June has been traditionally the most popular month for weddings because it was named after Juno, the Roman Goddess of Marriage. Juno would bring happiness and prosperity to all who wed in her month. In addition, June signified the end of Lent and warmer weather. Time to shed our winter garb and take our annual bath.
Here are some other wedding traditions, customs and beliefs:
Wedding Customs, Beliefs and Traditions
! Something Old ~ Wearing “something old” symbolizes the transition from the bride’s previous life into the life of marriage, not forgetting her previous life and loved ones.
! Something New ~ Wearing “something new” represents the future bringing good fortune and success in the bride’s new life.
! Something Borrowed ~ Wearing “something borrowed” reminds the bride that her family and friends will be there when she needs them. It also signifies good luck and joy to the bride.
! Something Blue ~ Wearing “something blue” was a symbol of loyalty, faithfulness, and purity during biblical times.
! A Silver Sixpence in her Shoe ~ A “silver sixpence” is to wish the bride financial wealth, and the wealth of joy and happiness throughout her married life.
! Bands of Gold ~ Wearing the wedding rings on the third finger of the left hand started with the Egyptians who believed that the vein in the third finger of the left hand connected directly to the heart, the center of all love. The Romans wore it there to represent the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. In the Jewish faith, the band must be continuous and have no indentations.
! Bridal Shower ~ The early 1900′s saw the advent of Bridal showers in America and rural parts of Europe. Family and friends gathered together to give the newlyweds gifts to help them with their new home. When this tradition dwindled, the bride’s friends would then start the tradition of “showering” her with gifts.
! Something Old ~ Wearing “something old” symbolizes the transition from the bride’s previous life into the life of marriage, not forgetting her previous life and loved ones.
! Something New ~ Wearing “something new” represents the future bringing good fortune and success in the bride’s new life.
! Something Borrowed ~ Wearing “something borrowed” reminds the bride that her family and friends will be there when she needs them. It also signifies good luck and joy to the bride.
! Something Blue ~ Wearing “something blue” was a symbol of loyalty, faithfulness, and purity during biblical times.
! A Silver Sixpence in her Shoe ~ A “silver sixpence” is to wish the bride financial wealth, and the wealth of joy and happiness throughout her married life.
! Bands of Gold ~ Wearing the wedding rings on the third finger of the left hand started with the Egyptians who believed that the vein in the third finger of the left hand connected directly to the heart, the center of all love. The Romans wore it there to represent the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. In the Jewish faith, the band must be continuous and have no indentations.
! Bridal Shower ~ The early 1900′s saw the advent of Bridal showers in America and rural parts of Europe. Family and friends gathered together to give the newlyweds gifts to help them with their new home. When this tradition dwindled, the bride’s friends would then start the tradition of “showering” her with gifts.
When choosing flowers for you wedding in South Florida be sure to give Eden Florist a call at 954-981-5515 or 800-966-3336, the shop voted BEST Florist in Broward County by the Herald 5 years in a row. And Top Three florist in South Florida by WSVN Channel 7!
June 2nd, 2010
Since June is Wedding Month I thought I’d start writing about Weddings beginning with how to Preserve Your Wedding Flowers:
10 Simple Steps To Make Your Bouquets Last
Step 1:
Let the fresh bouquet air dry for four to five weeks. Leave it uncovered and assembled, only removing any ribbons, tulling and pearls that may be included in the design. A shelf in a dry place left undisturbed would be ideal.
Step 2:
When your bouquet has dried sufficiently, you will need to have the following materials in order to create your lasting memory and work of art: a 12″ x 8″ glass dome and a wooden base with a 9″ diameter, 1 block of floral foam used for silk and dried floral arrangements, and a hot melt glue gun or a small strip of stickum or cling (about 6″ length), and some sort of sealer spray or varnish, and a couple of moth balls.
Step 3:
Cut floral foam to 3x3x3″ in size and fasten onto the center of wooden base using the hot glue or stickum.
Step 4:
Disassemble the bouquet, leaving the stems the length they were in the original bouquet. Throw away any bruised or unattractive looking flowers. Separate flowers into “like” categories, such as roses, carnations, lilies, etc. You may wish to spray the foliage with a gold spray paint, which will improve their appearance. You may also wish to “touch up” some of the remaining flowers with a floral or other spray paint.
Step 5:
If your bouquet has a ribbon, bow, or tulling, attach it to the top of the foam using a little hot glue to secure it in place.
Step 6:
Insert first flower in center of foam using the longest stem and trimming it to about 9 or 10″ in length. This will be your guide for inserting the rest of the flowers. Design them in a pyramid or oval shape downward, making sure they do not exceed the length of the first flower.
