Exotic Flowers in Boston

For many of us, we show our love for mom on Mother’s Day with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a sentimental Hallmark card or maybe even a gift certificate to her favorite spa.  These great gift ideas certainly rank high for holiday presents but the number one choice still holds at taking your special lady to brunch.  Boston has no shortage of fabulous restaurants with menus that include delicious cuisine fit for a queen but maybe you’re interested in another route?  What if what if we put a homespun feel towards this year’s festivities?  The truth is, brunches prepared by families at home are becoming more and more popular, resonating back to traditional Mother’s Day celebrations.  After conducting a few comparisons, I’ve got to tell you, there are a lot of benefits tied to this new trend.  For starters, there are no reservations to be made, no disappointment with ingredients or diet concerns, no traveling required and first and foremost, no excessive food charges that will skyrocket the bill.  Cooking your own feast for mom does however allow flexibility within dish selection, an open door to whomever you wish to invite and the opportunity to personalize the event with your mom’s favorite foods, decorations and flowers.    If you’re interested in hosting your own Mother’s Day brunch instead of dining in one of our city’s eateries, here’s a sure fire way to make all of your guests (and most importantly the guest of honor) enjoys this special day!

The Menu

Make the meal as simple or as sophisticated as your culinary skills will allow you to.  Croissants are a great way to start along with other pasties and muffins.  Recipes containing eggs are another smart beginning where you can make easy scrambled eggs or more elaborate dishes such as Martha Stewart’s Ham and Egg Crepe Squares.  Roasted meats such as ham or roast beef are also popular for an impromptu carving station.  Scalloped potatoes will also be a hit but if you’re looking for a lighter meal, spuds infused with olive oil and rosemary are a superb substitute with fewer calories.  Don’t forget the beverages, too making sure a tray of coffee, juices and tea are available for guests.  Mimosas should also be pre-made because it is after all Mother’s Day-she deserves it!  photo credit marthastewart.com

The Setting

You’re going to want to dress things up a bit since it’s Mother’s Day so plan a trip to your local florist for a fresh bunch of peonies, garden roses, lisianthus, scabiosa or French tulips.  Arrange them in the center of the dining table in one of her favorite antique vases or urns and she’ll appreciate the effort to make Mother’s Day even more special with spring blooms.  Linens don’t have to be fancy either just make sure they don’t distract from the centerpiece or the food being served.  Older serving trays are perfect for this look particularly platters resonating an English appeal.  Serve formally or buffet style but make sure you recruit some helpers to clean up afterwards because it’s mom’s day off!  Happy Mother’s Day!

photo credit: Flower Factor

Animals are true companions for many people and hold a dear place in our hearts.  We take care of them, watch them grow and receive their affection and attention when we need it the most.  Pets come in all shapes, sizes and breeds including cats, dogs, goldfish, parakeets, gerbils, hamsters, lizards, frogs and just about any creature that we can think of who walks or swims the earth.  We treat our fuzzy loved ones with the utmost care because we realize they are more than just an animal, they are our friends that truly solidify themselves in our households as one of the family.   Psychologists reason that it is important to include pets within our lives, particularly for children because they teach responsibility and fellowship.  One factor that is also said to hold positive learning influences for kids who have animals is the hard lesson of accepting life and death.  No one likes to see our beloved animals pass but there is significant research that shows losing a pet prepares the young in a healthier manner than a child who grows up in a pet-less environment.  

Several months ago, my family lost our Siamese cat that not only filled our home with warmth and humor, but also taught my two boys the feeling of mourning.  It was hard, tear-jerking and at the very least, sad but I still believe that this first experience of death allowed them to understand and process their feelings in a better way than if we had no furry loved ones at all.  The question came later as to how we should honor little Ricky so that he would still remain close to our family’s hearts.  After some time spent brainstorming, we came up with a way that not only honored the cat, but would reflect his true spirit in nature.

Ricky was an unusual breed who was half seal point and half chocolate point.  The two varieties were interesting in his genetic make-up giving him a head that resembled a seal from behind and a beautiful gray brown coloring that was seen throughout his silky fur.  We kept these two qualities in mind when we came up with an idea that would properly memorialize the cat in a way that would represent both his beauty and character.  Being a family who loves the outdoors, particularly backyard living, landscaping and gardening, we thought what better way to keep his memory alive than to plant a tree thematic of these attributes? 

