New Year Party Ideas

Need an idea for a great New Year’s Eve party? Well, if you’re stumped, here are some ways of ringing in 2011.

Have friends over for a game night. Game night can be different things to different people. For some, it might mean an evening of Trivia Pursuit or card games. For others, it might mean Rock Band or Guitar Hero. Still other friends might bring get together with their laptops to play online games. No matter what game night means to you, it makes for a fun New Year’s party idea that doesn’t mean a lot of expense or going out in the cold. Throw in some pizza and snacks and you’ve got a good way of beginning the new year.

Alternatively, plan a movie night. You might have friends over and watch movies you own, or you might go out. Some theaters even have New Year’s movie schedules where you get several movies or a movie and snacks for a special price. Of course, be sure to schedule your movies (or pause) at midnight to watch a countdown and mark the beginning of 2011.

Some people celebrate New Year’s by having a drink or two. While this is a perfectly acceptable way to celebrate, be sure to drink responsibly if this is your plan. Have a designated driver if you’re going out, and if you’re staying in, don’t drive until the alcohol has worn off.

There are many ways to celebrate New Year’s. Whether you go out, stay in, have others over, or do something on your own, be sure to ring in the new year in a positive and fun way!

Christmas Events in Houston Updated

Christmas is almost here, but there’s still plenty of time to get out and engage in some of the great holiday events in Houston. Here are just a few of them.

One Christmas tradition is seeing the Nutcracker ballet. While some people prefer to watch the ballet on TV, there really is nothing like seeing it performed live. The ballet will be performed by Houston Ballet this holiday season, and one shouldn’t miss it. Another show you may want to take in is a live performance of A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens’ popular tale of Scrooge and the three ghosts of Christmas.

Another thing you don’t want to miss is ice skating outside at Discovery Green. While some places have indoor skating areas during the Christmas season, skating outdoors is much more fun. If you like indoor skating, though, you can always visit the Ice Galleria Skating Rink.

If you enjoy seeing holiday displays, go driving around Houston. Load the family up in the car, pack some snacks, and crank up the Christmas carols on the radio. There are many great festival displays in the area. If you want to do a little walking, you might want to take the Heritage Society’s Candlelight Tour. While you will have to walk in the cold instead of riding in the warm car, it’s certainly worth it. The tour features some of Houston’s oldest buildings decorated in the traditional 19th century holiday décor, plus there’s live music and Santa!

The Moody Gardens in nearby Galveston also provides a great place to look at holiday decorations. The entire garden is light up with different festive scenes. After taking the tour, you can relax at the Garden Restaurant and enjoy their Festival of Lights buffet.

The events listed above will be going on all month, but there are some events with specific days and times:

The Express Children’s Theatre production of Frosty the Snowman: December 22.

A.D. Player’s production of The Littlest Angel: every Wed. through Sun. until Dec. 23.

Alley Theatre’s The Santaland Diaries: every weekday except Monday until Dec. 31.

A Christmas Story party and feast with Peter Billingsley at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: Dec. 21 at 7:30.

Another Location!

Wildflower Florist has a big announcement! We have recently acquired The Flower Corner, a flower shop located in the Houston Medical Center. As part of the Wildflower family, The Flower Corner will offer everything you’ve come to expect from Wildflower: an amazing selection of great flowers, friendly service, and a dedication to delivering the best flower arrangements possible.

The Flower Corner has been serving the flower needs of the Houston Medical Center for 20 years. The center is the largest medical center in the world and offers patient care, translational research, and basic science research. The center contains 49 different institutions, including 13 hospitals, two specialty treatment centers, two medical schools, four nursing schools, a dentistry school, a pharmacy school, and a public health school. The center takes up more space than downtown Dallas! Recent additions include the Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute, the Baylor Clinic, and the Cancer Prevention Center.

With more than five million annual patient visits, there is a high demand for flowers at the Houston Medical Center. Wildflower is excited to be able to meet this demand through The Flower Corner. Because of the history attached to the name, The Flower Corner will still be called The Flower Corner. We are thrilled to have this opportunity to bring the joy of flowers to everyone at the Houston Medical Center.

See our online selection of flowers at .www.FlowerCornerHouston.com

Buying Holiday Gifts Online

Some people like to get out and shop. They enjoy walking through the mall and browsing through various stores. To them, the shopping experience is a part of the holidays, and they wouldn’t skip it for anything. Others, however, have decided the hustle and bustle of the holidays just isn’t for them, and they’ve started buying their holiday gifts online.

It’s not difficult to buy holiday gifts online. All you need is an internet connect and a credit or debit card. Actually, you don’t even need plastic—you can use your checking account to purchase items from many online businesses.

There are many advantages to shopping online, but many people want to know about the bottom line: is shopping online a better deal than braving the cold and the crowds? After all, you do have to pay for shipping. The good news is that online stores rarely charge more for items than their physical counterparts. In fact, online stores are often cheaper. The reason for this is that they don’t have as much overhead or operating expenses. They don’t have to pay to have their inventory transported from warehouses to stores, for example. They don’t have to employ as many people, and they don’t have to pay utility expenses for all of their physical stores. This means they can charge less per item and still make a profit.

What about shipping costs? Well, yes, you do have to pay for shipping in some cases. However, many stores have specials where they offer free shipping if you purchase a specific amount of products. Amazon, for example, gives free shipping on orders over $25. If you plan on purchasing a lot of gifts from the same store, check their shipping costs first. Just like shopping in physical stores, it never hurts to shop around to see who has the best deals. Also remember that shopping online early will save you on costs—if you want until the last minute, you will have to pay for the expensive express shipping or risk not having your gifts in time for the holidays.

So is it cheaper to shop online? The answer is that is often depends. Sometimes, you can find the same deals in stores, and sometimes you can’t. Shipping is sometimes a factor, but then again, when shopping in physical stores, you have to consider gas costs and taxes (many online purchases aren’t taxed, but some are). Some people don’t mind paying a bit extra to avoid the crowds during the holiday season. If you do a little comparison shopping, order early so you don’t have to pay for expedited shipping, and are comfortable using the internet to make purchases, buying your holiday gifts online can be a great way to do your shopping.

Christmas Events in Houston

Christmas is coming! But what is there to do in the Houston area to celebrate (or just to get out of the house)? Well, there are a number of different things to do in the area this holiday season.

One Christmas tradition is seeing the Nutcracker ballet. While some people prefer to watch the ballet on TV, there really is nothing like seeing it performed live. The ballet will be performed by Houston Ballet this holiday season, and one shouldn’t miss it. Another show you may want to take in is a live performance of A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens’ popular tale of Scrooge and the three ghosts of Christmas.

Another thing you don’t want to miss is ice skating outside at Discovery Green. While some places have indoor skating areas during the Christmas season, skating outdoors is much more fun. If you like indoor skating, though, you can always visit the Ice Galleria Skating Rink.

If you enjoy seeing holiday displays, go driving around Houston. Load the family up in the car, pack some snacks, and crank up the Christmas carols on the radio. There are many great festival displays in the area. If you want to do a little walking, you might want to take the Heritage Society’s Candlelight Tour. While you will have to walk in the cold instead of riding in the warm car, it’s certainly worth it. The tour features some of Houston’s oldest buildings decorated in the traditional 19th century holiday décor, plus there’s live music and Santa!

The Moody Gardens in nearby Galveston also provides a great place to look at holiday decorations. The entire garden is light up with different festive scenes. After taking the tour, you can relax at the Garden Restaurant and enjoy their Festival of Lights buffet.

These are just a few of the major holiday events happening in the Houston area this Christmas season. While staying home with a cup of hot chocolate and watching Christmas movies is a great way to spend an evening, heading out and enjoying these events can be a great way of getting energized for the holidays.

Hanukkah Activities for the Entire Family

Hanukkah begins soon, and if your kids are anything like most, they’re very excited for the eight days of the holiday. Hanukkah presents several different opportunities for families to spend some quality time together. Here are a few activities that the entire family can participate in.

