Sticks and stones

After a few days out of town and now a busy week with several parties and a wedding, I am stealing time away to post this week's blog.

I am sure you wondered what my "sticks and stones" blog would be about. That old playground song of "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" couldn't be farther from the truth. Words do hurt and last longer than any bruise that comes from the sticks and stones. In my industry I tell my clients that what I do is the fluff stuff of any event. People will notice if there is no decor, but few could tell you five details about a room setup. What makes an event great are the guests. Here's where the hard part comes in. How do you narrow a guest list down when you have limited space or budget to accomodate eveyone you would like to have attend? And then there is that problem of : if you invite so and so then you HAVE to invite another 6 - 10 more people in that circle. And people do get their feelings hurt if they are left out of a great event. If I have an event that has a real issue with the number of guests, I try to imagine that I am asking guests to Thanksgiving Dinner. If it would be weird if I asked them, they are marked off the list. If they would invite me to Thanksgiving Dinner, then they are a definite invitee. And the thinning process continues. Writing their name on a "deleted" list is painful, to you and them.

And what if you invite them, but not their children? When my daughter was young, I looked forward to being invited to parties and hiring a sitter. When else could I have a great time at someone else's expense and all it cost me was a sitter? I am continually amazed when people get their feelings hurt because their children weren't invited. It should be no reflection on how the hosts feel about the children. The hosts usually love the children. But, for example, if alcohol is being served, I don't feel like this is a party atmosphere that parents would want their children to be exposed to. Still, it causes many hurt feelings to create an "adult only" party or reception.

THEN, there is the seating chart! Another opportunity to mess with people's emotions. "How come Susie got to sit by the honored table and I got put back in the back of the room?" I am always amazed that people somehow think they have to "live" at the table where they are seated. They only have to eat there. Then the room is open for mingling. I wish more guests would embrace this concept. Good luck with this one. As a single female, my personal preference is NOT to be seated with all of the other single females. I enjoy the conversation of men and couples and love to intermingled with them at a table. Again, writing a name to sit at a certain table can hurt some people's feelings.

NANCY'S CUTTING GARDEN:Back on track with alphabetical flower list -

Achillea, commonly known as yarrow, is named for the mythological Greek god Achilles, who is said to have used some of this plant's more than 100 species for medicinal purposes. Today, yarrow's blooms populate garden walks and floral designs alike, while herbalists continue to use the plant for its fever-reducing, skin-cleansing and wound-healing properties.
Availability and Vase Life
February through September. 4-7 days.
Design Uses
An interesting addition to mixed summer arrangements. Yarrow dries easily and is long lasting for use in dried designs.

Next week: More tunes!

Hope

I had pre-written today's blog because I knew I would be very busy with a wedding I have this weekend. But when I got ready to post it, I realized that today, my friend, Jill, is on her way to Kansas to meet her new niece who is coming to her new home from an orphanage in China. Jill's sister and brother in law adopted a little girl who is deaf and I think , 5 years old . I can't imagine the obstacles they face communicating with this little girl. I mean, do you sign in Chinese? or English? or both? And how do you let her know that you are now her parents and not just someone taking her to another country? It is truly mind boggling!

Hope Laune

The whole process of Hope's adoption has been a series of unforeseen events. I am sure Lee Ann and Paul could not imagine the feelings associated with all the preparing they did that led up to the day they first met Hope.

So I dedicate this blog to Lee Ann and Paul! You are brave beyond words. I personally have a special place for those who adopt children.

The Gift of Life

I didn't give you the gift of life,

but in my heart I know.

The love I feel is deep and real,

As if it had been so.

For us to have each other

Is like a dream come true!

No, I didn't give you

The gift of life,

Life gave me the gift of you.

--- Unknown

Welcome to America, Hope! We have needed you here for some time now!

Nancy's Cutting Garden

I am going to go out of order with my alphabetical flower definitions in honor of Hope, today.

Today's flower is the Iris. There are meanings assigned to different flowers and the meaning of the flower, iris, is hope.

I di a wedding a few years back that all of the flowers were white iris.

It might rank up there as one of my favorite weddings! Many of the iris that are available on the cut flower market are Japanese Iris and have little fragrance.

Although traditionally considered a spring bloom, many iris varieties are available year-round from growers. Irises are delicate, however, and have one of the shortest cut flower vase lives at just 3-6 days. They are not an expensive flower to buy and can be purchased by the stem for about $2 each. Irises are thirsty flowers, so process them immediately upon receipt to guard against dehydration and water stress. Remove foliage that will fall below the water line and recut iris stems under water. The advantage of cutting them under water is that the stems then take water up their stems instead of air. It is when the air that is in the "tube" of the stem reaches the bloom of the flower that the bloom wilts. Keep irises in a cool location away from drafts and excessive heat to maximize their longevity.

Next week I will get back on track. Thank you for endulging me while I recognize a very special day in a very special friend's life!

Next week: stick and stones....

Pitcher Drinks for summer parties

Pull out a pitcher! It’s summertime!
Many people know Limelight for our extravagant Galas and weddings. But we design just as many at-home parties and celebrations! This week’s fresh produce explores the world of casual entertaining.
Pitcher drinks provide the best option for serving fun drinks and having the time to enjoy your company.

Clementine Cooler ( serves 12)
6 cups orange juice
2 cups mandarin vodka
1 cup fresh lemon juice
7 – up
12 clementine slices
12 mint sprigs

Combine orange juice, vodka and lemon juice in a large container. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Pour into chilled glasses about ¾ full. Top with 7 – up. Garnish with a Clementine slice and mint sprig.

You can also freeze orange juice in ice cube trays to add to the drinks to keep cold. This will help prevent diluting the drink with water ice cubes.


Lemoncello Fizzy Sangria ( serves 12)
1 bottle dry white wine
2 cups lemonade
½ cup limencello liqueur
2 lemons, cut into wheels
2 oranges, cut into wheels
1 bottle sparking semisweet wine ( eg. Spumante)
20 mint sprigs
Lemon peel twists, for garnish

Combine the wine, lemonade, lemoncello, lemons and oranges in a large ceramic or glass container and stir well. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. Serve over ice ( or frozen lemonade ice cubes). Fill glass halfway with sangria mixture; then top with Sparkling wine or Spumante. Garnish with mint sprig and lemon twists.

Frozen Peach Sangria ( serves about 7)
1 bottle Moscato d’Asti
1 cup peach nectar
¾ cup Peach liqueur
½ cup lemon juice
2 peaches, pitted and sliced
Combine all ingredients except the peach slices in a blender with 2 cups of ice. Blend until smooth. Garnish with peach wedges.


Nancy’s Cutting Garden

Anemones (pronounced uh – nem’ –uh-nees) Greek “anemos” meaning “wind” are sometimes mistaken for poppies. They are available in peak quantities from May until October. However they are available on the international market year round. These colorful but fragile flowers are also called Wind Flowers, because it was believed that the wind made them bloom. There are about 120 species of Anemones. The most common species on the cut flower market is the Anemone Coronoria. This flower is available in red, pink, blue, yellow and white. The most common color is red.

The white Japanese Anemone is beautiful for wedding flowers, but a little pricier than the Coronoria because of limited availability. You can buy them in bunches of ten stems and they are generally pretty reasonable, about $15 to $20 a bunch. This is not something your florist would generally have in their standard inventory but with a little notice they could order some in for you.
For my gardening friends: They are a tuber and grown in zones 4 – 7.

Have a safe and fabulous Independence Day!!! Nancy