bouquets planet

The seeds you sow determine the crop you reap. This is pretty common knowledge. Knowledge, unfortunately, is only productive in its application, not in its accumulation or ownership.

We desire peace but sow seeds of violence and are surprised when violence is the crop.

We desire abundance but sow seeds of limitation and are surprised when lack is the crop.

We desire meaningful lives but sow meaningless acts and are surprised to reap meaningless lives.

We desire more time and longer lives but sow wasted moments and are surprised to reap time slipping away.

We desire prosperity but sow seeds of scarcity and are surprised when scarcity shows up.

We desire love and sow indifference.

We desire freedom and sow security.

And so on and so forth.

Ah, but, things are the way they are and it is best/easiest to go with the flow rather than fight it. This is the common wisdom…go with the flow.

Society is overwhelmingly materialistic, so we just go with the flow and become avid consumers. The leaders we allow and the media we believe preach fear and war, so we just go with the flow and march off to do battle. Economists and prognosticators talk about lack, limitation and scarcity so we just go with the flow and compete for a little piece of the dwindling pie. Lemmings all, going with the flow to the cliff’s edge.

There is another way to go with the flow and that is to be natural as nature exemplifies. A seed sown, grows into a plant, blooms and produces flowers, things of beauty and wonder. Flowers go to seed and more flowers result. Stars go supernova and more stars result.

Do you want more beauty in your life? BE more beautiful.

Do you want more peace in your life? Be more peaceful.

Do you want more love in your life? Be more loving.

Do you want more abundance in your life? Be more abundant.

Do you want more time in your life? Be more present in the here and now.

Become as the flowers; check out the lilies of the valley.

Prosperity in those things desired is the result of sowing the appropriate seeds, nurturing the seedlings, removing the weeds that crop up and hanging around (or persisting) to catch the blooms.

© Leslie Fieger. All rights reserved worldwide.

Leslie is the author of The DELFIN Knowledge System Trilogy: The Initiation, The Journey and The Quest plus many more success publications. He also the co-author of The End of the World with Hugh Jeffries and Alexandra’s DragonFire with his daughter Ashley. Subscribe to his free and ad-free eZine at http://www.ProsperityParadigm.com or http://www.LeslieFieger.com.

Reprinting and republishing of this article is granted only with the above credit included. Permission to reprint or republish does not waive any copyright.

When planning a winter wedding, like weddings in any other season, personal preference plays a huge part. The main thing is to focus on the mood that is to be created. Even though fewer weddings are held in winter, that does not mean that the bride is faced with a limited choice. Traditional wedding flowers, including roses, lilies, orchids and daisies, are available throughout the year. Some brides follow the longstanding tradition of an all-white bouquet, symbolizing purity. Others pick their favorite or base their choices on availability, color scheme or what the flower represents-roses represent love and happiness, daisies innocence, gardenias joy.

A winter wedding flower can be any type of flower that highlights the warm tones of the festivals set against the snow-white backdrop. Christmas and Valentine’s Day are the major holidays during this time. Traditionally, Christmas brides often choose red or burgundy flowers like roses, carnations, calla lilies with accents of white, green and silver-colors traditionally associated with the season.

A winter bride can choose from an array of colors like white, blue, red and green, which are the most popular colors of the season. White is often a popular choice with winter brides. White flowers can range from pure white to ivory to pinkish white, and it is very important to pick the right variety to go with the gown. Choices include roses, tulips, freesias, mums and hellebores.

Shades of blue flowers range from aquamarine to deepest indigo. Iris comes in vivid shades of blue and adds a lot of accent with a few blooms. Blue geraniums are delicate and come laced with white. Wisteria is towards the purple side but its trailing vines add elegance. Blue star sea Holly is a true blue flower with exotic petals and a spiky texture.

Red is the most popular and natural choice of winter wedding flowers. Tulips, Maltese cross and geraniums are of the deep red color. Day Lilies, Mums and Geraniums come in shades of pink, orange-red and maroon. Other red choices include bee bums, Royal Hellebores and roses, of course.

Green can really bring balance in all flower arrangements. Holly, with or without berries, is the classic choice for a winter wedding. Pine boughs and sprigs can be used as tabletop arrangements. Ferns add a regal look to decorations. Juniper branches can add fragrance and a feel of winter to any wedding.

Whatever the choice, the stress is on how a bride wants the mood to be. The wide range of choices will ensure that every bride finds the perfect shade and shape to complement her plans.

Wedding Flowers provides detailed information about wedding flowers, fall wedding flowers, silk wedding flowers, spring wedding flowers and more. Wedding Flowers is the sister site of Wedding Flowers.

There are over 25,000 types of orchids and, in fact the Orchidaceae family is the most numerous in the plant world! These beautiful plants have been around for over 100 million years and plants can range from microscopic to reaching several feet in height. The flowers have a distinctive look with 3 inner petals surrounded by 3 outer petals and a cupped petal that is distinct from the others. Some orchids even resemble other creatures like bees, moths and lizards!

Although we think of orchids as a tropical flower they can actually grow in almost any climate. They can grow on the ground or on trees and even rocks. Orchids are classified depending on their water requirements. Paphiopedilum, Cymbidium and Odontoglossum need a moist environment all year long.
Cattelya, Oncidium and Dendrobium only need water when they are actively growing and the vanda Ascocend doesn’t really need water at all.

Cymbidium orchids are some of the most popular having 40 species and thousands of hybrids. These are one of the oldest cultivated orchids and can grow on the ground, on trees or on rocks. They can be found growing naturally in Japan, China, South East Asia and Australia. These are one of the easiest orchids for beginners and will flower every year if cared for properly.

Perhaps the most exotic of all orchids is the Cattleya which hails from South America. These are the orchids most typically chosen for corsages, however they have been over collected and many of these types of orchids are now endangered.