The main focus of Hanukkah is on the menorah and the traditions it represents. During Hanukkah, one candle is lit each night during the eight days. Children can get involved by learning the prayers recited over the menorah each day. With help, children can also light a candle. If your kids enjoy arts and crafts, they can create their own menorah out of sculpting clay and make homemade candles out of beeswax or by using candle-making kits. Of course, children should always be supervised when lighting candles.

If you like cooking traditional Hanukkah foods like latkes and donuts, get the entire family involved. While cooking with oil is not an activity for children, they can help prepare the batter, cut out cookies, and decorate desserts.

Kids might also want to make their own Hanukkah cards to give out to their friends and relatives. This is a great way for kids to use their imaginations and art skills, and family members will treasure these created cards so much more than store-bought ones.

Finally, take the time to tell traditional Hanukkah stories, listen to music, and generally get into the spirit of the Festival of Lights. You might even want to go out and enjoy the holiday light displays, many of which are secular and not religious. There are many holidays happening around this time of year, and there’s nothing that says you can’t enjoy a little of what they all have to offer with your family while you celebrate Hanukkah.

Last Minute Thanksgiving Flowers

Turkey? Check! Cranberries? Yep. Pumpkin Pie? Ready to serve with whipped cream. So what’s left? Oh no! There are no Thanksgiving flowers to put on the table! If you need some last minute thanksgiving flowers, it’s not too late. While you probably don’t want to wait until the day before to go turkey shopping, if you forget your flowers, you might still be able to pick some up.

If you’re shopping for last minute Thanksgiving flowers, there are a few things to be aware of. First of all, your florist, no matter how good they are, may be out of your first choice. Popular arrangements tend to sell out quickly. Cornucopias and large arrangements may already be gone. However, this doesn’t mean your dinner is ruined. Many florists also have a number of smaller arrangements that they can make for Thanksgiving.

Even if your florist is out of some of their advertised arrangements, that doesn’t have to put a damper on your plans. Any good, creative florist can take what flowers they have in stock and create something completely beautiful and amazing. Just tell your florist what you’re looking for, and he or she will work magic. There are many different flowers that work for Thanksgiving, after all. Sunflowers, orange and dark red roses, yellow and orange gerberas, orange lilies, and many other flowers will fit nicely with your Thanksgiving décor. Greenery, acorns, pinecones, and even some gourds and pumpkins can be added if you feel like your arrangement needs a bit of fleshing out. Throw in a few candles, and you’re done!

It’s always advisable to order your Thanksgiving flowers in advance, of course, but even if you don’t, it’s OK. Just be sure to pick them up as soon as possible so you’ve got some options. As always, we have a great selection of Thanksgiving flowers. Browse them now on our website and place your order soon!

Thanksgiving Centerpiece Ideas

Thanksgiving is almost here, but it’s not too late to put together an amazing centerpiece for your table. While many people think of the turkey as the centerpiece, that’s only during the meal. What goes on your table before the turkey is brought out? That’s where your Thanksgiving centerpiece takes center stage.

There are several different types of centerpieces used for Thanksgiving. The traditional cornucopia is one of them. This “horn of plenty” is usually filled with fruits, but it can be filled with gorgeous fall flowers, too. This is one of the larger Thanksgiving centerpieces, so it’s sure to get plenty of attention. Of course, you’re going to have to move it off the table when it’s time to eat.

If you’d rather have flowers as a centerpiece, you have many different choices. One popular choice is a large floral arrangement with tapers. You can light the candles before, during, or after dinner. The flowers are generally ones in traditional Autumn colors like dark red, yellow, and orange, and often greenery or even nuts are added to the arrangement to fill it out. Again, these large arrangements may have to be moved when it’s turkey time.

There are some smaller fall arrangements that you can use for centerpieces. These arrangements may not have to be moved for dinner, which is one of the reasons many people like them. They may not be as attention grabbing, but that’s OK. Many are simple bouquets in nice vases. You can accent these smaller arrangements with candles, small pumpkins, or even little turkeys or pilgrims.

All of these types of Thanksgiving centerpieces are rather traditional. If you want something a bit different, get creative. If you have children, get them involved. Help them make turkeys out of pine cones by using feathers and construction paper. This helps get your family involved in the holiday, and you can use these little turkeys with just about any floral centerpiece.

How Flowers Can Change How You Feel

You’re having a horrible day. Everything seems to be doing wrong. Maybe you woke up feeling unwell, but not unwell enough to justify staying home from work. Then you got to work and spilled coffee on yourself. Your workload has tripled because someone dropped the ball on a project. You’ve got a deadline that seems impossible to meet. Then there’s a knock on your office door. It’s a florist delivering an amazing bouquet of flowers from your significant other with a card telling you how amazing you are. Suddenly, your entire day seems so much better. Isn’t it amazing how flowers can change how you feel?

How is this possible? Well, there have actually been a few studies done that show flowers can pull up old memories or affect those areas of the brain that make us feel good. It could be the scent, the sight of flowers, the memories they invoke…no one is quite sure. What is certain is that flowers affect our feelings.

Next time you’re feeling down, follow the old saying and stop and smell some roses (or daisies, or lilies, or whatever flower you enjoy). While you may not have someone sending you flowers every time you have a horrible day, you can still find some gorgeous blooms to enjoy. So take advantage of what flowers can do for you and turn those bad days around with flowers.

Using Autumn Colors in Your Home

Many people like to use autumn colors in their homes because they are strong, bold colors. Autumn colors typically include dark red, dark yellow, browns, oranges, and even some dark greens. These colors do tend to create darker rooms when used overwhelmingly, but when used to add just a touch of color here and there, they can make a room look great.

If you’re thinking about adding autumn colors to your home, here are some things to consider before making any purchases:

Choose a basic color scheme to use throughout your entire house. This will give you a unified theme for your home and make it easier to pick out different items.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match a bit. If you pick red and yellow as your color scheme, that doesn’t mean you can’t throw in a bit of orange or green here and there.

Go for a variety of items. Colored candles, towels, throw pillows, picture frames, and other items can be placed around a room to bring in your autumn colors. Having different items also means that there’s not one thing screaming “I’m a fall color!”

Pick reusable items. Tablecloths, pillows, throw blankets, small rugs, and other items can be stored during other seasons and used again once autumn returns. Also look for items that you can use in your home décor at other times of the year.

Of course, fall flowers are a great addition to any autumn color scheme, and they also bring in that great autumn scent. After the flowers bloom and wilt, you can even dry them and create a great fall potpourri mixture.

Relax with Flowers

Finding time to relax can be difficult in today’s society. It seems like we’re always on the go. For many, work is no longer limited to 40 hours a week—we work overtime (often for free), we bring work home with us, and we’re always thinking about some project or other. Families also take up a lot more time. We have to get our kids to various school and club functions, make sure all the bills get paid, keep the house clean…the list goes on and on. With all of this, how can you possibly find time to relax? Well, you may not be able to take a nice vacation to de-stress, but you can relax with flowers.

Flowers are very relaxing for a number of reasons. Their bright, cheery colors are often all that’s needed to turn a drab room into a happy one. Seeing these colors can help turn your day around. The scent is also a factor. The phrase “stop and smell the roses” exists for a reason. Scent is one of the most powerful senses, and it can often trigger memories and thoughts out of the ordinary. Next time you feel stressed, take the time to smell some flowers. You may find your muscles unknotting and your tension melting away.

Putting a nice arrangement of flowers on your desk or in your office at work is a good way of bringing a little relaxation into what could be a very stressful atmosphere. Just by placing the flowers there and taking the time to look at them now and then will help you stay relaxed.

No matter how you use flowers to relax, remember to take time out to enjoy them. Flowers are a great way of relaxing, and it’s important to keep stress away during the holiday season.

Halloween Celebrations in Houston

There’s a lot going on this Halloween in Houston. Here are just a few of the cool events.

In Kemah, you can take an awesome Pirate Dinner Cruise. It includes a murder mystery theater featuring pirates taking over your ship! Dinner is included, and there will be a dance following the mystery. It will be held on the 30th from 5:00 to 7:00 and from 8:00 to 10:00. Tickets are $79 each, and you may want to call and make reservations in advance.

