Christmas Flowers

 

Christmas is a time for personal celebrations and traditions shared with family and friends. Flowers and plants have long played a special role in Christmas festivities and are as personal and individual as the people doing the celebrating.Great holiday arrangements begin with greenery. In ancient cultures, people believed that bringing foliage into the home during the season was lucky and guaranteed the return of vegetation in the spring. Even today, green remains a staple in holiday décor. Incorporate a scented pine or other greens into a centerpiece or table arrangement. Accent the greens with flowers that complement the home's décor.
It is well known that people remember receiving flowers. According to a recent study, 92 percent of women remember the last time they received flowers. Because they are a time when memories are made, there is no better time than the holidays for sending a sentiment of caring.
Sending flowers for the holidays is the gift of emotion. The season has a way of conjuring up feelings of nostalgia. We think about grandma's house, the cozy fireplace, the great feast and good times with family and friends. Flowers and plants are the finishing touch that make the holidays complete.
We have a great selection of custom Holiday Arrangements available for in store pick up or delivery. Visit our website at www.tkandbrowns.com or call us at 860.563.8880 for your holiday flowers.

 

 

 



Angels

 

Yesterday, I spent the day at The Newtown Florist with Judy, her team and my fellow members of The Connecticut Florists Association, designing flowers for the angels of last Friday's tragedy in Sandy Hook. It was a day of sharing our talents...sharing our love for flowers...sharing our love for the community.

The Connecticut Florists Association, our state floral organization of "Real Florists", united together to provide designers and product donated from our members and suppliers to assist in the overwhelming task of designing flowers for the families who lost their loved ones last Friday.

Certainly, there is no right time for this type of tragedy, but taking place so close to one of the most joyful and lest we forget, one of the most holiest times of year, is much more painful....it is a time of year when innocent children, their eyes aglow in wonder... leave cookies for Santa & carrots for his reindeer in hopes he comes down the chimney....light  candles on the Menorah....await baby Jesus...

This year for 26 families in Connecticut it will not be like past holidays, for they are mourning the loss of their babies, their brothers & sisters, their daughters, their wives, their girlfriends...this year they would only wish that they could hold them again...to tell them they love them and how much they mean to them...to laugh with them...to hug them...

 

This holiday season, tell those around you that you love them...tell someone how much they mean to you....give hugs...pray...be patient...be kind.....be respectful....give more hugs...smile...laugh...pray some more.... and always surround yourself in love & peace....

for tomorrow it may be too late....

A heavy heart....





I just cannot find it in me today to post the "Twelve Days of Christmas" series that we have been posting this past week for the Christmas Holiday as we as a nation are with heavy hearts today.

This morning the spirit is just not in me as we have a town, a state, a nation in mourning...
mourning for God's new angels, the children and their teachers who were so horrifically taken from us yesterday and we also mourn for the parents who will never see their babies grow up, the spouses who will never give their wife or husband a kiss again and for the children who will never be able to hug their mom or dad again.

The children, so innocent and full of wonder, going to school feeling they were safe yet unknowing that in such a short time they would be taken away from this earth.

 I ask myself in sadness and anger what is wrong with our world, our society, our nation that this type of tragedy can occur and cause such pain and sorrow….where did we go wrong…what can we do to bring back the feeling of safety and security that I experienced when I was growing up.

As we are all preparing for our holidays at home with our family and loved ones take a moment and say a prayer for those who lost their lives on Friday and for our nation and the world that we live in.
May their someday be Peace on Earth.

Peace & Love to all,

Five Golden Rings & Mistletoe

The "Twelve Days of Christmas " has always been a favorite Christmas song of mine...I remember always singing it with my sister during the holidays....but this year I thought I would give it a new twist. From now until December 22nd we will be giving something away to our customers who visit our store...no we will not be giving away French Hens, Pipers Piping or Golden Rings however there will be something different every day for twelve days....Day Five.

On the Fifth Day of Christmas...

my "Real Local Florist" gave to me....

