tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47477155233646901962024-03-13T11:50:21.011-07:00FlowerProf ben romney romneyb@gmail.com romneyb@byui.eduThe Flower Professor, the man who teaches about flowers...
...about how they influence our lives,
who created them,
and who takes care of them now.Ben Romneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04111514143077656116noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747715523364690196.post-1732900677667017292017-03-27T14:00:00.001-07:002017-03-27T14:00:26.845-07:00byuifashionandfloralgala2017runwayreview<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rQhrUxrsQ7A" width="480"></iframe>Ben Romneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04111514143077656116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747715523364690196.post-55636579209159853792017-03-27T13:52:00.001-07:002017-03-27T13:52:15.799-07:00byui fashion and floral gala 2017<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wXQJt7jtN14" width="480"></iframe>Ben Romneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04111514143077656116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747715523364690196.post-50492743804852622162016-09-23T09:15:00.000-07:002016-09-23T09:15:21.538-07:00How important are the flowers?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="caption-text" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: nyt-cheltenham-sh, georgia, "times new roman", times, serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">President Obama meeting with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi of Iraq on Monday.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: nyt-cheltenham-sh, georgia, "times new roman", times, serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;"></span><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; display: inline-block; font-family: nyt-cheltenham-sh, georgia, "times new roman", times, serif; font-size: 0.6875rem; line-height: 1rem; text-align: start;"><span class="visually-hidden" style="border: 0px; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">Credit</span>Al Drago/The New York Times</span></div>
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In a 20 September 2016 meeting between the Prime Minister of Israel, US President Obama and PM al-Abadi discuss world affairs over beautiful mounds of cymbidium orchids. Flowers reach into all the corners of society, silent witness to conversations, discussions, decisions, good and bad; I wish they could speak to us, and share their accumulated wisdom...Ben Romneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04111514143077656116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747715523364690196.post-22032191347653448312010-11-08T14:33:00.000-08:002010-11-08T15:33:25.543-08:00A Creative Walk...<div>I live in a lovely place, directly west of the Teton Mountains, on the edge of the state of Wyoming, directly south of the Centennial Mountains of Montana, and east of the Sawtooth, and Lost River ranges. On a good day, I can have a vista of all of them, for sunrise, sunset, and rarely, the aurora borealis. Large, magnificent images inspire thoughts of creation on a grand scale. Whether looking at the Grand Teton from afar, or from the top of The Wall just above snowdrift lake, it is a marvelous mirror of the dynamics of formation and erosion. </div><div><br /></div><div>On a particular day in the summer of 2010, I was compelled to witness dramatic vistas, one after the other, within a 24 hour period of time. We often see desert wildfires, or at least the smoke from them. But this particular day, with intense southwesterly winds, the sun setting in the west, and a massive buildup of exhaust from a lightning-caused fire on the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory land, I tried to document the energy of the elements as they gathered in force, converging on the evening sky...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TNiCXY_Tq8I/AAAAAAAAATE/bbdgAIlLOVc/s1600/DSC09003.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TNiCXY_Tq8I/AAAAAAAAATE/bbdgAIlLOVc/s400/DSC09003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537319080208608194" /></a><br /><div>The bend of the grass and trees--wind in its fury, the fire-filled clouds, and the earth pushing the clouds of smoke up and away saturated the end of the day with run away energy.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TNiBDnDk-qI/AAAAAAAAAS8/cMKjUKn7CaA/s1600/DSC08506.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TNiBDnDk-qI/AAAAAAAAAS8/cMKjUKn7CaA/s400/DSC08506.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537317640875604642" /></a><br /><div>Next morning, a strong thunderhead unleashed its fury, cleansing the sky, and challenged the sun for attention.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TNiA3dnxJhI/AAAAAAAAAS0/YNHYdf1Xqoc/s1600/DSC08545.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TNiA3dnxJhI/AAAAAAAAAS0/YNHYdf1Xqoc/s400/DSC08545.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537317432184612370" /></a><br /><div>The sun, though obscured by the cloud, eventually won over the sky. All power comes from the sun, and the elements respond to its command.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TNh8ajc4jQI/AAAAAAAAASs/1fYVGccJqqU/s1600/DSC08578.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TNh8ajc4jQI/AAAAAAAAASs/1fYVGccJqqU/s400/DSC08578.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537312537486855426" /></a><br />In a primal pond, the same image is reflected, for all the bugs and larvae to ponder...<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TNh7mTYz6VI/AAAAAAAAASc/0hhXgbgNaLw/s1600/DSC09028.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TNh7mTYz6VI/AAAAAAAAASc/0hhXgbgNaLw/s400/DSC09028.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537311639821609298" /></a><div>Even the simple surface of the canal exhibits the wrinkles of the wind, and the shadow of fire clouds.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TNh7mTYz6VI/AAAAAAAAASc/0hhXgbgNaLw/s1600/DSC09028.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TNh7XUkRqnI/AAAAAAAAASU/7ALb5c9V4cg/s1600/DSC09021.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TNh7XUkRqnI/AAAAAAAAASU/7ALb5c9V4cg/s400/DSC09021.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537311382440094322" /></a></div><div>Some of the most intriguing sights are underfoot--here a close-up of the dried pond earth reflects the image of greatness, with forms of mountain, plateau, and river--all in a space less than the half the size of my number 13.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TNh7XUkRqnI/AAAAAAAAASU/7ALb5c9V4cg/s1600/DSC09021.JPG"></a><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TNh8GFZKyrI/AAAAAAAAASk/zOCNUt_PK6M/s400/DSC08974.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537312185820826290" /></div><div>No matter where we live, there are beauties bedecked in ripples and ridges. Sometimes just taking the time to peddle, paddle, and ponder inspires the creative flow of new ideas. I am blessed to have such a palate to paint from, the daily vistas, the drama of the elements, and the peace to calmly walk through them.</div>Ben Romneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04111514143077656116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747715523364690196.post-91340148780335952002010-11-01T15:09:00.000-07:002010-11-01T16:13:03.893-07:00Portland Rose Festival Grand Parade float design excursion<div>BYU IDAHO floral students and faculty get to play before the parade!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM9FmuN1KfI/AAAAAAAAASM/ZD5rm1zkLrI/s1600/DSC08465.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM9FmuN1KfI/AAAAAAAAASM/ZD5rm1zkLrI/s400/DSC08465.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534718998605015538" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>In June, for the past three years, BYU Idaho Floral Design students and faculty have travelled to Portland, Oregon, to help do the floral design work on floats for the Grand Floral Parade. It has been a great place to practice the training students receive, and we have been able to perform quite a service as specialized volunteers for the event. If there were no volunteers in Portland, there would be no parade. As it is, there is a small army of help that shows up. This year most of them were Mormon missionaries serving in the Portland Oregon area on a full-time 18 month or two year volunteer mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. There were dozens who showed up to help glue, pin, paint, stick, cut...