The Houston Zoo will be hosting Zoo Boo this weekend. Kids will get to pick and paint their own pumpkin from the zoo’s pumpkin patch, do some trick-or-treating, and much more. Admission is included with regular zoo admission.

Scream on the Green is a Halloween party taking place at Discovery Green. Costume contests for kids and adults will be held, plus there will be live entertainment, face painting, fortune tellers, treats, and a dance. The event will be held on Saturday from 6:00 to 10:00.

Finally, if you want something a bit more relaxing, you can catch a viewing of the movie Monsters vs. Aliens at the Miller Outdoor Theater. The event also includes a costume contest. It starts at 6:30 and ends at 9:30.

Don't forget there's still time to order great Halloween flowers from Wildflower!

Decorating with House Plants

Some people like to decorate their house with fresh flowers. They love adding the bright yellows, blues, pinks, whites, and other colors to each room. There are, however, a few problems with this. First, fresh flowers are often very interesting to pets, but some of them are quite deadly to cats and dogs. Another issue is that vases are easy for young children to knock over. Then there’s the cost involved. While fresh flowers are certainly beautiful, it can become expensive to purchase new flowers on a regular basis. If you’re looking for a way of decorating with something living but without these drawbacks, thing about decorating with house plants.

There are a number of ways you can decorate with house plants. For starters, you can put a nice plant on a corner table. This leaves your beautiful green plant out of the way, but it still brings in all the life and energy associated with plants. It also makes it less likely to get knocked over by rambunctious children or pets. You can also set a pot of flowing ivy on a high book shelf or on top of an entertainment center. The ivy will drape down the side and look very nice. The only downside to this is that you may have to stand on a stepstool or chair to water the ivy.

You can also add a potted plant to your table or bar as a centerpiece. Like using flowers as a centerpiece, you can then add a few little holiday extras like snowmen, pumpkins, or little eggs to make it festive. Green plants are a good way to bring some color to your office, too. They’re a nice way of adding a personal touch to a workspace without being too personal or adding too much.

Bosses and Our Careers

One of the major factors in how our careers go is our boss. Having a great boss can really mean the difference between advancing your career and getting stuck. There are several reasons for this:

Our bosses are the main people responsible for our performance evaluation.

We often turn to our bosses for a letter of recommendation for a new job.

Our bosses recommend us for promotion within our department and may even recommend us for open positions within the company. In some cases, they make the final decision on a promotion.

Our bosses control what assignments we get. If a boss doesn’t believe an employee can handle difficult tasks, that employee will not be given them. How does this affect a career? An employee who has only been given menial tasks won’t have as much experience to put on a resume.

Good bosses help employees develop necessary skills such as teamwork, time management, and more. They may recommend employees attend computer training sessions to learn new software or even take supplemental college courses. By helping employees reach their full potential, a good boss is insuring that they will go far in their careers.

Flowers and Poetry

Flowers and poetry—two things that always seem to go together in the romantic’s mind. But why?

One of the major subjects of poetry is beauty, and we find flowers to be incredibly beautiful. “A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet” wrote William Shakespeare, telling us that beauty shines through no matter what. Gertrude Stein wrote, “Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose” in her poem Sacred Emily, reminding us again that the true nature of something is always present. A rose is always a rose.

There are many other poems about flowers, of course. However, you don’t have to search for flower-related poems when thinking about flowers and poetry. If you really want to impress your significant other, a great romantic poem accompanied by a bouquet of flowers is one sure way to do it. Think about reciting Shakespeare while handing her a single red rose. How romantic would that be? If you know she loves a particular poet, find a great love poem by him or her and quote it during a special moment. You might even be able to use a poem as an outline for an entire date.

No matter how you combine flowers and poetry, both have incredible romantic potential. Use them to their fullest and you’ll add something incredibly special to your date.

Fall Scenic Drives Near Houston

Fall is a nice time to take a scenic drive near Houston. There are several great places to check out the amazing fall foliage. Here are a couple of them.

Hope on FM 1375 towards Austin and you’ll see some great trees and ferns at Sam Houston National Forest. These trees will look great during the fall as their leaves turn from the bright green of summer to the beautiful red, orange, and yellow of autumn.

Another nice scenic drive also goes towards Austin. If you get on 2222 West, you’ll get to pass through a number of different hilly areas that are very pretty this time of year. You might also want to take highway 290, depending on where you live in Houston and how fast you want to go.

Gift Baskets Make Great Gifts

There are times when flowers just don’t seem appropriate. Maybe it’s the circumstances. Maybe it’s the person. Whatever it is, you just know a bright bouquet of flowers won’t be quite right. Oh, the recipient will thank you for them, but you know he or she is just being polite. If flowers aren’t quite right, what can you send instead? How about a great gift basket?

Gift baskets can include a wide variety of things. Most feature food. You’ll find gift baskets full of gourmet fruits such as apples, oranges, and bananas for those who eat healthily. On the other hand, there are baskets for those who love candy and chocolate. Some include peanuts and other salty snacks. There are themed gift baskets, too. A gift basket for a baseball lover might include popcorn, candy, and a baseball. Some are themed for certain holidays, such as an Easter gift basket full of candy eggs, a stuffed bunny toy, and jelly beans.

Who might want a gift basket? Well, there are many different people. Some people are actually allergic to flowers, so gift baskets are perfect for them. Men often prefer gift baskets over flowers because flowers aren’t seen as being a very manly gift. Kids might like gift baskets full of candy and cute stuffed animals over flowers as well. You may also want to send a gift basket instead of flowers to a co-worker or work associate since gift baskets are seen as more of a neutral gift (some flowers have romantic connotations).

Gift baskets are no more expensive than flowers, and they are available anywhere. If you’re not sure if flowers would be appropriate, send a gift basket. Everyone loves fruit, candy, and the other treats you can include in gift baskets.

The Art of Giving

Everyone likes to give gifts. It makes us feel good to know we’ve made someone’s day a little brighter, and it helps cement our relationships. But giving gifts isn’t a science, and it isn’t always easy. Here are some tips you can use to master the art of giving.

Know what the recipient will like. This is the trickiest part of gift giving. What if you get them a gift they hate or won’t use? No one wants that. While the recipient will (hopefully) be polite enough to pretend to like the gift, you’ll be able to tell from their initial reaction that they don’t really want it. If you’re buying for a close friend or relative, chances are you have an idea of their interests and likes. If you’re buying for a co-worker or someone you don’t know that well, you may be at a loss. In this case, gift cards may be acceptable. You can also ask people who know the recipient better for ideas.

Know all pertinent information about the recipient. If you’re buying clothing, for example, you need to know what size to get. Knowing the person’s favorite color may also help in deciding on a gift.

Know where to shop. Once you’ve got that perfect gift in mind, you’ve got to know where to find it. Sometimes this is as simple as walking in to a local department store and buying it. Other times, however, it can be difficult, especially if you’re looking for a popular item (remember how crazy people went over that Tickle Me Elmo doll years ago?). Thanks to the internet, however, you can often find the gift you want online. Yes, you do have to pay shipping, but often the gift actually costs less than it would in the store, so you end up saving money.

Know how much time you have to shop. You don’t want to wait until the last minute to start your gift search. If you know you’re not going to have a lot of time to do your shopping, start as early as you can. You don’t have to hit every store on the same day, either. Internet shopping can also save you a lot of time since you won’t have to drive to each store or search for what you’re looking for.

These tips will help you perfect your skill at the art of giving and may even help reduce your stress while shopping.

Why Grandparents Are So Cool!

Grandparents often seem much cooler than parents. Much of this has to do with the fact that they often spoil us. After all, they don’t have to deal with us every day, so they feel a little freer in giving us treats, toys, and letting us do what we want. However, there are several other reasons why grandparents are so cool.

One of the things that makes grandparents so cool is that they often have awesome stories. They’ve been around for decades, and they have lived through a lot. Some of them fought in different wars, some have been overseas and to many fascinating places, and some simply have interesting tales to tell.

