The Colors of Christmas

Merry Christmas!!

The sights and sounds of December make this a special time of year. It’s a time of merriment, of happiness. Lights, decorations, parties, carols, gifts, feasts, special worship services… all of this and more adds up to a joyful celebration.

Everywhere you look homes are decorated for the season. And walking into a home filled with twinkling lights and the scent of fresh Christmas flowers and trees can instantly lift one’s mood and fill even the grumpiest among us with holiday cheer.


Established in 1962, LaRosa’s Flowers has been adding to the sparkle of many joyful gatherings with beautiful Christmas floral creations.


With LaRosa’s Flowers, picking the perfect Christmas floral arrangement to bring joy to a loved one is so easy with the numerous arrangements available. Your can order flowers already designed or let us know what personal touch you have in mind. The options are endless. .Plus, you can order your very special Holiday gift online with ease at www.larosasflowers.com



Holiday floral creations from LaRosa’s Flowers are an ideal gift to send at Christmas.
Whether you are choosing a gift for one person…an elderly neighbor, your family, or even a fellow co-worker, imagine their delight when we hand deliver a beautifully designed Holiday Christmas arrangement. It’s sure to be a special treat.



So bring some Holiday cheer to the special people in your life and start a lovely tradition in sending your Holiday greetings and best wishes for the year.

Here at LaRosa’s Flowers, we wish you a happy holiday season and as we all engage in the hustle and bustle of the season…may there come a quite time when we can reflect on the true meaning of Christmas to carry in our hearts the whole year through.

As always, wishing you peace + and love.

LaRosa's Flowers
O'Fallon - Belleville, Illinois
"The flower people since 1962"
Call, click or visit today
http://www.larosasflowers.com

Thanksgiving Blessings

Let chat…

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Without Thy sunshine and Thy rain
We could not have the golden grain;
Without Thy love we'd not be fed;
We thank Thee for our daily bread
.Anonymous

Thanksgiving Day in America is a time for family gatherings and holiday meals. A time of turkeys, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. A time for Indian corn, holiday parades and giant balloons.

This holiday as we gather together to enjoy our family traditions, and indulge in a lavish feast, may we reflect upon our many blessings.

“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.” W.T.Purkiser

Few holidays are more about home, hearth, and table than Thanksgiving and decorating your table with simple fresh flowers in all the vibrant shades of fall, will certainly add a lot of warmth in welcoming guest to your home
　

Sometimes, it isn’t always possible to gather with those we hold dear. On those unfortunate occasions, let us help you make your presence felt with a delivery of a beautiful Thanksgiving flower arrangement from LaRosa’s Flowers. You may be miles away but you can still be a part of the wonderful memories of the holiday season.
　
Thanksgiving gives us here at, LaRosa’s Flowers, a chance to say thanks to our family, friends and customers who have been a big part of our lives.

This past year has been good to us and we thank you for your patronage and for allowing us to be of service to you.
　
As always, wishing you peace + and love.

LaRosa's Flowers
O'Fallon - Belleville
"The flower people since 1962"
Call, click or visit today
http://www.larosasflowers.com

Veteran's Day Tribute

Veteran’s Day Tribute

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary
Cessation of hostilities, was declared between the allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as “the Great War.” Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veteran’s Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.

Veteran’s Day is a time for us to recognize and honor those who serve or have served our country in times of war and peace. It is a time to recognize their courage and resolve in the face of incredible adversity. Let us honor the sacrifices they and their families make on behalf of our nation every day.

As Veteran’s Day approaches, our hearts go out to our men and women currently serving with a special prayer for their safe keeping.




Dear Lord, Today we honor our veterans,worthy men and women who gave their best when they were called upon to serve and protect their country.We pray that you will bless them, Lord,for their unselfish service in the continual struggle to preserve our freedoms, our safety,and our country’s heritage, for all of us. Bless them abundantly for the hardships they faced, for the sacrifices they made and for their many different contributions to America’s victories over tyranny and oppression. We respect them, we thank them,we honor them, we are proud of them,and we pray that you will watch over these special people and bless them with peace and happiness. In Jesus’ name we pray; Amen.
By Joanna Fuchs
　
Despite our differences amid the political and social issues we are currently facing, may we build a future worthy of their sacrifice.

As always wishing you peace + and love.

LaRosa's Flowers
O'Fallon - Belleville
"The flower people since 1962"
Call, Click or Visit today
http://www.larosasflowers.com/

Halloween Fun

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Who on earth doesn’t like a spooky fun day such as Halloween? It brings out the kid in all of us.