</div><div>There are many other loyal volunteers from the greater Portland community who likewise give time to help make the event beautiful. </div><div><br /></div><div>One of the rules about the parade floats is that all surfaces must be covered with plant materials. This requires some pretty detailed and creative use of seeds, bark, leaves, fruits--in fact just about anything that has the right texture or color ends up on a float. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM8_8y1IZ-I/AAAAAAAAASE/wHytaxN-MyI/s1600/DSC07813.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM8_8y1IZ-I/AAAAAAAAASE/wHytaxN-MyI/s400/DSC07813.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534712780730951650" /></a><br /><div>These volunteers are covering the letters and surface of a sign with seeds. This sign alone took hours to complete.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM8_1XG4pOI/AAAAAAAAAR8/o7QN0DqTN0c/s1600/DSC07817.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM8_1XG4pOI/AAAAAAAAAR8/o7QN0DqTN0c/s400/DSC07817.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534712653030139106" /></a><br /><div>Volunteers are detailing these signs for a float supporting the local Hispanic community</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM8_tGznJDI/AAAAAAAAAR0/eW6dYnwsZRM/s1600/DSC07858.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM8_tGznJDI/AAAAAAAAAR0/eW6dYnwsZRM/s400/DSC07858.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534712511215379506" /></a><br /><div>¿ What do poppy seeds and popcorn have in common...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM8_jMQ36gI/AAAAAAAAARs/DzW7XKlnYV0/s1600/DSC07859.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM8_jMQ36gI/AAAAAAAAARs/DzW7XKlnYV0/s400/DSC07859.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534712340881598978" /></a><br /><div>with dried pineapple...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM8_dCaidzI/AAAAAAAAARk/7qLbf5_EAJ0/s1600/DSC07860.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM8_dCaidzI/AAAAAAAAARk/7qLbf5_EAJ0/s400/DSC07860.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534712235158566706" /></a><br /><div>and candied mango?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM8_W1MbcaI/AAAAAAAAARc/piKtVB6RLrw/s1600/DSC07864.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM8_W1MbcaI/AAAAAAAAARc/piKtVB6RLrw/s400/DSC07864.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534712128530510242" /></a><br /><div>Can you see where they were used? Notice the belly covered with ground dried red peppers.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM8_K4GCLGI/AAAAAAAAARU/QNw0R5bOk5I/s1600/DSC07893.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM8_K4GCLGI/AAAAAAAAARU/QNw0R5bOk5I/s400/DSC07893.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534711923150564450" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM8_K4GCLGI/AAAAAAAAARU/QNw0R5bOk5I/s1600/DSC07893.JPG"></a>Many of the volunteer time is spent on scaffolds, here several missionaries are covering leaves.<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM8_CofchcI/AAAAAAAAARM/WZe0xf35XP0/s1600/DSC08272.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM8_CofchcI/AAAAAAAAARM/WZe0xf35XP0/s400/DSC08272.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534711781523228098" /></a><br />Volunteers pin fir branch tips onto a foam base. You can see the square container caged and ready to accept flowers in the left center of the photo.<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM8-lk7wvKI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/hYtVS-WvOCA/s1600/DSC08296.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM8-lk7wvKI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/hYtVS-WvOCA/s400/DSC08296.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534711282352045218" /></a><div>And here is the same float nearly complete.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM8-lk7wvKI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/hYtVS-WvOCA/s1600/DSC08296.JPG"></a><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM8-lk7wvKI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/hYtVS-WvOCA/s1600/DSC08296.JPG"></a><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM8-yOxcRnI/AAAAAAAAARE/M3G2jJim2UA/s400/DSC07836.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534711499741480562" /><br /><div>The dragon is spectacular already,</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM89maX9ozI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/Z5FKNY3SnFc/s1600/DSC08316.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM89maX9ozI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/Z5FKNY3SnFc/s400/DSC08316.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534710197185782578" /></a><br /><div>but look how much a few flowers can add.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM884wqtFlI/AAAAAAAAAQk/raUdMm5JZp8/s1600/DSC08246.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM884wqtFlI/AAAAAAAAAQk/raUdMm5JZp8/s400/DSC08246.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534709412895987282" /></a></div><div>These boots are made for walking, but the rose parade calls for ROSES!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM884wqtFlI/AAAAAAAAAQk/raUdMm5JZp8/s1600/DSC08246.JPG"></a><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM89YrF0IWI/AAAAAAAAAQs/YsY0GXZ7bU0/s400/DSC08282.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534709961154896226" /><br /><div>and then a little more of the patriotic mix of colors.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM88T-Ee0BI/AAAAAAAAAQU/JHn_PzEQdPg/s1600/DSC08332.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM88T-Ee0BI/AAAAAAAAAQU/JHn_PzEQdPg/s400/DSC08332.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534708780838604818" /></a></div><div>Many flowers are placed in water pics to help them last and stay securely on the float.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM88T-Ee0BI/AAAAAAAAAQU/JHn_PzEQdPg/s1600/DSC08332.JPG"></a><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM88jSlXE-I/AAAAAAAAAQc/oaMuGX1sj-g/s400/DSC08331.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534709044043256802" /><br /><div>Here they will give an illusion of waves of water.</div><div><br /></div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM877m2m2II/AAAAAAAAAQE/IXomGEQ2BIw/s400/DSC08373.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534708362289535106" /></div><div>This one is almost ready for the judges.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM88F9GiyGI/AAAAAAAAAQM/iM3E0ju3UnU/s400/DSC08342.JPG" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534708540060649570" /><br /><div>Every stem that is inserted in a cage on a float has to be glued in place, as well as inserted in floral foam. No that is not honey!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM87qvLZ2ZI/AAAAAAAAAP8/C7oPLZnbkNA/s1600/DSC08474.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM87qvLZ2ZI/AAAAAAAAAP8/C7oPLZnbkNA/s400/DSC08474.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534708072466471314" /></a><br /><div>Here we are after days of work, we take a quick walk before the parade begins, after the floats have been driven a few miles over the freeway (we have to design for the wind), then we jump in the car and drive more than a dozen hours to get back home to Rexburg that night. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM87Y9gMPvI/AAAAAAAAAP0/boiTWxxj09k/s1600/DSC08458.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/TM87Y9gMPvI/AAAAAAAAAP0/boiTWxxj09k/s400/DSC08458.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534707767074111218" /></a><br /><div>Thanks to the 2010 BYUI design crew, ready to head out.</div><div>We also send a team to the Pasadena Rose Parade to help with some of the much larger floats there. That will have to wait for another post...</div><div>...and, by the way, the floats we worked on won the top honors two years in a row!!!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Ben Romneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04111514143077656116noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747715523364690196.post-33349623780501053322010-04-04T20:05:00.000-07:002010-04-04T20:44:31.881-07:00A little about our open house at BYU Idaho<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >The Bridal Bouquet Workshops 2010</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/S7lXy1uBxnI/AAAAAAAAAPk/pkZ-RkSZp84/s1600/DSC06322.