Episode #313- Bloom Happy

Episode #313- Bloom Happy

Today on Life In Bloom it’s all about making time for what makes us Happy – so naturally we’ll pick a popular bloom, make some arrangements that always bring a smile, I share my favorite dish ever – and we’ll stop and smell the roses.

“People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us.”
― Iris Murdoch

Welcome to Life In Bloom, and thanks for watching. I have received so much positive feedback about the show and I am humbled by the fact that so many people have said that taking a break with “Life In Bloom” is their happy place.I don’t think there’s a strict definition for happy place, but hopefully you know what I mean. And, as my dear friend Lorraine always says - “you have to make a plan.” We need to plan and schedule time at our happy place - just like we plan other parts of our lives.We all schedule our work, meetings of all kinds, social obligations, and more – but do you make the effort to plan time just for you? To do what makes YOU happy? That’s my inspiration for today’s show – I’m highlighting topics that I think bring joy – I know they make me happy, I hope you like them too!”Pleasing Yourself with Flowers Obviously, I am of the opinion flowers make us happy – it’s the backbone of the whole show! One of the best things you can do is plant a few perennials in your yard or garden. Then when they come into bloom, you can enjoy them outside and inside too. Peonies are a long-time favorite of many - including myself. When Peonies - or any blooming plant in my yard - comes into season, I so enjoy cut a few stems, gently shaking off the ants and filling vases with happy flowers and placing them all around the house...Novelty Flower Arrangements (Flower Soda, Chrysanthemum Clown, and Flower Filled Smile Mug)“Here are some blasts from the past that still create smiles today! As a kid I always loved the Novelty Arrangements the designers in the Flower Shop would create... the Flower Soda was always a favorite- (and still is to this day) I think that people love the idea of flowers- that look like something else- and when it's a Ice Cream Soda- that's even better!I make several different kinds of Novelty arrangements in this segment including the TIGER MUM we used to make for the FREMONT Tigers- (the High School Mascot) back in Fremont Nebraska... I hope you enjoy these Arrangements- I'm sure they will make you HAPPY!A Love Letter to the San Francisco Flower Mart“Probably my most favorite Happy Place on the planet is the San Francisco Flower Mart… when I get asked- about my favorite place- or the place I would like to go... it's the San Francisco Flower Mart- My first visit was when I was very young- with my Dad- during a flower convention- and that's when the "love affair" began... I love the people, the buildings, the smells, the flowers- the whole experience.I love that you go early in the Morning- before the sun comes up- and under the veil of darkness you explore the amazing people and their Flowers- at the Historic San Francisco Flower Mart- I'll introduce you to a few of my favorite friends too... Barbara, Willy, and of Roy ... these are the people and the flowers- that make me so very Happy!Recipe In Bloom : Turkey Noodle Ring  Today I’m going to share with you want may be my most favorite recipe ever – Turkey Noodle Ring. Whenever my Mother in law makes this for me, it definitely takes me to my happy place!My Mother-in-law makes this every year- after I put up her Christmas tree following Thanksgiving- so she uses left over turkey- but today I use Chicken- you can do whatever you wish. The recipe is from an Old Betty Crocker Picture Cook Book... It goes something like this...Mix gently...

• 3 Eggs, Slightly beaten (be sure to just beat them slightly... just letting you know)
• 1 tsp. Salt
• 1/2 tsp. Pepper
• 3/4 cup of Milk
• 1 tbspn. Butter, melted

- drained hot boilded noodles (10-12 oz uncooked) ...- Place in well butterred 10" ring mold. Set in pan of water (1" deep).- Bake until silver knife stuck into center comes out clean.- Unmold, fill center with hot creamed Chicken (or Turkey see above)... Or sea food (I've never done this... WOW!)- Serve Immediately.Temperature: 350˚ (moderate oven)Time: Bake 45 minutesAmount: 6-8 Servings...To make the white sauce for the Chicken or Turkey I follow this recipe:

• 2 cups Half and Half
• 4 Tablespoons Butter ( I prefer President Butter- it's from France)...
• 4 Tablespoons Flour-

Heat over medium heat- continuously stirring until it thickens- add Chicken- (or Turkey) and pour into the center of the unmolded noodle ring...ENJOY- you can thank me later- this is literally my FAVORITE Dish on the Planet... just sayin!!!Featured Flower: Allium GiganteumFlower Trivia:

• Allium giganteum is an Asian species of onion, native to central and southwestern Asia but cultivated in many countries as a flowering garden plant.
• The flowers of an Allium grow on the end of usually leafless stalks. The flowers are clustered together to form a pom-pom arrangement at the top of the stem.
• Allium Giganteum are grown from bulbs and are part of the Lily family
• They may grow anywhere from 8 inches to 20 inches tall.
• Flowers can be 8 to 12 inches across
• Allium bulbs vary in size between species, from very small to rather big.
• Allium flowers are typically purple, burgundy, lilac, and silvery amethyst, but also range in color with pink, blue, to yellow and white.
• Bees and butterflies love alliums, as do many gardeners. Deer and rabbit, however, tend to shy away from them.Here's more links with additional information on Allium Giganteum!

https://www.nature-and-garden.com/gardening/allium.htmlhttps://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/growingflowers/growingflowers/alliumhttps://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/allium-giganteum#!growguidehttp://grimsdyke.com/alliums/Flower Fragrances  Take time to stop and smell the roses’ is a familiar phrase and I’m sure you know, that it’s meant to remind us to pause and take in what’s around us and enjoy life in general. However today we’re going to literally stop and smell the roses – and other fragrant flowers – and learn a bit more about the different scents and nuances of fragrance in flowers.I’m Joined by my Friend Jenn Pasqua- we’ve known each other for years- and we both LOVE Fragrant flowers- so we’re going to enjoy the fragrant flowers- and talk about the memories they evoke- or what the fragrance may remind us of...Jenn and I talk about the different flowers- and how fragrance can be boost to memory- and how it’s important in formulating lasting memories- even a discussion about how rosemary- can help activate memory- for those affected with dementia or alzheimers…I’m confident Jenn will have some amazing responses and I also have some up my sleeve…Here's a few more links about Flower Fragrances that are very interesting...https://www.alexandrafarms.com/post/rose-scent-a-story-of-richesFragrance Industry Informationhttps://www.alphaaromatics.com/blog/understanding-the-top-notes-heart-notes-base-notes-of-fragrance/Sidewalk Flower Art  Here’s a fun throwback activity - when was the last time you drew on the sidewalk with colored chalk? Including kids in this activity is a natural, but don’t be afraid to enjoy it all on your own.I hope you’ve enjoyed our “happy places” on this episode – and will be inspired to find your own happy places - and more importantly, take the time to make a plan and experience them. For Life In Bloom, I’m J Schwanke.