Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Flower Code
BLUE
The pale blue hues of a hydrangea or the deep blues of an iris can calm worries and preoccupation representing peace, openness, and serenity, fresh floral
arrangements filled with blue flowers offers a cooling antidote to anxiousness.
The pale blue hues of a hydrangea or the deep blues of an iris can calm worries and preoccupation representing peace, openness, and serenity, fresh floral
arrangements filled with blue flowers offers a cooling antidote to anxiousness.
PINK
Think pink and you think of grace, gentility, and happiness. Regardless of the shape of the flower – from the tight, small buds of a pink garden rose to the delicate, open petals of a pink caellia in full bloom – pink blossoms convey youth, innocence, and joy.
PURPLE
With its origins tied to royalty and ceremony, purple flowers represent dignity, pride and success. Whether grouped alone in a bold range of rich hues or mixed in with other colors to provide depth and contrast, an arrangement filled with purple blooms represents accomplishment and admiration.
RED
There’s an indisputable energy to the color red – an energy that has the power to transform an otherwise unassuming flower into the essence of desire,
strength, and passionate love. With beauty, courage and heat as its symbolism, it’s no surprise that a bouquet filled with rich, red blooms knows no restraint.
WHITE
Often associated with innocence, humility, and reverence, white flowers evoke simple beauty. Whether they take their shape as the luxurious, silk petals of fragrant gardenias, the small, white bells of a lily of the valley, or the quiet drama of a dozen white roses, fresh floral arrangement dominated by white blossoms conveys modesty and elegance.
YELLOW
There’s a good reason why it can feel all but impossible to refrain from smiling when you spot a bouquet of bright daffodils or a pot filled with sun-drenched chrysanthemums–the color yellow evokes feelings of joy and lightheartedness. Also a symbol of friendship, a bouquet bursting with yellow blooms sends a message of new beginnings and happiness.
ORANGE
There’s nothing bashful about the color orange–its message is clear and blatantly proud. Symbolizing energy, enthusiasm, and warmth, an arrangement of blooms in this vibrant color conveys confidence, satisfaction and a passion for life.
GREEN
Synonymous with nature–and the perfect complement to any other bloom–the color green represents health, resilience, good fortune and youth. Whether used to
throw together a diverse mixture of shapes and hues or as a restful tone-on-tone bouquet, green flowers send a message of optimism and renewal.
LAVENDER
While purple is the color of royalty, and pink the color of youth, lavender is femininity all grown up. Representing refinement, grace, and elegance, lavender holds an almost sacred place in nature—with violet flowers often considered the most delicate and precious. An arrangement filled with these genteel blossoms send a message of feminine beauty.
mMonday, January 17, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
History of Cupid
There is a very interesting story about Cupid the god of love, erotic and beauty and his mortal bride Psyche in Roman mythology. Venus was jealous of the beauty of Psyche, and ordered Cupid to punish the mortal. But instead, Cupid fell deeply in love with her. He took her as his wife, but as a mortal she was forbidden to look at him.
For her last task Psyche was given a little box and told to take it to the underworld. She was told to get some of the beauty of Proserpine, the wife of Pluto, and put it in the box. During her trip she was given tips on
avoiding the dangers of the realm of the dead. She was also warned not to open the box. But having got so far successfully through her dangerous task a longing desire seized her to examine the contents of the box.
"What," said she, "shall I, the carrier of this divine beauty,not take the least bit to put on my cheeks to appear to more advantage in the eyes of my
But Cupid not able longer to bear the absence of his beloved Psyche flew to the spot where Psyche lay, and gathering up the sleep from her body closed it again in the box, and waked Psyche with a light touch of one of his arrows. "Again," said he, "hast thou almost perished by the same curiosity. But now perform exactly the task imposed on you by my mother, and I will take care of the rest."
Then Cupid, as swift as lightning penetrating the heights of heaven, presented himself before Jupiter with his supplication. Jupiter lent a favoring ear, and pleaded the cause of the lovers so earnestly with Venus that he won her consent. On this he sent Mercury to bring Psyche up to the heavenly assembly, and when she arrived, handing her a cup of ambrosia, he said, "Drink this,
Psyche, and be immortal; nor shall Cupid ever break away from the knot in which he is tied, but these nuptials shall be perpetual."Thus Cupid and Psyche became at last united, and in due time they
had a daughter born to them whose name was Pleasure.
Today, Cupid and his arrows have become the most popular of love signs, and love is most frequently depicted by two hearts pierced by an arrow, Cupid's arrow.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
The Story of Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is one of America's favorite holidays, but the origins of this joyous occasion are shrouded in mystery. The Story of Valentine's Day reveals the ancient legends behind the holiday and how it evolved over the centuries. Valentine's Day wasn't always a time for red hearts, pink cupcakes, flowers, chocolate and mushy greeting cards. Most scholars say this love-focused day leapt gleefully from the Roman holiday Lupercalia, a festival celebrated more than 2,000 years ago to mark the beginning of spring. After Christianity came to Rome, the Church decided to use this day to honor a priest instead. They renamed the holiday St. Valentine's Day, and scooted the date back to February 14. The Story of Valentine's Day, artfully illustrated by Susan Estelle Kwas, paints the history of this age-old occasion in a style and presentation that's as straight as a Cupid's arrow. Kids will learn about the mysterious character Valentine, how the tradition of the day spread to other countries, and when the very first valentine was written. And to enhance this year's February 14th festival, readers will find a recipe for heart-shaped sugar cookies and instructions for making antique-style valentines. Packed with fascinating facts, two romantic tales about St. Valentine, and vivid illustrations, this book is a warm tribute to this beloved holiday.