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 487px; height: 365px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/S7lXy1uBxnI/AAAAAAAAAPk/pkZ-RkSZp84/s400/DSC06322.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456488954461275762" border="0" /></a><br /><br />One of the most enjoyable parts of our annual spring flower and bridal open house is the bridal bouquet workshop. We have three different workshop levels. Workshop A is for the beginners, and gives the student a chance to make a bouquet in a bouquet holder (lomey, oasis etc.). As it is usually the first time the student has made one, this bouquet will be simple; yet we try to have every bouquet different from the others, so the challenge is to come up with flowers that will open the door to a different look for each bouquet. There are about 20 or so in that workshop.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/S7lWu-TUZhI/AAAAAAAAAPM/a977rsyLpCE/s1600/DSC06318.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 396px; height: 297px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/S7lWu-TUZhI/AAAAAAAAAPM/a977rsyLpCE/s400/DSC06318.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456487788534064658" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Workshop B is for those who have completed the first level, and are now challenged to design as a group, using the exact same materials, but each producing a bouquet that is completely different from the rest of the group. Groups usually consist of three students. They have to<br />agree on all the materials they use--everyone has to use everything, but not necessarily in the same proportion. This makes for a very interesting comparison of design skills and creativity.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/S7lXGY0e1vI/AAAAAAAAAPU/IX_yqxusQfA/s1600/DSC06317.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 424px; height: 316px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/S7lXGY0e1vI/AAAAAAAAAPU/IX_yqxusQfA/s400/DSC06317.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456488190789474034" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Workshop C challenges the advanced students to create a more complex bridal bouquet using some type of armature or highly structural component such as a wire grid, then carry the bouquet around during the open house, and answer questions about the design as our visitors walk through the open house.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/S7lXd922b1I/AAAAAAAAAPc/PekY285cUU0/s1600/DSC06316.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 179px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/S7lXd922b1I/AAAAAAAAAPc/PekY285cUU0/s400/DSC06316.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456488595868512082" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/S7lWW3tPKoI/AAAAAAAAAPE/zcwXa2o5OEA/s1600/DSC06323.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/S7lWW3tPKoI/AAAAAAAAAPE/zcwXa2o5OEA/s400/DSC06323.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456487374446865026" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The creativity, the variety of materials, and the spontaneity are quite exciting. <br />More in another post about the open house itself.Ben Romneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04111514143077656116noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747715523364690196.post-74603404224894116122009-04-15T17:49:00.000-07:002009-04-15T21:59:16.096-07:00thueson shakespeare weddingOn the 10th of April, 2009, I was given the privilege of designing the fresh floral component of a great wedding event. My good friends, the Thuesons, asked me to help with the flowers for their daughter Katelan's wedding. The venue is the new Rexburg Idaho Henry's Fork Stake building. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/Sea1nYIrMXI/AAAAAAAAAOU/nXgGRVOJy7g/s1600-h/thuebook.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/Sea1nYIrMXI/AAAAAAAAAOU/nXgGRVOJy7g/s400/thuebook.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325143297510551922" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In the foto above, the booktable, and in the fotos below, there are several views of the backdrop.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/Sea1fgJWEXI/AAAAAAAAAOM/hLN9bNVlSCY/s1600-h/thueback.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/Sea1fgJWEXI/AAAAAAAAAOM/hLN9bNVlSCY/s400/thueback.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325143162221891954" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/Sea1YgGd_aI/AAAAAAAAAOE/XAYOaG6__Lc/s1600-h/thueback2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/Sea1YgGd_aI/AAAAAAAAAOE/XAYOaG6__Lc/s400/thueback2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325143041950743970" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/Sea1G_hyfOI/AAAAAAAAAN8/R0mR66mQhWY/s1600-h/thueback3.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/Sea1G_hyfOI/AAAAAAAAAN8/R0mR66mQhWY/s400/thueback3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325142741149187298" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/Sea1AEeiYhI/AAAAAAAAAN0/eWJQe4KgEAs/s1600-h/thuebacktables.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/Sea1AEeiYhI/AAAAAAAAAN0/eWJQe4KgEAs/s400/thuebacktables.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325142622218641938" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The main flowers used for this event are heliconias. I brought them in from Ecuador, Hawaii, and Costa Rica. The pincushion protea (Leucospermum) were from a grower in Ecuador. The orange Anthurium were grown in Trinidad. Following are some fotos of the centerpieces, cake etc.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/Sea0z2sO0hI/AAAAAAAAANs/jQahV1wVEso/s1600-h/thuebouq1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/Sea0z2sO0hI/AAAAAAAAANs/jQahV1wVEso/s400/thuebouq1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325142412359553554" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/Sea0lv9EtzI/AAAAAAAAANk/qYfOrzF5ElA/s1600-h/thuecake.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/Sea0lv9EtzI/AAAAAAAAANk/qYfOrzF5ElA/s400/thuecake.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325142170032977714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/Sea0ctq66VI/AAAAAAAAANc/zNA35jyK3OE/s1600-h/thuecenterbird.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/Sea0ctq66VI/AAAAAAAAANc/zNA35jyK3OE/s400/thuecenterbird.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325142014801144146" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/Sea0UKEWNvI/AAAAAAAAANU/VnIekEPt5No/s1600-h/thuecenter.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/Sea0UKEWNvI/AAAAAAAAANU/VnIekEPt5No/s400/thuecenter.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325141867805161202" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and here are the bride and groom in front of the buffet piece.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/Sea0DBsC_II/AAAAAAAAANM/1kfrQ3lQz1Y/s1600-h/thuebride%26groom.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/Sea0DBsC_II/AAAAAAAAANM/1kfrQ3lQz1Y/s400/thuebride%26groom.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325141573497977986" border="0" /></a><br /><br />the corner was dark when I was taking this shot, but you can spot the buffet in the corner<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SeaDVKK2S7I/AAAAAAAAANE/V2fUv4fCW6Q/s1600-h/thuetablesbouq.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SeaDVKK2S7I/AAAAAAAAANE/V2fUv4fCW6Q/s400/thuetablesbouq.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325088008942537650" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SeaDN4IRHAI/AAAAAAAAAM8/2fr6pypw_Yo/s1600-h/thuebuffbird.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SeaDN4IRHAI/AAAAAAAAAM8/2fr6pypw_Yo/s400/thuebuffbird.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325087883840789506" border="0" /></a><br /><br />there are some fun details in the buffet piece, birds I found in the LA flower market, green cymbidium orchids from the Netherlands, the other cymbidiums are from the student greenhouses at the Cal Poly San Louis Obispo campus--I picked them up while we were on a student field trip there the week before the event. The green dendrobium sprays were from Tailand. <br /><br /><br />The beehive gingers are a special treat direct from Hawaii. In this large piece you can see the heliconias well too. The tall parrots are from Hawaii, the intermediate heights were from Ecuador, and the shorter ones were from Costa Rica. There is also some Chamaedorea cataractarum palm from Florida, and some boronia, added for fragrance.