New “Old Friends” at The Payne Mansion, San Francisco, California

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Kathleen

I am truly delighted to share today’s posting on The Bloomisphere.  A post where “New, Old Friends” worked together to create a magical wedding day with the bride and groom, for the bride and groom, Rhonda and John.  “New, Old Friends,” what does this mean? It is a term borrowed from Irv Spivak, one of the greatest friends a girl could have, who teaches us all that friendship is a journey.

The day’s wedding festivities began with the bridal parties readying their hair, makeup and beautiful clothing at The Hotel Majestic in Pacific Heights. Built in 1902, it is the oldest, continually operating hotel in San Francisco, and is the only hotel to survive the 1906 San Francisco Great Earthquake and subsequent fires. Cozy, timeless, romantic, great food and drink in the restaurant, and my favorite personal part: the walls of the elevator are painted with scenes of violin playing medieval cats dressed up in velvet suits and pointed hats. Whoa. I had to blink my eyes three or four times after delivery of the personal flowers.

The Payne Mansion, located one block from The Hotel Majestic, hosted both the wedding and reception, and provided continued San Francisco urban elegance.  Besides the fact that the mansion was fully renovated in the past decade, each wooden wall, banister, cove, fully refinished, every single light is on a dimmer. As the evening progressed, we were able to style the room’s mood, accordingly, for Champagne toasts, lively dancing, and animated conversation.

Dawn Silva and Amber Haycock, with A Touch of Grace led us through the day’s activities and the day’s timeline with their grace, indeed, good cheer, amazing smiles, and frequent checking in with all of us, by asking, “is there anything we can do to help you?” Ladies, you are a class act.

Barbara Federoff, of Food Glorious Food lent her southern hospitality and charm, as well as her extended and polished skills as chef, manager, ring leader, and “den mother” to us all. Every time I saw her place a platter of food, open the oven to check the goods, she stopped me in my tracks with the fragrance of her culinary talents.

Let us return to Irv. Irv is not only the event manager at the Payne Mansion, but, an ordained minister, Milestones and Memories, bringing blessings, wisdom, common sense, spirituality, and continued faith to wedding couples and their families, those being christened, and all else who are open to goodness.  There are people who inspire one to do better, and those who make this world better. Irv is at the forefront of these virtues.

Capturing each moment of Rhonda and John’s wedding day, by being at the right place at the right time with an open heart and two sets of keen eyes, we tip our hats to Kate’s newest of old friends, Amoreena Berg and Melissa Burman, Amoreena Photography. Our thanks for sharing these beautiful images of a timeless, wedding day in San Francisco. Until we see you again.

Continued congratulations to Rhonda, John, and your families.

Posted in San Francisco, The Payne Mansion, Uncategorized, Weddings, Bouquets, Weddings, Boutonnieres, Weddings, Centerpieces & Display Designs | Leave a comment

Bouquets to Art

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Kathleen

Bouquets to Art has been called San Francisco’s harbinger of spring, an annual event which began in 1984 at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor, and in recent years has shown at the M.H. de Young Museum.  Sponsored by the San Francisco Auxiliary of Fine Arts Museums, 150 floral designers are juried and then invited to pick a work of art and interpret this piece with fresh flowers. Oils and watercolors, glass and bronze, baskets and rugs, the design possibilities are endless.

Martin Johnson Heade 1819-1904 , Twilight Singing Beach, 1863 , oil on canvas, Gift of Mr. & Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd, 1993.35.12

Upon the referral of Kate’s friend and colleague, floral designer extraordinaire, Jun Pinon, Kate joined this yearly celebration in 2008.  The weeklong celebration not only includes the floral exhibits, but an opening night gala, lectures, master design classes, luncheons, and teas.  To help further promote the event, designers are invited to install a piece of floral art at a Union Square shop or boutique, as well as join the “Meet the Florists” activity, where you are at the ready to meet museum visitors next to your piece, throughout the week.

Richard Diebenkorn 1922 – 1993, Ocean Park 116, 1979 , oil on canvas, gift of Mrs. Paul L. Wattis, 2000.20

Posted in Bouquets to Art, de Young Museum, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

A Rose is a Rose, for the Bride and Groom, Cavallo Point

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Kathleen

As most of you know, we absolutely love working with clients of, and the entire staff at, Cavallo Point. Each and every time we drive up the long, dramatic driveway to the former US Army post turned Five Star Resort, Kate says to herself with huge gratitude “we get to do this.” Meaning, this is our job and what a place in which to do it!