A $5.00 Coupon and 2013 floral calendar.....

Stop in at TK & Brown's to receive your gift.

Offer is only valid through  12.24.2012



Mistletoe

Most people have heard of mistletoe, particularly at Christmas time. It is a parasitic plant which often grows on other trees and shrubs. The white berries are full of a sticky juice.

There are lots of legends and traditions surrounding mistletoe, the most well known and popular being the kissing one. It was believed that kissing under the mistletoe would lead to marriage.

In ancient times the Druids believed that mistletoe would bring good luck and health. Although it has been used to treat some ailments, the berries are in fact poisonous and should not be touched by children. Mistletoe has also been associated with fertility, a good crop being a sign that the following season's harvest would be a good one.

 

 

 

 

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On the Fourth Day of Christmas....

The "Twelve Days of Christmas " has always been a favorite Christmas song of mine...I remember always singing it with my sister during the holidays....but this year I thought I would give it a new twist. From now until December 22nd we will be giving something away to our customers who visit our store...no we will not be giving away French Hens, Pipers Piping or Golden Rings however there will be something different every day for twelve days....Day four...roses for you

On the Fourth Day of Christmas...

my "Real Local Florist" gave to me....

not four calling birds, but

Four Red Roses and 2013 floral calendar.....

Stop in at TK & Brown's to receive your gift.

Offer is only valid in store on 12.13.2012

Watch for tomorrow's gift

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With the holidays upon us it's easy to go online to order your holiday flowers from the first online floral company that pops up.... please BEWARE, the majority of those companies are "order gatherers" or OG's as they are known in our industry and are third party order takers for the "Big Guys". I have listed some guidelines for you the consumer to keep in mind when you need to order flowers whether it be for the holidays or everyday occasions. Remember, your local professional florist has the knowledge and design talent to properly service your order.

 Keep our Local Economy Strong
For every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home.Google “flowers” or “florist” plus the name of the delivery city
Ex: florist “Rocky Hill”
Check out the resulting websites, looking for a local phone number—not just a toll free number. If only the latter appears, beware; you probably landed on an order gathering call center. (Don’t assume a street address is legit; quite often, they’re commercial addresses at p.o. box locations.) Generally, the listings at the top of the page are order gatherers, scroll down a bit to the local florists.

Next, call the local phone number
When they answer, say the following (exactly as written):“I’d like to come by to pick something out in person. Where are you located, and what are your hours this week?”
If they answer you straight up, it’s a brick and mortar florist. If, however, they work toward getting you to order over the phone or online instead, you just found a call center. Next in line, please….(Side note: After they confirm they’re an actual store, it’s okay to come clean. There isn’t a brick and mortar florist in the country who won’t thank you for checking to be sure they’re real.)

Separate delivery from daisiesIf you want a $50 floral arrangement, ask for a $50 floral arrangement. If, instead, you want the $50 to cover both the arrangement and delivery, tell the florist up front. Don’t assume delivery is free–it’s not (in spite of what the online sites lead you to believe…they may advertise a $50 arrangement with free delivery, but the expense comes out of the portion you thought was allocated for flowers).
Between paychecks, gas, and insurance, florists pay a premium to offer delivery service, then price it as low as they feasibly can. Don’t haggle; they’re already cutting numbers to the bone.
Mission Accomplished
Your goal is pretty straightforward: Find pretty flowers, pay for pretty flowers, send pretty
flowers—not fund a call center or national processing service. Dialing up a phone number or two instead of trusting your keyboard will make the difference between “ooh ahh” and “oh well” on the receiving end.

 



On the Third Day of Christmas....Free Poinsettias

The "Twelve Days of Christmas " has always been a favorite Christmas song of mine...I remember always singing it with my sister during the holidays....but this year I thought I would give it a new twist. From now until December 22nd we will be giving something away to our customers who visit our store...no we will not be giving away French Hens, Pipers Piping or Golden Rings however there will be something different every day for twelve days....here we go day three, stop in for your free poinsettia.