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SeaDDoyw3zI/AAAAAAAAAM0/tVmL9rIx_H8/s1600-h/thuebuffbeehive.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SeaDDoyw3zI/AAAAAAAAAM0/tVmL9rIx_H8/s400/thuebuffbeehive.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325087707925372722" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SeaC1nAxQqI/AAAAAAAAAMs/xQON0yTYirk/s1600-h/thuebuffet.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SeaC1nAxQqI/AAAAAAAAAMs/xQON0yTYirk/s400/thuebuffet.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325087466929078946" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is the groom's family!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SeaCa903H-I/AAAAAAAAAMk/hvOhN87fHXA/s1600-h/thuegroomfam.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SeaCa903H-I/AAAAAAAAAMk/hvOhN87fHXA/s400/thuegroomfam.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325087009196679138" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and here is the Thueson immediate family. I missed the larger group picture. They are a great family!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SeaCHUxqQxI/AAAAAAAAAMc/ef6iWMLxjc8/s1600-h/thuefam.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SeaCHUxqQxI/AAAAAAAAAMc/ef6iWMLxjc8/s400/thuefam.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325086671759885074" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I think that this large piece was the favorite one to do. It was a therapeutic experience, and brought much enjoyment to those who came to the wedding reception.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SeaBcMGUoqI/AAAAAAAAAMU/1z8oPLsHPYk/s1600-h/thuebuffdk.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SeaBcMGUoqI/AAAAAAAAAMU/1z8oPLsHPYk/s400/thuebuffdk.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325085930696254114" border="0" /></a><br />This was a blast to do, and the whole evening was pleasant. In the background, and around the room, I also placed a dozen live palm trees for added atmosphere. There were four each of Spindle, Majesty, and King palms.Ben Romneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04111514143077656116noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747715523364690196.post-28196416425052647042008-11-12T13:26:00.000-08:002008-11-13T21:53:26.628-08:00Laurel Coburn Wedding Event<div>Laurel's Wedding 8 November, 2008</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SRtMqUYgfZI/AAAAAAAAAJk/euqO8pyJvk4/s1600-h/tetonspringsfar.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SRtMqUYgfZI/AAAAAAAAAJk/euqO8pyJvk4/s400/tetonspringsfar.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267888479049645458" border="0" /></a>The Headwater Grill at Teton Springs Resort near Victor, IDaho was the site of a wedding event I recently helped with. Laurel Coburn's parents have been friends for decades, and we have also been neighbors through the years in Logan, Utah, and Salem, Idaho. It was a great thrill to help by providing and designing flowers for Laurel's wedding event in such a lovely place.<div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SRtMfdmGxlI/AAAAAAAAAJc/ggnJQdBDJms/s1600-h/tetonspringsnear.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SRtMfdmGxlI/AAAAAAAAAJc/ggnJQdBDJms/s320/tetonspringsnear.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267888292544038482" border="0" /></a></div><div>This is the Headwater Grill at Teton Springs in November of 2008. You can check out the property web site by <a href="http://www.tetonsprings.com/index2.php">clicking here</a>. The staff and management folks were great to work with, and made the event quite pleasant. It was a cool, but perfect evening, with a recent light rain that made everything look so clean, yet providing fresh snow in the nearby mountains. This venue is located in Pierre's Hole on the west side of the mountain pass in the Teton Range. Jackson is on the east side about a thin half hour drive away in good weather. If you are ever in Victor, you should stop at the Emporium and grab a huckleberry ice cream cone, shake or malt.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SRtMSXlZAOI/AAAAAAAAAJU/4M7q_dBAJ0Y/s1600-h/tetonspringsenter.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SRtMSXlZAOI/AAAAAAAAAJU/4M7q_dBAJ0Y/s320/tetonspringsenter.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267888067592126690" border="0" /></a><br />This is the entrance to the Grill, and the reception.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SRtLar0FWqI/AAAAAAAAAJM/FJEz44TU5_I/s1600-h/laurel+flowergirls.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SRtLar0FWqI/AAAAAAAAAJM/FJEz44TU5_I/s320/laurel+flowergirls.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267887110949788322" border="0" /></a></div><div>The flower girls were sure cute, even though a little tired of waiting for the bride to come down the stairs so they could do their job.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SRtLLgrCHcI/AAAAAAAAAJE/0KPGm4Uya_U/s1600-h/laurel%26co.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SRtLLgrCHcI/AAAAAAAAAJE/0KPGm4Uya_U/s320/laurel%26co.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267886850260999618" border="0" /></a><br />A contemplative moment for the bride, just after the "yes" and right before the photo session.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SRtK3s9R2EI/AAAAAAAAAI8/iCUbXqgscvw/s1600-h/laurel+fam.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SRtK3s9R2EI/AAAAAAAAAI8/iCUbXqgscvw/s320/laurel+fam.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267886509961369666" border="0" /></a></div><div>Both the bride and the groom had several family members there to support them. What a great family!<br /><br /><span></span><span></span><span></span><span></span>Enjoy a quick view of the grand entrance of the bride...<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyS6-Lgunp1f5JOgvrh18fqPLT6zMEVy2_8Ce67dcaQUA0VPRv1Zs1sLw059wk3QTdkk_YnBNvaBL2ZoBg1ig' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div>This was a very pleasant event. I used Black Magic roses from Ecuador, mixed with "new love" gypsophylla and dozens of mixed greens, some traditional foliage like Gaultheria (salal) Myrtus communis (myrtle), and some more unusual things, such as aspidistra 'milky way,' pistachio foliage, Australian tree ferns, Leucodendron 'Jester' and mosses. The request was for a "traditional, cabin look," so the bridal bouquet consisted of two dozen Black Magic roses, with clusters of gypsophylla wound and layered in a spiral around the sides of the hand-tied bouquet. I used a bright silver woven ribbon treatment over a handle satinized with black "tux" ribbon from Lion Ribbon. Smaller bouquets constructed to match the Bridal bouquet were used for the four bridesmaids. Corsages and bouts were black magic roses with pistachio foliage and sprigs of Irish moss, bound with silver boullion from Smithers Oasis. The tables were decorated with round nosegays of the same roses, with Dutch Pico fronds (a small-leaved chamaedorea), and scattered rose petals. I brought in the exotic greens from the Aalsmeer market, which means that they came from Australia, flew to the Netherlands, and flew to Idaho all in a very short time. Thanks to my great friends in Holland and Miami for providing such fine product. </div>Ben Romneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04111514143077656116noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747715523364690196.post-62582606244667406542008-10-03T13:15:00.000-07:002008-10-03T15:16:11.104-07:00Happy Roses waking up in Idaho<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SOaPD6PvEDI/AAAAAAAAAIk/fXIE4_9L1YU/s1600-h/rainbowroses.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SOaPD6PvEDI/AAAAAAAAAIk/fXIE4_9L1YU/s320/rainbowroses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253043312711897138" border="0" /></a><br />I brought some rainbow roses® in for our spring flower and bridal show in March, and since then have had many people ask about them. There are all kinds of rumors bouncing around the globe about how they are made, or grown, or magically coloured, so I thought I could post just a little information for my friends here. I will include a link to a great explanation that J Schwanke wrote in an article on his uBloom® page:<br /><br /><style type="text/css"><br /><!