Test your Halloween trivia knowledge with a few of these fun facts about the holiday, thanks to http://www.halloween-website.com/.


Halloween is on October 31st, the last day of the Celtic calendar. It was originally a pagan holiday, honoring the dead. Holloween was referred to as All Hallows Eve and dates back to over 2000 years ago.
Halloween was brought to North America by immigrants from Europe who would celebrate the harvest around a bonfire, share ghost stories, sing, dance and tell fortunes.
Tootsie Rolls were the first wrapped penny candy in America.
Halloween candy sales average about 2 billion dollars annually in the United States.
Chocolate candy bars top the list as the most popular candy for trick-or-treaters with Snickers #1.
Halloween is the 2nd most commercially successful holiday, with Christmas being the first.


Creepy Tidbits
If you see a spider on Halloween, it is the spirit of a loved one watching over you.
Worldwide, bats are vital natural enemies of night- flying insects.
The common little brown bat of North America has the longest life span for a mammal it’s size, with a life span averaging 32 years.
The Ouija Board ended up outselling the game of Monopoly in its first full year at Salem. Over two million copies of the Ouija Board were shipped.


“Halloween” Movie trivia
“Halloween” was made in only 21 days in 1978 on a very limited budget.
The movie was shot in the spring and used fake autumn leaves.
The mask used by Michael Meyers in the movie was actually William Shatner’s Mask painted white.
The character Laurie Strode, played by Jamie Lee Curtis was named after John Carpenter’s first girlfriend.
While the setting for the story is in Illinois, the vehicles have California license plates
　
Halloween trivia facts aren’t the only things you can share with your friends and family this holiday.

Show your Halloween spirit with a festive gift from LaRosa’s Flowers. Our flower experts have put together some fun Halloween flowers and gifts to add to your spooky home décor for a pleasant and festive touch for trick-or-treaters of all ages.


Flowers make a perfect additions to this holiday because they can be tucked into most any item. Carnations and mums are especially good to use for Halloween decorating as they are hearty and long lasting. Other flowers that work especially well during the season are orange gerbera daisies, bold tangerine-hued roses, Peruvian lilies and orange Asiatic lilies.

So, if you need some great ideas for Halloween flowers, wreaths or fall gift baskets, visit our flower shop or just get on the web, www.larosasflowers.com/halloweenoct31.aspx. and check out all the wonderful Halloween and fall selections. You can order them online and have them delivered right from your computer. It’s all very simple and convenient.

Have a delightfully spooky Halloween!!

As always, wishing you peace + and love.

LaRosa's Flowers

O'Fallon - Belleville

"the flower people since 1962"

Call, Click or Visit today

http://www.larosasflowers.com/

Boss's Day

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Every successful team has someone terrific leading from the front.

Boss's Day was founded in 1958 by Patricia Bays Haroski as a time for employees to thank bosses for their help and support throughout the year. Her purpose was to recognize bosses for the challenges they face, as well as foster more positive employee- supervisor relationships. Her inspiration was, of course, her boss, who happened to be her father.




The national holiday is officially on October 16th each year and when the 16th falls on a weekend the holiday is usually recognized on the closest Monday or Friday.


Boss's day is the perfect time to show your Boss your appreciation. They can't help but feel great when a bright happy face arrangement arrives. Smiles guaranteed!

Every office has a lot of chaos so create a peaceful spot for your Boss with this easy to care for plant garden.

So get in good with the Boss and spread some sunshine with some bright flowers or plants from La Rosas's Flowers! It's a beautiful way to express your appreciation.


As always, wishing you peace + and love.

LaRosa's Flowers
O'fallon - Belleville
"the flower people since 1962"
Call, Click or Visit today
http://www.larosasflowers.com/

Flowers...for me?

Let’s chat…

Most people love to get birthday presents on their birthdays. They may protest and not want to admit their age, but they do like to be acknowledged on their special day. And a great way to acknowledge someone’s birthday both near and far is by sending them a lovely birthday flower bouquet.



Sending a birthday card is nice, but sending birthday flowers is even better.
Select and send either a favorite flower or a colorful assortment of blooms to the birthday person. Your flowers bouquet will add heart warming wishes to their special day



I’ve been in the floral business for many years, and the one thing I can honestly say lifts my day is the look on someone’s face when they receive birthday flowers or a phone call from a customer saying what a beautiful flower bouquet they received from our shop.

