Dragonfly Floral, our bbrooks member in Healdsburg, CA  shares images from their farm.  They grow flowers, fruits and vegetables to be used  in their floral arrangements and to sell at their seasonal farm stand and flower shop. They also grow and raise chickens and ducks to help around the farm.  Everything is grown organically and fairly sustainably!

John and Ann Betar of Fairfield, Conn., said “I do” on Nov. 25, 1932, and have been happily married for 80 years. Together they have five children, 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

The couple was selected for the 2013 award by Worldwide Marriage Encounter, based in San Bernardino, CA.  An award ceremony will take place this month at the Fairfield, Conn., home of one of the Betars’ granddaughters, Heather Mitchell.

Though the couple is hesitant to give out marriage advice, their secret to so many happy years together is simple: compromise and don’t hold a grudge.

John, 101, met Ann, now 97, while growing up in the same Syrian community in Bridgeport, Conn. Breaking with tradition, Ann defied her parents when they set up an arranged marriage for her. She ran off to Harrison, N.Y. to elope with John. Now, she says she knows she made the right choice.

The Betars were chosen out of hundreds of couples nominated during the project’s submission period, which ran from October of last year to January. There may be other couples who have been married longer in the U.S., but none was formally nominated, according to the group.

As seen in Yahoo! News.

Valentine’s Day is this Thursday, February 14th!!!!

Our bbrooks member in Berlin, Blumen-Koch, took a few moments during Valentine’s preparation to share their thoughts on how this holiday effects flower prices.  Vielen Dank!

“Did you notice that some of our colleagues  in London do not sell any red flowers?  We started to limit the choice of red flowers too.  Quality Red Roses are 9,00€ ($12US) - it’s a twofold increase since last week!  Increasing demands on the Dutch nurseries and Flower Auction at Aalsmeer make the price situation shake.”

“We (at Blumen-Koch) recommend our clients to select from the beautiful choice of blooming twigs such as red plums, Japanese cherries and Chaenomaelis… instead of letting them run into the Red-Flower-Price-Trap.”

“Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!  Sending you warm greetings from Berlin!”

bbrooks member Third Bloom in Rancho Santa Fe, CA showcases a display of Top Ten Weddings of 2012 on their blog.

Included in the collection is this lush and gorgeous bouquet of Roses, Ranunculus, Cymbidium blossoms and lily grass.

 Fit for a  bride….. and a Valentine!!