-- .quote {width:350px; padding: 6px; border: solid 1px #456B8F; font: 10px helvetica, verdana, sans-serif; color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff} .quote a {font: 13px arial, serif; color: #003399; text-decoration: underline} .quote a:hover {color: #FF9900; } --><br /></style><div class="quote"><a href="http://www.ubloom.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=121&Itemid=172" target="_blank">The Happy Colors of Rainbow Roses!</a><br />uBloom - Friday, 03 October 2008<br /><div align="right">© <a href="http://www.ubloom.com/" target="_blank">uBloom</a></div></div><br />You can check it out, and also learn more about the floral industry from our friends at uBloom<br /><br />There is quite a bit of information as well if you go to the happy roses site where the original product development is described. Peter van de Werken is the owner of Riverflowers® and the happy flower concept. Here are a couple of links that are very interesting to look upon:<br /><br />http://www.riverflowers.nl/<br /><br />http://www.fjzandbergen.nl/<br />then click on the link "noviteiten" for a nice gallery of the happy rose colour choices<br /><br />http://www.happy-roses.com/<br />the new web site<br /><br />there is a very interesting video to watch, but you will have to brush up on your Dutch to understand most of it. If you google rainbow roses, or happy roses, you can see video clips from all over the world. It is quite educational.<br />The two photos I have placed here are bouncing all over the web, so it is hard to give appropriate credit to the original photographers. Please forgive.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SOaPPR77CuI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Ru4QeNxOrQo/s1600-h/rainbowcloseup.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SOaPPR77CuI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Ru4QeNxOrQo/s320/rainbowcloseup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253043508049808098" border="0" /></a><br />People have been colouring flowers for ages, with myriad products that could enter through the stem, or be painted on the petals. There are paints, dips, and dyes, all creating illusions of colour that nature could not seem to come up with on her own. And sometimes when you are in a pinch, you need to alter the colour, blending an odd flower here or there with something that just would not match up otherwise. I love to guild the edges of a poinsettia or a fresh or artificial wreath with gold colortool® at Christmas time. Learning to air brush a rose with colortool® from Design Master is something every florist should know how to do well. It is not just spray painting, but rather a technique of brushing the paint through the air onto the petals with a very light touch.<br /><br />Stem dye can be kind of messy, but who can not recall a stalk of celery in food coloring from a science class in grade school? It was a quintessential thrill to watch the dye as it gathered in the veins of the stem and leaf. We seem to want something that nature does not provide. It is a thrilling pursuit to try to find the perfect blue rose, or a black rose, or a chocolate orchid.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SOaS90RSB3I/AAAAAAAAAI0/MkhwwK7Vzso/s1600-h/florigenegetty.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SOaS90RSB3I/AAAAAAAAAI0/MkhwwK7Vzso/s320/florigenegetty.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253047606075066226" border="0" /></a>photo © getty images<br />I mentioned Florigene® dianthus in a blog post about Amy and Benj's wedding a while back. This is another way to play with colour in flowers. This company is using genetic modification to bring new colours into the marketplace. Check out the web site:<br /><br />http://www.florigene.com/<br /><br />Since 1986 the company has tried to create a blue rose. The result so far has showered many surprises into the vases of the world. I love the play on purples and lavenders. There seems to be an additional benefit of increased vase life as well. Playing around with the biosynthetic pathway of anthocyanins in the flowers has delivered genetic changes in pigment. With all the interest in phytochemicals that benefit us in our diets, I wonder if some foods could be improved with the same methodology. (maybe that is why Suntory is interested--they are most known for beverage production in Japan) Those dark natural colours seem to deliver more good things at every turn. The Florigene company is based in Melbourne, Australia. They have become involved with Suntory, a Japanese firm, in this pursuit. You put great people together, some of the best names in industry, and you are sure to come up with value and beauty. I love to see the results!<br /><br />Please enjoy surfing the sites I have mentioned above, and let me know if you see something new out there while you are traveling the web, or the globe.<br />--brBen Romneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04111514143077656116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747715523364690196.post-13309181819152614172008-06-14T13:00:00.000-07:002008-11-13T21:55:52.711-08:00Bethany and Jonathon wedd<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bethany Kaye Romney and Jonathon Lawrence</span></span> were married on 14 June, 2008<br />in the Rexburg LDS Temple<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN1OXGteuEI/AAAAAAAAAHg/qF0Adjs8d7k/s1600-h/bethtemp.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN1OXGteuEI/AAAAAAAAAHg/qF0Adjs8d7k/s320/bethtemp.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250438899429193794" border="0" /></a><br />They wanted to join thousand of others this year and be married 8 8 08, but the numbers didn't add up for them; that was too long to wait! But add 6 and 8 and you get 14. That will do.<br /><br />The sum of the flowers added up nicely too. Beth wanted bright, beautiful whites with natural greens. That meant anything from olives to limes, with mossy undertones. She chose Hydraengeas for her photo shots a couple of days before the wedding--all white mounded giant blooms, and again for the bouquet at the temple, so I hand-tied them--just kept adding them until she was satisfied. This time we minimized the white and used more green The large bouquet was striking and bright in the morning light.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN1DTllfM-I/AAAAAAAAAHY/YkgIb3TqjRs/s1600-h/beth1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN1DTllfM-I/AAAAAAAAAHY/YkgIb3TqjRs/s320/beth1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250426744369787874" border="0" /></a><br />Wedding day for Bethany, our youngest daughter<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN1DOto_rDI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/sUT3AoO8SdE/s1600-h/beth2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN1DOto_rDI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/sUT3AoO8SdE/s320/beth2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250426660632636466" border="0" /></a><br />Beth in her lovely gown, handmade in France<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN1DISCHuvI/AAAAAAAAAHI/4fuiEz0dsqU/s1600-h/beth3.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN1DISCHuvI/AAAAAAAAAHI/4fuiEz0dsqU/s320/beth3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250426550142614258" border="0" /></a><br />What bright light this couple radiates!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN1DCFKDrZI/AAAAAAAAAHA/bqScFpFR2Ao/s1600-h/bethfam.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN1DCFKDrZI/AAAAAAAAAHA/bqScFpFR2Ao/s320/bethfam.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250426443607027090" border="0" /></a><br />most of the family, minus some of the little ones, just after the temple ceremony<br /><br />The bouquet from the morning was left in the car--the ultimate oops for this well-trained bride, so I tied another together before the reception. This time I used Rosa 'Limbo' and small white Zantedeschia (callas). It survived the evening at Romney Place, despite the afternoon of very strong winds, and even survived the toss. I placed mixed bouquets on the serving and seating tables, including more Hydraengeas, 'Green Goddess' callas, and some dramatic Eremerus lilies<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN1C2JvLQ5I/AAAAAAAAAG4/MRlOhJVsoV8/s1600-h/bethtoss.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN1C2JvLQ5I/AAAAAAAAAG4/MRlOhJVsoV8/s320/bethtoss.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250426238678025106" border="0" /></a><br />The bouquet grabbers gather<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN1CoStuCeI/AAAAAAAAAGw/rACer9IxftY/s1600-h/bethcakecut.