On the Third Day of Christmas...

my "Real Local Florist" gave to me....

not three french hens, but

one 3 inch poinsettia and 2013 floral calendar.....

Stop in at TK & Brown's to receive your gift.

Offer is only valid in store on 12.12.2012 to the first 50 people

Watch for day four's gift

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Give your paperwhites a shot to keep them short

Paperwhites (Narcissus tazetta) are popular indoor plants for winter. Unlike other narcissus, paperwhites don’t require a chilling period, so forcing them is as easy as putting the bulbs in water and waiting. The fragrant flowers bloom within about 2-3 weeks of planting, for almost instant gratification.
A problem with paperwhites, as with many bulbs planted in pots, is that they grow quite tall and all of their weight is at the top. Researchers in the Flowerbulb Research Program at Cornell University have come up with an unusual solution to this top heavy problem: Alcohol. When paperwhite bulbs are grown in a dilute solution of alcohol, the plants reach a height of 1/3 to ½ their normally expected growth - but the flowers remain normal size and last just as long. Why they thought of giving their paperwhites a nip, I don’t know. But it appears that the resulting water stress on the plants is just enough to stunt their growth, but not interfere otherwise.

How to Stunt Paperwhites with Alcohol

1. Pot your paperwhites in stones and water, as you normally would.
2. Once the roots begin growing and the green shoot on top reaches about 1-2", pour off the existing water.
3. Replace the water with a solution of 4 - 6% alcohol, as described below.
4. Continue to use the alcohol solution for future watering.

You should see results in a few days.

How to Make the Alcohol Watering Solution

• The alcohol content needs to be less than 10%, or your plants will overdose and severe growth problems will occur. Many liquors are only labeled as "proof", not percentage of alcohol. Don’t confuse the two. To determine what percentage alcohol you have, divide the proof in half, So and 86 proof bourbon is 43% alcohol.
• You can use any hard liquor (vodka, tequila, whiskey...) or rubbing alcohol. Don’t use wine or beer because they are too high in sugar.
• Check the bottle for the percentage alcohol.
• You will have to do some math to get the different concentrations of alcohol down to 4-6%. To convert your booze to 5% alcohol, just divide the percentage alcohol by 5 and then subtract 1. That will tell you how many parts water to mix with your 1 part alcohol. Ex: 40 divided by 5 = 8: 8 minus 1 = 7... 7 parts water to 1 part alcohol.Or simply use this chart:

  Convert Existing Alcohol to a 5% Solution for Watering

  
  10% Alcohol = 1 Part Water to 1 Part Alcohol
  15% Alcohol = 2 Parts Water to 1 Part Alcohol
  20% Alcohol = 3 Parts Water to 1 Part Alcohol
  25% Alcohol = 4 Parts Water to 1 Part Alcohol
  30% Alcohol = 5 Parts Water to 1 Part Alcohol
  35% Alcohol = 6 Parts Water to 1 Part Alcohol
  40% Alcohol = 7 Parts Water to 1 Part AlcoholAnd so on.

On the Second Day of Christmas....

The "Twelve Days of Christmas " has always been a favorite Christmas song of mine...I remember singing it with my sister during the holidays....but this year I thought I would give it a new twist. From now until December 22nd we will be giving something away to our customers who visit our store each day...no we will not be giving away French Hens, Pipers Piping or Golden Rings however there will be something different every day for twelve days....here we go day two.....

On the Second Day of Christmas...

my "Real Local Florist" gave to me....

not Two Turtle Doves, but

Two stems of lilies and 2013 floral calendar.....

Stop in at TK & Brown's to receive your gift.

Offer is only valid in store on 12.11.2012

Watch for tomorrow's gift

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On the First Day of Christmas....

The "Twelve Days of Christmas " has always been a favorite Christmas song of mine...I remember singing it with my sister during the holidays....but this year I thought I would give it a new twist. From now until December 22nd we will be giving something away to our customers who visit our store each day...no we will not be giving away French Hens, Pipers Piping or Golden Rings however there will be something different every day for twelve days....so lets get started.

