flower show

Oh how I love the Philadelphia Flower Show.
I live for it.
or, if not for it, at least I live because of it.

(you might think I'm joking, but I'm not.)
my parents met for the first time when my mom was leaving the flower show.
I suppose this makes me something of a flower child. (insert laugh track here?)

My mom and I attended the flower show on Friday this year, but my mom had already been there on opening night with my dad.

so, here are my thoughts on the 2010 Passport to the World Philadelphia Flower Show. I'm sure that you're positively dying to know my opinions, so I won't spend any more time introducing this post.




the shipping containers were really wonderful. one was mirrored on the walls and ceiling, and when you walked through it you could see yourself looking back at you from all directions. On the side of another container there were three small arrangements that used construction lighting and various flowers. (ranunculus were included. and you should know that I'm a sucker for anything/everything with ranunculus.)



The Antarctica section was absolutely amazing. big icicles were made out of flowers and fabric, and the lighting was nice too. A really beautiful part of it was that there were calla lilies in slowly melting blocks of ice, being held above a pool of water by ice tongs. probably my favorite section of the entire show. (It didn't hurt that the cruise ship themed display was positioned right next to it. Can you say RMS Titanic? I laughed.)



the African themed section was astounding. an entire lion was made out of plant materials and stood at the entrance. The giraffe was equally impressive, and was made out of a metal base and suspended containers of orange orchids.



ikebana, la tour eiffel, and a kiwi.
just some various other things that I really enjoyed.

The ikebana was more interesting than what I can remember from previous years, as was some of the smaller displays.

I geeked out a lot at the 'window shopping' section, especially when it came to the rain gear themed shop. Umbrellas made from pussy willow branches? Colorful boots filled with flowers? Yes please. The chocolate/Parisian themed 'shop' was nice too. (just three more weeks until I'm up off and away!)

the smaller scaled arrangements were nice too, and as they shared a common theme it was pretty unique. The ways that people varied a single theme were wonderful. The theme was kiwi... and while most people themed it after the kiwifruit there were a couple that used the lovable and flightless kiwi bird.

And that's about it. I spent a little time meandering around the various shops, and (as per usual) questioned the amount of cat themed wall hangings.

Wednesday Wisdom

“If dandelions were hard to grow, they would be most welcome on any lawn.”
Andrew V. Mason

-♥-

Andrew V. Mason has some great things to say. Expect more quotes from him at some point.

Wait- what is this? A post that isn't just a quote? The horrors!

I thought that I'd tell the world about my walk home from my bus-stop today. (Because I know everyone wants to hear about it!)

I stopped at the hardware store at the corner next to my bus-stop, and looked at different colors of stains. (For my typeset tray! Progress is being made!) I looked around for a short while, and then left the store. (without buying anything. I felt bad.)

I waved at two policemen on bikes as I passed the firehouse. There was a queen anne's lace plant growing in a front yard, and I picked a flower off of the plant. (I'll repay the owner at some point.)

Something about Queen Anne's Lace: it's beautiful when you have it in your hand. Really, it is. I can't say that I ever realized that before today. I've loved it for a long time though. When I was younger, I used to pick the tiny branches of little blossoms off of the stem and pretend that they were the bouquets of a fairy queen.

When I turned onto my street, I met a new friend. He was wearing a suit.

"That flower for me?" He called out, as I twirled the stem between my fingers.

I hadn't known he was in the road, as I was far too captivated with the pattern in the brick sidewalk than I should have been. "Want it to be?" I replied, after a moment.

"Sure!" He smiled, laughed, and held out his hand. I skipped to the middle of the street, as that was where he had been walking, and gave him the flower.

I suppose that I must have said goodbye, though I don't remember it.

"I won't forget this!" He said, still laughing. I couldn't help but smile.

He turned away, and I walked the rest of the block until I reached my driveway. As I turned into it, I looked back, but he had already turned a corner.

I hope he had a good day.