Another thing about grandparents is that their homes are full of memories. Grandparents often host family gatherings and holiday meals, and it’s at these gatherings that we make many great memories. These memories stick with us for the rest of our lives. Who doesn’t have special memories of a family Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner at their grandparents’ home?

Finally, another reason grandparents are so cool is that they are always there for us in our times of need. Whether it’s just to offer us comfort, to give us a place to live during hard times, or to help out financially, grandparents are always there when we need them.

Remember to show your grandparents how much you appreciate them on September 12, National Grandparents Day.

Labor Day Events in Houston

There’s always a lot to do on Labor Day. As the first weekend in September, the heat wave of the summer has usually broken, and we can actually get outside without melting. If you’re looking for something to do in Houston this Labor Day weekend, here are some ideas.

The Houston Labor Day Classic is a weekend-long event featuring Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M. The two go at it on Sunday at Reliant Stadium, but the festivities actually start on Thursday with a mixer at the Spot Lounge, followed by pool parties, casino nights, and more.

Another event is the Labor Day Redfish Raft-Up. On Sunday, participants can cruise around Galveston Bay on the Star Gazer yacht while enjoying great barbecue, wine, and champagne. It costs $89, but you get four and a half hours of fun, including live music.

For a little less ($35 for lawn tickets), you can hear singer John Mayer perform at the Woodlands Pavilion. His concert is Sunday and begins at 7:00 p.m.

The football season gets underway on Labor Day weekend. If you’re a fan of the different teams, head over to the Kemah Boardwalk this weekend to meet players, cheerleaders, and Toro the mascot. In addition to autographs and photo opportunities, there will be games and prizes.

Finally, something a little different: Labor Day is also the Free Day of Yoga. It doesn’t matter if you’re an expert or a beginner, you can visit one of more than 50 different yoga studios in the Houston area and take a free class. The events begin with a demonstration held at Discovery Green Park at 8:30 a.m. A list of participating studios can be found at http://www.fdoyhouston.com/.

Squeeze in a Few More Weeks of Summer Fun in Houston

Summer is almost over, but there are still a few more weeks to have a little fun. In fact, there’s still a lot to do in Houston in August. Here are just a few events and things to do.

Visit Moody Gardens. There’s always something to do at the beautiful gardens. Currently, there’s a special exhibit running through September called “Forgotten Gateway: Coming to America Through Galveston Island.”

For museum lovers, how about visiting the Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston or the Houston Museum of Natural Science? Both feature some very interesting permanent and visiting exhibits, and admission is fairly cheap. There are even some exhibits that children will find interesting.

Of course, for a day outdoors with the kids, nothing beats the Houston Zoo. There are many different animals featured at the zoo, but through September, the zoo is hosting some very unusual creatures…Dinosaurs! Kids will love meeting the ten animatronic dinosaurs featured in the exhibit up close and personal.

After you visit the past at the zoo, you can blast off to the future at the Space Center Houston. Family members of all ages will enjoy the usual space center activities, but science fiction fans will find the center especially amazing right now. That’s because they are currently hosting a special Star Wars: The Clone Wars exhibit that features blaster training, battle droid adventures, and much more.

Finally, the Back to School Bash at the Children’s Museum of Houston takes place the last week of August (the 22nd through the 28th). There are many different activities kids can engage in, including creating a clothing line out of recycled materials and more.

No matter what you choose to do, make the most out of these last few weeks of summer. If nothing else, at least head outdoors and take a walk around the local park or even your neighborhood. Enjoy the sunshine!

Roses Are Perfect For…

There’s a reason roses are known as one of the most popular flowers around. They seem to be the perfect flower for many different situations. Here are just a few of the things that roses are perfect for:

Roses are perfect for…romance! Nothing says “I love you” like the rose, especially the red rose. If you want to show your significant other you care, you can’t go wrong with roses.

Roses are perfect for…anniversaries! Again, reminding your spouse how much you love them is easily done with roses.

Roses are perfect for…Valentine’s Day! Men often find themselves looking for a great Valentine’s Day gift, and roses are certainly traditional. Of course, pairing the flowers with candy or a cute stuffed toy makes the gift even more special.

Roses are perfect for…saying you’re sorry. When you need to apologize and truly show you mean it, go for a bouquet of a dozen red roses.

Finally, roses are perfect for…anything! There really isn’t an occasion when roses aren’t appropriate. From a single red rose on a first date to a dozen on her birthday, roses are always welcome.

Green and Flowering Indoor Plant Care

Do you love growing plants and flowers but just don’t have the space outdoors? Or maybe you want to bring some of these gorgeous plants indoors to help liven up your home. Either way, growing indoor plants isn’t too difficult if you follow some basic guidelines. Of course, these tips may not apply to all plants and flowers—some have very special needs.

Be careful that you don’t water your plants with treated water. City water contains chemicals such as fluoride that are helpful to us but harmful to plants. While treated water may not necessarily kill an indoor flower, it’s not going to help it, either. To make certain your plants are getting the best water for them, use bottled water or leave water in an open container for 24 hours to allow the chemicals to evaporate.

While it’s important to keep your plants and flowers watered, it’s also important to keep from over watering them. In fact, over watering is the cause of many houseplant deaths. If the soil is still moist, don’t add any more water. Some people get into the habit of always watering their plants on the same day whether they really need it or not, and this can easily lead to the plants getting more water than necessary.

The temperature is also important. If it gets too hot or too cold, your plants will start to look a little worse for the wear. If you plan on being gone for several days and are going to turn the heat or air off, you may want to take your indoor plants to a neighbor’s or family member’s for safe keeping.

Finally, don’t forget about light. If your plants and flowers aren’t in a place where they can get good light, they won’t do well. If you believe this is the case, slowly move your plant to a better location. If you change the light dramatically, your plant may actually get sunburn. This can be just as bad as not getting enough light.

Celebrating Your Anniversary in Houston

Celebrating your anniversary in Houston this year? Here are some great ideas for spending your special day in this city, no matter if it’s your first or your fiftieth.

There are some great restaurants to visit. If you love Italian, Dolce Vita is a must. It has a nice, relaxed atmosphere, great wine and cocktails, and some amazing food. If you love pizza, this is the place for you. Note, however, that they don’t take reservations, so get there early. Another great Italian place is Sorrento’s.

For Mexican, El Tiempo is a good choice. They have amazing food and, like Dolce Vita, is casual. El Tiempo’s atmosphere is quite lighthearted, so if you’re looking for something a bit fancier, it may not be exactly right for you. Hugos is also a very good restaurant for Mexican.

If you’re thinking of spending the night somewhere other than your own home (or a hotel), check out Robin’s Nest Bed and Breakfast. It’s located in the Montrose Museum District and is within walking distance of many museums, art galleries, and restaurants. The food served at Robin’s Nest is all organic, and much of it is actually grown right there.

If you don’t like museums and art galleries, you can always visit Bayou Bend, a huge garden full of beautiful flowers. The roses, azaleas, wisteria blossoms, and blue pansies are particularly well-known. Be sure to visit the butterfly garden and see the statues of the Greek goddesses while you’re there.

These are just a few great ideas for celebrating your anniversary in Houston. Of course, there are many other great places and things to do in the city, so take your time and plan out your anniversary events well in advance.

Flower Trends to Try at Home

Are you looking for ways to add some flowers to your home? Well, there are a number of different ways you can use flowers to add color to any room. Here are some of the newest in floral trends that you can try in your own home.

During the summer heat, you want to use flowers that are hardy and can resist the warmth. Roses, fireweed, peony, and sunflowers are all good choices. They’re also very popular flowers and never go out of style, especially roses. One popular trend with roses is to mix them with candles. A nice vase of roses surrounded by tall candles of a complementary color can look great. Likewise, a small bowl filled with floating candles and small blossoms can look nice.

Sunflowers are a trendy way to add color to your home, especially when you combine them with other colorful plants. Tying a ribbon around the vase or using a very colorful vase is another nice way of adding a touch of brightness to the room.

Another interesting trend in flowers is where you display them. Hanging vases are becoming more and more popular. These vases can take the place of pictures and other wall decorations. All you have to do is make sure there are fresh flowers in the vases so that they continue to look good (although you can always replace them with fake flowers every now and then).

