Designing without a budget is highly recommended. This is not a $75 arrangement, though that will be its starting auction price tomorrow night at the Westin in Forrestal Village. Mini green cymbidium orchids, orange celosia, 3 different colors of ranunculus clusters, lavender hyacinth and galax leaves in a glass square. I love this job. Still working on the background for the photos.

garden is a magical place

just spray roses

'Ruby red' spray roses cut short for a rectangular curvy edge vase. The petals are contrasting on top and bottom sides and last a nice long while on a shorter stem.

bud vases

i am frustrated with the quality of these photos, though as practice illustrates, white background improves them only marginally.

hard to over-rate these little islands of joy, inexpensive and glorious in their simplicity.

administrative assistants' day

These pictures are quite late, but here they are. This time of the year tulips, snapdragons, flox, delphinium, narcissus, bupleurum, and most gorgeous and lush leptospermum.

it is spring, at least today

lush and gorgeous flowering plants are finally emerging from the protection of greenhouses and are ready for our homes and gardens. these vibrant hydrangeas and roses will have to stay in for two-three weeks and then can be planted outside as any perennial. they were so beautiful this morning, i had to bring a few back. hydrangeas - just blue today, roses - yellow, lavender, red and pink. anyone needs a floral boost like that in their house - just give a call at 917 750 4403 or drop a line to pensive.weeds@gmail.com

Happy spring!

greens for Pat

Springtime graces our gardens with muscari hyacinths - hard to think of a lovelier, more delicate flower. I have a special fondness for them and love to cluster little friendly bunches whenever there is a chance.

Pat often prefers a vase of greens such as eucaliptus, protea foliage and variegated pittasporum to a floral arrangement. The greens will last longer and some have a lovely healing scent (such as eucaliptus). As she is there and the greens were here, I made this vase for her just in case she visits the site. Happy Easter! Next, is a variation on a bud vase. A single Jade rose in a Fiasco striped green/white pitcher (very spring) with bear grass and eucaliptus... instantly brightens up a room and is an economical solution to the flower question (to buy or not to buy) in these tight financial times.

It is Passover - happy days to all.

Two different vases with the same mix of flowers.
Here is traditional mixed round and modern - more architectural look in cream lysianthus, baby blue delphinium, jade roses, parrot tulips and mini protea. Vibrant and simple - both centerpieces for a passover table - they were such fun to make.

Here is foccacia - another one of Anne-Renee's recipes with Lisa's herbs from a farm in Michigan. Even though the yeast was a little old and the dough did not rise the way it was supposed to, we ended up with a giant yet delicious cracker. We'll have to have another go at it.

This photo does not seem to do justice to this little bowl of spring with clear jems, Crimson glory tender pink/white spray roses and matching leptospermum for accent. For a new mother and her sweet little baby boy, this was a perfect thing.