More Beyond The Door

This weekend we will say good bye to Thanksgiving and officially begin the Glitter Season! Kim and Colleen have been busy creating fabulous Gourmet Baskets for delivery this upcoming week.

If you are a fan of our Boxwood Trees, stop in soon for the best selection. Opps, I've got to go and unwrap the first load of poinsettias.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Take me home with you!

The roly poly Santa says "Take me home with you". And there are more Elves and Angels waiting for a visit from you.

The Shop is decorated and looks particularly festive. As we were unpacking boxes and filling shelves, snowflakes started falling. The first stirring of Christmas spirit bubbled forth and before I could stop myself I shouted "Lets listen to Chrismas music!"

Well, that didn't go over as well as I expected with my co-workers. After much rolling of the eyes everyone agreed that it was too early. However, I have the remote....yes, sometimes it is good to be the Boss.

Happy Halloween

We have made some unique and whimical Halloween decorations. Because they are handmade in our store you will not find them at Target or The Christmas Tree Shop. They are well priced and will be a spooktacular addition to your October decorations. Ask about Boris and Natasha. They have a new home but we can't be sure they won't get out! EEEK!

Sahara Roses are Romantic

Robin egg blue hydrangea, mini calla lilies and Sahara Roses in a pale antique peach make a lovely combination for a summery wedding. The misty morning was beautifully captured by Alisha Clarke. www.alishaclarkphotographer.com I just love way the soft light and wispy ribbon

play off the color of the flowers against the gowns. Sweet and simple. I'm saving some shots of the bride for later!

Special Receptions and more

It's refreshing to add images of something other than bridal bouquets. What about placecard tables or grand entrance vases. Perhaps annuals and perennials planted in great urns and wire baskets.

Take a look at some photos from http://www.rebeccasphotography.com/. It was a magical event. Perfect weather, gorgeous couple, delicious food. A beautiful moment in time.

More Syracuse Weddings

The images for some of the summer weddings are starting to arrive from the photographers. Here are just a few from a pretty afternoon reception.

A big THANK YOU! to Rick Massotti at www.photographybymoss.com for the images.

More Wedding Flowers

Fabulous church flowers! White and ivory is a classic combination that is always beautiful. The moment was captured by Laura Brazak Photography. And the stunning cake was photographed by her as well. I thought that Jen Comfort at www.shetakesthecake.com really out did herself...that cake was impossibly gorgeous!

Orchids are In!

We have had many Brides requesting orchids this summer. They look great and are a bit different than the much admired rose. Love the shade of green!

Summer Weddings

The summer is flying by and there are so many wedding photos we want to share. Here are a few from Imagery by Bill Herloski. www.herloskiphoto.com.

E B Morgan House Photo Shoot

A perfect day will come along once in a while. You can't plan them, they just happen. I call them "a moment in time" when events unfold in magical progression and you are swept along for a delightful journey.

Bright and early on Tueusday, Kim, my husband John and I loaded the car with bundles of flowers, plates, dishes and candles and headed off to a photo shoot for Wellwed Magazine. We stopped at the Purple Hippo to pick up pink and black Petite Fours to go along with the placecard cookies from Gen Comfort at She Takes The Cake. We were seduced by the fresh baked aromas and treated ourselves to coffee and the best Lemon Blueberry Scone I have ever tasted.

Good company and cheerful conversation made the hour long trip fly by. The beauty of the lush countryside had us giddy by the time we arrived in Aurora. Little did we know that the best was yet to come.

We were greeted at the door of E B Morgan House by Lauren whose executive duties seemed to be making everyone welcome, informed and immediately comfortable. WellWed Magazine Editor Krista, her assistant Sara and intern Alison were already at work staging the scene. We were immediately wowed by the stunning decor. Chantiza Stern from Table Toppers of Rochester had draped the diningroom table with black and white floral linens which looked smashing with the miles of deep pink and mango silk draperies. Krista was clearly on her game as she bagan to layer the table with china, crystal stemware and flower arrangements. Photographer Alyson Beth started clicking away and the morning just flew by. But that is all I am going to reveal because I want to keep you in suspense until the next issue comes out.

We had so much Fun! Kim and I have been creatively recharged and energized by our experience. So I want to add a grateful thank you to the talented ladies who will always be in my minds eye when I recall the memory of this perfect day.

WellWed in New York

The anticipation has been building since early spring and it has finally arrived! The new Fall and Winter issue of WellWed in New York is in release. The cover layout is drop dead gorgeous and the featured articles and photos have lots of great ideas for Brides.

Kim designed a Fall bouquet which got a full page photo on page 77. We couldn't be prouder. The photo shoot was at The Bellhurst Castle in Canandiagua and the image was taken by Alyson Beth Photography at www.alysonbeth.com .