On the First Day of Christmas...

my "Real Local Florist" gave to me...

not a Partridge in a Pear Tree, but

One Red Rose & a 2013 floral calendar.....

Stop in at TK & Brown's to receive your gift.

Offer is only valid in store on 12.10.2012

Watch for tomorrow's gift

 

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The Day of Infamy

Not only is December 7th special because it is my birthday, it is a special day of remeberance to honor those who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. On August 23, 1994, United States Congress, designated December 7 of each year as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is also referred to as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day or Pearl Harbor Day. It is a tradition to fly the Flag of the United States at half-staff until sunset in honor of dead patriots.
My Dad served in the United States Navy on the USS Nevada during World War II and was stationed at Pearl Harbor & Normandy, he was 37 years old when he signed up for duty.
I remember how he would tell his war stories to myself, my sisters and to all of the grandchildren and especially to my son... always being so proud of his country and his family.

My sisters & I even found all of the "love letters" he sent to my Mom during his tour.

When he died in February of 1992, he was living in Arizona and somehow when the burial arrangements were being made, as it all happened so quickly we never had military honors for him.

That bothered me for 20 years, so this past March, Mike, the wonderful man in my life took me, my son Paul and his girlfriend to the Veterans Memorial Cemetary in Arizona to give the proper military honors to my Dad. The Navy and all of the Veterans performed a wonderal ceremony, we brought the flag that was given to my son after my mom died and they inspected it, opened it then refolded and presented it once again to my son.

The veterans gave  the 21 gun salute and taps was played....after 20 years it was final, Dad was given the honors he well deserved.
This Christmas we should all take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of the season and say a prayer for those who are less fortunate, who live with the threat of bombs everyday, who are battling inner demons or terminal illnesses, for our brave soldiers and for their families. 

As it was so rightly said by the late John Lennon in his song Imagine.

" Imagine all the world living in peace..and the world will live as one"

Peace & Love to all, Terri

Poinsettia Legend & Facts

The Legend of the Poinsettia
Poinsettias were first introduced to the United States in 1825 by Joel Robert Poinsett, amateur botanist and first ambassador to Mexico. He introduced the plant to the United States when he brought some cuttings to his plantation in Greenwood, South Carolina.
December 12 is National Poinsettia Day, an official day set aside to enjoy this symbol of holiday cheer. It was established upon the death of Mr. Poinsett to honor him and the plant he made famous. He died in 1851.
Poinsettias are native to Mexico, where they grow wild. The enchanting legend of the poinsettia dates back several centuries, to a Christmas Eve in Mexico when a little girl named Pepita had no gift to present to the Christ child. Her cousin Pedro urged her to give a humble gift. So, on her way to church she gathered some weeds she found along the road. As she approached the altar, a miracle happened: The weeds blossomed into brilliant flowers. Then they were called Flores de Noche Buena - Flowers of the Holy Night. Now they are called poinsettias.

Poinsettia Varieties
Poinsettias are a longstanding favorite, with between 70 million and 80 million typically sold for the holidays.
While the standard three- to six-bloom red poinsettia is the most popular, there are several other sizes, shapes and colors available.
Colors can range from creamy white to shades of pink and orange to the traditional red. Also available are marbled bracts of pink and white as well as pink flecks on red. Poinsettias can be purchased in miniature sizes, trees, hanging baskets and even as fresh cut flowers. Ask your florist for color options.

Toxicity Myth
The poinsettia is the most widely tested consumer plant on the market today, proving the myth about the popular holiday plant to be false:

• Scientific research from The Ohio State University has proved the poinsettia to be non-toxic. All parts of the plant were tested, including the leaves and sap.
• According to POISINDEX, the national information center for poison control centers, a child would have to ingest 500-600 leaves in order to exceed the experimental doses that found no toxicity.
• A study by Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University found that out of 22,793 reported poinsettia exposures there was essentially no toxicity significance of any kind. The study used national data collected by the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

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At a loss for words this holiday ...we're here to help

This is the time of year that we are sending cards & gifts to our family, friends & business associates. As we are taking an order at the flower shop, there is always a pause when we ask what message would you like on the enclosure card.

