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Jory's Flowers & Vallejo City Floral, Concord & Vallejo California

Why Moms Never Stop Mothering

As a mom, you’re never going to stop mothering your children.  Even when they’re adults, they’re not above a little mothering every now and then.  While you can’t always mother your children in the same way, you’ll always be there for them, and even when they don’t say so, you know that a part of them appreciates that mothering.

 

Part of the reason moms never stop mothering is because moms always see their children as children.  As well-established adults with their own families, they may feel like they are beyond mothering.  However, moms will always see their children as their little boy or girl.  As a mom, all you want is the best for them, even when they’re old enough to handle their own lives.

 

Moms do a lot for their children over the years.  They encourage them as children to grow and learn, they help them explore the world, and they keep them safe.  Moms have to change as their children grow up, of course, but the best moms are those who learn how to mother their children in the best way possible as they both grow and change.

 

This Mother’s Day, be sure to send your mom a lovely bouquet of her favorite flowers to show her how much you love and appreciate her mothering.  We have many different options and ideas, and you’re sure to find one your mom would love.  Get in your order for Mother’s Day flowers in Concord, CA, today!

Administrative Professional Humor + $10 Off

Administrative Professional’s Day is April 25th. There are several ways you can show them your appreciations.  Get them flowers, give them a small gift, add a bit of a bonus to their paychecks, take them out to lunch, or even give them the day off!  Your administrative professional is there to do everything they can to keep your office running smoothly.  They manage your schedule, take care of all the little things around the office, and even do what they can to cheer you up on a bad day.

 

People have said a lot about administrative professionals over the years.  Some say disparaging things about “secretaries,” but others know the value of a good assistant.  Here are some great quotes by administrative assistants and professionals that are perfect for Admin Professionals Day.

 

“My Boss frequently gets lost in thought. That’s because it’s unfamiliar territory.” – Unknown

 

“If you have a good selling idea, your secretary can write your ad for you.” – Morris Hite

 

“Responsibility without power, the fate of the secretary through the ages.” – Ariel Dorfman

 

“Always be nice to secretaries. They are the real gatekeepers in the world.” – Anthony J. D’Angelo

 

“And so while the great ones depart to their dinner, the secretary stays, growing thinner and thinner, racking his brain to record and report what he thinks that they think that they ought to have thought.” – Arthur Bryant

 

Are you ready for Administrative Professionals Day?  If not, we can help with the flowers!  Take $10 off if you order flowers for your administrative professional between now and April 20.  Just use code BL2 at check-out.

How to Have Fun Spring

How are you going to have fun this spring?  There are a lot of different things to do once the weather warms up.  Here are some ideas for a fun spring.  Do you have any to add?

 

Get out of the house.  Now that it’s not cold outside, think of all the things you can do.  Go for a walk, go to the park, have a picnic, eat your lunch outdoors…the list is endless!  You don’t even have to do anything in particular.  Sometimes, it’s nice to just sit on your front porch and watch the world.

 

There are a number of outdoor festivals that go on in the spring.  There are concerts, plays, medieval fairs, and many other activities going on.  Many of these activities are perfect for family outings.

 

Amusement parks, water parks, and zoos are very popular in the spring.  Some places are re-opening after being closed for the winter, while others, such as the zoo, may be starting up spring programs.

 

Go shopping!  You need a new spring outfit or two, right?

 

Get your flowerbeds in shape.  After the long winter, you’ll find a lot of dead stuff in them.  Get them cleaned out and plant some beautiful spring flowers.  You might also need to clean out your gutters and do some minor repairs to the exterior of your home that you’ve put off.

 

Clean your house.  Spring is the time for cleaning, after all.  Get rid of old clothing you no longer wear and items that you haven’t found a use for in a year or more.  Once they’re gone, your home will feel like a breath of fresh air has blown through and made everything better.

 

Don’t forget to invite spring into your home with a bouquet of spring flowers in Concord, CA!

