Welcome to Whistlestop Florist

Swords and Sabers

2010-01-30T10:31:00.002-05:00

After their beautiful wedding Ashley was deployed to Iraq. The Whistlestop Gang wishes her a safe tour of duty.

And thanks to Bill Herloski for the images.

P.S.

If anyone noticed the absence of posts in January, my husband and I were visiting family in Florida. We had lots of fun but it was rather cold. Day after day of freezing nights was very hard on the butterflies, anoles and tree frogs. But that's a story for another day.

The Arch of Swords

2010-01-29T17:01:00.002-05:00

*From the Ceremony Program of Ashley and David

Military weddings are one of the best examples of how traditions and rituals can be the foundation for creating a truly memorable event.

What most guests at a military wedding are most likely to remember is the "crossed sabers," or the arch of steel. The word steel is synonymous for and used to represent either sabers for the Navy or swords for Army, Air Force and Marines. Traditionally the bride and groom walk through the arch of swords. That passage is meant to ensure the couple's safe transition into their new life together.

The arch of swords procedure is a simple and elegant one. The honor guard form two lines opposite each other. On the command of "draw sword "or "draw saber," the steel is raised with the right hand, with the cutting edges facing up. The couple enters the arch, kiss, and then pass through. The newly married couple then salute the honor guard. Members of the honor guard then sheath the swords and return them to a carry position.

Yet another tradition is the gentle "swat to the backside" that the bride receives from the last swordsman. In addition, it is also traditional for the wedding cake to be cut with a saber or sword.

Special Christmas Wreaths

2009-12-14T17:36:00.007-05:00

Rest easy, sleep well my Brother.

Know the line was held, your job is done.

Rest easy, sleep well.

Others have taken up where you fell,

the line was held.

Peace, peace and farewell.

***

Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths - some 5000 - are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths but covers the trucking expense as well. He has done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, for most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to D.C. with this event to help out. Making this more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is one of the poorest areas in the state.

Wellington House Wedding

2009-12-03T17:23:00.002-05:00

We loved this Bridal bouquet! The color combination was dramatic...note the interesting texture from the sunflower in the center. What sunflower you ask? Look closer and you will see that the outer petals were removed to reveal the unique center core.

The handsome couple were beautifully captured by Genevieve Fridley. www.genphotos.com.

Genevieve did a extra nice job of capturing an image of a wrist corsage. Not an easy thing to do. We love it when the photographers catch the details!

Congratulations to Justine and Almin.

Halloween Sale

2009-10-29T17:17:00.003-04:00

All Halloween Giftware is at 50% off. Sale ends Tuesday, November 3rd

Fall in Central New York

2009-10-12T13:53:00.002-04:00

We haven't had much sunshine this fall but Emmanuel Vaucher captured a moment of golden warmth. www.emanphoto.com

Thanks Eman

Thorden Park Wedding

2009-10-08T15:42:00.004-04:00

A September 7th wedding in Thorden Park.

The roses were in their second flush of bloom

Irresistible

Fall Wedding

2009-10-01T14:27:00.004-04:00

It has been a pink and green summer. But the Fall shades are now taking the spotlight. Rick Mossoti stopped by today to drop off some images from a recent wedding. Thanks Rick!

http://www.photographybymoss.com/

Love the smile Maria!

White Wedding

2009-09-17T17:46:00.006-04:00

Ivory and white have been exceptionally popular this summer. www.emanphoto has shared some lovely moments from earlier this summer.

I love the simplicity of this centerpiece.

More Pink at The Bellevue

2009-09-03T14:15:00.004-04:00

A recipe for success.
Perfectly pretty pink roses. Attractive Bride and Groom. A great location on a sunny day.

Kudos to Emmanuel for his ability to tell a story with images.
http://www.emanphoto.com/

Three Brides - Three Looks

2009-08-01T11:15:00.008-04:00

Kim is a good listener. She hears and processes every little thing a Bride says. Her goal is to help the Bride make choices that will coordinate with the invitations, favors, dresses etc and create a sense of continuity with the flowers. (And all within a budget)

That is what a florist should do...it's part of our job. I happen to think Kim is especially good at it.

