ONE DISH AT A TIME: flowers

This arrangement took my breath away and I had to share it with you and some great tips described for it!!

Spiral-Stemmed Posy

A posy is a classic English hand-tied bouquet. Use long-stemmed flowers such as snapdragons, roses, tulips, and lisianthus and then add eucalyptus and viburnum for various shades of green.

Combining fresh roses, peonies, and hyacinths in exciting new ways allows us to enjoy their beauty each day. Fashion this delightful bouquet as a centerpiece whenever company's coming or any time you're ready for a wonderful treat.

Tips for Arrangements

Use a plentiful amount of blossoms and greenery, and combine plant materials with different colors, textures, and shapes. Use fern fronds, ivy, moss, and eucalyptus to frame the flowers and to fill out arrangements.

Look for blooms with unbruised leaves and buds that are just starting to open. Re-cut all stems, and stand them in a mixture of cool water and flower preservative until it’s time to arrange them.

Balance the lushness of your arrangements with simple containers such as baskets, clay pots, glass vases, and iron urns.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FARMERS AND YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

There is nothing better than having the advantage of the farm coming to you, its a fooddie's dream come true. Being able to create from the season's best not only keeps it fresh, but it also keeps it interesting. You never know what your going to be enticed with, whats going to grab your culinary attention, whats going to complete or revolutionize Wednesday night's dinner!!! In this economy it doesn't hurt to get a great bargain on fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, flowers, herbs, spices, arts, crafts, jewelery, I mean the locals come out with the best they have to offer at an unbeatable price and you also get the privilege of the first and at times the exclusive pick. You can even make it a family event and sample some of the great food that is offered either by local artisans or vendors that typically follow the markets, lets face it every night doesn't have to be a cooking night, right! For example, around the corner in my neck of the woods is the Ocean Beach (OB, San Diego) Market I absolutely love it, you can find all types of international food from East African to Greek to Mexican to Raw/Vegan, I mean those are just a few that come to mind....anyhow, I just go around grab whatever tickles my fancy and nibble from the great international banquet before me.

Here is a peak at what I look forward to weekly....

FRESH VEGETABLES

PLANTS & FLOWERS

HONEY, CURED MEATS, JAMS, OILS, NUTS, BAKED GOODS...

LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEAS, HOME DECORATIONS,

ONE OF A KING ART PIECES & JEWELERY

YUMMY YUMMY INTERNATIONAL FOOD

I saved the best for last, the amazing llamas that make it all so so happy for both young and old....I know I'm just as excited around them as all the children standing next to me...whatever, I'm the first to admit I'm still a kid at heart!!

OB Market http://www.oceanbeachsandiego.com/OceanBeachFarmersMarket.shtml

Whether you're from New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Denver, Houston, New Orleans, Kansas City, Boise, Madison, Chicago, Boston, anywhere at all; there is a farmer's market right around the corner providing you with fresh products to make your culinary curiosities and aspirations a reality.....

Just follow the links below to find a market near you; chose your sate, find your city and go explore the possibilities and taste the flavors of your local community!

Alabama

http://www.fma.alabama.gov/FMCounty.aspx

Alaska

http://farmersmarketonline.com/fm/Alaska.htm

Arizona

http://www.arizonafarmersmarkets.com/azfmmarkets.htm

Arkansas

http://www.arkansasgrown.org/Pages/browse.aspx?&FF1=Points_x0020_of_x0020_Sale&FV1=Farmers%20Market

California

http://www.cafarmersmarkets.com/index.cfm

Colorado

http://www.coloradofarmers.org/find_a_market.htm