All posts by Tom Roberts

Heart, as described by Merriam-Webster’s dictionary is the emotional or moral as distinguished from the intellectual nature. One’s most innermost character, feelings or inclinations. Love, as described by the same text, is a feeling of strong affection for another.

Although some physiologists will tell you that the heart is the organ that pumps blood through your body and love is all in your brain, you know, chemistry, dopamine’s, serotonin, mating processes, continuance of the species and all that stuff. Hearts and Love are something else altogether.

But wait, according to studies done at the Heart Math Institute of Boulder Creek CA the electromagnetic energy of the heart increases significantly when people consciously feel love or care while in physical contact or even if they’re in close proximity.

From the beginning of time emotions of love have been related to the heart.
The ancients thought of the heart as the origin of human emotion and where their soul resided.
The Roman’s thought that if Cupid’s arrow pierced one’s heart, he or she would fall deeply in love.
To give your heart means to give of yourself completely, your whole being.

To those in love there is no stronger or more important symbol than the heart.
The heart wedding favors are a perfect way to express your love and share it with your guests.

Most brides take great care when giving out directions to the venue but what happens when roads are closed other unseen circumstances affect the travel directions so keep guests informed of changes.    Fires, floods, storms, and equipment failure can close a banquet hall at the last minute.

A good address list will come in handy for mailing update cards but you can not assume everyone will get the update.

In some cases emails and phone calls to close friends and family can help to notify the guests.  A phone call or email to as many guests as possible will help to avoid embarrassing mix-ups.

Handouts can be printed and left at the preferred motels so that last minute guests will be aware of the changes.

Signs from the ceremony to the reception can help and make sure they are large enough and placed where they can be easily seen.

Lastly make sure that limousine and other transportation drivers are aware of any changes.  A bus load of missing guests can throw the timetable off causing delays.

In years past it seemed like everyone wanted to be a spring or May bride. Couples planned months in advance for the special day with high hopes of fair weather.

The trouble is we now can not accurately predict the weather much better than we could years ago, especially month or more in advance.

So the boy scout motto of ” be prepared” still applies.

It seems like the amount of planing is relative to the geographical location. For example in our part of the woods we can have snow in June but in more southern climes the problem may be just the opposite.
Naturally outdoor weddings will require special planning no matter where they are held but even indoor events can be a challenge in changing weather.

Check the venues for the ceremony and the party afterword for easy access in the case of rain or snow. People tracking mud and water onto a dance floor can cause all kinds of trouble. Roll up runners are a good way to catch the mess and avoid dangerous or embarrassing situations.

It might be wise to keep an alternate venue in mind for any occasion and especially when living in an area that is prone to disruptive storms. If the roof is blown off the reception hall you may need to make a quick decision on where to go and having a short list of other available rooms can save the say, literally.

Umbrellas are always handy and you could encourage your guests to be prepared. Likewise you could have some on hand for the wedding party and special guests. Unless you are wealthy it may be a waste of money to go out and buy them. If you can afford it go ahead, and you may be able to return them if they are not used. Otherwise beg and borrow them if you can, although it might be dicey asking a favor from an uninvited acquaintance.

With gardening becoming more popular, party planners are using theme plants as favors.
One very popular theme is butterflies and butterfly gardens. With all the choices it sometimes can become confusing so we have compiled a brief butterfly plant guide to help.

Perennial plants are those which come back year after year and in some cases multiply and they make nice gifts and favors. Perennial plants can be grown at home and are usually started in small pots and re-potted as the roots require more space as the plants grow.

For perennial plants to grow well and come back they need to be planted in a “zone” or temperature range that will not kill them during the winter or hot summer. To find your zone use the US National Arboretum USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberose) is good choice if you want to grow the plants from seed. This plant is available in red, orange and yellow and will grow nicely in zones 4a to 10b .
Another popular butterfly garden plant is bee balm or Monarda. This hearty perennial will attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds and comes in a wide range of colors including red, blue, and lavender. Like the butterfly weed, this plant can be started form seeds or dug from an established bed.

Other popular butterfly garden plants include Corn Flower, Rocket Larkspur, Sweet William, Cosmos, and others. Check the North Carolina State University for a list of butterfly and nectar flowers.

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/butterflies/text/butfly_nectar-flowers.html

You will need to get started well in advance of the occasion if you expect the plants to be in bloom.
Supplies needed will include sterile plant medium pots and of course the seeds. The best way to buy a large amount of plant medium is in a large bale. One 3.8 cu ft bale will fill 100 1 gallon pots if you are repotting from a 4 inch pot.

