Flowers On Da Pernt
A newsletter by harkins, the florist
An Amusing Christmas Tale…
Around a flower shop one never knows what strange or funny thing may happen next. Jawn’s favorite Christmas story actually did not occur around the business, but concerns a non-vanilla couple intimately involved in his landing at 1359 Magazine in 1979.
In what would today be described today as a cougar relationship, there was one bond shared by husband and wife. They were hardcore when it came to drinking alcohol. He was better than she at presenting a sober façade, though they both consumed copious amounts.
An annual event around their truly pseudo mansion on one of the grand avenues of the city, was selection of a Christmas tree.
Back in those days there was a truly wonderful Creole gentleman, August Weber, who ran a garden center on Freret Street around a converted root beer emporium. He had been one of the old-time railroad porters who saved his money, created a very successful business, both retailing garden items, tending lawns, and, in December, offering Christmas trees.
No doubt he would cringe each year when the couple appeared to buy their tree. It was always a half-day undertaking. To handle their “refreshment” needs, they would appear with a well-stocked ice chest. Hours would be spent drinking and analyzing which would be the perfect tree.
The most memorable visit ended one year as darkness approached. Well inebriated at that point, they pointed to a certain tree, and murmured with thick tongues, “we’ll take that one. But you know our ceilings aren’t too high [like maybe 8 feet?], so you’ll need to cut off four feet before you deliver it.”
Well, someone had had their fill of this couple and insured that they would find a new source in the future. Not having been told which end of the tree would lose four feet, the man with the saw sent a surprise over to the pseudo mansion. You guessed it—the four feet came off the top of the tree in the mode of boys’ haircuts way back when ---a flattop!
Vic 'n Nat'ly are at it again!....
Once again we're happy to announce that we have a new Vic 'n Nat'ly mug this season!. We chose a single mug this year, with a couple of typical Vic 'n Nat'ly saying on them. This time around we decided on a color cartoon for the mug, rather than the traditional black and white. Here is the artwork:
These will be $12.00 each, and will come boxed, and ready to wrap! Ask one of our designers about shipping these!
Care and Handling of......
Fresh Cut Arrangements
Proper care of your new cut flower arrangement can dramatically increase it's life, and since it's special to receive an arrangement, we would like you to enjoy your flowers for as long as possible.
First of all, upon arrival, check the water level in the vase. We send them out filled to the brim, but during the course of their ride to your house, they may loose some water. During your arrangement's life, continue to check the water, and fill as needed. Flowers, especially fully opened blooms use a surprising amount of water each day.
Most of our arrangements are designed in deep water, in a glass vase, but occasionally, they will be made in florist foam. Long, low centerpieces are a good example of this method. The foam needs to be keep continually wet, there should be room in the container for a reservoir of water along with the foam.
For arrangements in deep water, it benefits the flowers greatly to have a fresh cut on their stems every couple of days, this ensures proper uptake of water through the stems.
We send preservative packages along with the arrangements. If you run out, a good alternative is to add a teaspoon of sugar, and a teaspoon of lemon juice to the fresh water. Sprite or 7Up are good in a pinch also.
e sure to place your flowers in an area away from direct sunlight, and heating and cooling vents.
Thanks so much for reading through our little newsletter. When you're out in the hustle and bustle of the season, stop by, we'd love to see you.
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