So, I think everybody needs a day off! I got mine Saturday by way of an outing with the Bunco Babes to Lake Cumberland. It is a beautiful place and I learned that one of the Babes could write several novels about her experiences. But, what happens or is said at the lake stays at the lake!!!
And today we had a busy day at the shop with two funerals. It's been 3 weeks since we've had much to do, so I had difficulties remembering how to buy flowers for the occasion. I got to meet a lovely lady today that I have talked to several times over the years when she called to order flowers for her mother. She is one of many people that have accounts at the shop even though they haven't lived here for years. They call us to send flowers here or to any town other than the one they live in.
And we got a nice compliment from a florist in Mt Sterling who was happy that she got to call us to deliver flowers for them in Irvine. Thank you!!!

The Interview

I was interviewed today by a nice fellow for a 2 minute presentation on Sept 13 at the Center in Somerset for the Excellence in Entrepreneurship small business award. I am one of 3 finalists for the award. Kathy Samples at Citizens Guaranty Bank nominated me. Kathy is so good to her friends and customers! She is a wonderful asset to our community.
I played with a ball of yarn through out the interview so I wouldn't wave my hands around nervously. I really dread seeing myself on video, dark circles around my eyes & all.

And on another note- an uprising is underway- a revolt among florists- a mutiny on the floral bounty!!! Boycott the wire services!!!!!!!!!!!

The wedding Saturday night went great! It took an hour to load 2 vehicles. We arrived at 4:00 & went straight to work! The cake table top was put in place first and the finishing touches put on it. Since it was outdoors & it was pretty warm, the cake was not placed on the table until after the wedding started so it wouldn't melt.
We filled jars with zinnias for the reception tables & dropped the submersible lights into the water in each one. Last of all we hung the kissing balls on the chairs & placed flowers on the gazebo.
The farm is beautiful, as is the big house the bride's grandparents live in on the farm. Llamas live there too and lots of flowers grow there!
A strange looking thing with a para sail on it came buzzing through the sky toward the wedding at about the time it started. We thought it was the groom dropping in, but it wasn't! However, the bride did arrive a little later in an unusual way in a beautiful white carriage.

It feels great to have all our hard work come together and contribute to a bride having the wedding of her dreams. That is what my job is all about!

Thank Meranda & Derrick for all the help and thanks to Erin & Myra for the help with setup.

It's late- I'm tired -I've got to sleep! Later!

Hot Wednesday!!

We spent the day in a hot oven (that's what it felt like)- is this what hell feels like??

On a cooler note.....watermelons and apples and pumpkins were the popular items today! Fake ones, of course!

Part of our flowers for this weekend's wedding arrived today & we divvied them up according to what they would be used for- bride, bridesmaid, kissing ball, topiary, etc.
A facebook florist friend commented Monday that she cut 17 boxes of flowers for this weekend's weddings. SEVENTEEN!!!!!! A box might have 100 roses, or 125 pompons, or 250 carnations, for example. Another florist posted pictures of last weekend's weddings-all 8 of them! Their world is so different from mine! My biggest weekend was 2 weddings and 1 large funeral! I read tonight about one florist who has four wedding consultants on staff. In defense of my little world, I have to say that having that big a flower shop would mean I wouldn't get to personally do each wedding or birthday bouquet, or funeral arrangement myself and that would take away a lot of what I love most.
And did you know that July is now the biggest wedding month instead of June? August is also a big month and October weddings are increasing each year.

See ya l8r!

I got to arrange some pretty bouquets today!! We sent a beautiful standing spray to a Stanton funeral home today. It's picture is on facebook.
I am learning the technique to making wreaths out of Deco poly mesh. I made wreaths for the Estill Engineer fan today out of royal blue deco mesh with black & white ribbons- turned out prety nice!!! And someone bought the wreath I made out of black & silver mesh with silver ribbon.
We have begun construction on the flower covered tabletop for the cake table at this weekend's wedding in Madison County. Sometimes I feel like my brother, the engineer, as I figure out how to construct the unusual things that we make at the shop! I am so excited to get to make this piece- I'll show pictures as we go along!
Paige researched Scarecrow decorating contests for me and we got a lot done on that little activity for the Railroad Festival in October.
Off now to a hospice benefit planning meeting. Can't wait to see what we come up with this year for decorations!
Talk to you later!