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN1CoStuCeI/AAAAAAAAAGw/rACer9IxftY/s320/bethcakecut.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250426000569666018" border="0" /></a><br />Beth cuts the cake. Grandson Isaac is quite enthralled with the process while he sips limewater<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN1CgbyLnfI/AAAAAAAAAGo/Zz95g7ppnks/s1600-h/bethtreecake.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN1CgbyLnfI/AAAAAAAAAGo/Zz95g7ppnks/s320/bethtreecake.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250425865565347314" border="0" /></a><br />I suspended the oval shaped cake and stand in a Wilson's weeping birch that grew in a heart shape after it froze back several winters past. It was an unusual way to display a cake and brought many comments. It was covered with about 100 'Limbo' roses I brought in from Ecuador.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN1CVRc9_mI/AAAAAAAAAGg/DwxC1XJ9gmo/s1600-h/bethbofAbe.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN1CVRc9_mI/AAAAAAAAAGg/DwxC1XJ9gmo/s320/bethbofAbe.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250425673813458530" border="0" /></a><br />Entertainment was provided by "the Brothers of Abraham"<br />check them out at brothersofabraham.com or buy their "removing the pain" album on itunes<br />Bethany's brothers, from left: Benjamin 6 string bass & vocals, Abraham, guitar and vocals, and Anthony, drumsBen Romneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04111514143077656116noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747715523364690196.post-25338111066664274282008-05-31T11:51:00.000-07:002008-11-13T21:56:16.776-08:00Anthony and Kylie wedd<span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Wedding in the Nauvoo LDS Temple</span></span><br />on 16 May, 2008<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN1PNBEE9iI/AAAAAAAAAHo/JvuhWCWUcYg/s1600-h/nauvtemp.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN1PNBEE9iI/AAAAAAAAAHo/JvuhWCWUcYg/s320/nauvtemp.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250439825626297890" border="0" /></a><br />with a Reception in Indianapolis on the 17th,<br />and Open House in Rexburg on the 31st.<br />ATHONY & KYLIE ROMNEY<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN01T-SNJwI/AAAAAAAAAFY/5SNMADQ3zM0/s1600-h/anthnauv3.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN01T-SNJwI/AAAAAAAAAFY/5SNMADQ3zM0/s320/anthnauv3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250411357837010690" border="0" /></a><br />Anthony with his 5 siblings Abe, Benj, Jessica, Lydia, and Bethany<br /><br />We are happy to greet Anthony and Kylie Romney, and wish them well on their new adventures together. It was fun to do the flowers for Kylie. She has always loved bright blue and electric green. I arranged with Van's wholesale in Indianapolis for the flowers there. They were most helpful, and allowed me to wander through the facility finding all kinds of treasures to bring back to the flower center. They brought in some lovely delphinium from Canada, along with a few other things we used. In Rexburg, I used a little more of a variety of material. I enjoy the textural differences when adding things like Eryngium, "blue" Leptospermum (which is really mostly pink, but added great depth to the mix) and green spider mums along with various blue Delphinium hybrids and Mollucella (bells of Ireland)<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwiP-0yQEtCC6WmPNLL8HZpIRo-DCE8Reys1IZMVHeiK_1xKDnlZ2uIbfSo2qKxUylef8YdMxWvwyZXmmG4mA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />Watch the newlyweds as they leave the temple<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN02YVrbnnI/AAAAAAAAAFg/Wx9En-sfg4Y/s1600-h/anthnauv2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN02YVrbnnI/AAAAAAAAAFg/Wx9En-sfg4Y/s320/anthnauv2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250412532347936370" border="0" /></a><br />Everyone needed a break for food--wedding breakfast in the Nauvoo Inn<br />then on the road to Indianapolis that night<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN023fH7AvI/AAAAAAAAAFw/3C1ph95kTyk/s1600-h/anthind2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN023fH7AvI/AAAAAAAAAFw/3C1ph95kTyk/s320/anthind2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250413067459298034" border="0" /></a><br />It was a dream reception in Avon<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN02tkN5FQI/AAAAAAAAAFo/zOrppkY2Tis/s1600-h/anthind1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN02tkN5FQI/AAAAAAAAAFo/zOrppkY2Tis/s320/anthind1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250412897027822850" border="0" /></a><br />Kylie's colours!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN03NOUh5xI/AAAAAAAAAF4/kMMbGpfzVHM/s1600-h/anthind3.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN03NOUh5xI/AAAAAAAAAF4/kMMbGpfzVHM/s320/anthind3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250413440905897746" border="0" /></a><br />Kylie's dad, Lans put together a gourmet feast for us all in Avon, Indiana<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN03UFrdmsI/AAAAAAAAAGA/4X2uisohd0g/s1600-h/anthopen1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN03UFrdmsI/AAAAAAAAAGA/4X2uisohd0g/s320/anthopen1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250413558845250242" border="0" /></a><br />Anthony & Kylie greeting friends and family in Salem Idaho<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN03aCUZv0I/AAAAAAAAAGI/MVEXBkkDOic/s1600-h/anthopen2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN03aCUZv0I/AAAAAAAAAGI/MVEXBkkDOic/s320/anthopen2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250413661022437186" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN030xRPVZI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/NgTYcv44Uyo/s1600-h/anthopen3.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN030xRPVZI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/NgTYcv44Uyo/s320/anthopen3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250414120302237074" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN037_n3eWI/AAAAAAAAAGY/f2M0dfMysRQ/s1600-h/benjgroup.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SN037_n3eWI/AAAAAAAAAGY/f2M0dfMysRQ/s320/benjgroup.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250414244414323042" border="0" /></a><br />Benj and his jazz combo were the featured entertainment<br /><br />Thanks Anthony and Kylie for letting me have so much fun with the flowers!!!Ben Romneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04111514143077656116noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747715523364690196.post-39271706368265909342008-04-24T21:16:00.000-07:002008-11-13T21:56:51.866-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;">A wedding for Benjamin Joseph Romney and Amy Jolene Andreason<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The Rexburg Temple was beautiful on the morning of 12 April 2008, the perfect setting for Benj and Amy to be sealed for time and all eternity.<br />A reception/dinner for family and friends was held that afternoon, then a full reception was held on 24 April, 2008 in the evening for friends and community members.<br />Amy chose lime green and various bright purple colours. We used the Floragene® dianthus that have an iridescent blue undertone through the intense purples and lavenders. </span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SE9UQPKY9cI/AAAAAAAAAE4/UJ6eREuPFeo/s1600-h/DSC04183.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SE9UQPKY9cI/AAAAAAAAAE4/UJ6eREuPFeo/s320/DSC04183.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210475931815704002" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Dirk, Jody Andreason, Amy Jo, Benj, Ben, and Kaye<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SE9TzdYQlJI/AAAAAAAAAEw/zq6p99UvxUo/s1600-h/DSC04202.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SE9TzdYQlJI/AAAAAAAAAEw/zq6p99UvxUo/s320/DSC04202.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210475437415765138" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Amy's lovely smile, and bouquet<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SE9TYIAKOkI/AAAAAAAAAEo/w-bA8dp6wAg/s1600-h/DSC04227.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SE9TYIAKOkI/AAAAAAAAAEo/w-bA8dp6wAg/s320/DSC04227.