Express Your Feelings With A Gift Basket

Express Your Feelings With A Gift Basket

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Whether it is for a birthday, holiday, graduation, anniversary, wedding, or any celebration in between, gift baskets are a fantastic gift option. They come in every shape and size imaginable, making it easy to find just the right one for the intended recipient. Everyone loves the excitement of rifling through the contents of gift baskets. Show how much you care by selecting a basket that expresses your true feelings.

There are two ways in which to go about selecting a gift basket: purchasing one that is ready-made and customizing one by putting it together yourself. Either way, take some time to think about who the gift is intended for. What do they like? Do they collect anything? How do they spend their free time? A gift basket should be personal whether you assemble it yourself or not. Once you have thought about what sort of basket they would like, settle on a theme and let that guide you in choosing the perfect gift basket for them.

Beautiful thoughtful baskets do not have to break the bank. Designing your own basket to give to someone is the best way to keep within budget and still offer something special. Antique malls, thrift shops, and flea markets are ideal places to look for unique items that capture your loved one's personality and tastes. These types of stores usually have vast selections of all kinds of things at all different price points so the chances of finding just the right items to include in your gift are high. You can be sure no one else will give the same thing.

Do not be afraid to think outside of the basket, so to speak. Get creative by choosing an unexpected container. Does the gift recipient like to bake or cook? Arrange your items in a dish or pan. Do they love fashion or vintage items? Use a hatbox. Are they green thumb gardeners? Find a flower pot or watering pail.

 There are no limits on what you can make a gift basket out of. Once you settle on a theme, look for fun ways to incorporate it into all parts of the gift including the vessel. Giving this sort of present also eliminates the hassle of gift wrapping as the gift itself is its presentation.

Gift baskets are just as fun to give as they are to receive. These stand-out gifts are ideal as they are appropriate for every occasion and work for every budget. Best of all, they are perfect for showing how much you care. They express that you put thought into the likes and interests of the person to whom it is given and let them know that you take an interest in their life. Whether you personalize and assemble one yourself or find just the right one on the shelf, your gift basket is sure to be a hit.

The Christmas Rush

The Christmas Rush

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I sometimes wonder what it would be like to have Christmas in winter.  Summer is such a busy season here.  There is so much to do around the farm - the grass seems to grow while you watch it.  The leucaspermums all seems to flower at once, and everyone wants flowers for Christmas.  Add to all this the normal end of year activities and you end up with a great long list of things that need to be done!  But in amongst it all, there are some fun jobs.  I've been designing christmas arrangements and wreaths and I love the creative side of it. 

The potted arrangement above has three types of Leucosermum - Cordifolium (the orange one) Scarlet Ribbons (the red) and Mardi Gras (the yellow and orange).  I've also included some Berzelia or button bush - the creamy white little pom poms, and a selection of leucadendrons.  

This Christmas wreath includes our newest planting of leucaspermums - Scarlet Ribbons.  They've been in the ground just over 2 years and we've had a great crop of them this year.  They are a relatively early flowering variety for us, and they look so cheery on the hillside where they grow.  I love the way they change colour from pink and greyish purple and red when they are just opening, to rich red with orange and tinges of pink as they mature.  

The wreath also has our leucadendron Christmas Cones - the little purplish red cones that you can see peeping out of the foliage.  They are such a great Christmas time plant.  The beautiful swelling cones are so vibrant on the end of the stems, and even look good when they are aged and dry.  They end up looking like miniature pinecones on the end of the stems.  What a useful Christmas plant!!  

I have added some of our Tasmanian Myrtle foliage too, which is looking so spectacular after its growth season in spring.  It's botanical name is Nothofagus Cunninghamii.  It is a beautiful Tasmanian tree that is highly prized for its pinkish toned timber which makes wonderful furniture and wood products.  I love to pick it, because it has a wonderful resinous smell that lingers on your hands. 

You might also be able to see some Geraldton Wax flowers, and some Eucalyptus foliage.  I just love the way the colours and textures of the different plants blend together when I'm creating different bunches and arrangements. 

I think sometimes the busyness of the season can get the creative juices flowing!