I understand our current economy has affected everyone and when you can find a deal on something you purchase regularly, you do. The good news, here at LaRosas’s Flowers we can help you do just that. We have a nice selection of flowers that will allow you to make everyone’s day special and stay within your budget.



For specials, coupons, and promotions follow us on Facebook. You may even be a lucky winner to receive a bouquet of flowers for yourself.
So, spread some sunshine and joy, remember them with flowers. We’ll make it easy for you.

As always, wishing you peace + and love.

LaRosa's Flowers
O'fallon - Belleville Illinois
632.7441 - 235.7441 - 1.800.944.7441
Doing Birthday Parties since 1962
http://www.larosasflowers.com/

Pumpkin Time

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Crisp cool mornings and sunny days. The colors are starting to change ever so slightyly. It's that time of year, PUMPKING TIME!!

Let's hope the harvest for pumpkins is plentiful. Last year,2009, was not a good year for pumpkins in Illinois. And as a result there was shortage of canned pumpkin on our grocery shelves. I really missed making pumpkin pies and bread this past year.

Here are a few fun facts about pumpkins according to www.urbanext.illinois.edu/
website.

Pumpkin Facts

Total U.S. pumpkin production in 2008 in major pumpkin producing states was valued at $141 million.
Total production of pumpkins by major pumpkin producing states in 2008: 1.1 billion pounds.
496 million pounds of pumpkins were produced in Illinois in 2008.
The top pumpkin production states are Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and California.
Pumpkins are grown primarily for processing with a small percentage grown for ornamental sales through you-pick farms, farmers' market and retail sales.
Around 90 to 95% of processed pumpkins in the United States are grown in Illinois.
Pumpkin seeds can be roasted as a snack.
Pumpkin contain potassium and Vitamin A.
Pumpkins are used for feed for animals.
Pumpkins flowers are edible.
Pumpkins are used to make soups, pies and breads.
In early colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient for the crust of pies not filing.
Later, Colonists sliced off pumpkin tops, removed seeds and filled the insides with milk, spices and honey. This was baked in hot ashes and is the origin of pumpkin pie.
Pumpkins are 90% water.
The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,140 pounds.
The largest pumpkin pie ever made was over five feet in diameter and weighted over 350 pounds. It used 80 pounds of cooked pumpkin, 36 pounds of sugar, 12dz. eggs and took six hours to bake.


At LaRosa's Flowers, pumpkins and other fall items like wheat, cattails, preserved fall leaves and gourds add stylish, creative and fun touches to fall decorating in our fresh and silk flower arrangements. Use these colorful elements of nature to add autumn elegance to your home.

As always, wishing you peace + and love.


LaRosa's Flowers
O'fallon - Belleville, IL
"the flower people since 1962"
Call, Click or Visit today
http://www.larosasflowers.com

Autumn Weddings

Let’s chat…

What is a wedding without flowers? Flowers are an important part of every wedding.
Although one can get married with no flowers, it just doesn’t have the same traditional and romantic feel of a wedding with beautiful wedding flowers.

More flowers are used on a single wedding day than any other day of the year. And as
everyone knows, more marriages take place in the spring through fall months of the year.


As we move through the month of September, it is a great time to think about the fabulous fall shades available. I love designing fall weddings. The first being, fall roses are by far the best performers and come in a spectrum of vibrant shades, oranges, burgundy, browns, golden yellows and burnt reds. Secondly, I adore using items like pumpkins, gourds, twigs and berries incorporated into our wedding bouquets. These extra textures really make incredible designs.

Deep purple or wine toned dresses are very popular this year and they can provide a really fabulous fall palette, one that is rich and dramatic.

Just convey to us what your wedding theme or colors are and we will walk you through your flower selection help you chose flowers that will look terrific and keep you within your designated budget.



For your convenience, we have provided a couple of links on our website click here with pictures of some wedding designs and another click here illustrating wedding packages priced moderately to extravagant. I believe even a simple wedding through flowers can express the elegance and happiness of this special occasion.

With our wedding bouquet ideas and unique designs, you can choose the perfect flowers for your special day. Every bride has her own special style and taste, no two brides, no two weddings or floral arrangements are the same.



Remember, you can trust La Rosa’s Flowers to do everything within our power to make sure your wedding flowers look just as elegant as the bride.

As always, wishing you peace + and love.