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210474967821072962" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A quiet moment as the reception is winding down, and yes, the flowers are as tall as they appear! The freeform branch sculptures are ornamented with strings of green and purple shell fragments we picked up at the LA flower market a few days before the wedding.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SE9SYi0QNjI/AAAAAAAAAEg/mlwDXOZtAC4/s1600-h/IMG_8281_edited.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SE9SYi0QNjI/AAAAAAAAAEg/mlwDXOZtAC4/s320/IMG_8281_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210473875507263026" border="0" /></a><br />The tables were adorned with very tall vases, as above, or cylinders, with flowers semi-submerged. They provided height, yet were mostly transparent so people could visit at the tables. It was a fun way to bring the colours to the table without a lot of fuss. I also used some purple larkspur, and purple delphinium in random order.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">A special treat for Kaye and I was the visit of our friend Martin Valentine</span>, from Rugby England. Martin is a very talented Fine Artist, and currently is the art director for the Sedbergh School in the lake district of northern England. We stayed with Martin at his home above the Music School for a few days, and traveled with him about the lake district during November of 2007. Martin and Benj became friends while Benj was serving in the Birmingham mission. It was great to have Martin stay with us during the wedding time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SE9apaAjCFI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/bmq9Wap0VaE/s1600-h/IMG_3958.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SE9apaAjCFI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/bmq9Wap0VaE/s320/IMG_3958.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210482961293707346" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SE9ZrjSADJI/AAAAAAAAAFI/qxzDRHAwh6w/s1600-h/DSC04145.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SE9ZrjSADJI/AAAAAAAAAFI/qxzDRHAwh6w/s320/DSC04145.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210481898630941842" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SE9Y6V_-P-I/AAAAAAAAAFA/dwD7_L5dVYY/s1600-h/DSC04144.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/SE9Y6V_-P-I/AAAAAAAAAFA/dwD7_L5dVYY/s320/DSC04144.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210481053252075490" border="0" /></a><br />After the wedding, we took Martin to West Yellowstone and Jackson Hole to see some of our beautiful winter scenery. One evening, he took us to the world of real English Trifle. What a delight that was!!! We ate one immediately, and put the other one in the icebox for the newlyweds to find when they came back to their new home.<br /><br /><br />Next up: Anthony and Kylie in the Nauvoo Temple.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="file:///Users/benjaminromney/Desktop/IMG_8281_edited.JPG" alt="" />Ben Romneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04111514143077656116noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747715523364690196.post-21526970075049670082008-03-11T10:17:00.001-07:002008-11-13T21:58:23.630-08:00Interpretive Floral DesignMy Interpretive Floral Design class is collaborating on a project to put together floral interpretations of six different pieces of art. The paintings have been created by BYU Idaho art students, and now will be the focus of the next 10 days for our students to try to interpret the art into floral designs. We are going to incorporate structures and armatures, along with fresh flowers and other plant materials. Check back in a couple of weeks, and I'll post the results.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R9bCbqzIrMI/AAAAAAAAAEY/ANRDCHvE99U/s1600-h/pitcher.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R9bCbqzIrMI/AAAAAAAAAEY/ANRDCHvE99U/s320/pitcher.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176538602309987522" border="0" /></a><br />Hillary and Angela: pitcher and bottles<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R9bCH6zIrLI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/9EW3mnV-fCY/s1600-h/squash.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R9bCH6zIrLI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/9EW3mnV-fCY/s320/squash.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176538263007571122" border="0" /></a><br />Emily and Audrey: Cucurbits (Squash)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R9bB4qzIrKI/AAAAAAAAAEI/hiq7C67IVsQ/s1600-h/pepper.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R9bB4qzIrKI/AAAAAAAAAEI/hiq7C67IVsQ/s320/pepper.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176538001014566050" border="0" /></a><br />Crystal, Tyanna, Sabrina: the Pepper<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R9bAfazIrII/AAAAAAAAAD8/v4_zFFSiW40/s1600-h/mailbox.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R9bAfazIrII/AAAAAAAAAD8/v4_zFFSiW40/s320/mailbox.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176536467711241346" border="0" /></a><br />Brianna, Brittany, Melinda: the Mailbox<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R9a-9azIrHI/AAAAAAAAAD0/_P8Tv6PE9EE/s1600-h/girlshorthair.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R9a-9azIrHI/AAAAAAAAAD0/_P8Tv6PE9EE/s320/girlshorthair.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176534784084061298" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R9a-y6zIrGI/AAAAAAAAADs/CabMJebe0Tw/s1600-h/girllonghair.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R9a-y6zIrGI/AAAAAAAAADs/CabMJebe0Tw/s320/girllonghair.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176534603695434850" border="0" /></a><br />Michelle, Kerry, Tashina: the girlsBen Romneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04111514143077656116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747715523364690196.post-19936417204209883772008-03-04T19:07:00.000-08:002008-11-13T21:57:30.630-08:00Branae's wedding<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R84O8GpKlGI/AAAAAAAAACs/fEoHoRdF9Zg/s1600-h/branaebouquet.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R84O8GpKlGI/AAAAAAAAACs/fEoHoRdF9Zg/s320/branaebouquet.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174089447633491042" border="0" /></a><br />Here are a few fotos of Branae Shaum and Danny Porter's wedding reception flowers I put together--Tuesday 4 march 2008 APX Building, Rexburg, ID<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R84RzGpKlMI/AAAAAAAAADc/JlrPYLYlNo4/s1600-h/branaebouqetc.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R84RzGpKlMI/AAAAAAAAADc/JlrPYLYlNo4/s320/branaebouqetc.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174092591549551810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R84Pg2pKlJI/AAAAAAAAADE/_X6bLJbtcfs/s1600-h/branaeprep.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R84Pg2pKlJI/AAAAAAAAADE/_X6bLJbtcfs/s320/branaeprep.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174090078993683602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R84SF2pKlNI/AAAAAAAAADk/s3PUZc2r9i8/s1600-h/branaefam.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R84SF2pKlNI/AAAAAAAAADk/s3PUZc2r9i8/s320/branaefam.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174092913672099026" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R84P2GpKlLI/AAAAAAAAADU/FqxHmCd5ofg/s1600-h/branaecake2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R84P2GpKlLI/AAAAAAAAADU/FqxHmCd5ofg/s320/branaecake2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174090444065903794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R84PsGpKlKI/AAAAAAAAADM/99rbmyam7Ek/s1600-h/branaecake1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R84PsGpKlKI/AAAAAAAAADM/99rbmyam7Ek/s320/branaecake1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174090272267211938" border="0" /></a>Ben Romneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04111514143077656116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747715523364690196.post-41690362234086399492008-02-19T15:33:00.000-08:002008-02-25T14:11:42.260-08:00Ruins<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R7t6Tu9ATEI/AAAAAAAAABs/74hwv5_IloE/s1600-h/brtulum.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R7t6Tu9ATEI/AAAAAAAAABs/74hwv5_IloE/s320/brtulum.