This past Saturday, San Francisco’s famous summer fog created quite the drippy little rain shower, and the ceremony on the lawn, looking out over the Golden Gate was just going to be too cold.  After much thoughtful coordination with Cavallo’s Six Star Catering Manager, Jessica Winthrop, and the couple’s family, we learned two things: the chapel was available for the ceremony, and marrying in this chapel was a dream come true for The Bride.  As one of the late Martin Fierro’s  trumpet players used to tell me “Be ready to improvise at any time.”  In employing this philosophy for the past 25 years, something very magical happens each and every time you do.

 

The folks at Kate’s Blossoms know him well, but never worked with him until Saturday’s wedding: Reverend Peadar Dalton. Peadar was ordained as a Catholic Priest in Ireland, immigrated to the United States quite a few years ago, and we learned on Saturday why he has a nation-wide reputation for his own special ministry and spirituality, Celtic style. His philosophy is that the human person is the clearest reflection of the Divine in the world.  As we drove away on Saturday evening, thinking about our work with The Bride, Charlotte, The Groom, Stephen, their parents, including Renee and Dan, Peadar, and all the valet, front desk, concierge, and banquet staff at Cavallo Point, we agree.

 

Posted in Marin, Cavallo Point, Uncategorized, Weddings, Bouquets, Weddings, Centerpieces & Display Designs | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

In Loving Memory…

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Kathleen

When working with folks who have just lost a loved one, and their need for sympathy flowers, I recall a bit of scripture I learned at South Colby United Methodist Church, a lesson from Ecclesiastes.  It is scripture which most of us have known:  “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under Heaven…a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance;”

While many sympathy clients often find us through a referral, no matter what, I am sort of a complete stranger to them, in this work. Our work is intimate, painful, generally very quick, and joyous.  An order for flowers is just one thing on a fairly extensive list of things which must be completed.

While we can take all the time needed, I’ll ask my questions, and take care of things. This is my job, and my honor to help.  I’ll ask-

-Tell me about the person who we are honoring, celebrating, and mourning. Their description will tell me exactly what to bring to the home or service.  I’ll ask an additional question, if the person was young or old?  This painful but necessary question will allow us to assure we approach our design and most importantly, delivery, on the side of celebration, mourning, or a bit of both.

-On what day, date and time are the flowers to be delivered, and to what location?

-After confirming the floral details and wishes, I can give a budget range for the design(s) and confirm what price point to manage for this order.  We can take care of our clients at just about any budget, for sympathy flowers.

My great thanks and my gratitude to those who have allowed me to be of help at a time of passing.

Fondly, Kathleen-Kate

Posted in Sympathy and Memorial, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

To Love, Honor, and Cherish, at Cavallo Point

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Kathleen

As a daughter of a World War II Veteran, Staff Sergeant, US Army, I grew up with a continully defining sense and understanding of sacrifice.  My heart and mind stops in it tracks when I have opportunity to meet somebody serving in a branch of our country’s military–I cannot begin to fathom the courage, commitment, and sacrifice you make, for us.  I am grateful, I support you, and I wish for you to come home to your family, very soon.

Working with Amanda and Cody this past summer…I will let the photos speak for themselves. Thank you for letting me help you in the celebration of your wedding day.

Our thanks to IQ Photo for these incredible images, taken at Cavallo Point, Fort Baker.

Posted in Marin, Cavallo Point, Uncategorized, Weddings, Bouquets, Weddings, Boutonnieres | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Suc-cu-lent, noun

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Kathleen

Suc-cu-lent, noun

Defined:

Of a plant: having fleshy tissues that conserve moisture. More than 60 plant families, split into 300 genera.

At the Kate’s Blossoms’ studio:  A wide variety, always on in stock, to include in our floral designs.

Repurposing: When the fresh cut floral design has expired, re-cut the succulent stem, place in a vase of water to set roots (2-3 weeks) and plant in your garden for years of enjoyment.

Photos courtesy of Jen Paschal, Bruce Forester Photography, and Dorothy Hatchel, Dorothy Hatchel Photography (as linked).

Posted in Marin, Marin Art and Garden Center, Succulents, Uncategorized, Weddings, Bouquets, Weddings, Centerpieces & Display Designs | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Ennis, Montana-Population 840 people, 11,000,000 trout

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Kathleen

In late June, as part of a family vacation, we helped design the centerpieces for the 9th Annual Madison River Foundation’s “Guardians of the River Gala.”  Hosted at the Old Kirby Place and Fishing Lodge, we all enjoyed an incredible evening on the very high shores (due to the season’s continued rains along with snow melt) on the Madison River.