LaRosas's Flowers
O'Fallon - Belleville, Illinois
Call, Click, or Visit today
Creating beautiful weddings since 1962
www.larosasflowers.com

Falling For Sunflowers

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The sunny yellow blooms of the sunflower plants are some of the most cheerful
types of annual flowers you can grow and have become a favorite end of summer
garden flower.

No flower can lift your spirit quite like a sunflower can. Bright & cheery with brilliant yellow petals that surround the flower’s center, sunflowers have an unmistakable sun-like appearance that has made them a preferred flower choice of many.

It’s of little surprise the beautiful flower that turns it’s head to follow the sun originated
in North America and was a common crop among American Indians where for centuries they were cultivated as a valuable food source. Evidence suggests the plant was cultivated by Indians in present day Arizona and New Mexico about 3000 B.C. Some archaeologists even suggest that sunflowers may have been domesticated before corn.



However, the sunflower was not only a food source to Native Americans, they were used to create a dye of a purple color which was used then to enhance clothing, paint bodies and decorate objects. Other parts of the plant were used to make medicine for snake bites and ointments. The seed oil was used to lubricate skin and hair. As ancient societies could not afford to waste anything the stalks were dried and then used as building material.

With the European exploration of the New World, the sunflower was brought to new areas, and the flower’s popularity eventually spread as people around the world began to appreciate its beauty and sustenance. Commercialization of the sunflower first took place in Russia in the late 19th Century and finally made it’s way back to the US

The sunflower resemblance to the sun has also influenced their meanings and is often associated with feelings of happiness and warmth. It’s little wonder people love decorating with sunflowers to bring positive energy and spread good vibes into homes or area where they are placed.

We are fortunate, here at La Rosa’s Flowers, that we are able to carry sunflowers most of the year, thanks to our dedicated growers worldwide, who cut and ship these blooms to us within 24 hrs.

So remember, even as the last blooms fades from your garden, you can still enjoy basking in the sunflower’s warming glow throughout most of the winter season.

As always, wishing you peace + and love.

LaRosa's Flowers
O'Fallon - Belleville, Illinois
Call, Click or Visit Today
1.800.944.7441
http://larosasflowers.com

Sweet Treats

Let’s Chat…


Well, you asked for it! And of course we listen to you.

Take a few minutes to browse our website and visit our new expanded line of candy bouquets and snack baskets and see how sweet our candy bouquet gifts can be.



Our distinctive candy bouquets are uniquely memorable, tasty, and make fantastic gifts for any celebration, or can simply be given to brighten someone’s day!



All bouquets are hand crafted with great care and are visually appealing and sure to bring a smile to the recipients face. The best part is that they taste delicious too!



For a unique, one of a kind gift that will make a lasting impression, pick a candy bouquet to send your sweet regards and tell someone you care.

Visit us online at www.larosasflowers.com/candybouquets.aspx or call us at 618.632.7441 or 800.944.7441. We’ll be happy to help you with your selection.

May all your days be filled with sweet surprises!!

As always, wishing you peace + and love.

LaRosa's Flowers
O'fallon - Belleville Illinois
Call, Click or Visit today
http://www.larosasflowers.com/

Colors of the Season

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Fall is such a great time of year. Be sure to stop in the store sometime and you’ll find we are changing colors in anticipation of the coming season. Don’t you just love the vivid hues of autumn.


Decorative front door wreaths for autumn are a fun way to reflect your style and draw attention to your front door as you welcome your friends and neighbors. Fall wreaths can make an unassuming porch stand out or add to the beauty of a well decorated porch or entrance.

Choosing the right wreath is important. All door wreaths regardless of the type will fade when exposed to direct sunlight. Dried, preserved and silk wreaths will do well when they are placed on a covered porch and may even last two to three years. But be careful ,some preserved wreaths , especially eucalyptus, use a preservative and coloring in the flora and occasionally , when exposed to high humidity or direct sunlight may leak the preservative. It is best to test the wreath by placing it somewhere outside for a couple of days to make sure this doesn’t happen. Silk wreaths are in my opinion the most durable of all if your door is exposed directly to the elements.

Adding a door wreath to your home or office, brightens up the entire area with a splash of color. We offer wreaths which are good quality , competitive in price, and come in a variety of shapes, style and colors to fit your decorative style. And remember wreaths look great on interior doors also.

Here at LaRosa’s Flowers we are constantly adding new silk arrangements and wreaths to our collection. And of course we would be happy to design something special for you if you don’t see it in the store. Your ideas bring out the artist in us.


