This year, Passover begins April 14th and ends April 22nd.  The beginning of the holiday is marked by The Seder, a ritual  feast performed by a community or by multiple generations of a family, involving a retelling of the story of the Exodus as described in the Hebrew Bible especially in the Book of Exodus.

Traditionally, families and friends gather in the evening to read the text of the Haggadah, an ancient work derived from the Mishnah.  The Haggadah contains the narrative of the Israelite exodus from Egypt, special blessings and rituals, commentaries from the Talmud and special Passover songs.

Florals by bbrooks member Floral Art in Venice, CA.

Easter is Sunday, April 20, this year.

Easter, the greatest feast day in the Christian calendar, celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Easter is a moveable feast, which means that it does not occur on the same date every year.   The Easter Bunny tradition originates  from German Lutherans.  Bunnies also just happen to be very cute!

Ink & watercolor drawing “Through the Backyards”, at left, by Catherine Campbell.

A stunning floral motif is the focus of this Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda layout found in Vogue Germany April 2104.

Floral and Fine Jewelry headpieces are featured in this dreamy fashion layout, which was photographed at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, outside London.

Styled by Amanda Ross. Photographed by Sarah Maingot. As seen in March/April 2014 issue of Departures magazine.

Cesar Chavez was born Monday, March 31st in Yuma, Arizona.

Chavez became the best known Latino American civil rights activist.  In the 1970s, His public-relations approach to unionism and aggressive but nonviolent tactics made the farm workers’ struggle a moral cause with nationwide support.

Although it is not a federal holiday, President Barack Obama proclaims March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day in the United States, with Americans being urged to observe this day with appropriate service, community, and educational programs to honor Cesar Chavez’s enduring legacy.

Cesar Chavez Day is a state holiday in California, Colorado and Texas.

The recent state dinner with French President Francois Hollande was full of the standard White House traditions that serve to highlight the very best of our country’s culture and culinary.

However, this state dinner was notably different.  Something special, subtle and important happened.

The Obama White House decided to ensure that the flowers presented at the center of the table would be as fresh, sustainable and as American as the food that would be served to their special guests.

The floral arrangements displayed at the dinner included:

Flowering quince branch – Mississippi; Weeping Willow – South New Jersey; Scotch Broom -Virginia; Iris (blue and purple) – California; Alocasia – Apopka, FL and Zellwood, FL; Equisetum, Nandina and Green Liriope – East coast FL, De Leon Springs.

As seen at americasflowers.org.

First Day of Spring is March 20, 2014.

Peony season is just around the corner!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day !

Design at left by Eddie Zaratsian.

Sylvia Weinstock is known for her wildly elaborate cakes.   She has also become an expert at transporting the multi-tiered masterpieces across oceans.

Once you’re engaged, call Weinstock.  Your cake can be sent almost anywhere, from Ireland to Abu Dhabi.  But, it may need to travel with Weinstock or a “cake artist”.  So, you’ll have to consider the cost of travel and lodging for the artist.

The cake and its handler(s) will board a flight to the wedding destination.  For complicated travel arrangement, Weinstock turns to a trusted shipper.  For a wedding in Sardinia, the cake took a direct flight from New York to Rome, and then a truck to Naples, a boat to Sardinia, and a car to the wedding venue.  When it arrived, Weinstock was there to put it all together!

Sylvia Weinstock is opening her first retail location this spring, in Kuwait, and is working on a line of dishware.  You can’t have that cake on an unattractive plate!

As featured by Micaela English in Spring/Summer issue of Town and Country magazine.

Bouquets to Art 2014 at the de Young to Showcase Bay Area’s Designers Work, 3/17-23

The annual Bouquets to Art show will return to the de Young museum March 18-23.  Many B|Brooks member florists will be exhibitors.  Floral design above by Friends of Filoli.