Valentine Flower Guide for the Romantically Challenged + Free Delivery on February 10, Offer Expires 2/6

Oh no, Valentine’s Day is almost here!  For some men, this means it’s that one of a few times every year they have to order flowers!   If you’re not sure what to order, here’s a quick flower guide for you.

 

Go traditional:  Roses, especially red roses, are the flower of choice for Valentine’s Day.  That doesn’t mean you have to go with roses, though.  How about tulips?  Orchids?  Carnations?  They’re all lovely flowers, and they come in different colors. Roses, of course, also come in different shades.  How about getting her a dozen purple roses this year?  It’s different, and it’s perfect if she loves purple.

 

Go with something a bit different.  Tropical flowers, for example, are rarely seen on Valentine’s Day.  If she loves flowers that aren’t in season in February, spend a bit extra and get those for her.  She’ll love them more, and if you send them to her at work, her desk will be more colorful and stand out among all the others with their red roses.

 

If you don’t know her favorite flower or if she doesn’t have one, think about color.  A bouquet done in her favorite color is a good idea.  You might also want to think about different flowers of the same color, or a mixture of flowers and colors.  If you’re not sure what colors you can mix together, ask your florist for advice.

 

Here’s an idea: instead of giving her a bouquet of a dozen roses, give her several single roses throughout the date.  Don’t, however, give her a lot of flowers to carry around.  She’ll get tired of it, and the flowers will get damaged.

 

Don’t forget the card or note to go with the arrangement.  If you’re giving her the flowers in person, you don’t need to say much more than “Happy Valentine’s Day” or “I love you.”  If you’re having them delivered, be sure to tell the florist what to write on the card.

 

Hope that helps you with any Valentine’s Day flower dilemmas you might have.  If you’re interested in beating the rush, we’re offering free delivery on all orders delivered on February 10!  This offer expires on Feb. 6th, though.  Just use discount code BLF when ordering.  Let us help you with all of your Valentine flowers in Concord, CA.

Vallejo City Floral Co. Gives Away iPad

While most people won’t see a connection between the two, Jeanette H. will always link flowers with her new iPad.  She won the new Apple product in the Vallejo City Floral Co.’s “Win an iPad” contest that started in November and ended on December 31, 2011.  Jeanette’s name was chosen randomly from those who had entered on Vallejo City Floral’s or Jory’s Flowers’s website.  Don Hotton, owner of the two businesses, said the contest had a large number of entries and that “the overwhelming response to the giveaway was fantastic.”

 

Jeanette, who operates a daycare in Vallejo City, was incredibly excited when Don called to let her know she had won.  She later told him that she had immediately called and texted her friends and her children, but she didn’t get any replies.  When she talked to her children later, they told her they didn’t return her messages because they thought she was pulling a prank on them.

 

Don presented Jeanette with her new iPad on her birthday, and she says it’s the best drawing prize she’s ever won.  When asked what she planned to do with the device, she responded that she is going to let the kids at her daycare take turns playing with it.  She went on to say that she is absolutely thrilled to have won and that she has been telling all of her friends about the contest and about Vallejo City Floral Co.

 

Don said, “I like to see people that truly care about getting something for free. Jeanette was so trilled and appreciative that it made me feel that, for one moment, I brought some happiness to someone who truly deserved it. The fact that she runs a day care for young children and was going to teach her kids how to us it was very cool.”

 

Vallejo City Floral Co. and Jory’s Flowers have delivered fresh flowers to the Vallejo City, Walnut Creek, and Concord areas for decades.  They are owned by Don Hotton, a third generation florist.  His grandfather opened a flower shop in 1935.  The Hotton family purchased Jory’s Flowers in Walnut Creek in 1958, and when Don took over in 1992, the business expanded to include the location in Concord and Vallejo City Floral Co.  He and his staff of professional florists offer fresh flowers and other products at reasonable prices, including custom arrangements for clients.  More information about the florist can be found on their websites at www.jorysflowers.com, www.vallejocityfloral.com or by calling 800-935-6797 or 888-644-2489.

