LIFE LIST:GROW SUNFLOWERS

“There are not too many fables about mans misuse of sunflower seeds”  Richard Brautigan 
Where: Originally I planted these in my back yard but my dad didn't realize they were there and mowed over them. He was trying to be nice doing us a favor when we were out of town, I didn't say anything about it but I had been watching them grow for about 6 weeks and was a little bummed, but I decided even though according to the instructions, it was a little late in the season (late June) I'd try replanting anyhow and this is what they looked like by the middle of August!

When: I planted these in June and they bloomed in August.

Cost: Less than $5

Why this is on my list: I just like sunflowers. I love passing a large field of bloomed sunflowers and always knew that when I had a house one day I wanted to plant my own.

That's one happy little bee right there.

Something I'd recommend? Yes, in fact, I read this article in Time Magazine after mine had bloomed about the possibility of the Bumble Bee going extinct and it made me feel so fulfilled about my contribution to their food supply. "One thing we can all do to help is by planting bee friendly flowers in backyard gardens and keeping them free of pesticides." Not only do I recommend planting sunflowers but I'd like to encourage you to plant just a few seeds each year in an effort to help save the Honeybee!! Honeybees were all over my sunflowers, so it's a win-win, they get to eat organic pollen and you have the pleasure of watching these enormously beautiful flowers grow right in your yard.

Will I do it again? Absolutely. Not only is it a fun thing to do with my daughter, they are beautiful to look at but now that I know what I know about bees I will plant more this year just for them! Some people like to feed the birds...I'm gonna feed the bees. The annual value of the Honeybee to agricultural farming is over $15 billion and unfortunately they are dying off in extreme numbers most likely due to the large amounts of pesticides used on our foods today. Without the Honeybee we will start to see our fruit and vegetable supply diminish rapidly, and there are some foods like almonds which are completely dependent on Honeybee pollination. Hannah Nordhaus wrote a book called The Beekeepers Lament and  says that "Honeybees are the glue that holds our agricultural system together". So, who's with me?

“The sunflower is mine, in a way” Vincent Van Gogh 

If you have pictures of sunflowers you have grown please post them to The Ultimate Life List's facebook page!

Have you grown sunflowers? 
Will you this year to help save the Honeybee?

Les fleures de mariage

This summer in one month I did 4 events (3 weddings and 1 bridal shower) out of my house. Two of them were on September 21st. It was a lot of fun and I always feel very honored to be a part of someone's big day but it is stressful and it's always a sigh of relief when it's over. This bride was a dream to work with and after we met her friend contacted me and offered to pay the entire remaining balance! It was exciting to be part of a big surprise, it was a treat to work with such beautiful flowers and on top of it all Birch Photographers has graciously allowed me to use some of their lovely photos...

All photos courtesy of Birch Photographers 

Sunflower bridal shower

I had 4 events this year, 3 weddings and 1 bridal shower for my mother in law, this was a lot of fun because I got to do whatever I wanted. Here are some of the pics....

Related Posts:

2012 wedding
August 2013 wedding 

Oh how I love what I do...

A few days after we returned from our fun trip to Disney World I had to get crackin on a wedding I had booked with one of my husband's co-workers earlier this year. I've done weddings for years but just last year I started doing it out of my home with 1 wedding, this year I have 3 weddings and 1 bridal shower! And I love it! It's stressful, fast paced, and a lot is resting on my shoulders but it is also an incredibly rewarding job. 

The above photos are courtesy of Amanda Dumont 

Below are some of the pictures I took while me and my husband were setting up. Joel always helps me out on my wedding set ups and we make a great team!

The Bride requested that I add remnants of her mother's bridal hat to her bouquet along with a special charm. 

A total of 15 centerpieces.

I was so happy with these bouquets and in particular the Brides. 

Comments from the Bride....

"I loved everything that you did!!! You are amazing!!!.....thank you, everything was perfect....I really couldn't be happier with everything you did! You have a real talent girl!!"

And I couldn't be more pleased to have been a part of this sweet couples' very special day. It is wonderful feeling to know that I was able to make a Bride and Groom so happy and to receive such gracious compliments.