presidents Like Flowers, Obama

Do you Grill or Barbecue ? by Jon Bornstein

Posted by Rick Canale on Thu, May 22, 2014

At Exotic Flowers in Boston, we embrace the holidays as a way to create memories and celebrate traditions. Flowers are always a big part of your celebrations, thank you. Memorial Day is a time for celebrating.

Read on for blogger and Boston flower buyer Jon Bornstein's take on grilling versus barbecuing.

Memorial Day Boston

So you think you know food, huh? Pride yourself on being able to differentiate between a Rib Eye and a Porterhouse? Aioli and Au Jus? Focaccia and fiddlehead? Impressive. Now that you’ve humbled me as an American and a food buff, maybe you can answer my favorite question on the cusp of the first long weekend of the summer – what’s the difference between grilling and barbeque?

 

This quandary has been on my mind as we roll into Memorial Day, a time that signifies many things to those of us fortunate enough to celebrate it. Perhaps most importantly, it is a time for us to reflect upon the sacrifices of our fellow Americans who have fallen in service to our country. Memorial Day also serves as the harbinger for a number of lesser events commonly associated with the warmer New England months. Academicians and their charges view the weekend as the beginning of summer break. Cinephiles welcome it as the start of the “tent pole” popcorn flick season (although the starting date for that seems to creep back earlier and earlier each year). Food-obsessed types like myself embrace it as open season on the outdoor grill.

 

Not that we diehards stop working our Webers when the weather turns cold and unpleasant. Working the grill is a year-round event for us. But the most glorious time to work the smoky hot space that a full grill top creates is when the thermometer heads north of 70 degrees and the icy sweat coming off a cold bottle of beer can cut a refreshing swath across your forehead.

 

So I repeat – do you know the difference between grilling and barbeque? I thought I did. Well, I pretty much did. But a recent demonstration at Le Cordon Blue institute in Cambridge by one of their talented chefs/instructors brought it all home for me, so let me do the same for you, just in case your sitting there wondering why I keep asking such an obvious question.

 

Grilling involves cooking something (be it meat, fish, chicken, or vegetable) by applying direct heat via flame, to the foodstuff in question through a grate. The significance of this is that most of us refer to this act as barbecuing, or having a barbecue, and as you will see, it’s not.

 

Barbeque is the process of slowly cooking food by applying heat indirectly via burning wood. This process can take up to 18 hours, and imbues the food in question with a smoky flavor and juicy tenderness as the long cooking time breaks down the fats and other components of the meat. Barbecue is truly an American style of cooking, and the way it varies from region to region is part of what makes it special.

 

Wherever you happen to be chowing down on ‘cue, be it somewhere in Texas, Memphis, the Carolinas, St. Louis, or Kansas City, you will be treated to completely different styles of eats. The sauce might be based around tomato, vinegar, or mustard. You might be eating beef brisket, pork ribs, or shoulder. Your meat may even have been seasoned with a dry rub and served with sauce on the side as opposed to being slathered by sauce directly.

 

The previously mentioned regions of the US view barbeque in the Northeast using the same lens that we New Englanders view college sports with – sure we’ve got it, and some of it is pretty damn good, but we don’t take it nearly as seriously as the rest of the country. And for a long time, they were right. But ‘cue is trending in this part of the country, and if you don’t believe me, ask anyone who’s been to The Smoke Shop at the Seaport or Sweet Cheeks in the Fenway. These places are popping up all over, and people who are serious about their smoke are putting them on the map.

blue ribbon bbq dedham

 

Two favorite long time denizens of the Boston area that I love who’ve been banging out quality ‘cue for quite some time. Any one of these three can walk you through all the styles I previously mentioned to satisfy both your intellectual curiosity and your hankering for something sweet, tender, and smoky.

 

1)      RedBones has been a fixture in Somerville’s eclectic Davis Square since 1987. Pumping out authentic bbq of all styles including jerk, the menu covers meat, chicken, fish, and vegetarian options, with numerous tasty sides and a handful of desserts to go with the two dozen microbrews on tap. Did I mention they also have a food truck?

 

2)      Blue Ribbon Barbeque is a multi-location operation whose longevity I’m not entirely sure of, but like Redbones, they do offer a variety of regional barbeque styles for your smoky flavor cravings. They do a nice job, and they’ve got four “Best of Boston’s” to prove it.

 

So do your patriotic duty this upcoming holiday weekend, and indulge in a truly American pastime by enjoying our native cuisine at one of the fine institutions listed above, or somewhere else you’ve been meaning to check out. And once you’ve done that, please don’t forget to report back! Did I mention this would also be a good opportunity to send flowers to someone you love?