You might be thinking you’re overdoing it but really, it’s a very sweet and environmentally protagonist approach to handling the bereavement of a pet who’s passed on.   During the selection process, our family had to keep in mind of the physical attributes of Ricky including his texture, shading and personality.  After mulling over ideas of cherry and magnolia plantings, we finally came to the perfect conclusion- a pussy willow tree.  The buds of the willow are incredibly similar to the smoothness of his coat and the gray chocolate tints that bless the blooms are also a beautiful match to his silky coat.  The pussy willow is eccentric (another trait of the cat) having a posture that hangs down and winds its branches in and on top one each other.  Standing with a slender trunk, the overhang bends down looking similar to an umbrella.  We felt that the dynamic architecture of the willow was a fabulous match to our out-of-the-box kitty who talked loudly whenever excited, danced in circles chasing his tale and possessed a royal appearance with his bright blue eyes and stunning fur coat.  If your bereaving the loss of a pet, you might want to plant a tree in his or her honor too!  You’ll be proud of the memory you’ve erected and feel blessed to watch it bloom every spring. 

  Suzie Canale, Westwood, MA 

Mother’s Day is only a few weeks away and there are still a lot of preparations to make!  The reservations have been made for a scrumptious meal at one of Boston’s finest eateries and the kids have all decorated bright and cheery cards so what could we be possibly missing?  Our holiday pre-orders to our local florists!  Now if you even entertain the idea of waiting for the last minute to pick up a bouquet, you should really rethink that decision because Bean Town’s talented designers are already whipping up inventory requests for buyers to make sure they have exactly what they need for this year’s arrangements to mom.  Walking into a flower shop the day of Mother’s Day could be disastrous and at the very least hectic so take the time to surf your preferred vendor’s website to find an appealing floral product and call ahead.  After all, you don’t want to get stuck with a dozen red roses from the supermarket.  You want something nice for that special mother in your life!  These styles and varieties are what’s hot this season and will definitely be making a splash on Sunday, May 10^th!

Peonies

You just can’t go wrong with a big and bountiful bunch of peonies for Mother’s Day.  Their soft texture and large array of pink shading perfectly emanates the essence of the holiday and the spring weather couldn’t be better for imports from countries such as Holland, California and Ecuador.  This variety is extremely easy to intertwine with other appropriate holiday stems but honestly, they’re better off on their own because the sweet smell alone will plow mom over with a smile.  Sarah Bernhard, Coral, Charm and Shirley Temple top my list for most beautiful types of peonies.

Popcorn Hydrangea

Popcorn Hydrangea isn’t just any old hydrangea-we’re talking the fancy stuff when dealing with this stunning and unusual variety!  With sepals resembling actually popcorn kernels, their plump heads have an interesting texture that is more durable than it’s mother plant allowing them to last longer.  Colors of white, purple, green and blue are available but if you really want to gift something extraordinary, ask for the pink, which is grown in a delicate, blush shade.  Like most up scale varieties, popcorn might cost a bit more than the average hydrangea but I assure you, it’s worth it.  Opt for a few stems instead of the traditional mixed bouquet and say “thanks” to mom in style!

Suzie Canale

It’s about that time again and most of us are in the same boat…

This winter no doubt challenged many Bostonian’s waistlines with the winter storms calling us to indulge in comfort foods of macaroni, cheesy casseroles and juicy oven roasts.  Really, who could blame us for putting on a few pounds of insulation while blizzard after blizzard struck our city?  Its all part of New England living but unfortunately so isn’t the ritual of an annual spring diet. 

Now we don’t have to go nuts with Spartan dishes and cardboard tasting meals-that’s just not how Bostonians get the job done! Northeasterners understand that the proper way to lose a seasonal spare tire is too eat healthy portions infused with lots and lots of fresh produce.  Our plates should gleam with bright colors customary to fruits such as berries, peaches, apples and other delicious goodies.  One area of our menus that utilize this concept to the fullest is within our desserts!  So what if we’ve been satisfying our “sweet tooth” with French vanilla ice cream smothered in caramel toppings or strawberry cheesecake dripping with cream and icing? Colder months of the year call for these decadent enticings but now it’s time to clean up after some of these excessive calories and revamp our dessert choices!  These are a few of my favorites that promise to curb weight inducing cravings and ready you for those soon-to-be visits to the beach!

                                         photo credit: marthastewart.com

Plum Kebabs

This is a wonderful recipe to try once you’ve salvaged your grill from the winter storage basement!  All you need are a few wood skewers, red and purple plums and sugar to sprinkle on top.  First, soak the skewers overnight in water to prevent burning during grilling.  Take 4 to 5 plums of different varieties and colors and skew through the sticks.  Try changing up the pattern to make a fun and interesting visual presentation if using this one for summer barbecues.  Once the fruit has all been secured, dip the entire rod in a dish full of white sugar.  Roll entirely in mixture until the fruit is completely covered.  Heat up the grill and place the skewers on top, turning slowly until the sugar has caramelized and the plums begin to cook.  Take the sticks off and either serve as is or with a scoop of vanilla yogurt.  This tastes so good and you’ll be surprised how little calories you are consuming for such a yummy spring treat! 

           photo credit: dole.com

Banana Pudding Pops

I found this gem from “Eating Well” and have used this for my kids when in a pinch because they are easy to make and requires few ingredients for the recipe.  First heat a skillet and add 3 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and a pinch of salt.  Boil mixture until all of the ingredients have gelled well.  Add 3 teaspoons of vanilla extract to the skillet.  In a processor, blend the skillet preparations with 3 cups of chopped banana.  When the mixture resembles pudding, then scoop into freezer-ready, popsicle molds and let them sit overnight until frozen through.  Serve them immediately or store until the next hot day calls for them!

