Monday, February 11, 2013

It's That Time of Year Again!

Hi!

It's late Monday night, three days before Valentine's Day and I wanted to share some photos from my day at work today.

In case you're a new follower to my blog and don't know where I work, I manage a floral department in a small grocery store. Needless to say, it's a crazy time of year for me and I wanted to share some fun photos.

I've done posts like this in the past, but this year I thought I'd add a couple of photos to help you understand what it's like when we get the hundreds of bouquets delivered before the big day. This first picture shows one of the three pallets of boxes that were delivered today. 
 

There are 31 boxes of flowers on this pallet, and remember, there were two more pallets with almost as many boxes on each!

We grab one box at a time, open it up and cut the bottom of the stems off of each bouquet. Then we place them in buckets of water, lift that bucket up and transfer it into the cooler. It's a long process, with lots of heavy lifting. Here's a photo of me cutting just one of the hundreds of bouquets.


I realize I don't look very happy in this photo. I like to think I was "concentrating." :) At this point, it was about half way through the day and we were FAR from being finished! There are definitely times throughout the year when I wish we had TWO cutters! 

The rest of the photos are of flowers and goodies with very little descriptions, so enjoy!

 A beautiful bouquet with big pink and red gerbera daisies, some carnations and peonies.



 This one is so pretty! The photo does not do it justice!



I love these glittery daisies! All the dad's love to buy them for their daughters - we sell out of this one every year. :)



This one is called Chocolate Love. The burgundy roses and carnations, mixed with the white daisies and alstromeria are a gorgeous contrast. 
 


And here are some of my favorite plants this year:

The delightful Cyclamen.



This is a Primula, or Primrose, in the prettiest shade of purple.



Another Primula in yellow - such a sweet, little plant.



 
A favorite of mine - the Hyacinth - smells heavenly!




This beauty is an Azalea - isn't it stunning?!

We of course received a ton of roses, in dozen and half dozen bouquets, but we also have some mini rose plants. Here's a red one.




And just look at this bright yellow one!




I'm almost done! Couldn't let you go without a couple of the yummy goodies from our bakery department.
Would ya look at that! A heart-shaped cake with truffles and candy placed in the center and topped with a heart-shaped cookie - oh, yeah! :)



 And it wouldn't be Valentine's Day without chocolate covered strawberries. These ones are covered with both white and milk chocolate - can you say, YUM?!

If you're still here - thank you! I know it was a long post but I sure hope you enjoyed it! I'm very happy the hard work is all done and I actually have Tuesday off! My co-worker is there tomorrow and then the two of us will be busy, busy, busy on Wednesday and Thursday! Happy Valentine's Day! :)

51 comments:

Virginia L. said...

OH Barb! I am so glad that you took these photos to share with us! EVERY time I go to the flower shop, I will think of you and how much WORK that had gone into the cutting, arrangements and displays! You sure were concentrating! I love seeing all the colorful flower and the TREATS sure look yummy! I hope my Valentine will bring me something sweet! You are a gem! HUGS!

Karen L K said...

Thanks for sharing the photos. Beautiful flowers. Hang in there for the next couple days! I worked at a plant nursery with a florist and at that time I was really disliking Valentine's time of year so I can relate.

Marilyn said...

Thanks for sharing these gorgeous flowers with us. As pretty as they are, I know it must be hard work to unpack and process all of them...wish I could drop by and help you out. Take care, Barb, eat a little chocolate, have a cup of hot tea and prop your feet up...it does the soul good! Hugs, :)

Greta said...

What a lot of work, but I know you enjoy seeing all the beauty. Thanks for sharing some pictures. Nothing like flowers when it's dreary outside! Enjoy your day off & Happy Valentine's Day a little early!

Tina said...

Thanks for sharing this with us! It felt like visiting you....

Pajalu said...

Hi Barb, I love these sorts of posts. It is really interesting. I love seeing all those gorgeous flowers. I bet they are even more amazing irl. Those glittered flowers really caught my eye. I can see why they'd sell out fast. Hope you get a chance to slow down soon.

joy said...