The new issue of Wellwed in New York is on magazine racks. It is jam packed with lots of great ideas and lots of our floral desgns. If you are booking a wedding with us we have a free copy for you.

At the Greystone Castle, this dramatic centerpiece of hydrangea and roses was simple yet showy. The remodeled church retained it's soaring ceilings so a tall table decoration is ideal.
Image by Ed Guarante

This church arrangement represents a popular silhouette. The design is low, mounded and densely packed with flowers but softened with a sweeping fall of lily grass and calla lilies.

The sun was shining for this outdoor ceremony and reception which is something Central New York residents really cherish!

The Bride prefered a traditional color but updated it with tropical flowers. Curly willow, coonte palm and variegated flax provide structure for the arch which is accented with all white dendrobiun orchids, anthirium and Casa Blanca lilies.
Images by Picture Infinity

Hot pink and green for July Bride

2009-07-11T13:28:00.005-04:00

This Bride chose very traditional design styles using hot pink and lime green flowers. The bouquets were full 3/4 nosegays (as opposed to hand tied) which look lavish and opulent from every angle.

The flower list included green cymbidiums and dendrobium orchids, hot pink Attache roses, pale pink spray roses, kermit pompons, lily grass, italian ruscus and curly willow.

I wish Syracuse could have provided a sunnier day. It has been a difficult year for outside photos.

Freedom isn't free

2009-07-04T16:09:00.002-04:00

July 4th holds special memories for me. Friends, sunny skies, picnics, parades and so much more. My Country, my Town celebrating it's freedom. Bought by sacrifices I've never experienced. However, I am extremely grateful.

"You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man's freedom. You can only be free if I am free." Clarence Darrow

More Bellevue

2009-06-29T11:19:00.004-04:00

As promised, here are some reception displays. Green and pink have been strong color pairings for several years. Encouraged by the recent abundance of new varieties in lime green, Brides really have some exciting choices. Personally, I never get tired of pink and green flowers.

Photos are from Jeff at http://www.visionsstudio.net/.

June Bride at The Bellevue

2009-06-24T14:39:00.004-04:00

The Bride's bouquet is so exquisite...perfection beatifully captured by Jeff at Visions Studio. http://www.visionsstudio.net/ White peonies, tulips, sweet peas and Eskimo roses with a touch of sword fern. And the Maids are carrying the same flowers only in shades of pink.

The Flower Girl reminds me of Shirley Temple with that smile and curly locks.

I'll post the reception arrangements a bit later.

Cymbidium Orchid Bouquets

2009-06-18T17:20:00.003-04:00

In a season awash with peonies and roses, this Bride made an unusual choice of cymbidium orchids. Here are a few candid shots.

Let's hope the rain stops for all the graduation and wedding celebrations this weekend.

A Little Angel

2009-06-13T17:41:00.004-04:00

My advise to Brides - If you don't want to be the center of attention, have a Flower Girl in your ceremony! What a beatuiful child...a bit shy but so sweet. The shades of pink match her cheeks and are quite appropriate for a June wedding.

The wonderful images are from Ultimate Images by Crystal.

http://www.crystalherryphotography.com/

Chocolate Garden

2009-06-03T16:35:00.002-04:00

Hungry for a different gift idea?

Rich in texture and variety. Highly appealing as an interesting centerpiece or on a coffee table. Our "Chocolate Dish Gardens" are living foliage plants in shades of deep chocolate green, reddish brown and silver brown potted in a brown ceramic bowl.

Starting at $24.95. As shown $54.95.

Triumphant at Last

2009-05-27T11:03:00.006-04:00

Bugs on Blogger.com Overcome

It has been frustrating but, at long last, we can we can publish again. Andrew, Thanks for the help!