These are just a few of the different trends in flower decorations that you can try at home. Combine several of them and use your own creativity to make your rooms look great.

Saying You’re Sorry With a Flourish

Saying you’re sorry can be difficult. Some people just don’t like to do it—it’s not in their nature to admit that they’re wrong. However, there are times in everyone’s life when saying sorry is absolutely necessary. Apologizing with a flourish is a good way to say you’re sorry while at the same time showing the person how special they are to you.

One of the best ways to say you’re sorry with a flourish is to say it with flowers. Flowers are always a great touch to everything, including apologizing. Of course, you need to do more than just order any old arrangement. No, you need to pick out an arrangement that compliments the person you are apologizing to. If it’s your significant other, a dozen roses may be exactly the right move. If it’s a friend, a bright arrangement of daisies or tulips may be more appropriate. For a co-worker, a green plant may be the correct move. To really say you’re sorry, you need to put a few minutes of thought into the flower selection.

Once you’ve selected the perfect arrangement, it’s time to present it. Be sure to be sincere—don’t even try to apologize if you’re not sincere and really sorry about it. Add a card to your arrangement that echoes your apology, but say you’re sorry before handing the person your arrangement and card. Don’t let the card do the talking for you—your own voice should deliver the apology.

Top 10 Ingredients for a Great Date

Everyone wants to have a great date. But how do you guarantee that your date will be amazing? Well, there are 10 ingredients that any great date has. If you’re planning on baking up an amazing date, here are the ingredients you need.

#1 – Do something you both enjoy. If your special someone hates sports, don’t go to a sports game. It won’t end well.

#2 – If it’s an early date (first or second), do something that allows for plenty of talking. You want to get to know each other during these first couple of dates.

#3 – Don’t stress over expense. Dates don’t have to be expensive. A picnic, a walk in the park, or just hanging out at home playing games can make for a good date.

#4 – Don’t be late. It’s never a great way to start a date if you show up even five minutes later than you planned.

#5 – Be a gentleman. Hold the door open, pull out her chair, and offer her your jacket if she’s cold. Show that chivalry isn’t dead and you’ll gain points with her.

#6 – Flowers are always a great way to start off a date. Bring her a nice arrangement and the date will start off right.

#7 – Don’t forget compliments! Say nice things about her, but don’t overdo it. A few well-stated compliments go a long way, but too many just sound fake.

#8 – Dress for the occasion. Don’t wear jeans with holes in them or your favorite ratty old t-shirt, even if it is comfortable.

#9 – Let her know ahead of time if there are any special requirements for the date. If you’re going for a walk in the park, for example, let her know to wear comfortable shoes and not heels.

#10 – Finally, end the date right. Walk her to the door if you’re dropping her off or to her car if you’ve met somewhere. A kiss may be appropriate if all has gone well, but don’t push it if she declines!

Flowers Make People Happy—Really!

Imagine you’re having a horrible day, or at the very least a very busy day. Your boss is throwing more and more work at you, the information you need to complete these tasks isn’t available, and you have a headache. Suddenly, there’s a knock on your door. It’s a local florist with a huge bouquet of bright, cheery flowers just for you! You feel your stress evaporate as you inhale the fresh scent of the flowers and bask in the feelings of love you get from reading the card. Getting flowers can really make people happy.

Why is this so? Well, some scientists have actually researched this phenomenon and determined that there’s something about getting flowers that releases endorphins that make us feel happy. Those who get flowers feel less agitated and lonely for days, plus their immediate mood changes.

Even without this scientific study, it’s easy to see that flowers make people smile. Getting flowers for any reason—a promotion, a new baby, an anniversary, or just because—will bring a smile to anyone’s face. Decorating your home with fresh flowers makes it inviting, and your guests are sure to enjoy the colors and scents that flowers bring into your home.

Next time you know a friend or family member is feeling down, send them a nice arrangement of flowers. You’ll not only brighten their day, but you’ll also strengthen your relationship with them and make them happy for days. Every time they see the flowers, they’ll think of you and smile.

Fourth of July Texas Style: What’s Happening in Houston

Looking for something to do this Fourth of July in Houston? Well, there are a number of great fireworks events that are completely free for you and your family. Here are just a few of them.

Freedom Over Texas is Houston’s official Fourth of July event, and it’s always held at Eleanor Tinsley Park. It has the nation’s largest land-based fireworks show, and it’s certainly a sight to behold. In addition to fireworks, visitors are treated to an auto show, beer garden, volleyball tournament, and a concert. Events kick off at 4:00 p.m.

The Houston Symphony will host A Start Spangled Salute at Houston’s Miller Outdoor Theater. The concert will feature many all-American favorites, and it will be followed by a fireworks show.

The Bayou Bend July 4th Celebration is held annually at the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens. It begins with a live reading of the Declaration of Independence at 1:00. Visitors can enjoy a puppet show, American-themed performances, crafts, and even have the opportunity to sign a huge replica of the Declaration.

Finally, the Woodlands Town Center will be hosting their 13th Annual Fourth of July Celebration. It begins at 9:00 a.m. with a parade and ends with a fireworks show later that night. A number of different cartoon characters will be on hand for kids to take pictures with kids and provide entertainment.

Setting the Perfect Table for an Outdoor Party

If you’re planning an outdoor party this summer, then you know it’s important to set the perfect table for your guests. Since a good portion of your outdoor party will take place at the table, especially if you’re planning to serve a full meal, you’ll want to make sure it’s set just as well as you would set your indoor dining room table. However, setting an outdoor table isn’t quite the same as dining indoors.

For one thing, you don’t necessarily have a nice cloth tablecloth, crystal goblets, and fine china. Of course, you can use these items outdoors, but many people, especially for an outdoor summer dinner, go with different options. For one, if you have a nice picnic or other type of outdoor table, you may elect not to use any tablecloth at all. If you’re having a cookout, paper plates, plastic silverware, and paper cups may be more appropriate than good dishes. Even if you do use dishes and silverware, you may not use quite as fancy bowls or serving platters as you would inside.

When it comes to decorations, a lot of people use the natural beauty of their back yard and garden to set the theme. You can always move some of your potted plants and flowers up closer to the table, and a few small potted flowers can make great centerpieces. Likewise, hanging paper lanterns over the table and then lighting scented candles can make a nice addition to natural lighting. The scented candles can even help drive bugs and mosquitoes away so you can dine in peace.

Dining outdoors is often seen as more informal than dining indoors, especially if you’re serving food off the grill. Just because it’s informal, however, that doesn’t mean that you should not put some work into setting the perfect table. Just take a few minutes to think of how best to make use of your outdoor setting.

Father's Day Fun in Houston Texas

With Father’s Day just around the corner, now is the time to plan a trip to Texas for dear ol’ dad. No matter what your father’s interests, you can bet there is a Texas vacation that will put a smile on his face.

Most men think of outdoor activity when considering what to do in Texas. And, Texas offers plenty of outdoor activities to justify that mental image. Fishing is one of the most popular summer activities in Texas. The Lone Star State offers some of the best bass fishing in the nation, with storied lakes like Fork, Toledo Bend, Falcon and Sam Rayburn leading the way. However, there are plenty of other Texas lakes which offer good freshwater fishing for bass and other species, as well as a host of other water sport activities such as skiing, jet skiing, wake boarding, boating, sailing and windsurfing.

Fly fishing has also become extremely popular in Texas over the past decade or so. Most fly fishers head to the Texas Hill Country to fish the clear, cold waters for trout, Guadalupe bass, Rio Grande perch and other species.

Salt water fishing is another top draw for fishermen heading to Texas. All along the Texas coast, anglers chase redfish (red drum), speckled trout, and flounder. On the lower stretches of the coast, fishermen also have good tarpon fishing. At the extreme southern end of the coast, fishermen working the waters around Port Isabel and South Padre Island also can enjoy the only snook fishing outside of South Florida. Texas also offers a number of world-class fishing lodges if you want to stay close to the water.

