Rooftop Library Garden Style

It was such a joy working with Madison and her mom, Beth!  Beth and I were in high school youth group together. It was an honor to do the flowers and catering for daughter Madison and her fiancé Zach's wedding!! 

They had the wedding at the First Baptist Church in downtown Jacksonville, FL. Their reception was held at the Downtown Public Library.  

Her colors were Green & White with a pop of Black!  It flowed beautifully with the outdoor setting at the Library!  

Thank you for the privilege of this memory!

Recipe of the Week

My Recipe of the Week is a family favorite!! It is Orzo Power Salad!  It is great to make ahead and nibble on it all week!  It's light and refreshing and takes very little time to make!

I use:

1 pkg Cooked and drained Orzo pasta (while it's cooling, spread it out on a cookie sheet and drizzle it with vegetable or olive oil to prevent clumping)

1-1/2 cups Mixed Power Greens; rough chopped (kale, Spring mix, spinach, arugula) or plain Arugula is wonderful. 

1/2 cup Crumbled Feta Cheese

1/2 cup Pine Nuts; toasted 

1 cup Craisins (I use Cherry flavored)

Fresh Chopped Basil (small bag)

1/4 cup Veg or Olive Oil or to taste

S & P to taste

Enjoy with Roasted Chicken Breast or a slice of your favorite pizza!

Bon Apetite! 

She Had A Budget!

Natural Elegance with Shelby and Jimmy

Natural And Whispy And Elegant. It was a joy working with Shelby!  I found out along the way I knew her parents from childhood and that made it even more special!  Fleur de Lis Event Consulting and The Veil Photography were amazing as always working their magic!

Shelby and her Ladies in soft blush!!

Blush Garden Roses surrounded by nature at its finest!! 

The love and adoration of her dad and husband... Beautiful!!

The Perfect setting at The Keeler Property!! 

Shelby's and her Ladies make up and hair are gorgeous and were  by Beautiful Faces by Erin!

Draping cake flowers were a fun venture that looked amazing!  Yummy!! 

God bless you Shelby and Jimmy!!

Brunch is What's for Wedding!

Seafood Brunch

A delicious Crab Cake Benedict was the centerpiece entree for this seafood brunch. It was preceded by Bang Bang Shrimp and Fresh Ceviche as appetizers. 

Herb Roasted Red Bliss Potatoes snuggled up as a side and the kids had yummy French Toast Sticks with 4 different toppings!!

Chef Scott loves what he does!! 

These fruit and water filled beverage dispensers are a wonderful way to "wet your whistle" and refresh yourself on a warm day in Florida!  

Thank you Gaby for allowing us to be a part of such a wonderful day! God bless you as you begin your "happily ever after"! 

DIY Tutorial: The Care of Hydrangeas

Taking Care of Your Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are a beautiful and frequently used flower for Weddings!  Brides love them for their bouquets...as well as for their Bridesmaids flowers...and Centerpieces!

Hydrangeas can be found at your local Wholesale Florist in white, blue, pink, purple, and green.  They are wonderful in a cluster all on their own...or mixed with other flowers they give added structure and fullness.  

 

 

 

 

So if you have decided to make your own bouquets or centerpieces with Hydrangeas be sure to HYDRATE them! They are VERY water dependent! When you get them home, trim the bottom of the stem about 1/2" and put directly into cool water.  If you have bought the flower food from the wholesaler be sure and add that to the water according to the manufacturers directions.  You can also add a little bit of ice to the water to keep it nice and cool.  It is also best to keep all of your flowers in air conditioned rooms ....and lower your A/C for the time they will be residing with you!...

HOWEVER, do not put them in the refrigerator!!  A refrigerator is made for food and can burn the flowers.  It is not a risk worth taking.  Keeping them cool in an air-conditioned room away from the sun in cool water is your best way to help them stay fresh and lively! 

IF YOUR HYDRANGEAS BEGIN TO LOOK SAD OR DROOPY.....  trim their stems again (1/4") and totally submerse them in cool water in your bathtub or sink.  Hydrangeas can drink water from their "heads" as well as their stems.  Leave them in the water totally submersed for several hours....even overnight!  After they have been submersed for several hours/ overnight re-trim their stem(1/4") , turn them over and put their stems back in fresh cool water and watch them get happy again!!!

(When using blue, pink, green or purple hydrangeas I recommend doing the submersion treatment first thing upon receiving them. The colored hydrangeas seem to be more temperamental than the white. The antique varieties will also need a little TLC...but they are worth it!)

 

Antique Variety

                                  Jumbo White

 

Hydrangeas are so versatile.  They can be used on their own or they can be dressed up with a few additional flowers and be spectacular! 

They just need a little bit of care...and A LOT of water!

I hope you enjoy creating with flowers.....they are always beautiful!!

www.beautifulanddeliciousweddings.com

 

The Rain Didn't Dampen This Wedding!!!

 

Plan B Came Off Without A Hitch....

as they say in the South!!!

The clouds were building...everyone was hoping they would blow over....it is Florida and these things have a way of blowing over!!  But not this day....it came down in buckets....right after my florist buddy Karen and I had gotten the last outside ceremony flower set up....KABOOM...thunder....FLASH....lightning....!  So what do we do??? We gather everything up...put it back in the van and take it over to the clubhouse and set it up inside for the ceremony....this wedding is going to happen!!! We set it all up...reinvented a few things...and the Bride was thrilled!  Needless to say, we looked like two wet puppies......so off we go to a local restaurant....dried off best we could...had a lovely dinner..and dessert!!..and returned after the wedding to breakdown the arrangements and head home! 

 

 

Tall Centerpieces

 

 

www.beautifulanddeliciousweddings.com

 

Pomanders for the Aisle

Bridesmaids Bouquets

 

The Bride chose a gorgeous purple and green color palette !  Her flowers were a combination of hydrangeas, Picasso callas, lisianthus, lavender spray roses, Green Tea roses.....and beautiful Casablanca Lilies for her bouquet!! She also had beautiful Moon Series Dark Purple Carnations for the Pomander Ball aisle décor.....which looked adorable inside set up for Plan B next to the family rows......Here Comes the Bride!!!

 

 

 

Mom's Posey

 

 

 

World Golf Village/ King and Bear.