Valentine’s Day isn’t Just for Flowers + Save $10 Through 1/24

Are you ready for Valentine’s Day?  For some, this is a bigger holiday than Christmas because it involves putting together the perfect evening.  It’s not just trying to find Dad something other than another tie for Christmas.  On Valentine’s Day, your goal is to make the perfect romantic evening for your sweetheart.  It can be daunting, but it’s not impossible.  Just remember that while a bouquet of a dozen red roses is going to get the date off to a great start, it’s not the be-all, end-all of Valentine’s.

 

If you’re wondering how to put together the perfect Valentine’s Day date, here’s a nice outline:

 

Preparations:
•    Make all your reservations now!  Places will book up quickly.
•    Let your date know when your reservations are, when you’ll pick them up, and what they need to wear.
•    Purchase your gifts and order your flowers.  This year’s most popular Valentine’s Day gifts will sell out quickly, so get yours now.
•    If you’re planning on wearing a certain outfit, make sure it’s clean.  You don’t want to discover that suit jacket you planned on wearing has a huge stain on it an hour before you’re supposed to be somewhere.

 

Valentine’s Day:
•    Give yourself plenty of time to get ready so you don’t rush around.
•    Have a checklist so you don’t forget anything: flowers, gift, chocolates, tickets for any event you’re attending, location/directions to the restaurant if you need them.
•    Be on time.
•    Be a gentleman: open doors for her, pull her chair out, and pay attention to what she’s saying.
•    Be prepared to deal with a disaster or two.  Your reservation could get lost, or you might not be able to find any parking for the event you’re going to.  Have alternatives in mind just in case.
•    Again, be on time.  Nothing gets a date off on the wrong foot like tardiness (this is true for all dates, not just Valentine’s Day).

 

As you can see, Valentine’s Day isn’t just for flowers.  Flowers are definitely expected, though, and you should certainly get her a nice bouquet of roses or of her favorite flowers.  We want your Valentine’s Day date to be perfect, so we’re offering you a special incentive to order now.  Put in your order before the 24th and you can take $10 off!  Just use the checkout code BLJ.  Order now, and we’ll deliver your Valentine’s Day flowers in Concord, CA, to your special someone.

Celebrating Christmas in Concord, CA

‘Tis the season!  There’s a lot going on in Concord and the surrounding area during Christmas time.  If you’re looking for something to do, how about heading out to one of these events?

 

If you didn’t attend its official lighting, be sure to make a trip to see the “Charlie Brown” town Christmas tree!  It might look a bit puny, but it is quite festive.  The city decided to decorate the tree, which is growing in city plaza, instead of spending the money to purchase a prettier, larger cut one.  They’re planning on using this tree annually instead of erecting a temporary one as they’ve done in the past.

 

There are many different Christmas light displays to check out, too.  If you go to www.lightsofthevalley.com, you can even see pictures of some of the amazing Concord homes and their light displays, plus the site will give you a map of the area with these houses marked so you can see them in person.  The site also has a guide to lights in neighboring areas.

 

The Iceless Ice Rink will be open until January 2nd.  It’s located at the Todos Santos Plaza in downtown Concord.  Admission is $5, but that includes your skate rental.

 

There are a number of different churches in the area that are having Christmas pageants, plays, musical events, and, of course, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services.  If you’re interested in attending any of these events, check with your local church to find out what programs they’re having.  Local and nearby schools may also be hosting Christmas programs that are open to the public.

 

You may also want to attend a theater, musical, or ballet performance this holiday season.  There are a number of performances going on in and around Concord.  The California Symphony, for example, usually has at least one Christmas show every year.

 

Naturally, Concord is ready to ring in the New Year as well.  So once you’ve recovered from all that eggnog and Christmas fruitcake, you can head to Vineyards Chop House at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Dec. 31st and enjoy their amazing food and entertainment while counting down the clock.

 

Don’t forget your Christmas flowers in Concord, CA.

Thanksgiving Decorating

Oh my gosh, it’s already the second week of November and I don’t have any Thanksgiving decorations up!  OK, that’s not really something you really hear someone exclaim.  Thanksgiving certainly isn’t like Christmas or Halloween, both of which focus more on the decorations.  However, decorating your home for Thanksgiving can add a little holiday atmosphere to your family meal.

