The first New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square happened in 1907

The Jewish New Year is called Rosh Hoshana

Auld Lang Syne means time gone by

The largest annual New Year’s Eve celebrations happens in Sydney Australia

More than 80,000 fireworks are set off from the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Hogmanay is the celebration of the new years Scottish style

The centenary clock is lowered at 23:59:48 on new years eve in Madrid Spain

Tournament of Roses it the most popular New Year’s Day parade

Pasadena’s Valley hunt clubs first tournament of roses parade took place in 1890

New York’s Waterford crystal ball weighs 1,070 pounds

In Flagstaff Arizona a pine cone dropped on New Year’s eve

Bangor Main drops a purple beach ball decorated with Christmas lights

In Seattle, the New Years countdown done with an elevator

The Chinese New Year is known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival

Apples and Honey are eaten to symbolize a sweet new year in Rosh Hashanah

Thailand celebrates from April 13 to 15 by throwing water

In the ancient Roman calendar the new year began on March 1st

The first new year holiday observed was celebrated in Babylon about 4000 years ago

The baby was first used to symbolize the New Year in Greece around 600 BC

In Colombia, Cuba and Puerto Rico families stuff a life-size male doll with things that have bad memories or sadness associated with them, and then dress it up in old clothes from each family member. At the stroke of midnight, ‘Mr. Old Year’ is set on fire.

In Spain people eat 12 grapes as the clock strikes midnight (one each time the clock chimes) on New Year’s Eve

In Japan, Buddhist temple bells are rung 108 times at midnight

In Brazil people wear white clothes on New Year’s Eve to bring good luck and peace for the year to follow

In Greece children leave their shoes by the fireside on New Year’s Day in hopes that Saint Basil will come and fill their shoes with gifts.

Want to send Flowers on New Years Day? Visit: www.EdenFlorist.com today!

Pantone has just announced PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, an inviting, luminous hue, as the Color of the Year for 2010. Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise inspires thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a comforting escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of wellbeing.

In many cultures, Turquoise is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that to many people, Turquoise represents an escape, taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting – even if it is only a fantasy.

Whether envisioned as a tranquil ocean surrounding a tropical island or a protective stone warding off evil spirits, Turquoise is a color that most people respond to positively. It is universally flattering, has appeal for men and women, and translates easily to fashion and interiors. With both warm and cool undertones, Turquoise pairs nicely with any other color in the spectrum. Turquoise adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns, complements reds and pinks, creates a classic maritime look with deep blues, livens up all other greens, and is especially trend-setting with yellow-greens.

For more information read the Panetone press release here: http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/pantone.aspx?pg=20706&ca=10

To view the archives for Past Colors of the Year visit the News page and click on the TRENDS Section: http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/pantone.aspx?pg=20707&ca=10

If you are like me you have parties galore to attend this time of year. They may be dinner parties, office parties, cocktail parties or holiday open houses. In fact, I did a very informal survey of my customers and most people said they had at least 5 events to go to between now and New Years!  And oftentimes we are not sure what to bring the host or hostess as a thank you.

That’s where Eden Florist can help! We help you find the perfect centerpiece or cut flowers or holiday plant to add a touch of class to your arrival. 

Need other ideas for a hostess gift? How about a nice bottle of wine or champagne, or scented candles, the latest best-seller or perhaps a little trinket or holiday keepsake such as a bell or wine glass?

The gift does not have to be extravagant or elaborate or even expensive. It just needs to be in good taste and something you think your host will appreciate. Believe me the host will appreciate your thoughtfulness. 

The important thing is to never arrive empty-handed.

If you’d like more ideas for holiday gifting, read these articles:

 A Gift in Hand for the Holidays ~ http://wemagazineforwomen.com/a-gift-in-hand-for-the-holidays/

 Etiquette Everyday ~ Holiday Etiquette http://www.emilypost.com/everyday/holiday_FAQs_giving.htm

Ps. If you don’t have time to get a little something, give Eden Florist a call (800-966-3336) and let us take care of the delivery for you. And if you forget to bring something, send them the next day! That always works and you will be remembered.

Pss. I’d love to know what types of gifts you bring to parties. Feel free to share your ideas in the comments section below.

Today I was surfing the net for some cool resources Tulips Talk readers might enjoy and found the Snapdragons blog with Jane Lindsey.

Jane has a wonderful flower tutorial with great instructions for putting flowers together.

Check it out here: http://snapdragongarden.co.uk/step%20by%20step_July.htm

While reading Jane’s blog I came across another blogger – Vintage Pretty

VP wrote a great article called “Heaven Scent”  (tips to keeping your house smelling fab) which you can read here: http://vintagepretty.org/2005/06/21/heaven-scent/

I also found a blog post by Anna Spiro, Interior Designer in Brisbane Australia and author of Absolutely Beautiful things that is just pretty to look at http://absolutelybeautifulthings.blogspot.com/ and even has some great flowers and things!

Be sure to order your cut flowers from Eden Florist to make your special bouquet.

In the article “Avoiding Confusion” Kim Stacey says “The traditional funeral ritual plays a key role in the grieving process. As tradition has given way to new forms and behaviors, still the most common funeral-related ritual, is the sending, receiving and viewing of flowers.”

In a study entitled, “The Role of Flowers and Plants in the Bereavement Process,” funded jointly by the American Floral Endowment and the Society of American Florists Information Committee, more than half of the bereaved surveyed strongly agreed that flowers were a critical component of the funeral ritual that helped them deal with their grief.

She goes on to say, “At the funeral service, flowers also help brighten a somber environment and provide a topic of conversation and a tranquil focal point.”