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168859476777782338" border="0" /></a><br />Ben, standing in front of main temple in Tulum, Quintana Roo, México<br />Travel is so exciting. I love to see ruins. I observe so many plants and flowers around them too. Once I was strolling through Tikal, in Guatemala, the morning after a violent thunder storm. Bromeliads littered the path, having been blown or washed out of the estuaries above. Tillandsia, Bilbergia, countless others, bright as birds, were scattered as if faeries had sprinkled them in anticipation of our arrival. Now, when I place an exotic bloom in a floral design, I think of where that bloom grows in the wild, or where it is being cultivated for harvest.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R7t8Ie9ATHI/AAAAAAAAACE/Uva9Q4ilLZ4/s1600-h/DFcamedor.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 233px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R7t8Ie9ATHI/AAAAAAAAACE/Uva9Q4ilLZ4/s320/DFcamedor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168861482527509618" border="0" /></a><br /><br />These two fotos are taken in the Jamaica flower market in México City. The palms above are Chamaedorea, referred to as "Camedor" by the growers in Veracrus, México.<br />The foto below shows how this palm is used by florists in México for sympathy and special occasion, often very large designs. Note the intricate structure of one of these displays on the backside to the left.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R7t9Ce9ATII/AAAAAAAAACM/ZUovxAinQyQ/s1600-h/DFflorist.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 227px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R7t9Ce9ATII/AAAAAAAAACM/ZUovxAinQyQ/s320/DFflorist.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168862478959922306" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In the foto below, note the bunches of roses crammed into the back of a pickup truck. The care and handling of plant materials in the market is not state of the art, but the volume, variety, and price were delightful.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R7t9x-9ATJI/AAAAAAAAACU/el_R2P0JCAg/s1600-h/DFrosevendor.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 229px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R7t9x-9ATJI/AAAAAAAAACU/el_R2P0JCAg/s320/DFrosevendor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168863295003708562" border="0" /></a><br />I notice a trend toward more unusual greens and flowers during the past few years, and have since traveled through the jungles to see where these things originate. There is a concern in some parts of the world that plants over-harvested will disappear. There is evidence of that in parts of Guatemala. The Mayan word for the highly desired chamaedorea species is "xáte." There are "xatéros," people who harvest, gather, and export the precious palms to the floral wholesalers. In México it is referred to as "Camedor." On the dutch flower market in Aalsmeer it shows up as "pico leaves," or "Cocus nucifera," In the US, many florists have referred to it as "emerald" for years. It also shows up with other names, like "jade." <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R7t7ku9ATGI/AAAAAAAAAB8/Y5ORCH9ZtBo/s1600-h/brjamaicamkt2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R7t7ku9ATGI/AAAAAAAAAB8/Y5ORCH9ZtBo/s320/brjamaicamkt2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168860868347186274" border="0" /></a>Rare tropical blooms like the Bromeliads I just mentioned above can be found in some of the local markets throughout Latin America. I saw bundles of them in the Jamaica market in México City--for pennies. I wondered just how many of those would be harder to find after such a thorough harvest. I spoke with people as I traveled there in 2006 about controlling that harvest. If people could come to understand that there is plenty out there, especially when they learn to cultivate these plants, and harvest them with the idea of leaving some for future growth, many more generations will be able to enjoy such things.<br /><br />Developing countries are aptly named, as much is happening to improve the lives of the citizens and more commodities are made available by international mass-marketers. Yet the rapid nature of this change demands products. Our floral tastes are equally insatiable, and world demand for the unusual is pushing some areas into the limits of product availability. The industries seeking plant materials in these regions, well, in any regions of the world, should be very responsible, avoiding over-harvest, and promoting long-term development of these lovely things. It is the responsibility of the consumer to find out where they come from too. We might think more carefully about purchases if we were more conscious of origin.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R7t6je9ATFI/AAAAAAAAAB0/O6_aLLOfGXU/s1600-h/brlaventa.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 177px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R7t6je9ATFI/AAAAAAAAAB0/O6_aLLOfGXU/s320/brlaventa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168859747360722002" border="0" /></a><br />above, Ben in La Venta, near Villahermosa, México<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R8Mxb-9ATKI/AAAAAAAAACc/mXxSMguIFJQ/s1600-h/brteotehuacan.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R8Mxb-9ATKI/AAAAAAAAACc/mXxSMguIFJQ/s320/brteotehuacan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171031153976560802" border="0" /></a><br />Ben atop the pyramid of the Moon, looking over the shoulder to the pyramid of the Sun, Teotihuácan, México<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R7t3_u9ATDI/AAAAAAAAABk/N6VaR1nnkc0/s1600-h/branthxunantunich.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 193px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R7t3_u9ATDI/AAAAAAAAABk/N6VaR1nnkc0/s320/branthxunantunich.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168856934157143090" border="0" /></a>Ben, with son Anthony in front of Xunántunich, Belize<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R8M0zu9ATLI/AAAAAAAAACk/Hc8TZq0xQls/s1600-h/tsaravets.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6UZmwDdqucA/R8M0zu9ATLI/AAAAAAAAACk/Hc8TZq0xQls/s320/tsaravets.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171034860533337266" border="0" /></a><br />in front of the castle Tsaravetz, near Veliko Turnovo, Bulgaria, Eastern Europe<br /><img src="file:///Users/lusunben/Desktop/Tula.jpg" alt="" />Ben Romneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04111514143077656116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4747715523364690196.post-30847974993826298392008-02-14T14:21:00.001-08:002008-02-14T14:37:43.263-08:00What a day to begin!It seems fitting to begin posting on this blog on Valentine's Day. My helpers are busy filling orders. I have seen the smiles of the receiver as I delivered a couple of special bouquets for friends. I saw my sweetheart's smile last night as I gave her some beautiful tropical flowers my friends in Costa Rica grew for us. I actually had a minute to sit down and eat a sandwich. Life for a florist is good.<div><br /></div><div>I have the privilege of working with some of the finest young people in the world. I have been teaching college and university students for 21 years in the southeastern portion of Idaho. I started the Floral Design Management Program in 1987, 2nd of February actually, and have been here participating as Ricks College evolved into Brigham Young University Idaho. I used to help the students sell a few flowers at the bookstore, then eventually in our own facility, and now it has become the "BYU Idaho Flower Center." We have around 50 to 75 students in the floral programs, either working toward an Associate in Arts and Sciences degree in Floral Design Management, or a BS degree in Horticulture, with an emphasis in Floral Design. There are also students from many other campus disciplines who are taking floral classes to complete their customized minor area of study (or a cluster, as it is called here). This is a great place, with students who are morally strong, spiritually driven, and about as pleasant as one can imagine.</div><div><br /></div><div>My hope for anyone who finds my ideas of interest, is to provide a connection to many places and people with whom I have had contact throughout the world, a floral connection. I have written a column in the "Florist and Grower" magazine off and on for several years entitled "Floral Connections," and as that has been a main theme of my efforts in the Horticulture industries, I see it as a clear path to continue through this technology. Please feel free to contact me with your comments. I answer to either romneyb@byui.edu or romneyb@gmail.com </div>Ben Romneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04111514143077656116noreply@blogger.com2