The best way to start the seeds is to read the instructions and follow the directions. Usually the seeds can be started in small “6 pack” containers and moved to the larger 3 or 4 inch pots when the true leaves being to grow. If and when potting up to the gallons use the entire contents of the smaller pot, leaving the roots intact. If the plants are root bound the root ball should be pulled apart so the roots will fill the new, larger pot.

Our butterfly ornaments make great companion favors when paired with a seed favors or a growing plant.

by Diana Mojica Valadez.

The Summer season is rapidly and inevitably coming to a close and its time to think about Welcoming fall with a theme wedding. Vacations will soon be memorialized in scrapbooks that will be looked through fondly during the harsh winter months as a reminder for what is to come next year. Soon, children will begin the new school year and adults will go back to work. But despite the element of somberness that lingers after Summer, weddings never cease to be planned; weddings and engagements occur year-round. And although the mainstream media makes a loud buzz about summer weddings, June brides, and summer themed favors– a Fall wedding coupled with gorgeous Autumn themed favors has a spark of its own unparalleled to a June wedding. An Autumn wedding is a magnificent way for engaged couples to create an inviting and intimate environment that juxtaposes the cold weather.

Inviting Colors
After the Summer, the weather will progressively get colder. Therefore, it is important to distract guests from the harsh coldness of the season–through colors. Colors have a profound effect on human emotions, therefore, it is important that Fall hues be used quiet extensively during the reception in order to create a positive and calming atmosphere. Fortunately, the Autumn color spectrum is comprised of warm colors ranging from yellow to maroon, which is relatively easy to create a soothing and welcoming environment.

Fragrant Favors
Although candles have often been utilized to set the mood at weddings; potpourri is a great way to set the mood and add a pleasant and soothing and lasting aroma to any event–especially a wedding. Potpourri can be placed inside clear bowls and used as small center pieces or can be handed out as favors in sachets. Here at the Wedding Department, a “how to” for potpourri sachets has been created for anyone that is interested in creating their own potpourri favor.

Sounds of Nature
If the celebration will be taking place in an open space, it’s a great idea to decorate by hanging Fall Leaf Wind chime favors. The beautiful sounds of the wind will add a soothing element and natural soundtrack to the reception. The chiming in the background will intrigue guests and will be pleasantly surprise to learn they also serve as favors.
The weather outside may be getting colder, but that doesn’t mean a wedding has to resort to bland favors and boring colors. The fall season offers a variety of colors, fragrances and creative ideas that create a warm and soothing environment.

by Diana Mojica Valadez.

The celebration of our nation’s independence may have occurred last month, but for military couples, patriotism is a way of life so why not Say I do in Red White and Blue? With deployments, permanent change of station orders, and adjusting to a strict work schedule, leading a military life can be both overwhelming and honorable. A military-themed wedding is a beautiful way of showcasing the traditions that bear a high degree of pride and honor involved in officiating a marriage.

Look Sharp

This may sound obvious but couples that plan on having a military-themed wedding must have keen sensitivity about their attire. All military branches have strict dress codes–especially for important events. For example, when decorating a military dress uniform with awards, the service member must be consistent. Some awards come in the form of a medal and ribbon, while others ONLY come in the form of a ribbon. Don’t mix ribbons with medals. Create a clean, sharp, neatly-organized decorated uniform with ONLY medals or ONLY ribbons. It’ll impress guests and the photographs will look stunning.

The Arch of Sabers

After the ceremony, the newlywed couple usually walks under an arch of sabers, curved swords with only one edge–it is a beautiful and symbolic act that signifies the couples passage onto their new life together. This act, however, should only be performed for commissioned officers by commissioned officers (the United States Marine Corps is the only branch that authorizes noncommissioned officers to perform this act). Usually it takes six to eight groomsmen to create the arch. When the leading usher orders, “center face” he is signaling the groomsmen to form two facing lines ready to create an arch when he orders, “draw swords.” As previously noted, this is a beautiful and symbolic passage that although is not required, many military couples chose to incorporate this tradition because of the charming and appealing visual and its romantic symbolism.

Reception

Among other decorations, the reception venue should be adorned with an American flag and the flag of the unit. Military guests are usually seated in order of rank and regimental music may be played during the bride and groom’s grand entrance. Furthermore, when the time to cut the cake arrives, it should be sliced using a saber or a sword.
The true beauty of a military wedding is that it allows servicemen and women of different cultures and faiths to incorporate their American identity into their wedding.