The evening featured a truly remarkable bar-b-q styled meal from Scott and Amy Kelly of Banditos Restaurant, along with live music from nationally known jazz stylist Steve Hulse and his trio.

Our vicinity journeys also included hikes in the mountains, where self seeded succulent gardens were around every corner, along with bluebirds singing their songs above the first blooms of bitterroot.  Homemade huckleberry ice cream, history, garage sales, and antiques led us to Virginia City, Montana,  where we agreed with the town’s brochure:

“No more colorful pioneer mining camp ever existed”

The town remains as if the gold rush never left, and spirits such as those like Al Swearengen, Doc Cochran, and Cy Tolliver can be imagined during one’s mosey through town.

Posted in Road Trip!, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Washed Ashore: Plastics, Sea Life, and Art

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Kathleen

A follow up posting to herald the well received and popular exhibit, “Washed Ashore: Plastics, Sea Life, and Art” showing at The Marine Mammal Center, through
October 15, 2011.  “Washed Ashore” is the vision of artist and educator Angela Haseltine Pozzi, and is a community art project that transformed ocean trash from the Pacific Ocean shores in Oregon, to 15 massive, colorful works of marine life art.

Kate’s Blossoms participated in the exhibit opening with the donation of floral designs, styled in plastic containers. All the plastic containers used were those which had contained food and sundries’ products in Kate’s home over the course of just one month.  Collaborating on this project, then seeing the exhibit, made all of us at the studio realize:  this beautiful art is all ocean junk which washed ashore.  Reduce, ReUse, Recycle, Repurpose.

Here’s to clean and clear oceans, and to those who swim in them.

 

Posted in Marine Mammal Center, Giving Back, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

You See Garbage, They See Food

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Kathleen

We have borrowed this title from The Marine Mammal Center’s announcement of an exhibit which opens at the Center on June 25, 2011 and runs through October 15, 2011.  “Washed Ashore: Plastics, Sea Life, and Art” is the vision of artist and educator Angela Haseltine Pozzi, and is a community art project that has transformed ocean trash from the Pacific Ocean shores in Oregon, to 15 massive, colorful works of marine life art.  Its purpose is to remind us of how many tons of plastic pollution is trashing our oceans, and getting into the gills, and around the necks, of our mammal and fish friends who call the ocean, home.  And, to inspire us to lessen all the plastic we use in our daily life.

For many years, Kate’s Blossoms has been privileged to help The Marine Mammal Center with floral designs at their exhibits, programs, and annual auction, always striving to use all or mostly local and foraged floral products, containers which have been procured from 2nd hand stores and the cupboards of friends and colleagues. This weekend, Kate’s
Blossoms will provide floral designs at the exhibit’s opening events. All floral vases will be plastic containers leftover from products which Kate used in her home and studio over the course of just three weeks.  Always, plastics used in these two places are repurposed as much as possible, for the delivery of edible flowers, wedding corsages, and the like. If not reused, placed in the recycling bin for processing. This project’s “vases” have given us abrupt pause. We have been quieted and are feeling a bit of shame, for all this plastic.  We’ll take this, and continue to strive, to do better–Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Here’s to clean and clear oceans, for those who call these ponds, home!

We’ll be posting photos of our floral art in plastic in the weeks to come. For now, we share photos from previous Marine Mammal Center events. Our continued thanks to the talented Drew Altizer and his team of photographers at Drew Altizer Photography.  Drew, is also committed to helping the the Otariidae family, pinnipeds and fur seals, alike.

   

     

Posted in Marine Mammal Center, Giving Back, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Andrea and Craig, StoneTree Golf Club

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Kathleen

This past Saturday, we had the pleasure of helping Andrea and Craig with their wedding at Our Lady of Loretto, and the reception at StoneTree Golf Club.  Wedding coordination was directed by the talented Amanda Schroeder.  Colors styled into the event included aubergine, greens, and charcoal, and guests found their way to their tables by way of a baseball field built of wheat grass, picked with cards of 15 current and former Oakland A’s players. As a Giants’ fan, I pushed through this project with the bride’s encouragement, further encouraged by the spirit of Dusty Baker, Ray Fosse, Catfish Hunter, Dave Stewart, Nick Swisher, and Bert Campaneris. All, exceptional players at the greatest show on earth.  Andrea and Craig, you are delightful, you are pure joy.  Continued great wishes to you and your families.

                 

Posted in Escort Cards, Marin, StoneTree Golf Club, Uncategorized, Weddings, Bouquets, Weddings, Centerpieces & Display Designs | Leave a comment