I love it when you show us these beautiful flowers, Barb! And, I am glad all the prep is done and you have a day off before the busy days! Thanks for posting these gorgeous photos.

Lynn said...

I walked into our grocery store last night and immediately thought of you with their huge Valentine's display with tons of gorgeous flowers. Wow! Your store looks absolutely amazing and I hope you have a weekend of pampering planned after all the hard work!

Unknown said...

A fun post, Barb! It may be a lot of work for you, but to be surrounded by such beautiful flowers must be a wonderful thing. You also help spread happiness through your job. Why am I not surprised? Happy Valentine's Day!!

Unknown said...

So fun to see what you do! Gorgeous flowers and desserts!

Betty said...

hi barb - loved seeing the beautiful flowers - neat to learn what the process is when you get all those boxes - where do they all come from? happy valentine's day!

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Oh my, Barb - what gorgeous flowers again this year! And those treats at Jerry's always look so delicious! You work so hard and bring so much joy with your flowers - thanks for sharing! And have a Happy Valentine's Day on Thursday!

Lin said...

Fun post, Barb! That cutting blade is pretty nifty; sure beats doing them all by hand, but I bet your neck and shoulders are so sore now! Thanks for sharing all your lovely flowers - I can almost smell those hyacinths! And those primroses mean spring to me.......

walchowDesign said...

Have been thinking about you especially during this time of the year, Barb! have never seen one of those pallets for flowers and I believe its tough job.

I love seeing all those flowers from you and it's such a treat too. As for the choco... hmmm! Thank you so much for taking time to take the pictures and sharing them with us!

Sue McRae said...

I always look forward to your flower showcase for Valentine's. Such a beautiful variety of flowers Barb and think of how many people you are going to make smile with all the hard work you've done.

Kanan Pandya said...

Thank you so much, Barb for sharing all the beautiful pictures of pretty flowers, you are very lucky to work with all these beauties and always spreading joy through your job. You look great. Happy Valentine's Day to you too!! :-)

LauraJane:) said...

Thanks for the floral post this morning!...Happy day!

stamplover2011 said...

Oh Barb, I was just thinking about your post from last year a couple days ago. So happy you did it again this year! Love looking at all the beautiful flowers and longing for spring.... There is an awful amount of snow out there to melt now. Take care on your busy days! Will be thinking about you!

Jacqueline said...

Thanks for sharing, Barb! I don't know what I like best, the chocolates or the flowers, I think the chocolates!!
Wishing you lots of strength for the big day to be able to work with a smile after all that hard work!

CinnamonSally said...

Thanks for sharing your day at work Barb, all those beautiful flowers, hope you have time to rest after Thursday!

Cat Craig said...

Thanks for sharing Barb. Beautiful pictures. That cutter looks scary...lol. Be careful.

cheiron said...

Love to see you at work Barb. Those flowers are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing...I think I would like some of those chocolates too :)

ThePurplePlace said...

Woweeeeee!! Love seeing all those pretty flowers and the scent must be so wonderful.

With all the yukky cold and snow here...some signs of Spring (fresh flowers) would be wonderful!!

Happy Valentine's Day to all,
Lisa

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Hi Barb, thanks for sharing - cool, to see you in action! Such pretty flowers, I enjoyed looking at them. Happy Valentine's Day to you!

Hugs, Cornelia

Laura Norris said...

How fun was that??? What a great post and the pictures were all wonderful! It is making me wish for spring even more and the chance to go work in my yard. Thanks for sharing and have a Happy Valentines Day!!

judkajudi said...

I love visiting your corner of the world, Barb! It isn't very spring like here today ... the colors are so vivid and the bakery looks yummy!!! Enjoy your day off!

Kathy (krolski) said...

Love these flower posts, Barb! Your pics are so gorgeous! Happy Valentine's Day!

donna mikasa said...

I so look forward to the annual floral shots! You have thee best job being surrounded by such beauty! And I love the photo of you "concentrating"! Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours!

Barb Ghig said...

Oh my...I can't imagine being surrounded by so much beauty and fragrance all day long! The photos are amazing...I think my fave is the yellow Primula!

