STRETCHING FLOWERS
We didn’t have abundant flowers but we sure knew how to stretch them out and make enough for everyone at Courtyard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center (formerly Magnolia). Magnolia got a new name this week and it’s coming with a lot of renovation. The front entryway is now bright with light from the outdoors coming in. And the activity room, which had a new kitchen installed l
ast month, is due for more shelving in the next few weeks. It’s definitely looking very spiffy.
Today our resident ‘Bloomers’ were Marie and Nanette. Teri, their activity director, also chipped in. Above is a photo of Marie, a first time Bloomer. We picked up flowers from Fresh Market and we were also given a truckload of vases from Blossoms at Biltmore Park. Among them were some very small bud cups, votive candle size. Perfect for one rose and a little greenery. Very sweet and it made the flowers go all the way around the courtyard. The residents love the simplicity of a single rose as much as they love a cup stuffed full of flowers.
SWEET ROSES FOR HOSPICE
It was an interesting day for us Bloomers, driving all over in search of flowers. We were in both Fresh Markets, thankfully, so we had a few buckets full. And we had a couple dozen roses that were stunning. So we went to Hospice and made the sweetest cupfuls of flowers. Actually, it was ‘cupfuls of flower’ - one large yellow or red rose with baby’s breath and other greens. They were definitely photo worthy but I forgot about taking pictures until right after we’d handed out all the bouquets. So you won’t be able to see our delicate handiwork, but the photo on the left shows you the beauty we had to work with.
DEERFIELD’S BLT GIRLS
Months ago we contacted Deerfield Retirement Community, expecting to bring them flowers within a month or so. But then wedding season was over and we began scrambling for flowers. So here it is several months later and I get an email from Loretta, ring leader of the BLT girls, (which I know does not
stand for Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato). Loretta was looking at our website, having seen us on TV and she wanted to know how Deerfield could be included. They wanted flowers for their dining room tables. Well, just so happens (no real surprise here) but we have an extra load
of flowers this week. First time in quite a while. So we agree to meet them. And what a treat that was! We simply got swept up into their activity, laughing and joking while making small arrangements for their tables. Mostly we watched, feeling no need to make any more bouquets than we’d already made today. It was a great connection, very open hearted and appreciated all around. To the right is a photo of Nancy making one of the extravagant centerpieces for one of the tables. And above is Second Bloom with the gang: Nancy, Loretta, Jeanie, Renee, Linda, Marian, Jane and Norma.
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
We weren’t expecting icy road conditions. But we got it. So we canceled our 11 o’clock start time. Changed it to 12:30, losing 3 volunteers in the process. Again, unexpected. But hey, no problem because we were at the Laurels and we had Margie. We used flowers donated from the Terpsicorps Fundraiser on New Year’s Eve and also from Fresh Market in Hendersonville. We stretched
the flowers out and made 88 small bouquets, enough for every resident to have in their room. That was especially unexpected because we only had 4 buckets of flowers. But there you go….Here’s a photo of Margie with Nancy and one of Frank with Lisa. We spent quite a bit of time talking to Frank about Black Mountain, hearing stories. His wife and two daughters visit him a lot - which is a wonderful blessing for him.
TERPSICORPS
It was a wonderful gala, fundraising event that Terpsicorps, Theatre of Dance, held New Year’s Eve at Shay Brown Events on Wall Street in Asheville. 
They donated the flowers from their event and we took them to the Laurels of Green Tree Ridge, where they were greatly appreciated. Terpsicorps is a fabulous dance troupe that we are incredibly fortunate to have here in Asheville. We book our tickets early for their performances. If you have yet to see them, they are well worth it. Their performances are creative, innovative and inspiring. Great talent and we’re glad they are here. If you like dance, this is a company that you will want to support.