Yesterday, while returning Toby, Phyllis’s sisters Yorkie, to his rightful owner after a weeks vacation we noticed the bright green and purple shoot of a crocus poking it’s head through a winter blanket of mulch and so It looks like spring has sprung.

Then Phyllis saw 2 robins hunting behind the studio and a flock of geese headed north and this morning I heard the whistling and clicking of the starlings calling to each other.

It looks like spring has finally sprung and after this long and dreary cold winter it’s none too soon.
This year we are approaching the gardening in a different fashion than we did in recent years past. That is, we have not even looked at a seed catalog.

Last year the garden was a disaster mostly because of family health emergencies and the poor economy.
This year we have not even thought of what we would grow. As a matter of fact, after looking at the books it is evident that we loose money with the greenhouse, it actually costs us to keep it going.

So we may not even open it up to the public this year.

We have decided to concentrate on the perennials. They are easy to grow and we can dig them from our existing beds.

At least that is the plan for now. More will be revealed in time!

Corn is everywhere. We don’t grow it because it takes up quite a bit of space so we get it from a road side stand. One stand we like is Hunters just outside Plessis on RT 26. They usually have a good supply of corn, pumpkins and other crops for sale all season.

They have an interesting way to buy the corn. It make buying just a few ears easy. They also furnish a can for husking and this year they are selling totes to carry the corn.

We had the corn last night night with our tomatoes and cucumbers. Perfect.

The green peppers are going gang busters. We set about 100 plants and with a yield of about 5 peppers per we have a bumper crop. The walls are not quite as thick as some we have grown but they are juicy and the flavor is great.

What we do not sell or eat fresh get cut into 1 to 2 inch pieces and frozen for future use. Already there are at least 10 stuffed quart bags in the freezer. We cull the crowders so the others have room to grow. More will be picked green and about 1/2 the crop will be left to turn red. The peppers sugar increases as they ripen so we ill have tart green and sweet red peppers for stir fries and casseroles for a year or more.

Other choirs are winding down. Most of the perennials are sold and it looks like we will be starting fresh next year which is find because some of the old pots were full of weeds. Plus we don’t have to water them. I think we are not keeping the green house going this winter. We will be using a smaller version, yet to be built.

I procured a greenhouse hoop bender that will turn 2 pieces of 10’6″ 17 gauge chain link fence top rail into a 12′ greenhouse hoop. This make s the hoops much less expensive and there is no shipping cost. A larger bender available for 20′ hoops but we figure it’s better to start small and move up. Judging by the requests on Craigs List for greenhouse hoops we may be able to sell a few as well.

We are still putting up the end of the pickles. Last week we picked a wheel barrow load of cucumbers for pickles and they are nearly all caned as bread and butter or dill pickles, depending on the size.

This year we tried a new kind of summer squash and an old reliable zucchini. I for one am not impressed with the new squash. Since I did not order the seeds, (turns head to both sides looking around) but I can guarantee the crook neck will be on the seed list for next year. One thing for sure, hot dry weather stunts zucchini.

As for the zucchini, what we have picked has been nice but what there has been of it is scant compared to past years. After asking around we found that other gardeners are experiencing the same results. Naturally we we right away try to assign blame to the weather. After all it can have been our superior gardening skills.

The weather has been hot, true, but we have had water in the garden well all season long. As a matter of fact a rather large bull frog has taken up residence. I can’t imagine how he got there because the stone sides of the well are nearly 3 foot high. I suppose he could have jumped it but why would he? Can frogs smell water? Maybe a trick from a tricksty neighbor?

Only the frog knows for sure and he is not saying. As long as there is water in the well he should be fine but he might be better off out of the well. Trouble is getting him out of the well. He has a little ledge to rest on but the minute anyone peers over the top he dives into the water. We will try a net attached to a long pole.

As far as the water goes we seem to be OK. It is raining right now, a slow soaking rain, and that should keep the tomato plants hydrated. Our garden is the low spot for at least 50 acres and so it usually does not need much watering which is good because we pay for the water.

When we looked at the property to buy, everything out back was unmowed and very wet. The ground quivered under foot and there were legions of leopard frogs. At that time it was too wet for gardening but mowing helped to equalize the moisture content and it is fine for gardening now.