Kudos to Editor Krista Washburn for recognizing that Upstate New York has merits and abilities to showcase.

Check out the new issue at www.wellwedmagazine.com. Click on the WellWed in New York magazine picture and then click on the image of the new issue. I'm sure all the "Brides To Be" will want a copy from Barnes and Noble or Wegmans.

And because the publishing world spins at a whirling rate, the spring/summer photo shoot is this upcoming week. So when the three weddings and a rehearsal dinner are done, Kim and I will take a deep breath and start brain storming.

The above photo by www.laurelillie.com

First Dance as Mr and Mrs

Dancing with the stars (in their eyes) at the Lincklaen House in the lovely village of Cazenovia. It is a nice location for a destination wedding or a sunny summer luncheon. Mary Margaret and her staff are very accommodating. I like what she did with the maids bouquets in the mantle.

By the way, the Lincklaen House has updated their decor with new window treatments and lighting by my friend Liz of Elizabeth Hill Intertiors. Take an afternoon to go shopping and have lunch in downtown Cazenovia.

This Memorial Day

Please set aside time this week to pray for the spiritual healing of our nation, wisdom for our leaders and safety for our soldiers fighting overseas.

It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor those who died in defense of our country, in defense of us, in wars afar away. The imagination plays a trick. We see these soldiers in our mind as old and wise. We see them as something like the Founding Fathers, grave and grey haired. But most of them were boys when they died, and they gave up two lives, the one they were living and the one they would have lived. When they died, they gave up their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers. They gave up there chance to be revered old men. They gave up everything for our country, for us. And all we can do is remember.

Ronald Reagan

the Big Idea with Donnie Deutsch

Julie and Jennifer from The Original Runner Company called Kim to say that The Big Idea with Donnie Deutsch is interviewing them on Sunday!. And Dena and Will Burak's "vineyard" theme aisle carpet will be shown. The girls weren't sure when the show will air but we will keep you posted.

The Original Runner Company handpaints aisle runners. The cloth carpets have an exclusive non-slip backing and they can recreate images from your invitations or wedding theme...anything you want.

Thanks to www.Bachphoto.com for the images.

Leafy and Limey

Soft and fresh as spring. Pale green baskets filled with tender little marguerite daisies, silver nettle, white violets and lime green grasses and coleus.

Perfect for Beth's Bridal Shower.

Secretaries Day Flowers

Professional Administrative Assistant Week. Important people in our lives...this is the week to thank them.

Top photo features The Desktopper - a mixed springy basket for $30.00

Bottom photo top left features Think Pink - a long lasting vase for $15.00

Bottom right is The Noteworthy - a glass cube of spray roses, red anemone, gerbera and Viking ponpoms for $45.00

Call us direct or order (by name) on our secure website www.whistlestopflorist.com

Flowers as Art

Different stuff huh!

Chick's friend Hitomi Gilliam has been in New York for a couple of weeks. She was a featured speaker at The Everson Fine Art and Flowers April 5th and 6th and in Buffalo last weekend. Hitomi is one of the Premier Floral Artists in the world...yes, that's right, the world. And she is fabulous!

You may wonder "what would I do with this?" But it is like Haute Couture or Fine Art. It is provocative and imaginative. It compels us to step outside the everyday world and see objects in a new way.

The Whistlestop Designers were inspired and caught up with our fellow Florists from Buffalo and Ontario. A great weekend all around.

P.S. Don't forget your Secretary next week!

The King and Queen of Spring

Tulips and Daffodils...when they arrive at the shop in glorious abundance can the first Robin be far behind. Actually, I saw a chubby and very healthy looking robin on Woodchuckhill Road last Sunday!

My Grandma used to recite a little poem to me each spring.

Tulips in the garden.

Tulips in the park.

Nothings quite as good as

Two lips in the park.

Grandma was a pip!

Oh Baby, Baby

I read a news article about America being in the midst of a baby boom. That's terrific because we love to create designs for newborns.

Today we set up a baby shower at a local club. The Hostess provided the toys. Kim and Colleen provided the talent. There were six different tables and here are photos of three.

Valentines Day Goodies

Okay, Valentine's Day is a little corny but you gotta admit it can be fun. Especuially for families with children. So for three weeks Red Hearts Reign at The Whistlestop!

Stay tuned for the fresh flower arrangements for the 14th.

Pigs "Spring" Forth

Gone are the poinsettias, the glitter and the pine. Spring is slowly appearing throughout the shop. Daffodils and tulips, primroses and azaleas can be found in the sunroom and flower cooler.

We've a ways to go before the shop is transformed for Valentine's Day and Easter.

Chick is off to The Dallas Merchandise Mart for the 2008 Christmas Expo. AND a tractor trailer just arrived and we unloaded a skid of spring pottery (which we bought in August)

Another Busy Day.