The Denrobiums are the second largest orchid genus and have over a thousand species. These flowers can be found in Northern India, South East Asia, Australia and Polynesia. They typically grow near the equator in tropical conditions, although some grow in climates with dry winters. While these are easy to grow, it is rather difficult to get them to bloom regularly.

Phalaenopsis orchids have long lasting flower and are rather easy to grow. These flowers are favorites at weddings and can be colorful in pinks, yellows and stripes. These are native to the Philippines and are quickly becoming a popular house plant.

Vanda orchids are another plant that is rather easy to grow. These plants produce flowers in vibrant colors such as blue, red, yeloow and orange. Flower spikes can have as much as 10 blooms that last for several weeks.

Orchids are a bit finicky to grow but these delicate plants will reward you with a soothing fragrance and beautiful distinct flowers. When growing orchids in your home, you need to remember to give them enough light, enough water and proper temperatures and fertilization. Orchids will need to be repotted every 2 or 3 years.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://orchids.garden-corner.com where you can learn more about caring for orchids

“You can’t harvest what you don’t sow. So plant your desires, gently nurture them and they will be rewarded with abundance. ”
Vivian Elisabeth Glyck -12 Lessons on Life I Learned From My Garden.

Thoughts Are Like Seeds - Are You Planting Flowers or Weeds?

I especially love springtime. I enjoy walking around my neighborhood each day and marveling at all the colorful plants in bloom. I am rewarded each day with seeing blossoms that were not there the day before. Sometimes I see abandoned gardens where beautiful plants used to grow and now there are just weeds. It reminds me of life. If we do not tend our gardens (our lives), it doesn’t mean that plants will not grow. What it does mean, however, is the wrong plants will grow.

Every thought we have is a seed being planted. We can either plants seeds that grow into bountiful flowers or we can plant seeds that grow into weeds. We are all gardeners in our own lives. Only what grows in each individual garden varies dramatically. Think of your mind as your garden. What types of seeds are you planting? Are you growing weeds of judgment, self-condemnation, scarcity or disharmony? Or is your garden (mind) full of blossoms of peace, abundance, love and harmony? Look at the sample list below. See if you recognize what you are planting in your garden.

Weeds:

I’ll never make enough money.

Bad things always happen to me.

I always get sick.

I am too old (or young).

I’m not good enough.

I blame or resent others.

I am too fat (skinny, short, tall, wrinkled).

Flowers:

My life is blessed with growing abundance.

I am grateful for _________.

My body is healthy and strong.

I have a great life.

I am a unique person with special gifts.

I let go of the past & release all resentments.

My body serves me well.

Weeds pop up in each garden and it takes a diligent gardener to keep the weeds out. Certain plants (energizing thoughts) help smother out weeds. Over time, the more of these plants and seeds you sow, the less ground there is for the weeds to grow. Take a close look at your mental garden. Begin to pull out any limiting thoughts (weeds) and replace them with the opposite uplifting thoughts. Become your own diligent gardener starting now and continue until your garden is a showcase!

Copyright April 2004 by Vicki Miller

As a Life Transition Coach I work with clients to identify what’s most important to them and prioritize around these values. I help my clients identify and remove obstacles in the way and bring clarity and focus to their dreams. What is your dream? Are you undergoing a major transition and not clear where to turn? Call (972-306-4489) or email me, (coach.v.miller@verizon.net), to set up a complimentary, no obligation 30 minute coaching session. Download my FREE e-Book, 12 Fun Ways to Change Your Life, or sign up for my FREE monthly newsletter at http://www.thrivingthroughchange.com

Nothing says hope for the future more than a garden wedding in spring or early summer when the blossoms decorate the trees and new growth is all around you. It’s an idyllic setting. You and your groom in a freshly painted white gazebo with your pastor, priest, or rabbi, and all of your dearest loved ones sitting in crisp white chairs on a manicured lawn. Afterwards your picturesque garden wedding transforms itself into a grand reception where you and your loved ones can celebrate your new life as husband and wife.

Garden weddings and the reception that follows are a beautiful way to start your new life together. What could be better than to celebrate your marriage against the backdrop of the beauty of creation? Imagine all of the flowers decorating your wedding location so fresh they are still growing!

But what if you don’t have access to an idyllic garden setting to hold your wedding? Doesn’t that rule out a wedding in a garden?

Not necessarily.

If you’re like most people, you’re going to spend a lot of money on your wedding with little tangible to show for it when it’s over. Yes, hopefully you will have a great marriage and yes, you will have your wedding photographs, but what if most of the money you spend on your flowers could give you years worth of flowers? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to walk among those same flowers with your husband routinely as your romance grows through the years?

What I am suggesting is this: Take a significant portion of the money that you would have spent on a location rental and most of the wedding flowers and invest it in developing your own backyard wedding grounds. Build a gazebo for your wedding ceremony and years of sitting with the one you love and enjoying the memories of your wedding day.

Make a party of it. Have your friends over to build a wedding gazebo and plant flowers that will be in bloom for your wedding in freshly contoured flower beds around a party lawn. Turn your old backyard into a sparkling fresh wedding scene.

You don’t have a house? Maybe Mom and Dad do. Maybe you can turn their backyard into that picture perfect garden location for your wedding and many years of visits to come.

Jeanette Shinn is the co-owner of Your Wedding Cake and Favors http://www.wedding-cakes-portal.com a website dedicated to helping brides realize their wedding day dreams with tons of tips, ideas, and the latest wedding news stories from across the country, as well as offering wedding favors, and accessories to enhance the entire wedding experience. Jeanette is also the founder and edible design artist behind Layer By Layer, http://www.frostingonthecake.com, a special order bakery serving weddings and other special occasion needs of the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area.