Suzie Canale

Westwood, MA

The Kentucky Derby

photo credit: kentuckyderby.com

On the first Sunday of every May, one of the most famous races in the United States history will occur where jockeys strap their legs into the stirrups of some of the most impressive thoroughbreds ever to run the track.    Referred to as, “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports”, The Kentucky Derby has long been celebrated as not only a highly anticipated sporting event, but also one of the largest social gatherings in the south.  Taking place in Louisville, millions will stand by to witness who the lucky victor will be, where they will be able to compete in the next two rounds towards the Triple Crown.  The Kentucky Derby officially started on May 17, 1875 where a horse by the name of Aristides took the title as the first official winner.   Yes, right about now, riders, breeders and staff will all be doing their best to prepare for this special day at Churchill Downs. 

So why would a florist be interested in this as a blog topic? 

The flowers of course! 

Along with setting up food vendors, grooming the grounds and organizing ticket sales, floral designers are making their own plans to create beautiful pieces fit for these athletic competitors and their fans.  The most impressive showcase that must be focused on is the blanket of roses to be placed over the first horse to cross the finish line.  Along with a trophy and the pride of the rider and owners, the steed will also be gifted with an intricate woven quilt of flowers that is typically presented in the deep shade of red.  What will this year’s florist have to choose from for possibilities?  Here are a few of the top selections that Boston florists are hoping they will see on the estimated five hundred and fifty four headed blanket of roses.

                  photo credit: kentuckyderby.com

Kentucky Derby

It’s obvious where this rose earned its name.  Yes, this is one the favorite flavors used for the blanket and for good reason since its tight head, vibrant color and stunning shine brings a real presence when arranged with similar varieties.  You can almost count on seeing this stunner amongst the petals of the blanket.

Black Magic

Black Magic rose’s claim to fame is the soft velvet texture, star like formation when fully opened and the beguiling scent that heads give off once fully matured.  This variety is sought ought for it’s deep crimson shade-one the darkest colors in the rose spectrum.  They have a reputation for having a longer lifespan than others as well.

Black Baccara

Another dark shaded beauty, Black Baccara roses are another highly requested bloom for florists but they were originally bred as tea roses, which can easily be grown in gardens.  The sophisticated appeal of this variety makes them a wonderful incorporation to the Derby blanket because of its longevity and dynamic presence when combined with similar blossoms. 

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10^th so Bostonians are making their plans to honor their favorite person in their lives-mom!  Restaurants, flower shops and candy stores will all be bustling, stocking up on inventory that will make perfect presents for loved ones.  Of course, the holiday guests of honor adore a delicious brunch with family, beautiful bouquets of spring blossoms and boxes of decadent chocolates decorated with a bow but what if we tried something different this year?  Keep in mind Bean Town mom’s do considerable heavy lifting when it comes to contributing to their households, raising children and well, everything else in between.  Maybe this year, we should gift our superwomen with a gesture reminding them of how we appreciate all of their hard work!  Boston natives are in luck because it just so happens this city is home to some of the best spas in the northeast!  Whether you’re looking for a manicure, facial, pedicure or package deal, you can bet that Boston beauty locales are preparing their salons for spectacular treatments and services.  If you don’t know where to start your search, meander through this elite list of spas we have situated in town!

G20 Spa and Salon

278 Newbury Street

Boston

617-262-2220

The G20 Spa and Salon on Newbury Street is one of Boston’s highest regarded facilities because of their impeccable reputation and cutting edge beautifying technology.  Besides that, it’s just a really cool place to visit!  Offering rooftop lounging deck, brine inhalation therapies, waterfall rooms and even a skylight hot tub, there’s something for everyone and lots to do for the entire day.  Along with other traditional services such as nail and hair care stylists; this Boston spa tops the chart as also being one of the forerunners in “green” spa living.

Bella Santé

38 Newbury Street

Boston

617-424-9930

Bella Sante should be another priority website to visit when considering a spa package for Mother’s Day!  Located in the Back Bay, this salon offers the basics plus a multi variety menu for packages including “Hand and Foot” massages, “Head to Toe Body Ritual” pampering and a “Be Radiant” treatment bundle.  If dad wants to get in on the action, Bella Santé will change any of these services into a “couples” experience adding romance to any mommy’s special day!