I hope you're enjoying your day off :-) Happy Valentine's Day!!!

GrammySue's Creations said...

Hi Barb, thanks for sharing your photos. The flowers are gorgeous and the candy looks yummy. Hope that you have a wonderful Valentine's Day. Take care and Hugs to you.

Cindy C. said...

Oh Barb thank so much for sharing these beautiful photos. I bet you have a very strong arms after lifting all those boxes/buckets of flowers!

Maureen Morton said...

What a process - loved seeing start to glorious finish! Now I really appreciate what goes on. So amazing. Thanks for sharing and hope you get a chance to put your feet up and get some hugs when it is all over!

Unknown said...

I neve realized there was so much work behind the process, but those are such lovely flowers!

Deb Walker Deb Stamps Life, LLC said...

Such a lovely post Barb--the Yellow Rose of Texas is of course one of my favorites! Also, it was a lovely reminder of a floral tradition with my husband...he was a poor Midshipman and while he would have wanted to buy a dozen roses for Valentine's day, he got carnations with one red rose...a tradition begun in our dating days carried through my wedding bouquet, and for the last 23 years! Thanks for the work you do which touches so many lives--it truly makes a difference.

Isha Gupta said...

WOW!!! Barb I just love this post. You are such a talented person. Love all the colors and Hmmmm!!! I could spend the whole day with you in the shop. TFS

Chark said...

beautiful pics!

Lisa Carroll said...

Wow, Barb! I had no idea you were a florist! What a fun job.. except at this time of year, LOL! But really, the scent must be amazing, all day long. :) What a big job.. as one who loves and appreciates getting flowers often (my hubby is a sweetie), THANK YOU for all your hard work! :) xo

Lisa said...

Hi Barb! All I can think is how wonderful it must smell in that room!! Wow- just gorgeous! What a fabulous work environment :)
Thanks for sharing all this beauty!
XX
Happy Valentine's!

sannalippert said...

Happy Valentine´s!!! Beautiful flowers, but don´t envy what you go through making everyting ready.

Helen F. said...

Oh Barb, looks like very hard work, but it has such a beautiful end result! those flower arrangements are gorgeous. Of course, I would have a tough time getting past the bakery over to the floral dept. :'P

Trinh said...

Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos! Everything is so beautiful. Happy Valentine's day!

Dixie Cochran said...

Beautiful flowers! I just wish I could smell them. I think a serious "look" when you're using that gigantic cutter is SMART! Thanks for sharing these glorious pictures.

susanne said...

How interesting Barb!! I'm so glad I didn't miss this posting, I always love to see your flowers on these special occassions .. they're all sooo beautiful! sending hugs, Susanne

MarcyK924 said...

THANK YOU for sharing our first glimpses of Spring, my friend! I hope by today you are able to take a breather! I would be concentrating on cutting too - that cutter SKEERS me, oooooo!!!!

Brenda said...

Oh Barb, you obviously love your job because this sounds like a really hectic time of year. Love those pictures of the individual flowers but I was thrilled that you ended it with chocolate! TFS! And a belated Happy Valentines Day to you.

Arlene said...

WOW, what a day! I worked in a small florist shop for awhile and it was fun and I know how much work goes into designing and making an arrangement.

Elizabeth Allan said...

Barb this annual post is always a delightful treat!! Getting to see these beautiful bouquets fills my day with happiness and has me eagerly looking forward to spring!

Nat said...

I always love seeing you beautiful flowers every year!! they are gorgeous :) and these treats look super yummy too :) Hope you had a great Valentines xo-Nat

Sally said...

What a lovely feast for the eyes, Barb! Thanks for sharing these lovely flower photos, not to mention the yummy sweet treats, too! Hope your Valentine's Day was filled with lots of love!

Michelle said...

Barb, this is a wonderful post! I love seeing all the beautiful flowers and where you work! So much more beautiful than the boring grey office where I work! ;-)

sheila said...

These are just gorgeous pics Barb. I always love it when you add your Valentine posting.....I don't know what I like more though....that oh so cool stem cutter (wow-how fun would it be to mess with that !!!) or the chocolates.....yum.