The Cost of Renting a Limo Vs Getting a DUI

The Cost of Renting a Limo Vs Getting a DUI

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When you see a limousine approaching, you may think it's a celebrity inside. But have you ever thought of renting a limousine to take you around on a night that you are drinking? Read on to find out why that may be a much better idea than driving yourself under the influence.

Standard Prices

A standard six-person limousine starts around $65 -$100 an hour. The rate can increase to $100 -$300 per hour for newer, more popular, or more unusual vehicles such as a Rolls Royce, Escalade, or a stretch Hummer seating up to 30 passengers.

Rates can change for more popular areas, during peak times, or during big weekends such as high school prom month. Furthermore, many companies have package prices for specific types of events. A wedding package may include a "Just Married" sign, flowers and balloons. A prom or other event might have a red carpet. For an exclusive limousine service between 4 and 8 hours, you can expect to pay at least $400 -$600 for a 6-8 passenger limousine, and possibly $800 -$1,800 or more depending on the type of vehicle, perks, and luxury options such as a mini bar, leather interior or video screen.

Alternate Cost

The alternative to finding appropriate transportation for your night out such as a limousine might be a ride with the police - and a driving-under-the-influence conviction on your record. Even if there were no injuries, the bail, fees, fines, and insurance costs will typically be in the thousands of dollars.

Stiff penalties are intended to discourage the dangerous behavior of drinking and driving. Fines vary among states, but most are hundreds of dollars, some over $1000. Your car gets towed. Your insurance rates will be doubled or even more. Some companies may even drop you the moment you're arrested. A new company will often assess your records for three to five years, during which time you'll need to have no further violations. Legal fees from the attorney will range from $250 for a simple guilty plea, to a few thousand or even tens of thousands of dollars for representation to contest the criminal charge. Alcohol evaluation, education, and treatment are often required on conviction before your license is returned - then there is a fee even for that a leg bracelet that may be part of your sentence. The cost can be well over $1000.

A Memorable Visit to New Zealand

A Memorable Visit to New Zealand

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Christchurch and Queenstown were wonderfully refreshing places to visit and more than met our pre visit expectations.

The Hotel SO at Christchurch had tiny rooms and baths but was functional and more than adequate for a nights stay. The Hotel had an atmosphere that was lively and 'funky'. Finding our way around Christchurch was not a problem at all as it is a small city. Our pre booking of the airport -hotel shuttle and a two day tram pass was adequate although we could have bought a combo ticket for the tram, gondola and punting at the tram station at lower rates and across the counter.

The Botanical Gardens, one of the ten best in the world, was a beautiful place to stroll around in. It would have been great if we had more time and could sit around and enjoy the serenity and majesty of the trees and flowering plants. We took the Punting ride on the River Avon through the Botanical Gardens and this too had a peaceful and calming influence about it.

The Gondola ride wasn't up to the mark and in retrospect was a waste of money. We just spent a short while at the top of the hill and had a cup of coffee / hot chocolate before we headed back. It was chilly and extremely windy on the hill top. You could literally get blown off. I have some interesting photos of Deepa & Saraswati with their hair swept crazy by the strong winds.

The tram ride through the city in quaint old trams was fun and we stepped off and on at places of interest. The National Museum for Maori Art and Culture and the Arts Museum were worth the time we spent at each. The Arts Museum had paintings of the early settlers and life as it was in those early days. It was good seeing Christchurch or New Zealand of old and it's evolution into the city and country of today. Every where we went we saw the value and esteem paid to the early settlers, explorers and pioneers and their dedication to the establishment of the fledgling settlements. Of course in terms of ancient civilisations and culture this place cannot match the places of historical interest such as Rome, The Mesapotamia, Indus Valley etc. The Maori tradition and history cannot match that of the ancient Chinese, Indians and Persians.

We squeezed in a visit to the 1864 Methodist Church and the Anglican Christchurch Cathedral. At both places we stayed awhile and said short prayers and spent moments of silence. Both Churches had beauty and calm though the Christchurch Cathedral was the more structurally beautiful and majestic. The Cathedral Square was quite a happening place and a place to sit around and rest awhile.