WEBER GRILL TELEFLORA resized 600

 

 

Jon Bornstein Sandwich Guy Flower Buyer Follow Me On Twitter @Zucrow

Tags: Memorial Day, Traditions, Barbecue, Jon Bornstein, July 4th, Holiday Memories, cooking, Summer, July

Ever Want to Learn About Passover, But Were Afraid to Ask ?

Posted by Rick Canale on Thu, Apr 10, 2014

PASSOVER FLOWER DELIVERY resized 600

Have you ever wondered about those “kosher for Passover” shelves that crop up in your local grocery store when Spring arrives? Are you one of those people who like to eat the “matzah crackers” your Jewish friends choke down this time of year while you’re obliviously munching on chocolate bunnies? Or are you simply curious about the “Seder” dinner that you’ve been invited to by one of your Jewish colleagues? Well, wonder no more, you amongst the hebraically-challenged! The sandwich guy is here to ‘splain all about the holiday of unleavened bread with his “Passover Primer”!

 

Passover, or the Feast of Unleavened Bread, is one of the three major pilgrimage festivals on the Jewish calendar.  These festivals are so named in light of the historical pilgrimages Jews made from all over the world to the Temple in Jerusalem to celebrate these special holidays. Passover commemorates the Exodus, the part of biblical Jewish history where the Israelites were freed from generations of enslavement at the hands of the Egyptians to travel for forty years in the desert (yes, even back then, men refused to stop and ask for directions despite the protestations of their wives) on their way to the Land of Milk and Honey, otherwise known as Israel.

 PASSOVER FLOWERS IN BOSTON resized 600

The holiday lasts eight days, during which Jews observe a special diet absent foods made with leavening agents. These dietary sacrifices were inspired by the unleavened bread, (or matzah) the Jews prepared in their haste to leave Egypt once the Pharoah had finally been convinced to grant them their freedom. The aforementioned haste was a result of said Pharaoh’s multiple renegings on similar promises. The Jews were taking no chances that the Egyptian leader might change his mind again, and anyone familiar with the parting and closing of the Red Sea allowing the Jews to flee their Egyptian pursuers who were swallowed up by the swift unparting of those same waters understands their haste.

 

The first two nights of Passover Jews conduct Seders, ritual dinners that retell the story of Passsover by incorporating song, prayer, stories, and food. Seder literally means “order” referring to the many parts of the meal that must be observed in order to tell the story of Passover properly. The dinner is participatory by everyone in attendance, from youngest to oldest, ensuring that all involved participate in the retelling of our past enslavement and by doing so on an annual basis become less likely to forget where we came from.

 PASSOVER PLANT resized 600

Passover is a time for all Jews to be grateful for how far we’ve come and what we’ve gained during that journey. But you don’t have to be Jewish to engage in that exercise. Just send flowers! After all, what better way to show your gratitude and humility than by sharing nature’s beauty with those you care about!

 

Jonathan Bornstein The Sandwich Guy Want to read about great sandwiches ? I am your sandwich guy.

Follow me on Twitter @Zucrow

 

 

 

Tags: Passover Flowers, Traditions, Jewish Holidays, Jon Bornstein

An Italian Florist in Boston on St. Patrick's Day

Posted by Rick Canale on Mon, Mar 17, 2014

green carnations in boston resized 600 Growing up 100% Italian is quite rare in Boston. I would never trade my heritage for anything. But growing up in Boston also surrounds you with many Irish people and even more Irish customs. My mother, whose parents came from Italy, even cooks corned beef and cabbage every Saint Patrick's Day. This tradition has even carried over to my own family where my wife Suzie, who is part Irish, looks forward to my boiled dinner of corned beef, cabbage, turnip, potatoes, carrots and pearl onions.

New England Boiled Dinner resized 600 During Saint Patrick's week at my house, you will hear us reading the chidlren's book Tim O'Toole and the Wee Folk or watching the Janeane Garofalo movie The Matchmaker on TV. At Exotic Flowers in Boston, we often speak about tradition and creating your own memories. Saint Patrick's Day is an ideal holiday to start your own tradition. 

I have witnessed many clients at Exotic Flowers who celebrate St. Patrick's Day by buying green carnations in the Boston area. The green carnation reminds of the green shake from McDonalds. You only see them around Saint Patrick's Day. One client in Wellesley has been sending his wife 24 green carnations every year for more than twenty years, while a company on State Street in Boston has bought more than one hundred green carnations every year for the past ten years. They hand a green carnation to each one of their employees to celebrate the holiday. 

So crack open a Guinness, hand your loved one a green carnation and listen to the Irish Rovers belt out my favorite Irish tune, 'The Unicorn,'.

Tags: St Patrick's Day Flowers, Carnations, Traditions, Rick Canale

Subscribe via E-mail

Contact Us for All Your Floral Needs