We have been designing lots of beautiful Weddings this spring. The Bride wanted a simple and understated bouquet using white hydrangea and freesia. The touch of color is from Sahara roses which are an unusual (and getting hard to find) shade of antique peach.
The photographer is http://www.kellystremmel.com/ who always finds a way to capture the beauty in simple items.

Problems with Blogger.com

2009-05-20T17:28:00.002-04:00

Dear Readers,
You may be wondering why the blog hasn't been updated in a while. Try as I might, I can't seem to upload any images. I hope to have this resolved soon as there are some wonderful photos I want to share with you.

Froggy in the Flowers

2009-03-13T16:17:00.002-04:00

Well, this is a bit different.

This little guy arrived in with a shipment of foliage plants from Florida. Pat from Ponto's Greenhouses thought he would surprise me with it. Perhaps he imagined I would scream like a girl and run. However, I did neither. Even though I am a girl, I happen to be fond of small creatures.

I've named him Ponto. (Pat seemed to be a dumb name for a tree frog) Ponto the Frog has a new home at The Whistlestop. And if looks to be a bit sleepy that is because he has just gulped down two tiny crickets and now it is nap time.

Ponto is quick to change color to his surroundings and it is quite charming to watch. I was thinking of putting a St Patrick's Day green carnation in his terrarium to see if he was up to the challenge. But he is just a baby... only the size of a kidney bean. Maybe next year.

No two days are ever alike at the shop. But stop in to see Ponto and pick up some springy flowering plants. We have St Patricks Day bouquets as well.

First Sign of Spring

2009-02-18T16:26:00.003-05:00

Okay, so it's snowing again and the cold is starting to get depressing. But in the morning, if you listen closely, you will hear the male cardinal singing from a tree top. Or, in my case, from the peak of my roof.

And the days are getting longer. It's great to have daylight at 5:30 when leaving work! Pretty soon the crocus will be popping up through the snow and the Robins will be back.

Springs Brides are popping up as well. We participated in "An Affair to Remember " Bridal Show at the Lodge in Skaneateles. And we met some new vendors that we wanted to share with you.

The Village Candy Shoppe in Manlius (www.VillageCandyShoppe.com) and Woodmark Chocolate of Liverpool. (www.woodmarkchocolate.com) My husband and I had a great time meeting Kathy Chappini at her yummy store that is just brimming with unusual and hard to find chocolate and candy. After tasting Woodmark truffles, I had to call Paul Dederich and compliment him on the taste and quality of his candy. Next time I'm in Liverpool I will be sure to look for his store.

I would urge Brides and chocoholics to give them both a try.

Win Tickets to the Syracuse Symphony

2009-02-02T18:04:00.002-05:00

This is a super opportunity!

When you call or stop in for flowers your name will be placed in a drawing for two tickets to The Syracuse Symphony on February 14th. The program will feature all the great romantic classics including Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, Ravel's Piano Concerto, Diamond's Music for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and Ravel's Bolero.

We will pick a winner at the end of the day on Wednesday February 11.

The perfect Night Out awaits you.

More Beyond The Door

2008-11-26T16:44:00.002-05:00

This weekend we will say good bye to Thanksgiving and officially begin the Glitter Season! Kim and Colleen have been busy creating fabulous Gourmet Baskets for delivery this upcoming week.

If you are a fan of our Boxwood Trees, stop in soon for the best selection. Opps, I've got to go and unwrap the first load of poinsettias.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Take me home with you!

2008-11-20T15:49:00.002-05:00

The roly poly Santa says "Take me home with you". And there are more Elves and Angels waiting for a visit from you.

The Shop is decorated and looks particularly festive. As we were unpacking boxes and filling shelves, snowflakes started falling. The first stirring of Christmas spirit bubbled forth and before I could stop myself I shouted "Lets listen to Chrismas music!"

Well, that didn't go over as well as I expected with my co-workers. After much rolling of the eyes everyone agreed that it was too early. However, I have the remote....yes, sometimes it is good to be the Boss.