Chuan Body and Soul

250 Franklin Street

Boston

617 451 1900

If you’re looking for something contemporary, check out Chuan Body and Soul, which provides new age treatments promoting relation and inner meditative healing.  This upscale facility bases their services on ancient Chinese medicine, utilizing both natural and spiritual therapies throughout their spa menus.  If you want to try something fun, add the Tao of Detox to your gift certificates that prepares patrons with algae body wraps and acupressure massages. 

As temperatures begin to rise here in Boston, gardeners are wondering what the next trends for group plantings will be this summer?  Window boxes, raised beds and patio pots are all part of your home’s landscaping design so be sure you are ready to plan an attractive design that properly accentuates your property.  Although these creations should show individuality to your tastes, experts have devised a framework to ensure your summer flower’s best performance efforts.  For instance, color, texture and size all effect the final presentation of the plants whether they are being hung from an arbor or rooted within a larger garden plot.  Other factors that are crucial to measure are the specimen’s longevity throughout the season and ability to acclimate in different weather patterns that we know makes New England gardening sometimes a challenge.  As I start to sift through seed catalogues and local nursery websites, I will try to keep these few suggestions in mind in order to build my successful raised garden beds this June. 

Its not always easy choosing the right flowers suitable to the areas those are available to you. Some varieties prefer moist soil while others desire a drier plot, which makes it crucial for you to read the care instructions before buying anything.  Don’t let desire get in the way of your selection process because no matter how much you love a perennial or annual, if you don’t have the proper environment for it to grow, the selection will fail to thrive.  In some circumstances you can manipulate the soil such as making wood or plastic draining containers where you can fill it with the proper material that will enable a wider variety of options for you.  In this case, its smart to get the opinion of a home improvement specialist or florist to help you decide on the material you’ll need for construction. 

Deciding your color palette is really important to pre-planning gardens because it will aid to avoiding an uncomfortable clash once the plants have been plotted.  You don’t want all of that hard work to go to waste on a messy arrangement that will be unattractive in your yard.  One way to develop a blueprint is to get out your paints and start trying out different shades and their combinations with others.  This will allow a large spectrum of diversity and you’ll be able to match most outcomes with the products your greenhouses will have available.  Years ago I met a floral designer who swore that adding white into a brightly mixed assortment of color only worked to separate the flow of the other flowers.  His advice was to keep whites in their own plot to ensure a visually stimulating and appealing presentation.  Other pros encourage a mass array of dark and light blossoms because it illuminates a spectacular burst of flowers, which is exactly what Mother Nature has offered to all of us!

 Suzie Canale

Westwood, MA

Doctors say to get outdoors if you want to be healthy and you know what, they’re right!  Studies show that an increase amount of time spent walking in the woods, combing sandy beaches or playing on the lawn with your kids can actually help eradicate illnesses, stress and ailments.  Believing this to be true, I set up an experiment to see if this actually would help my lack of flexibility and backaches that I had been experiencing.  To my surprise, there was no doubt that taking an extra fifteen minutes a day to participate in my favorite outdoor activity actually did wonders for these common problems felt by many.  What was that activity you ask?  Well, gardening of course!  Through a period of six weeks, I not only noticed a clear change but also developed a few tips for others who might be going through the same predicament.  Without strenuous positions or exhausting tasks, flexibility in muscles and depletion in upper and lower framework afflictions can be attained by following a few easy suggestions when enjoying a planting session of your favorite begonias. 

Before bending down to reach for your flat of plants, take a deep breadth from the diaphragm and release the air slowly from your lungs.  It’s sounds strange but professionals reveal that in general, people do not breath enough throughout their day, which can actually cause heightened anxiety and stress.  Think of it as your warm up exercise and you’ll notice right away the decrease in tension within your body.  Once you’ve done this your ready to fully emerge yourself in the “health” of gardening.

                                           photo credit: globalgardensgifts.com

Next you’ll want to get going with your potting and digging so remember when kneeling to do this very slowly as to avoid pulling or tearing of the joints.  When bending for multiple plants, bow at the knees instead of a full frontal curve of the back to the ground.  This will ease your way into the motion and give you toning as you repeat this movement throughout your session.

If you aren’t into kneeling by your flowerbeds and you’re not afraid of grass stains, sit your bottom right down on the ground and extend your legs in front of you.  While you are preparing the soil, take a second to stretch your arms as far down across your legs as you feel comfortable doing.  After you get the hang of this, try folding one leg behind you while still keeping the other leg straight.  You will feel a bit of tightening that means that the quad is stretching.  Other positions that are helpful for flexibility include laying your hands behind your back and forming an arch or lifting your arms straight above your head for a complete lengthening of shoulders, biceps and triceps.

                                photo via aberdeenflorist.com

Get out there and sample these ways to heighten flexibility and decrease back pain without ever having to leave your backyard.  You won’t believe the difference a good gardening day can do for your flowers and your body.