If your dad is the adventurous type, you may want to check into a trip with Lake Buchanan Adventures, who offers a variety of trips and activities, including kayaking, canoeing, camping, hiking, and more. If dad wants to get wet, but at a more relaxed pace, you might want to consider tubing the Guadalupe River in the Texas Hill Country.

Of course, the other popular type trip would be a golf vacation. Texas has a variety of the country’s top golf courses, ensuring dad can “tee it up” regardless of what part of the state he visits.

If dad won’t be able to make it to Texas for Father’s Day, you may consider bringing a taste of Texas to him. Lone Star Steak Company offers premium cuts of Texas beef, delivered right to your door. In addition, the company’s website offers a variety of cooking tips to ensure your steak will taste just like you would expect a “Texas steak” to taste.

Don't forget to send Dad flowers, gourmet goodies or our cool '48 Ford Pickup keepsake.

Summer Flowering Gardening

Looking to do a little summer flower gardening? There are many different things to keep in mind during the hot summer months. Here are a few tips and tricks for keeping your flower gardens looking great during the summer.

Don’t water between noon and 5:00 p.m. The water will just evaporate and not sink into the ground like it should. This means your flowers’ roots won’t get the moisture they need. Watering after 6:00 p.m. helps hydrate your flowers and conserves water.

Remember to plant your fall bulbs in June.

To keep your flowers blooming throughout the season, be sure to routinely remove any deadheads.

Fertilize your flowering annuals every two weeks during the hot summer months.

During really hot, dry weather, water your container plants every other day at a minimum.

If you are growing roses, be sure to fertilize them in June.

If flowers seem to be getting out of hand, don’t be afraid to cut them back a bit.

Don’t fall behind on the weeding.

Summers in Houston

Spending the summer in Houston? You may think that the summers in the city are going to be hot and humid. However, that’s not always the truth. Sometimes, the summer days do get hot, of course, but there are some days when the breeze comes in and the days are actually very comfortable. Traveling around downtown is going to seem warmer—the many concrete surfaces hold in the heat. However, in the parks that can be found throughout Houston, the temperature is a little better since the ground and the many fountains will help cool things down.

Another thing about summers in Houston is that it usually rains or at least showers fairly often. This does raise the humidity, but it also helps to cool things down. The humidity can get pretty bad, of course, but overall, summers in Houston are hot but not unbearable. While those who are used to living in cooler areas may find the heat a bit more than they’re used to, Houston isn’t as bad as some other areas.

Why Flowers Make Us Happy

Imagine coming home from a long day of work, walking past your dining room table, and collapsing on your sofa, totally exhausted. Now imaging walking past your dining room table and your eyes catching sight of a gorgeous, bright display of flowers. Don’t you immediately feel better seeing those blossoms and blooms? There’s just something about flowers that tend to make us happy and make the worries of the day vanish or at least seem a bit less stressful. But is there any reason why flowers make us happy?

There actually are several reasons. In fact, a scientific study actually discovered that flowers can stimulate our emotions, specifically our happier emotions, and make us feel better. This study, done by Rutgers University, shows that receiving flowers immediately affects people’s moods. They suddenly feel excited, loved, happy, and delighted. The response was the same across all ages involved in the study.

Long term, flowers also had an impact on mood. The more often people saw the flowers, the happier they were overall. Even after a stressful day, seeing flowers can brighten up a person’s mood, especially if the flowers were sent by a close friend or loved one. By connecting flowers to a specific person, all of the emotions that one might feel towards that person are stirred up by seeing the flowers. This is why lovers and spouses traditionally send each other flowers. Seeing those red roses your husband gave you on your birthday reminds you of just how much you love him. Likewise, the congratulations bouquet your girlfriend sends you to your office helps stir up feelings of just how special she is.

So it’s more than just your imagination: it has been scientifically proven that flowers make us happy! Next time you’re feeling down, order yourself a nice bouquet of flowers. You’ll feel better immediately, and every time you see them for the next week or so, you’ll find yourself smiling.

Flower Baskets: A Fresh Take on a Beautiful Tradition

Decorate with Hanging Flower Baskets

Hanging flower baskets are a great way to add floral color to your home without the hassles of garden planting. Placing flowers in hanging flower baskets is easy to plant and maintain.

Here are some tips for using hanging flower baskets to boost your home’s curb appeal.

Choose the right location for your hanging flower basket. When you select a plant to hang in front of your home, consider its intended location. If your porch is fully exposed to the sun and there is very little shade, then plant sun loving plants. If you have a shady location for your hanging basket, then choose a plant that enjoys partial shade or full shade. There are many flowers to choose from at your local plant nursery so don’t feel limited to only purchasing, for instance, geraniums in the sun and begonias in the shade. Don’t try to force a plant where it won’t grow and thrive. That would do nothing for your home’s curb appeal.

Feed your flowers. Flowers in hanging baskets still need care. They aren’t maintenance free. You can plant the flowers in a special potting soil mix that provides nutrients periodically. For example, there is Scotts Miracle-Gro Premium Potting Mix that lasts for three months. There is also plant food you can mix with water to feed your flowers, such as Scotts Miracle-Gro All Purpose Plant Food.

Choose a well-drained planter. There is a variety of hanging basket planters you can choose from. Use your own personal style preference when selecting one. The main this is that the planter you choose is well drained. There are wire hanging baskets that are lined with coconut such as Panacea Products Classic Finial Series, Black 14-Inch Hanging Basket that allow the water to drain throughout. There are also plastic baskets that have holes in the bottom. Find a well drained hanging basket that matches the style of your home.

Work in layers. There are 2-tier and 3-tier hanging baskets that stack two and three baskets on top of each other in a layered effect. You get more for your money that way and a lot more floral color to display in the same space. As you water the flowers in the top basket, the water drains to the next and so one. That helps better use of your water supply. Two and three tier hanging baskets can get pretty heavy so hang them on a sturdy hook.

Send a Fresh Flower Basket Today.

Fun Ideas for Mother’s Day

It’s almost Mother’s Day! What sort of plans do you have with your mom for 2010? Some people go for the traditional, such as taking mom out for dinner or having a family outing. Others, however, might look to do something a little different. Here are some fun activity and gift ideas for Mother’s Day for those looking to mix it up a bit this year.

Get creative! Moms love it when their kids are creative, no matter what age those kids may be. Younger kids can make custom puzzles for mom using special puzzle sheets that are pre-cut. Just draw on them, punch them apart, and mix them up. Older kids might want to create a scavenger hunt for mom that eventually leads her to a bright bouquet of flowers or a special breakfast cooked just for her.

Do you sing or play an instrument? How about writing a song just for your mom? It doesn’t have to be very long, and you can always write new lyrics to a song you already know how to play. This is a great way of telling your mom how much you love her, and she’s sure to appreciate the work you put into your lyrics. If you’re not musical, you can always write her a poem or even a story. Smaller children could draw pictures.

If you’re technologically savvy and can’t make it to Mother’s Day in person, set up an online video call between your family and your mom. While a phone call is great, you’ll make mom’s day if she actually gets to see you (and any kids you may have).

How about making mom feel like a queen? You can get a plastic tiara and royal scepter from just about any store that carries party supplies. Or you can get a sash and decorate it with “World’s Greatest Mom” and make her feel like she’s won a beauty pageant. Of course, if you name her the queen, you have to follow her royal decrees!

How to Send Flowers that Mom Will Love

Mother’s Day is almost here, and many people are getting ready to call up their local florist and select a great arrangement for their mom. But how can you guarantee that your mom is going to love the flowers you send her? Well, there’s no way to completely guarantee anyone will love anything, but there are some things you can take into consideration when selecting an arrangement for your mom that will help.

First, think of her favorite colors and flowers. If you know she loves roses, go with an arrangement of roses. If, on the other hand, daffodils or lilies are her favorite flowers, go with a bouquet of those flowers. Maybe you aren’t certain what your mom’s favorite flower is, but if you know she loves purple, you can send her an arrangement of purple flowers like lavender daisies, purple Monte Cassino asters, and purple Matsumoto asters.