In Queenstown we were fully looked after by Nokia and the Event Management staff. True to form we were give an outstanding time. . . experiences of a life time in terms of the food and wine, the hotel stay experience at the Hotel Sofietel, the Adventure activities and the beautiful cultural fare. Lots of care and attention to detail made the visit comfortable and memorable. The Sofietel Hotel and Spa was extremely comfortable and right in the heart of the small town of just 17, 000. They do however receive over 1. 5 million tourists every year. Life for the residents clearly revolves around tourism. The Taxi engaged to ferry us around to each activity were driven by well educated retired folk who engaged us warmly in conversation every time. A world of a difference from the cab /taxi experience in most other cities.

Of the many memorable experiences we had was 'The Souring into the Heights' Programme as part of the Delgates Programme. I had the experience of flying in an open cockpit ancient World War 2 Tiger Moth. It cant get more memorable than that can it?? I also took a helicopter ride along with four others and landed on a mountain top over looking the Remarkables Mountain range and valley and the River Wakapitu. The sights were truly breath taking. I took plenty of photos but the camera simple cant do just to the majesty of the scenic beauty.

We had a fun filled day at the Queenstown Hill and the Walters Peak were we had a range of activities covering kayaking, horse riding, sheep shearing, and an exhibition of a sheep dogs skills. The setting was simple out of the world. Deepa in particular freeked out with multiple Luge rides, kayaking, horse riding, et al. We had flown into Walter's Peak in an eight seater Islander Aircraft which was a wonderful experience in itself. Quaint little aircraft these, very well suited for the type of flying we engaged in through valleys and along the mountain side before landing on a grassy plain. The experience and the sights were superb a once in a life time experience. The restaurant at Walter's Peak and the sheer beauty of the surroundings was just wonderful. I couldn't help clicking away with my camera.

The return journey was in a steam boat, TSS Earnslaw, a coal fired steam engine driven steamer which has been plying since 1912. On board was a grand old lady playing the piano and encouraging every one to join in a sing along session of old favorites such as Waltzing Matilda, My Bonnie Lies over the ocean etc. It was a fun and relaxing journey back to the hotel.

As usual Nokia ensured we had great networking time over dinner. The first day was at the Prime Restaurant where the food and also the ambience was not all that good. The next day at Gantley's was far better. The ambiance in particular was superb. Like wise the venue of the Awards Nite at the Mount Soho winery and restaurant was wonderful. So to was the Opera recital by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. She is reputed to be one of the outstanding performers in the world and her singing even to as uninitiated a ear as mine was truly beautiful and soul stiring. We were told she sang at the wedding of The Prince of Wales and Lady Diana!!!!! We were really fortunate to hear such a highly rated performer.

Another great experience was the 25 minute thrill ride we took on The Shotover Jet. A speed boat that hurtles along the Shotover Canyon at 80kms /hour, driven by experts who twirl the boat around 360degrees and also shoot along the walls of the canyon giving you the impression your going to crash into them. It was a fun filled ride and a wonderful experience.

Beautiful and Affordable Wedding Flowers For Every Season

Beautiful and Affordable Wedding Flowers For Every Season

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Wedding flowers can be very expensive, but they don't have to be! You can have the wedding flowers chosen by royalty without breaking the bank.

Spring Wedding Flower Choices

For a spring wedding, there are many colorful and inexpensive flowers to choose from. Sweet pea with its delicate pink hue is a beautiful accent for wedding flower bouquets and centerpieces and is reasonably priced. It was once used as altar decorations for weddings by Italian royalty and is still perfect for spring weddings.

Purple wedding flowers such as irises and lilacs when arranged with delicate pink sweet peas and some traditional white wedding flowers like lilies scream of springtime. Irises come in a variety of colors and are very fragrant, relatively inexpensive, and are a traditional wedding flower favorite.

According to legend, a blue iris and a white iris in a vase were placed at a bride's table signifying that marriage would have its bright times as well as its dull ones, and this was the beginning of the "for better or worse" phrase found in the traditional wedding vows.

Chrysanthemums have always been popular choices for wedding flower bouquets and centerpieces. They come in many colors and are inexpensive. A wedding flower bouquet of peonies, sweet pea, irises, chrysanthemums, lilacs, and lilies can be absolutely breathtaking and easy on your budget at the same time.

For the Summer Wedding

If a summer wedding is in the works, you have some really nice but inexpensive flower choices available to you. Yellow wedding flowers like yellow chrysanthemums combined with blue or purple hued accents such as irises or wisteria are great for spring and summer weddings and are particularly pretty when combined with orange tiger lilies.