Step 7:
Distribute flowers and other materials equally on every side. Check the width of the floral arrangement periodically to make sure it does not exceed the width of the dome.
Step 8:
Weave any extra tulling, ribbons, and pearls into the arrangement so that it is appealing to the eye. You may wish to purchase extra filler flowers, such as babies breath or statice to add to the design.
Step 9:
Place moth balls under the arrangement, tucked into the base of the design so that it is hidden from view. Replace mothballs at least every 2 years. The mothballs will repel weevils.
Step 10:
Do not seal the dome. This will make it easier to clean. If you seal it, it may become cloudy. Enjoy your beautiful bouquet!
10 Simple Steps To Make Your Bouquets Last
Step 1:
Let the fresh bouquet air dry for four to five weeks. Leave it uncovered and assembled, only removing any ribbons, tulling and pearls that may be included in the design. A shelf in a dry place left undisturbed would be ideal.
Step 2:
When your bouquet has dried sufficiently, you will need to have the following materials in order to create your lasting memory and work of art: a 12″ x 8″ glass dome and a wooden base with a 9″ diameter, 1 block of floral foam used for silk and dried floral arrangements, and a hot melt glue gun or a small strip of stickum or cling (about 6″ length), and some sort of sealer spray or varnish, and a couple of moth balls.
Step 3:
Cut floral foam to 3x3x3″ in size and fasten onto the center of wooden base using the hot glue or stickum.
Step 4:
Disassemble the bouquet, leaving the stems the length they were in the original bouquet. Throw away any bruised or unattractive looking flowers. Separate flowers into “like” categories, such as roses, carnations, lilies, etc. You may wish to spray the foliage with a gold spray paint, which will improve their appearance. You may also wish to “touch up” some of the remaining flowers with a floral or other spray paint.
Step 5:
If your bouquet has a ribbon, bow, or tulling, attach it to the top of the foam using a little hot glue to secure it in place.
Step 6:
Insert first flower in center of foam using the longest stem and trimming it to about 9 or 10″ in length. This will be your guide for inserting the rest of the flowers. Design them in a pyramid or oval shape downward, making sure they do not exceed the length of the first flower.
Step 7:
Distribute flowers and other materials equally on every side. Check the width of the floral arrangement periodically to make sure it does not exceed the width of the dome.
Step 8:
Weave any extra tulling, ribbons, and pearls into the arrangement so that it is appealing to the eye. You may wish to purchase extra filler flowers, such as babies breath or statice to add to the design.
Step 9:
Place moth balls under the arrangement, tucked into the base of the design so that it is hidden from view. Replace mothballs at least every 2 years. The mothballs will repel weevils.
Step 10:
Do not seal the dome. This will make it easier to clean. If you seal it, it may become cloudy. Enjoy your beautiful bouquet!
June 1st, 2010
Passion Flower ~ Belief
She heard no sound before her gate,
Though very quiet was her bower.
All was as her hand had left it late:
The needle slept on the broidered vine,
Where the hammer & spikes of the passion-flower
Her fashioning did wait.”
Helen Gray Cone
In the 16th Century Christian Missionaries in South America named the flower (Passiflora spp) because they saw it as being a symbol of the death of Jesus Christ. It was the first flower they saw on their journey and they saw it as a good sign.
They thought that the five sepals and the five petals of the passion flower represented the ten disciples without Judas Iscariot and Peter.
They also thought that the double row of filaments (corona) on the passion flower represented the crown of thorns that Jesus was made to wear. It also resembled a halo.
The vine tendrils represented the whips that were used to scourge Jesus.
As a naturally grown medicinal herb, the passion flower is used as a sedative in nervous disorders (including gastrointestinal complaints of nervous origin), difficulties in sleeping, and anxiety or restlessness. Passion Flower reduces spasms and depresses the central nervous system. (Note: consult a health care professional before using passion flower as a medicinal supplement or herb).
The plant is indigenous to an area from the southeast U.S. to Argentina and Brazil.
May 5th, 2010
By Greg Tamblyn
The Navajo have a wonderful tradition that, to me, sums up everything unique and noble about us humans.
When a baby is born, it is regarded as the ultimate, precious gift and must never be abused. From the moment of birth, the child is watched over continuously by family and friends, who patiently wait for the child’s first…. laugh.
Why do they do this? See if you can guess the answer.
(Hint: It’s not to see if the baby is a good potential audience for Navajo Comedy Clubs.)
It’s because the baby’s first laugh marks its birth as a social being.
That….is beautiful. And so is what happens next.
Whichever brother, sister, parent, cousin, aunt, uncle, or passing acquaintance is present at the first laugh is deemed to have caused it. Even if he or she is not widely considered comical. That person then receives the esteemed privilege of preparing a special ceremony to welcome the child into society.
