I love country fairs. I love to visit the exhibits of farm animals and flowers, eat snow cones and ride the Ferris wheel

There was a time when the country fair was a very important to the world of agriculture and floriculture. Breeders would gather to exhibit and showcase their animals, plants and flowers. Often there were competitions and winning the “Blue Ribbon” was not only important to the ego, but to the pocketbook as well. New seed stock was purchased, farming methods studied and breeding animals exchanged.

While many of the new varieties of today’s flowers are developed in the laboratory, the country fair was the laboratory of days gone by. And every once in a while; it’s the backyard breeder of flowers that develops a fabulous new variety.  Maybe that’s why I love the country fair so much. It’s a chance to see a new flower blossoms and to eat snow cones too.

Since time immemorial small bouquets of flowers have been given as a greeting or gift. These bouquets share a number of names; nosegay, posey and tussie mussie are the most common. In medieval times the nosegay (literally – to keep the nose happy) was carried or worn or carried around the head or bodice to mask the foul street smells of the time. Over time the nosegay evolved into today’s corsage.

The tussie mussie is a small, tightly made bouquet assembled with a carefully chosen selection of flowers and herbs with each item in the bouquet having a specific meaning. During the era of Queen Victoria the tussie mussie was wildly popular in England among young lovers as a way to send secret messages to each other.

I made the tussie mussie pictured for my young niece who was giving her very first dance recital. The flowers used have the following meanings:

Blue Hyacinth – Kindliness

Daffodil – Gracefulness

Heather – Admiration

Cherry Red Rose – Sweetness

Rosebuds – Beauty and youth

Coral Rose and Golden Rod – Good Fortune

St John’s-Wort – Protection

Is there someone that you would like to send a secret message to?

Since the ancient Greeks first awarded a palm branch to the winner of an athletic contest, floral bouquets, garlands and wreaths have been symbols of victory. At the height of the Roman Empire, bouquets of flowers and garlands were awarded to generals victorious in battle as well as the victors of gladiatorial contests. When the Olympic Games were restored in the late 19th century, flowers as well as olive and laurel branches were made a part of the victory ceremony. Today we see flowers awarded to the winners and stars of many various contests and events. The winning race horse in the Kentucky Derby is draped with a blanket of 554 red roses. The winners of the Tour de France bicycle race are awarded with large bouquets of flowers. The winning driver in the Indianapolis 500 automobile race is draped with a floral wreath and stars of theater, opera and dance are awarded floral bouquets during curtain calls. Flowers are such a wonderful way to honor a significant accomplishment. Isn’t there someone you know who deserves a victory bouquet today?

Have you ever noticed that when you hand flowers to someone, they almost always pull the flowers close to their face and smell them? Not only do we expect fragrance we find great enjoyment in the fragrance of flowers. The fragrance of flowers is found to be calming and relaxing. Additionally, researchers have found that for many the fragrance of flowers stimulates memories of happy occasions past when flowers were received.

Remember this when you order flowers. Nothing beats the relaxing and therapeutic aroma of fresh flowers.

Who holds it all together? Who makes sure it all gets done? Who is “one in a million”? Say “Thank You” to the person that helps you get through the day – each and every day.

Just imagine, what would you do if you came to work and no one was there to dot your “I”s and cross your “T”s? The world just might come to an end.

You need not say thanks to only the people close to you such as friends and family. Thanking peers at work too, would be a great way of appreciating people around you.

Millions work in offices all over the world and they are just waiting to be shown appreciation for their effort and hard work. Flowers would be the best way to give them a pat on the back. Flora2000 is waiting round the clock to help you put your grateful feelings into words.

I best get back to the design room and help make arrangements for the millions of hard working professionals so, they get the gratitude they deserve.

The brides have spoken. Once again, the hydrangea is noted in the top ten flower choices for weddings 2008, 2009 and 2010 – three years in a row. I would have to agree. The versatile hydrangea is perfect for romantic bouquets and centerpieces. The intense colors are fabulous – pink, blue, green, ivory, white, lavender and purple. A footed-compote filled with mop head and lace cap hydrangeas mixed with roses and dusty miller creates a striking centerpiece.  Add a few color coordinated glass stones in the bottom of the vessel for extra pizzazz. A few votive candles, a matching table cloth and napkins…a fantasy setting awaits.

Where do we begin? The comments, the feelings of love, the emotions and sharing of it…. we are grateful for this overwhelming response. Reading all the entries in the contest made us think about our sisters and all the precious moments we have shared with them. Thank you all for taking part in this contest.

We have, as always, found it extremely difficult to select a winner but in the end there can be just one. Thank you all once again. Please do keep coming back for more.

CONGRATULATIONS TAMI JONES

You have won an exquisite floral arrangement from us absolutely FREE. Do check your email for your prize.