LaRosa’s Flowers is a full service family florist serving all of O’Fallon, Fairview Heights, Swansea, Belleville, Lebanon and Scott Air Force Base, IL from our modern 7000sq foot, centrally located Florist. We carry a large selection of fresh cut flowers (imported daily from around the world) , green plants, and silk floral. 632.7441 - 234.7441 - 1.800.944.7441. Established in 1962

Life is good, flowers make it better.

As always, wishing you peace + and love.

LaRosa's FLowers
O'fallon - Belleville, Illinois
Call, Click or Vist today

www.larosasflowers.com
"the flower people since 1962"

Back to School

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August is here and as summer winds down and fall approaches, parents and kids everywhere prepare for back to school time.

The object of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives.
Robert Maynard Hutchins

The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows .-Sydney J. Harris

My favorite website of the week www.familyfun.go.com has great back to school ideas and fun craft projects to get the kids excited. Plus, parents you’ll find handy tips and reminders to help make the transition to the new school year a little bit easier.

Starting a new school year is important at any age. Let’s celebrate the start of a new year by showing students and teachers our support with back to school theme floral arrangements.



Surprising your college bound geniuses with a decorative plant or food basket can make a dorm room feel like home. What could be better than receiving a flower delivery with an encouraging message from Mom and Dad the first week or two away from home.




I think most of us are looking forward to fall this year a little more than usual.. Autumn is a beautiful time of year bringing in cool crisp weather as well as breathtaking beautiful colors.



Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower . - Albert Camus

As always, wishing you peace + and love.

LaRosa's Flowers
O'fallon - Belleville Illinois
"the flower people since 1962"
Call, Click or Visit
1.800.944.7441
www.larosasflowers.com

Summer is in full swing...

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Summer is in full swing and the gardens are in full bloom.

There is nothing better than to come home from work and head straight out into the garden. Just being outdoors, however small your flower garden, is the perfect antidote to the stresses of a busy day. My favorite times spent in the garden are the early morning and evening hours. It’s amazing how quiet and peaceful it can be outdoors during these times, before the heat of the day starts or as the day cools with the setting sun.

Whether you have a small patio or wide open spaces. Do you feel good about your garden/patio area?

There are ways of instantly making your garden a more inviting space. The humble bench has a place in many yards and is one of my preferred fixtures for combining practicality with being a colorful ornamental garden feature. Accented with your favorite plantings or flowers can makes it both functional and inviting.

Entertaining is especially fun in the summer months. One of the nicest features of any home is having a comfortable patio. It is one of the most popular places people go when you are throwing a party or having an informal barbecue. It is a great spot to just sit , relax, and enjoy the sweet smell of aromas coming from the barbecue pit or grill.

Great food always makes outdoor dining a celebration. For some great new grilling recipes visit www.grillinfools.com It is really a “well done” website featuring foods I never thought of grilling. I find the step by step photos very helpful.


As part of the fun let your table setting reflect your style, whether it’s a special theme for the evening or just a casual get together.

Flowers and candles become a perfect combination creating the perfect ambience for your dining experience.

For a more party atmosphere that is also inexpensive, buy a bag of a hundred tea lights and place them in clear or colored plastic cups along walls, in flower beds and edge your patio or deck. The cups will make them glow and stop them blowing out in a breeze. Another idea, Mason jars with wire wrapped around the rim of the jar and shaped into a hook with a candle inside for illumination will look stunning hanging from tree branches framing your patio.

Of course, you need some flowers on your table to complete the festive occasion . And you can use any left over Mason jars as flower vases. They will look quaint on your table and showcase your unique style.
Finally, when company comes, remember all grand entrances are made through the front door. A beautifully decorated front door and porch are like a huge welcome sign.

At LaRosa’s Flowers we respect nature gifts and strive to enhance your appreciation for the abundance of flowers she provides by offering the freshest, highest quality flowers and creative floral designs.

Here‘s hoping you‘ll find yourself on the receiving end of many compliments this season as your enjoy your patio and garden..

As always, wishing you peace + and love.


LaRosa's Flowers
O'fallon - Belleville Il.
1.800.944.7441
The Flower people since 1962
www.larosasflowers.com

Garden Thoughts

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The kiss of the sun for pardon,
 The song of the birds for mirth,
 One is nearer God’s heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth.
-Dorothy Frances Gurney








In today’s fast pace world of bits and bytes remember to take the time to sit back and enjoy the breathtaking beauty and fragrances of the flowers in full bloom.