(It’s also believed the infant takes on the traits of this person. So all new parents might want to give some thought to “who’s minding the baby.”)
The First Laugh Ceremony is a party where guests bearing warm plates of freshly cooked food slowly pass in front of the new baby. They do not do this to tempt the infant with appetizing aromas of fry bread and pinto beans. Quite the opposite.
The baby (with some help, of course) places a pinch of salt on the food of each person as a symbolic act of generosity. The salt is said to rekindle and sustain the goodness in each recipient, and is considered the first in a lifetime of generous acts by the child.
This inspiring tradition has a few lessons for us:
• We’re social beings, thriving mainly in the company and support of others.
• Generosity is a noble virtue, best instilled from birth.
• Opportunities to celebrate generosity remind us of and regenerate our goodness.
• An act of kindness raises the endorphins of not only the receiver, but also of the giver, and also of everyone who witnesses it.
• Genuine, heartfelt laughter is an act of generosity!
I hope you find this an uplifting and inspiring bit of cultural wisdom.
And, if you haven’t had your first laugh today, you’ll find a smorgasbord of humor resources on my home page.
©2010 Greg Tamblyn ~ Greg offers MUSCLE TESTING FOR FUN AND CLARITY. According to Greg:
“For the last several years I’ve experimented with muscle testing (ala David Hawkins, MD, PhD, in his book Power vs Force) for answers to questions. I use it to get clarity about my purpose in life, my health, my diet, my relationships, my career, and lots of other stuff. I use it for small questions and big questions. I use it several times every day. As I’ve become more and more adept, I’ve found it to be surprisingly accurate and helpful.
In the last year or so, I’ve experimented with using it for friends who’ve asked for assistance, both in person and long distance. The results have been impressive and quite positive. I’ve decided to open up a couple of hours a week in my schedule to offer this to you, if you’re interested. For this initial trial phase, my charge is $50/hour, and if you’re not local, I’ll pay the phone bill. Full confidentiality of course, and money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied.”
contact Greg at greg@gregtamblyn.com or Visit him online at http://GregTamblyn.com and http://ComedyKeynoteConcerts.com
(republished with permission)
March 26th, 2010
Want to make your Valentine really happy? Want to woo a new Valentine? Want to show your Valentine how much you love her? Flowers And a poem go hand in hand. Here is one of Eden Florist’s most popular floral arrangements, Sweet Thoughts:
Starting at only $44.95, the sweet Thoughts consists fo a graceful heart of bear grass… tied with purple waxflower blossoms… forms a heart that appears to float above the velvety red roses in this delightful bouquet, arranged in a ruby-red cube vase. Send this beautiful floral arrangement to someone you love, and they’ll think sweet thoughts about you! Red roses and purple waxflower accented with variegated pittosporum and bear grass arrive in a red glass cube vase. (choice of colors)
Romantic Valentine’s Poetry:
Shall I Compare Thee
Shall I compare thee to a Summer’s day?
Thou are more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And Summer’s lease hath all too short a date:
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimm’d;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance or nature’s changing course untrimm’d:
But thy eternal Summer shall not fade
Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st;
Nor shall Death brag thou wander’st in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st:
So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.
William Shakespeare
February 11th, 2010
Did you know?
More than 100 million roses are sold at Valentine’s Day. Of cut flower purchases, Valentine’s Day ranks #1, making it the number one holiday for many florists.
Of Valentine’s floral purchases, 64% are made by men and 36% by women. What are they buying?
78% Cut flowers
15% Flowering houseplants
5% Outdoor bedding and garden plants
2% Green plants
Of cut flowers purchased, 45% are roses, 34% mixed flowers, 13% carnations, and 8% other single flower types. Of roses purchased, 74% are red, 10% pink, 5% peach/salmon, 3% yellow, 2% white, 4% mixed colors, 2% other. For whom are they buying?
Men:
84% wife/significant other
4% friend
5% mother
3% daughter
5% other
Women:
24% mother
19% husband/significant other
13% daughter
14% self
12% friend
6% parents
2% grandmother
1% sister
9% other
Source: Society of American Florists Survey results are from a nationwide survey of 481 men and 534 women conducted by Bruskin/Goldring Research
Love is very patient and kind,
never jealous or envious,
never boastful or proud,
never haughty or selfish or rude.
Love does not demand its own way.
It is not irritable or touchy.
It does not hold grudges
and will hardly even notice
when others do it wrong.
It is never glad about injustice,
but rejoices whenever truth wins out.
If you love someone you
will be loyal to him
no matter what the cost.
You will always believe in him,
Always expect the best of him
and always stand your ground
in defending him.
All the special gifts
and powers from God
will someday come to an end,
but love goes on forever.