Alstromeria has blooms that look very much like orchids and they have many blossoms per stem, making them a more economical choice. Alstromeria comes in several different colors and keeps fresh for a long time.

Dahlias are another great but economical choice, particularly if the wedding is taking place in late summer. Consider a wedding flower bouquet and centerpieces made with alstromeria, dahlias, daisies, irises, tiger lilies and chrysanthemums for sophisticated color, style, and savings.

Colorful Flowers For Your Autumn Wedding

Fresh wedding flowers of choice for fall are anemones. Their deep hues of red and blue bring rich vibrancy without major expense. Many brides in Italy wear crowns made of them at their weddings. Asters many years ago were almost like family heirlooms, passed from one generation to another.

Where better to use asters than in fall wedding flowers, since weddings are often the prelude to the next generation? Delphinium, with its strong stems and delicate purple blossoms is the symbol of strength, particularly with regard to the marital bond.

Wedding flower bouquets and centerpieces containing anemones, asters, delphinium, gerbera daisies, gladiolas, and chrysanthemums not only add spectacular color but are easy on the budget, too.

Wonderful Flowers for a Winter Wedding

Winter wedding flowers can be absolutely elegant and budget friendly, too. Red, the color of love, is simply dashing with white, which symbolizes joy. Star of Bethlehem with its delicate white blossoms resembling stars is absolutely gorgeous combined with amaryllis or poinsettias.

Adding Euchalyptus to the greenery in your winter wedding flower bouquets and centerpieces enhances the natural beauty of your flowers.

Hawaiian, Tropical, and Beach Themed Wedding Flowers

Tropical wedding flowers for themed weddings usually contain a mix of anthurium, bird of paradise, proteas, tuberose, and heliconia, all typically a bit more expensive. You can still use them to create a fabulous bouquet and add them to centerpieces without breaking your budget. You will not want to go overboard with them. Use them sparingly to make a scene. Remember, with these bold choices, less is more.

Hawaiian wedding flowers and centerpieces can be made with hibiscus blossoms, bird of paradise, heliconia, and palm fronds giving the desired effect without all the expense. Are you getting married on the beach? Beach wedding flowers should include some local flower varieties native to the area. This may mean hibiscus, crepe myrtle blossoms, wisteria vines and palm fronds. If you are not sure what grows locally, ask a florist from that area what choices are available to you at a reasonable price.

A Creative Way to Save

Bring out the artist in you! Consider taking a class in flower arranging at your local vocational school or college and buy wedding flowers from a wholesale distributor for creating your own wedding flower masterpieces.

You don't have to be wealthy to have the flowers chosen by royalty. Fresh wedding flowers in season arranged to perfection save you money and add exquisite beauty that you and your guests will remember for many years to come.

Summer Colours

Summer Colours

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Summer is within reach!  The days are longer and warmer and the first early summer flowering Leucaspermums are starting to bloom.  Leucaspermums are a species of plants within the Protea family.  They are native to South Africa, although here in Australia they are often called "natives".  They do resemble a lot of our Australian Proteaceae - they seem like a cross between a waratah and a grevillea, with a great variety of colours.  Leucaspermums usually flower in late spring and early summer.  Here at Swallows Nest Farm, we have 5 different varieties.  The one pictured is a hybrid called Mardi Gras with bright yellow stamens and red inner petals that give an overall colour of golden yellow.  

In bud form, they are silvery and hairy.  Then the bud starts to swell and out pop the stamens exposing both the yellow and the red.  It's an explosion of colour!

Mardi Gras are one of the earlier flowering Leucaspermums that we grow here.  The other is called Scarlet Ribbons.  These two are available from mid November up until Christmas, give or take a week depending on the seasonal weather.  These plants produce a large crop of flowers in a short space of time.  

Leucaspermums are long lasting flowers like most proteas, if they are handled correctly.  They must be packed carefully though, because they have a tendency to loose their heads!  The flower can easily pop off the stem if they are handled roughly.

Leucaspermums love to be pruned and will produce many more flowers next year, if this years flowers are picked.  They are ready to pick when the first yellow stamens start to emerge.  They will continue to open once they are in a vase.

I love this early flowering variety that has the colours of summer!