The Language of Flowers

A wedding is a highly intentional event. Even the choice of the flowers has an intentional message that we want to convey in the midst of communion and sharing with friends and family. Daffodil - chivalry and respect, Marigold - comforts the heart from pain and grief, Lavender - devotion, Snail Flower - blissful pleasure, Nicotiana - truth, Cosmos - dignity and elegance, forever thine, Zinnia - thinking of absent friends and Bells of Ireland - good wishes

Getting the Gardens Ready to Produce

Well, we are now just a couple months to the date. The snow has finally dissipated and the "green" is emerging. Four weeks ago, vegetables and unique flowers were begun in flats in the basement windows. The success of germination was about 80%. Seeds were purchased from on-line vendors i.e. Seeds of Change and Seed Savers as well as our local nurseries. The selection of flowers was chosen to accommodate the brides colors which are green, white and gold. We are growing peruvian daffodils, chartreuse zinnias, Bells of Ireland (in memory of brides grandmother), large white marigolds, nicotinana langsdorffii and snail flower. The bouquets will be offset with seashell cosmos and lavendar to provide a delicate hint of complimentary coloring. The nicotiana langsdorffii and snail flower didn't germinate on first attempt so we contacted Seed Savers and they immediately sent out replacements seeds and today we will begin the germination process once again in hopes of producing flowers in time for the wedding. Veggies are on the rise and have been integrated in the overall landscape of the garden in place of annuals. The menu will include offerings from the potager garden served in a gourmet fashion though simple.

Date for Wedding Event set

The date has been set for all to share in our union. Callie Rose Nelson and Michael Thurow will share the commitment of their marriage vows on Sunday July 19, 2009. This celebratory event will take place in the residential garden of the mother of the bride, Mary Bernadette, 128 E Kane Street, Port Washington, WI. In keeping with the "green and sustainable" theme, the venue will embrace the natural ambiance of a summer garden and the menu will be derived from produce grown in the potager garden. A special area of the property has been set aside for the cultivation of unique florals selected for this event.

Many events have occurred in our lives since the last post. We have a new addition..a beautiful "green"-beanie baby" Oralia Frances. YES!!! the wedding is still on. We are trying to manage the delicate balance of involving all friends and family while keeping our costs and impact on the environment down. We have been giving permission by the city park to reserve the city park where Callie and Michael spent many hours getting acquainted as the spot for a "midnight" ceremony. We are being challenged with the logistics of food prep, clean-up, dishes, "rain out" options, chairs/seating, music/entertainment etc. while staying within a budget and our beliefs about slow food, health and sustainability.

When Thinking About Gift Giving With Eco-Consciousness

Living in today's materialism seems to be the norm. It takes "intention" to shift the tide when living with materials and giving of ourselves. I think these are some great guidelines taken from Tree Huggers.
1. Be sure your material gift will get used
It may be the thought that counts, but a gift that the receiver does not use is simply wasted: not a very nice thought. Give material possessions only if you know the recipient well enough to pick out something they were on the cusp of getting for themselves, or which they really need and will certainly enjoy using.
2. Give a consumable gift
Your friend will love your consumable gift twice: once while enjoying the organic teas, fair trade coffee, fresh flowers, fresh or dried fruits and nuts, or other consumable gift; and again when they appreciate that your gift leaves them with no guilty conscience about a gift left unused in the corner of their closet.
3. Share a piece of yourself
Avoid material consumption altogether. Instead, offer your services to baby-sit while your friend enjoys a cozy date with their partner, give a gift certificate for a relaxing massage, or a winter’s-worth of driveway shoveling (in which case you just save that massage for yourself).
4. Make a gift of a green service
If your time is prioritized elsewhere, you can buy a green service. Consider a gift of carbon offsets for a commuting colleague or a Zipcar membership for a friend who more frequently must turn to taxis to supplement their public transport lifestyle.
5. Make a gift of any service
You will still reduce material consumption by giving a service of any kind. Especially heart-warming are humanitarian services, such as making a gift of a micro-loan (for example via Kiva).
6. Give a gift where it is needed on behalf of someone better off
Make a child smile when they get a card describing the child in another part of the world whose life will be improved by the gift of a llama or a sheep on their behalf (for example via World Gifts or Heifer.
7. Creative gifts show you care
The baby sweater you knit yourself is more likely to become a family heirloom, extending the life cycle of the materials in your gift.
8. Buy a local gift
A gift made or grown locally can tell a story or share a unique product you have discovered on your own stomping grounds. Your locally-sourced gift will save the environment from the emissions involved in shipping.
9. Buy high-quality goods
Sometimes a little extra care or money invested will result in finding a high quality gift that will do justice to the materials consumed in the manufacturing by a long lifespan. Try flea markets or vintage and second-hand shops for quality goods you can afford: then make the gift “new” with a personal touch like a special paint job, or some ribbon around the edges. Your friend will enjoy your perfect high-quality gift much longer!
10. Think about your packaging
Use packaging that will not go to waste. Your packaging may be part of the gift itself, such as wrapping the gift in a scarf or enclosing it in a box that can be reused for collecting life’s odds and ends. Reusable wrapping, such as a gift bag, will pass on the fun. For family and close friends, consider the Sunday funnies instead of commercial gift wrap.