Living Bible I Corinthians 13:4-8
Check out Valentines Traditions Around the World and Even More Valentine Traditions Around the World
February 10th, 2010
Why Roses Are Sometimes More Expensive on Valentine’s Day
A simple case of supply and demand - Valentine’s Day inspires the heaviest demand for long-stemmed roses, and several rosebuds must be sacrificed to create a single long-stemmed rose. After the Christmas season demand for red roses is filled, growers need 50-70 days to produce enough roses for Valentine’s Day. Winter’s shorter daylight hours and higher energy costs hamper efforts to grow large rose crops. Inclement weather often requires extreme measures to ensure that flowers are delivered in time. To fulfill the tremendous number of orders for Valentine’s Day flowers, florists have to hire additional help, work longer hours and acquire extra delivery vehicles and drivers. In order to meet the heavy consumer demand for Valentine’s Day roses, imports have played a much bigger role in recent years.
In short, roses in February are every bit as special as you would expect.
Be sure to order Roses for Your Someone Special this week. Don’t wait until Valentine’s Day to send your Valentine a dozen roses, a romantic vase arrangement and more!
My Mistress’ Eyes
My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips’ red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damasked, white and red,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks,
And in some perfumes there is more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go:
My mistress when she walks treads on the ground.
And yet by heaven I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.
Shakespeare, sonnet CXXX
February 9th, 2010
Valentine Quiz
Take the Valentine Quiz and test your knowledge of Valentine’s Day…
1. What did people used to believe would happen if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine’s Day?
2. Who imprisoned Valentine?
3. Why was he imprisoned?
4. On what date was Valentine supposedly executed?
5. How many Valentine cards will be bought in a year?
6. Name 2 countries, other than the U.S., that celebrate Valentine’s Day.
7. In Roman mythology, February 14th is associated with which goddess?
8. What custom does the saying “He wears his heart on his sleeve” come from?
9. What is the flower associated with Valentine’s Day?
10. When did Hallmark make its first Valentine Card?
Bonus question:
How do you write I Love You in German? In French? In Spanish? In Italian? In Portuguese? In Cantonese?
Get the answers here: http://www.tulipstalk.com/valentine-quiz-answers/
Check out Tulips Talk Valentine’s Day Trivia ~ http://www.tulipstalk.com/valentine-trivia-2/
February 8th, 2010
News Flash: Valentines Day was not created by the greeting card industry. Here’s the real story of how Valentines Day originated.
Despite occasional grumblings that it was invented by the greeting card industry, Valentine’s Day actually has a long, rich history. Its earliest origins derive from a pagan festival called Lupercalia, in which Romans called upon the god Lupercus to keep the wolves away. As part of the festivities, Roman girls wrote their names on a slip of paper and placed them in a jar for the boys to draw from. The matches were supposed to be sweethearts until the next Lupercalia.
Lupercalia evolved into Valentine’s Day after Emperor Claudius II, believing married men would prefer staying with their families to fighting his wars, decreed that Roman soldiers were forbidden to wed. According to legend, a priest named Valentine conducted secret marriage ceremonies in defiance of the edict. On February 14, the eve of Lupercalia, he was beheaded for his crime.
After Valentine was sanctified, Christian priests adapted the pagan holiday, moving it back a day to honor him.
Remember to order your Valentine’s Day flowers early! Check out the Eden Florist website today for a selection of Valentine’s flowers, baskets, plants and balloons. Or call 954-981-5515.
Check out Valentine’s Traditions Around the World
February 7th, 2010
Arabic: Kul ‘aam u antum salimoun
Brazilian: Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo means “Good Parties and Happy New Year”
Chinese: Chu Shen Tan
Czechoslavakia: Scastny Novy Rok
Dutch: Gullukkig Niuw Jaar
Finnish: Onnellista Uutta Vuotta
French: Bonne Annee
German: Prosit Neujahr
Greek: Eftecheezmaenos o Kaenooryos hronos
Hebrew: L’Shannah Tovah Tikatevu
Hindi: Niya Saa Moobaarak
Irish (Gaelic): Bliain nua fe mhaise dhuit
Italian: Buon Capodanno
Khmer: Sua Sdei tfnam tmei
Laotian: Sabai dee pee mai
Polish: Szczesliwego Nowego Roku
Portuguese: Feliz Ano Novo
Russian: S Novim Godom
Serbo-Croatian: Scecna nova godina
Spanish: Feliz Ano Neuvo and Prospero Ano Nuevo
Turkish: Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Vietnamese: Cung-Chuc Tan-Xuan
Want to translate something? Check out www.FreeTranslation.com.
Order flowers for New Years, in January or anytime at www.EdenFlorist.com
December 31st, 2009
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