More important than the role of flowers in keeping conversation going, the study further demonstrated that because of their soothing qualities, sympathy flowers displayed at funerals actually had a positive impact on the emotional well-being of the bereaved.

After the funeral service, arrangements and plants act as keepsakes to brighten the home and in the case of flowering plants, can serve as a living memorial to the deceased. Not only that, caring for the plants can provide hours of pleasure and an emotional connection to the missing loved one.”

To read the rest of the article, visit: http://www.funeralwire.com/features/feature.php?id=60

To send flowers to show your sympathy and condolences, visit Eden Florist today.

Virgo ~ August 23 – September 23

With a penchant for detail, Virgos are often known for their meticulous and diligent personalities. The modest and sometimes shy Virgo, is wise and witty, with a keen sense of what makes others tick. Virgos love to plan and are organized perfectionists.

Virgo’s colors are light blue, navy and white and their birthstone is the sapphire.

Virgos love romantic flowers of pinks and creamy whites.

Blue is Virgo’s favorite color and a bouquet of delphinium or blue hydrangea will appeal to this Earth sign’s heart. Include daisies and asters and you’ll be a hit with the down to earth, reserved Virgo.

Order flowers for your favorite Virgo from Eden Florist.

 
Flower

5 Flower care tips:

Clean your vases with bleach-to kill bacteria from previous flowers.

When placing cut flowers in a vase remove all foliage that will be below the water line.

To keep flowers longer, change the water (and floral food) every two to three days and recut the stems.

Remove any dead flowers as they appear-they release ethylene gas which escalates the aging of the other flowers.

Give your flowers a fresh look by spray misting the flowers with fresh water.

Order your fresh flowers from Eden Florist at www.EdenFlorist.com or 954-981-5515.

June is Rose month and before its over, I thought I’d write about how many roses get their name.

Famous people have been the inspiration for naming beautiful roses for almost as long as the rose has been around. In fact, the naming of rose hybrids in honor of loved ones, ex-presidents such as John F. Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln, First Ladies like Barbara Bush, royalty such as Queen Elizabeth and Princess of Monaco or religious leaders like St. Patrick, Cardinal de Richelieu, and Billy Graham are just a few of the thousands of “celebrities” who’s names were given to roses of all shapes, sizes and varieties.

One might think naming a rose after a famous person is a badge of honor however according to the Rose Hybridizers Association its more about name recognition. The more recognizable the name, the easier the rose is to market

“The rose is the queen of flowers. It’s the most beloved garden plant. What better way to immortalize our stars…  says Tom Carruth, the legendary hybridizer and creator of the Julia Child, Betty Boop, and George Burns roses.

GOOD CAN COME OUT OF THE NAMING OF A ROSE as evidenced by the sales of the Diana, Princess of Wales hybrid. In fact 15% of net sales has been donated to her Memorial Fund, as an ongoing effort to support the causes she devoted herself to. 

I wonder why kind of rose they will name after Michael Jackson (rest in peace)? My guess is it will be something disarming, bright, showy and a little quirky.

Here are pictures of some famous roses:

Whoopi (for Whoopi Goldberg)

Chris Evert Rose

 

 

 

Dusty Springfield Rose

Freddy Mercury Rose

Other famous roses include:

 Anne Boleyn    
 Betty Boop 
 Charles De Gaule  
 Christian Dior  
 Julia Child,
 Leonardo da Vinci,
 Michelangelo
 Crown Princess Margareta
 David Whitfield 
 DUCHESS OF CORNWALL 
 Florence Nightingale 
 Ingrid Bergman
 Judy Garland
 Picasso 
 Princess Alexandra  
 Queen Elizabeth 
 Queen Mother 
 Rob Roy 
 Robert Burns
 Sir Walter Raleigh
 Tina Turner
 Videl Sassoon 
 Maria Shriver
 Agatha Christie 
 Barbra Streisand 
 Barbara Bush
 Bing Crosby 
 George Burns 
 Marilyn Monroe  
 Rosie O’donnell 
 Santa Claus l
 Barbara Mandrell
 Dolly Parton
 The McCartney

To see the images of these roses and others visit: http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/511637400pyTfiM

JUST FOR FUN: Try your hand at the celebrity roses quiz here:

With the onslaught of advertising done by the Big Three (Teleflora, FTD and 800 Flowers) flowers for mother’s day are on the top of mind choice for most consumers, year after year.  
 

And according to the National Retail Federation, the average spent on flowers by men is $139.00 and by women $110.00.  That’s good news to me, because in my shop men have traditionally spent more on their wives and girlfriends for Valentine’s Day than on their Mom’s for Mother’s Day!

At Eden Florist you have a choice of several beautifully designed bouquets starting at $44.95. 

Check out the Top Ten flowers Mom’s prefer for Mothers Day at http://www.edenflorist.com/article_info.php?articles_id=32

To check out our full selection of Mother’s Day bouquets, visit: Eden Florist today!

Taurus: April 21 – May 21

Taurus is a born romantic, considerate and hardworking.  Warmhearted, sensuous Taurus love romantic, thoughtful gestures. Although Taurus have a reputation of being headstrong and fierce, they are well-grounded, practical and appreciate nature’s exquisite beauty. 

Taurus love luxury and indulging in the finer things of life even when their practical side says they can’t afford it. 

Taurus are delighted with simple bouquets of quality flower such as lilac or pink roses. They appreciate any flower given with love and sincerity.   Dramatic and aromatic lilies touch the Taurus heart and indulge their romantic sensuality.

Taurus’ color is garnet and birthstone is the emerald.