Another way of deciding on an arrangement is to think of your mom’s personality. If she likes frilly decorative pillows, she might like an arrangement that features a lot of pink or is decorated with a ribbon or bow. On the other hand, if she is more of the outdoors type or has decorated her home in a country theme, she might like a bouquet that comes in a wicker basket.

If you’re still not sure what type of arrangement to get your mom, you can always talk to one of the many experienced florists at Wildflower. They can assist you in creating the perfect arrangement for your mother that is both beautiful and unique to her personality.

Plan a Romantic Date Night in Houston

There’s a lot to do in Houston. If you and your significant other are looking to plan a romantic night (or day) out, you’ll find a number of different activities that are both fun and designed to bring the two of you closer together. Here are just a few ideas for romantic date nights in Houston.

If you enjoy outdoor activities, you might like to take a leisurely stroll through Hermann Park. You can take a picnic dinner with you and watch the sun set, enjoy the shows at the park’s outdoor theatre, and even take a paddle boat out on the lake.

Another fun outdoor adventure is to go horseback riding at the All Heart Horse Farm. This ranch, which is located outside Houston in Manvel, Texas, gives you and your loved one a chance to learn how to ride a horse while under the eye of an experienced instructor. It’s a different type of date that can be a lot of fun for the adventurous.

Of course, if you’re not looking for something like that, there’s always the traditional dinner and a movie. Houston has a large number of great restaurants, and there are many movie theaters located throughout the city as well. There are also a number of different live theater performances, music performances, and other events going on in the city at all times of the year.

Climb Chase Tower for a great view of the city and for a little romantic time together. The view is especially great at night when all of Houston is lit up and spread out beneath you. This is a great place to tell your significant other how much he/she means to you.

Finally, the Market Square Historic District offers a great place to explore historic buildings, eat at some amazing little cafes and restaurants, and enjoy the live performances that are often held in the area. You can take a guided tour of Market Square, but you can also explore on your own.

Of course, no romantic date night is complete without flowers, candies, and other little tokens of affection. Be sure to great your date with a single rose or a full bouquet, no matter if it’s your first date or if you’re taking out your spouse of 30+ years.

Why Administrative Assistants Deserve a Week of Appreciation

Chances are, your administrative assistant has saved your bacon more times than you can count. He or she has made the unpleasant phone calls, turned the mess of a schedule into a perfectly timed masterpiece, and dealt with any and all clients who come into your office, even the annoying ones. There are many reasons why administrative assistants deserve this week of appreciation.

They keep your office running year-round. It’s as simple as that—administrative assistants keep all of your records, answer the phones, take messages, schedule meetings, call in tech support to fix the copy machine, make coffee, and much, much more. If it needs doing, chances are your administrative assistant can do it (or already does it).

They are the gatekeepers of information. If you need to know something, your administrative assistant can provide it. If they don’t know it right off, they know where to find it or who to call to get it.

He or she is also your personal gatekeeper. Your schedule is often very full and as such, you may not be able to meet with every customer personally. Your administrative assistant often handles basic client needs or decides which clients are important enough to get a small slice of your personal time. Without this, you would spend hours meeting with clients.

They do thankless tasks. No one likes to do some of the tasks that need to be done in an office. Filing, checking documents for errors, and doing mass mailings can be boring, tedious tasks, and these are often tasks that fall to the administrative assistant. Next time you pass off one of these jobs to your assistant, remember to show your appreciation.

They keep your office running. When it comes right down to it, your administrative assistant makes certain your office is running smoothly. Without them, you would find yourself overwhelmed with the many day to day tasks necessary to keep an office going. So remember to thank your administrative assistant during this week of appreciation, but be sure to thank him or her year-round, too. They work hard, and they deserve it!

Appreciating Your Administrative Professionals

Every year, the last full week of April is set aside as Administrative Professionals Week. This year, the week starts on April 18 and runs through April 24. Millions of people worldwide honor their administrative professionals during this week, especially on April 21, Administrative Professionals Day.

Administrative Professionals Week originally began as National Secretaries Week in 1952. It was created by Harry F. Klemfuss, a publicist in New York. He wanted to encourage more people to enter the administrative professional field. Originally, the week was celebrated the first week of June, but in 1955, National Secretaries Week was moved to the last full week of April. In 1981, it was officially renamed Administrative Professionals Week so that all administrative support staff were included.

Today, many people celebrate Administrative Professionals Week by giving their administrative assistants flowers, vacation time, or by taking them out to lunch. While these hard-working professionals should be thanked on a regular basis due to all the work they do year-round, it is especially important to remember to honor them during this week.

Easter Flowers and Their Meanings

There are many different flowers associated with the Easter holiday. Here are just a few of them and their meanings.

The Easter Lily represents Christ’s resurrection, purity, and hope.

Azaleas represent temperance, passion, fragility, say “take care of yourself,” and, in China, represent womanhood.

Daisies stand for innocence, loyalty, gentleness, and purity.

Tulips stand for the values of passion, perfect love, and belief.

The chrysanthemum represents cheerfulness, rest, and says “you’re a wonderful friend!”

Daffodils symbolize unrequited love, regard, and say “you’re the only one for me.”

Hyacinth have different meanings depending on the color. Purple hyacinth stand for sorrow or ask for forgiveness, while red and pink hyacinth symbolize playfulness.

St. Patrick’s Day in Houston

Looking for things to do on St. Patrick’s Day in Houston? There are certainly a number of different things going on, especially parties. If you’re looking to drink some green beer and have a great time with your friends, you’ll find many different opportunities. Here are just a few events for both families and adults.

One of the top pubs to visit is Lucky’s Pub. They throw a huge party on St. Patrick’s Day itself. It kicks off at 6 in the morning with breakfast, including Lucky Charms series (it’s magically delicious!). The bar opens up at 7 a.m., and throughout the day, ten different bands will play for your entertainment. They will also, of course, serve green beer and other treats.

If you’d rather drink something other than green beer, you may want to head over to Kenneally’s Irish Pub. Their bartenders are known for their skill at pouring a great pint of Guinness, but they have more than that. They are also known for their great bar food, including pizza.

Another option is the Absinthe Lounge. Celebrating the drink that was a favorite of James Joyce, the lounge is a favorite of many. They also have some great food, including quesadillas, panini, and pizza. Other great places to drink include Grum Bar, Bullpen Pizza & Sports Bar, Stag’s Head Pub, Sam’s Boat (featuring a St. Patrick’s Day costume contest), and the Shakespeare Pub.

Unfortunately, this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held on March 13, so it’s too late to attend this great event. It featured Grand Marshalls David Carr, Michael Carr, and Billy Carr, three Irishmen who have been active in the Houston Irish community. The St. Patrick’s Day parade is often held the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day, so be ready for it next year.

Spring Flower Celebrations in Houston

Looking for something to do in Houston that involves those gorgeous spring flowers? There are a few different events going on this spring celebrating bright flowers, and attending one or two of them will surely get rid of any lingering winter depression.

One of the most popular spring events is the River Oaks Garden Club Azalea Trail. This event features tons of beautiful azaleas and other flowers. The “trail” consists of different homes and gardens, including the gorgeous Forum, the unique Bayou Bend, and Rienzi. Participants will enjoy strolling through each garden and marveling at the many pink, white, red, yellow, and purple azaleas on display.

While not strictly a floral event, the Galveston Historic Homes Tour is a fun way of seeing what other people have done with their gardens. You’ll be able to spy many spring flowers as you walk through many of the area’s most fascinating and historic private homes. This tour takes place in May, and you can get an idea of just what you’ll see by going to the Galveston Historical Foundation’s website at http://www.galvestonhistory.org/

There are a number of other events in Houston during the spring that, while they don’t celebrate flowers directly, do involve flowers. You’ll spot some bright flowers during the Cinco De Mayo celebration and the Asian/Pacific American Heritage Festival, for example. And while they aren’t considered flowers themselves, the strawberry plants that are central to the Pasadena Strawberry Festival do have pretty little white blooms on them at certain points during the year.

Caring for Fresh Cut Tulips

Tulips are a very popular flower, and many people enjoy putting a few fresh cut tulips in a vase as a centerpiece for their table or to brighten up a room. However, caring for fresh cut tulips can be a little different from caring for other cut flowers. Here are some basic tips on keeping your fresh cut tulips looking great for as long as possible.