 

So how do you decorate for Thanksgiving?  There are a few things you can do.  Going with fall colors is an easy décor fix.  Just add a tablecloth, napkins, and other accessories in traditional autumn shades like red, orange, yellow, and brown.  Fall flowers that match, plus maybe a few candles, some small pumpkins, and a wreath featuring leaves and pine cones for your front door, and you’re set.  You can put some of these items out in September for the fall and leave them up until Christmas.

 

On the other hand, if you like cute little pilgrim and turkey images, you can go that route.  These decorations aren’t as versatile—you can’t really use them for anything but Thanksgiving.  They are cute, though, and you can do more with your theme.  For example, you can find salt and pepper shakers shaped like little pilgrims, or buy a platter that looks like a turkey with its tail feathers spread.  Yeah, some of these items are a little cheesy and cartoonish, but they’re also pretty fun.

 

You also have the option of going all-out with your decorations instead of confining them to your table.  Static clings of turkeys, pilgrims, and cornucopias can be stuck to your windows, and you’ll find a few banners that read “Happy Thanksgiving” to hang.  Your kids can get into the act by making hand turkey place cards for each guest or turn pine cones into turkeys for your centerpiece.  Be creative and have fun with your decorations.  After all, isn’t having fun what the holidays are all about?

 

Fall Flowers in the Concord CA area.

Scenic Fall foliage in Concord, California

California may not be the first place you think of when you think of gorgeous fall colors, but in truth, the state has some very pretty scenic drives.  If you want to take a nice drive or even a walk through some amazing fall foliage, here are some of the best spots.

 

Before setting out, be sure you have everything you need: camera, maps, a jacket, something to drink, and maybe even some snacks.  If you’re planning on having a picnic, be sure you’ve got all your food and utensils.  If you’re going to do some hiking, you may want to bring a backpack to carry extra water, some comfortable hiking shoes, a hat, and maybe even a handheld GPS.

 

One of the best highways to take is the famous Highway 1.  Drive over to Pacifica and then south to Santa Cruz.  This 60-mile drive not only gives you some great fall foliage scenes but it also goes past a number of state beaches, so you’ll find plenty of places to pull over for a picnic.  Along the way, you’ll pass Pescadero, a little town with plenty to see and do.

 

If you’ve got all day, you can continue on to Monterey and see the 17 Mile Drive.  This is a toll route, but it drives through a very nice coastal neighborhood.  The famous Pebble Beach golf course is here, and you can see how it looks in the fall.  There’s a ton of rocky coastlines to view, too.  This is the time to check out this route, too, since the big golf tournaments are over.

 

If, on the other hand, you’d rather stay around the Santa Cruz area, you can explore the Santa Cruiz Mountains.  Head up these twisting mountain roads for a great view of the valley below, plus take in all the woodlands.  It will take about three hours to make the loop since the roads are pretty twisty.  However, you can take a stop at Alice’s Restaurant for a snack.  The redwoods look amazing this time of year, but be careful on the tight, narrow roads.

 

These are just a few of the great scenic drives in California!  Discover your own by taking a road trip with no real destination in mind!

 

Fall Flowers Delivered in Concord California

How to Tell if She is Expecting Flowers

Elegant BeautyTo send flowers, or not to send flowers?  Sometimes, that is the question!  How do you know if she’s expecting flowers?  Here are some of the major signs.

The obvious ones:

It’s her birthday
It’s your anniversary
It’s Valentine’s Day
It’s Mother’s Day (if she’s a mother)

The somewhat obvious:

She’s gotten a promotion at work
You’ve had a fight
She’s very sick (a stomach ache doesn’t really count, but the flu for over a week does)
She’s had a depressing experience (family member died, she lost her job, etc.)
She hints around by talking about how beautiful flowers are, how she’d like a gift, etc.

The unobvious (aka you need to be a mind reader):

She’s in a bad mood
Someone in her office got flowers that day
She just finished a big project at work
She feels like she deserves them

Send her flowers in Concord CA today and whenever she expects them!