We have solved the problem by supplying you with a list of sentiments that you can use when you are sending your flowers ,gifts, and cards.

 
 
Remember to always order your flowers from your local professional florist they have the knowledge and design talent to properly service your order.

 



 

CHRISTMAS SENTIMENTS

1. Wishing you a very merry Christmas.
2. Wishing you the gift of faith, the blessing of hope and the peace of His love at Christmas and always.
3. May the miracle of Christmas fill your heart with warmth and love.
4. May this glorious day of our Savior’s birth resound with hope and peace on earth.
5. Wishing you the love, peace, and joy that the true meaning of Christmas brings.
6. Wishing your family peace and love at Christmas and always.
7. May you have the spirit of Christmas which is peace, the gladness of Christmas which is hope and the heart of Christmas which is love.
8. May the timeless message of Christmas fill your heart and home with joy today and throughout the coming year.
9. (Funny) ‘Tis the season to put mistletoe on the handle of your purse so you can kiss your money good-bye! Hope your holiday is well spent.
10. ‘Tis the season to be jolly – May your Christmas be filled with all the things that make you smile!
11. (Funny) A Christmas Query – If we turn back our clocks one hour every October, why can’t we turn back our scales 20 lbs. every December? Have a Light-Hearted Christmas
12.  (Funny) A Christmas Reminder: Don’t try to borrow any money from elves – They’re always a little short! (Hope your Christmas joy lasts a long time!)
13. When I count my blessings, I count you twice. Merry Christmas.
14. Wishing you joy and love this holiday season. May your home and hearth be filled with warm and laughter. Merry Christmas.
15. A Special Christmas Wish – May peace, hope, and love be this season’s gift to you!
16. (Funny) A heartfelt Christmas Wish for you May all your Christmas lights come on the first time you plug them in! Have a Bright Christmas
17. As you wrap each gift with loving hands and decorate the tree, may the beauty of this season make a lovely memory. Merry Christmas.
18. At Christmas play and make good cheer for Christmas comes but once a year.
19. Blessings of the season to you and yours.
20. Celebrate the Season
21. Christmas Dreams–dreams of good little girls and boys, eight small reindeer pull a sleigh, and Santa Claus leaves piles of toys beneath the tree on Christmas Day. May the joyful dreams of childhood be yours again this holiday.
22. Christmas creates in every soul a dwelling place for beauty. Have a wonderful holiday.
23. Christmas is more than a holiday. It is an opportunity for our family to give thanks for the gifts of friendship and love we share with you.
24. Christmas is so special and so are you! Merry Christmas!
25. Christmas reminds me that people like you are an expression of God’s love for us. Christmas Blessings
26. Christmas time – When people want their pasts forgotten and their presents remembered! Have a Memorable Holiday
27.  Looking forward to making many wonderful Christmas memories with you this year.
28. (Funny) All I want is you this Christmas, but jewelry is always nice too.
29. Christmas! That exciting time of year when we feel extra close to everyone! (Especially at the mall!) Happy Holidays
30. Santa is sure to fill your stocking but absolutely NO ONE can fill your shoes! Merry Christmas with love
31. (Funny) For the holiday season, here are those three little words you’ve always longed to see… NO ASSEMBLY REQUIRED.
32. Gather us together, Lord, in fellowship so sweet to celebrate your gift of love that has made our lives complete. Merry Christmas.
33. Best wishes and glad tidings this holiday season. May yours be a season of joy and merriment.
34. Funny) May your turkey be plump, your presents many, and your nights filled with the joy of what you’re sure by now is more nog than egg. Merry Christmas!
35. Happy Holidays – Wishing you all the little delights of Christmas

 

 

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