•Be sure to check the water in the vase on a regular basis and add a bit if needed. Use room temperature water—tulips don’t like water that’s too hot or too cold.

•Before putting your tulips in the vase, remove any foliage that’s going to be in the water.

•To keep air out of the stem, place the fresh cut tulip under water and then cut the stem diagonally. Immediately move it from the water to the vase (put water in the vase first, of course).

•Every four or five days, take the tulips out of the vase and cut off about an inch of the stem.

•Do not put tulips in any vase that has had recut daffodils in it. If there’s any residue daffodil sap in the vase, it can kill the tulips.

•Keep your tulips out of direct sunlight, and don’t place them too near a heating vent. Too much heat makes tulips wilt.

•Moving your tulip arrangement to the coolest room in the house at night will help keep them looking beautiful longer.

•Remember that tulips will bend towards the light and that they will actually keep growing even after cut, so expect to see them tipping their heads towards the windows.

Following these basic steps to caring for your tulips will keep them looking amazing for a week or so.

What Message Are you Sending When You Do/Don’t Send Valentine Flowers?

Valentine’s Day will soon be upon us, and for many people, that equates to sending flowers. In fact, if you plan on sending fresh red roses, you should probably be ordering them about now to avoid being told “sorry, we’re all out!” But what if you don’t send flowers? What message are you sending when you send someone flowers on Valentine’s Day, and what message are you sending when you don’t?

If you’re sending flowers to your special someone, obviously the message is “I love you!” or at least “I care about you.” If you really want to go the extra mile to show that you care, you’ll send these flowers early (on Friday instead of Sunday, which is the actual holiday) to his/her place of work so that your significant other can show them off.

If you’re attempting to woo that special someone, sending an arrangement of flowers on or around Valentine’s Day is a great way of doing it. This sends the message of interest, and if he or she reciprocates, it can lead to a Valentine’s Day date and maybe even the start of a relationship. Of course, if he/she doesn’t feel the same way, you may find yourself a little lonely.

You can, of course, send platonic Valentine’s Day flowers to a friend or family member. Single friends often send each other roses on Valentine’s Day just for fun or to show each other how much they care. There’s really never any downside to sending flowers to someone, even if there is no romantic feeling behind it—just make sure if you’re sending platonic flowers that the recipient knows this so there’s no confusion.


Of course, if you don’t send flowers to your significant other on Valentine’s Day, you may be sending a message you don’t really want to send. If he or she (usually she) is expecting a bouquet of roses and doesn’t get it, you may be in trouble. Not sending flowers is one way of saying that a romance is over. Basically, if you don’t send flowers to someone who is expecting them, you’re going to hear about it eventually, and it may cause some trouble with your Valentine’s Day plans.

On the other hand, some couples don’t usually exchange flowers, and neither may want the other to go to the expense of ordering roses. However, in this case, a surprise gift of a single red rose or a small arrangement of three roses can be incredibly meaningful and score you some major romance points.

Finding Just the Right Flowers to Send for Valentine’s Day

Finding the perfect flowers to send for Valentine’s Day may seem like a difficult chore, especially for men. Sometimes, it just seems like it’s impossible to find that perfect arrangement. There are always the traditional roses, and while a dozen red roses will certainly do the trick, they may not truly speak to your significant other. Sometimes, there are other ways of saying how much you care.

For example, you can always get her a dozen roses but go with a different color. If her favorite color is hot pink, go with hot pink roses. Sure, tradition may say that pink roses mean something other than true love, but who cares what tradition says in this case? You can also mix different colored roses to create colorful, different arrangements that really speak to your significant other. Don’t let tradition hold you back—if she loves the color blue, ask if you can get blue tipped roses or add some blue flowers to the mix. Your florist can get incredibly creative.

Adding in lilies, tulips, and even things like sunflowers can really make creative arrangements that are still stunningly romantic. You don’t always need a ton of roses, either. One idea is to do a single red rose backed by other flowers that really make it stand out. Or you can mix in white flowers amid red roses to make them pop. Again, give your florist an idea of what you want and you’ll be amazed at what he or she can create.

Just because it’s Valentine’s Day and roses are the tradition doesn’t mean you have to give them, though. If your significant other doesn’t like roses, don’t send them! Instead, send her (or him) an arrangement of her/his favorite flowers. This might be a bouquet of lilies or tulips. Even if it’s not the traditional Valentine’s Day flower, it’s going to say much more than yet another bouquet of roses that aren’t truly appreciated.

Finally, don’t forget the extras. Flowers say a lot, but flowers and chocolates, a stuffed animal, and a balloon say a lot more. If she loves teddy bears, get a little stuffed bear to go with the arrangement. Many florists have little items like these available. Above all, make it personal—go with what you know he or she likes and what has meaning for you as a couple.

Plan a Romantic Valentine’s Day in Houston

Are you already thinking about where to take your loved one on Valentine’s Day? If you’re in the Houston area, you’ll find a number of great things to do that are a bit out of the ordinary. After all, you don’t want to go to that same restaurant and order the same meal again, do you? Spice up this Valentine’s Day by trying these fun ideas.

Moody Gardens currently has a great penguin exhibit that is more than just looking at these cool birds through a glass window. Instead, after a 45-minute tour, you get to actually go in and play with a penguin one on one. How neat is that? If you and your significant other are animal lovers, this might be the perfect Valentine’s date.

If you love murder mysteries, you’ll absolutely love Keith and Margo’s St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. This amazing event takes place at the Renaissance Houston Hotel Greenway Plaza. Just be warned that it’s not cheap—the price per couple is $188.

Not a fan of Valentine’s Day? Well, you can always attend the Howl at the Moon’s Anti-Valentine’s Day party! It’s sure to be a lot of fun whether your single or part of a couple who isn’t into hearts and cards.

Sambuca is a great bar and restaurant for those who love contemporary jazz. It’s consistently packed on Valentine’s Day, though, so if you want to treat your significant other to this great atmosphere, you better make reservations now. You get a three course meal, amazing live music, and the chance to show off your dance skills.

Spending some time in Houston’s museum district is a different yet still interesting way of spending Valentine’s Day. It’s certainly not traditional, but it may be exactly what you need to break out of the Valentine’s Day mold and experience something different.

Of course, if none of these ideas sound great, there’s always the old standby: a romantic dinner at home. Whether you sneak in take-out or cook it yourself, there’s nothing quite like dining by candlelight with your loved one. You can go all-out and make some exotic dish served with wine, or just go for something simple. Either way, spending time alone together is what Valentine’s Day is all about. Don’t forget the fresh flowers, either—nothing puts one in the Valentine’s Day spirit than bright red roses!

The Warmth of Flowers

During the cold winter months, we often find our homes feeling chilly. While you can turn up the heat or block the drafts, if your home doesn’t have a warm atmosphere, you’ll still feel cold. How can you make your home feel warm and inviting? One way is by adding flowers to your home. Fresh flowers can help create a warm atmosphere even in the coldest winter weather.

Colors play a huge part in creating a feeling of warmth. A bouquet of white roses or white lilies may look amazing, but the white color can reinforce the fact that there’s a foot of snow outside. Warm flowers in bright reds or purples, on the other hand, have a warmer feel to them. These colors create a bright, appealing arrangement, especially when you surround them with bright, colorful tablecloths and other decorations in the same colors. Burning candles can also be a great way of adding a touch of warmth to your décor, and they have the added benefit of putting out a bit of heat, too.

Candles and flowers have the added bonus of bringing in scents to your home as well. Fresh flowers will add a lovely scent to the area around them, while candles can fill your entire home with the welcoming smell of cinnamon, apples, cherries, and even baking cookies. These types of smells can make your home feel inviting and invoke memories of childhood and special times in you and your guests.

Don’t forget, of course, that if you use fresh flowers to help create your warm atmosphere that you don’t let them linger past their prime. A decrepit bouquet can undermine the feeling of warmth and comfort that you’re trying to create, so be sure to order a replacement arrangement when your current one is starting to look worn.