For my garden this year I choose more flowering plants which would attract both butterflies and hummingbirds: lantana, butterfly bushes, azaleas, hibiscus, bee balm, bougainvillea and petunias. It is a great way to observe these colorful creatures.

Coming up all too quickly is the month of August. A few tidbits to remember, Gladiolus is the designated flower of the month. This flower is associated with many meanings, for instance, they are said to symbolizes strength of character and also indicate calm, integrity and infatuation. As gifts, these flowers are given to represent remembrance and are sometimes presented to those who have lost a dear friend or family member. Since this flower is commonly referred to as the sword lily, on a lighter note, they are also meant to express the idea of someone’s heart being “pierced” with love. Thus, the fresh cut gladiolus are gaining popularity in arrangements used for romantic occasions and anniversaries.


In the garden the gladioli grow from corms which is a bulb like root. In our cold winter climate the corms need to be removed from the ground in the fall and replanted in the spring for late spring and summer blooms.


Gladiolus look better if planted in groups of six or more and very stylish if you plant the groupings in the same color.

Some of the taller varieties may require staking as the flower heads are affected by winds and the weight of the flower.

They grow well in ordinary garden soil and need only average water and sunshine with good drainage a must.

Another tidbit to remember, Friendship Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in August and Sisters Day on August 5th.


The better part of one’s life consists of his friendships
-Abraham Lincoln

Friends and family are the most important ingredients in this recipe of life.
-Unknown

The world is a rose; smell it and pass it to your friends.
-Persian proverb



For these two holidays, I am reminded of the power of flowers. Giving someone a few blossoms is a simple gesture, inexpensive and unexpected but with a such a lovely and heartwarming result.

Our flower shop has some great specials this month and you’ll find our trademark “Grab’N Go Bouquets” a wonderful way to make someone’s day.

For more information just give us a call 1.800.944.7441 or visit our web site at
http://www.larosasflowers.com/

As always, wishing you peace + and love.

LaRosa's Flowers
O'Fallon - Belleville, Illinois
The flower people since 1962

Let’s chat….

What flower is delicate, delightful and durable and has a rich history covering 2000 years? It’s also one of my favorites all year long.

The CARNATION, scientifically known as dianthus caryophyllus. The name dianthus roughly translates to “flower of love”. This flower is one of the world’s oldest cultivated flowers and has been revered for centuries. The history dates back to ancient Greek and Roman times when it was used in art and décor. Christians believe that the first carnation bloomed on earth when Mary wept for Jesus as He carried His cross. There are many meanings but the most widely accepted are fascination, distinction and love.

At LaRosas carnations have always been a popular flower choice. Not only are they inexpensive , but are long lasting and have a wonderfully sweet and fresh fragrance.

There are many meanings but the most widely accepted are fascination, distinction and love. Below are the different meanings of carnations based on their colors and traits.
Carnation (General) - Fascination, Woman’s love
Solid Color Carnation - Yes
Striped Carnation - Refusal
Red Carnation - My heart aches for you, passion
Pink Carnation - I’ll never forget you, woman’s love, always on my mind
Purple Carnation - Capriciousness
White Carnation - Innocence, pure love
Yellow Carnation - You disappoint me, rejection


Also, let’s touch base on another one of my favorites, after all it is National Ice Cream Month designated by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. A tradition in our family during the month of July (ok June and August too) is making homemade ice cream. I have many fond memories of summer vacations spent in Texas with my grandparents and going to their church ice cream socials on Sundays. Below is a creamy vanilla ice cream recipe with a traditional cooked custard base that is an all-time favorite in our family. I found this to be very easy to make (I do double the batch for our ice cream maker) and everyone loves it.

Ingredients:

2 eggs
1 cup sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
2 ½ cups whipping cream
2 cups half and half cream
4 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:
First mix well the first five ingredients. Then in a heavy saucepan cook over medium-low heat stirring constantly until the mixture is thick enough to coat a metal spoon and reaches at least 160 degrees F. (For me this takes about a hour since I make a double batch) Remove from the heat, cool quickly by setting the pan in ice and stirring the mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight. When ready to freeze, pour custard and vanilla into the cylinder of your ice cream freezer and follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Here’s a unique and fun combination to celebrate these summer’s treats.

For more information just give us a call 1.800.944.7441 or vist our web site at www.larosasflowers.com

LaRosa's Flowers
O'fallon - Belleville Illinois
The flower people since 1962