Easter Monday at The White House

Pictures on www.kdiof.com

Easter Monday morning was just that, early morning, 3:00 as we were to be on the Ellipse at 4:00 to check in and go to the South lawn. The Metro begins at 5:00 so we took a cab, which was a bit faster.We arrived at the Ellipse, went through the security screening and the gate. Checked in, and then headed up to the lawn. We were screened and checked again, sent through the first gate, then onto the second at the entrance, finally on the lawn. People had already started to line up for the first shift, with their young children. It was a bit chilly; they were in their Easter finest all bundled up.
The floral designs were all checked, watered in place, looking very nice.
Then up to the costume tent area where I dressed to be an official Easter Egg. Many of you saw me on TV. We were interviewed by many national and local channels. Check back to that day on morning TV if you like and see the waving eggs, I was the fresh one!!!! That was so much fun, seeing the children and adults that wanted their picture taken with the eggs. The costumes were very heavy; the hat was too big for me and kept slipping over my eyes. We each had a guest helper to keep us where we needed to be, to adjust our hats and umbrellas. After an hour or so in the costume it was time to take it off, someone else put it on. I believe Andrea put it on next. It takes two and three people to help put that egg on over your head and gently lower it on to the shoulders, and worth every ache.
Later in the morning my friend Debi picked me up to take me on a walk through the National
Arboretum. The Azalea trees were in bloom, the flowers were bright and blooming, some cherry trees and of course tulips, daffodils all of the lovely spring bulbs and early spring flowers. Jack in the Pulpit, were all over the grounds.
The airline called, cancelled the flight from DC to Amsterdam that I was on, so I needed to reschedule. The person was so nice, she gave me tow choices, and I could fly to Detroit or Paris and still arrive in Amsterdam an hour later than originally scheduled. Really there is a choice between Detroit and Paris?????I choose Paris without a breath.
I was on the top beck of a huge plane, isle seat. I ate a small snack and slept most of the way to Paris. Went through security and Customs there, had a croissant, then it was time for the flight to Amsterdam, barley 2 hours, but 2 hours in Paris.
The hour flight to Amsterdam was too short for a nice nap, but great. Els was there to meet me. WE went to her house to settle in and freshen up. After a short time we headed out for some errands drove around the city and the beautiful lake and visited the Borema School of Floral Design. I took pictures and will have more information later to share with everyone. We talked about having a class for students from
WE shopped at a few stores, went to a couple of wholesale houses and garden centers and flower shops. Big day. Then home for a wonderful dinner, nice talk and bed.
Wednesday morning we took a nice long walk along the dikes, the windmills, through the village and farm land, had a nice breakfast, ran a couple errands, then packed and headed to Venlo.
KDIOF to come here for a tour and classes. More on that as well.

Easter at The White House

Happy Easter 2012
There are many people that put this event on, the production company ,Ceil Glombacki of the Egg Council and The Floral Team, headed by Ardith and Sherry. This year Sherry’s husband Tim was a huge help as always, Andrea Shuck, my niece, Debi Deimling, Linda Grummel, Anne Decker, Anne Z,Libby Cupp, Trish Pike, and Rebecca. Thank you all for volunteering your time, talent and patience. We do what must be done to design the flowers for this annual fun event. There are times when the president is “ on the move” that we “play possum” which means stay in one area , everyone on the lawn, helpers, performers, everyone stop what they are doing, go to one place and wait until they ask us to go back to our tasks. It is always interesting and a great time to meet other helpers, acts and staff.
I arrived Friday morning to tent full of fresh beautiful flowers on the South Lawn of The White House. Eufloria from California sent the most luscious roses, the colors were stunning, bright, the blossoms were in perfect shape. They not only grow these lovely roses, they know how to pack and ship them so they arrive in premier condition for designing. California Cut Flowers sent oh so beautiful assortment of tall strong larkspur and full Queen Ann’s lace, full bright colored heather, artichoke and pincushion protea to be envied. Thank you for the beautiful assortment of fresh flowers to create arrangements for the annual White House Easter Egg Hunt and Play Day.
The flowers are the best; we needed the best product to create in. Western Pulp in Oregon again this year donated ReCreation containers of all sizes for the many creations. Of course Smithers Oasis was used for the foam. Smithers has been a consistent support for the White House Egg Hunt. With Smithers
foam and Western pulp containers it is a sure win. We use the Smithers Oasis small and large casket saddles for many of the stage designs as they hold water, have a nice secure hold and will not be blown away, which is so so important !!!! Believe me.
With the flowers we made 20 plus large arrangements for The First Lady and President’s Reading stage where they read stories to the children. There were designs on the cooking stage, Play With Food, The Hop To It stage, Two huge amazing designs for the main stage, two for the Egg Roll area, several for photo opportunities throughout the lawn. 20 designs were made in Western Pulp Recreation containers and Smithers Oasis foam for the VIP tent, the performers tent and the changing tent areas.
To enter the White House South Lawn one must be cleared to enter the street gate, when cleared the officer allows entrance, you set your purse on the ground , walk away from it, stand to the side, the dog will look at, into and around the bag. I was a bit anxious at one time as there was chocolate in my bag. He had his nose in there for longer than was comfortable for me, I mentioned that there were chocolates in there, the officer just smiled and kept on checking. Then to the lawn gate where your ID is handed in again, checked again, then allowed in. The same routine in gone through there. It makes me feel safe and that our president is safe. There are well trained officers and staff throughout the grounds, friendly in a very business manor. Amazing.

Holland 2012

Saturday April 14
We ate breakfast; I packed for the next part of the trip to Hungary. We took a walk into the village, shopped, looked, talked, and enjoyed the lovely morning and delightful company. I look forward when we can see each other and share time once again.
Els dropped me at the airport where I changed my flight coming back to Minneapolis. I received an e mail from Vera and Timi my friends in Hungary. They had contacted the Hungarian Florist Association, lucky for me there was a program/meeting on Wednesday April 18, the day I planned to return to Minneapolis. They invited me to take part as a stage presenter, is an honor to be invited. Vera and Timi worked out the details with the officials of the association. I changed my flight to the next day April 19.

Holland 2012

Friday April 13, 2012

After another delicious and healthy breakfast Els and I left her house to meet Bob Gordon AIFD, his dear wife Ruthie and a tour of 20+people that he was the tour group leader for the visit to Holland and Floriade, plus the auction and Kukenhof gardens. We meet at the auction, checked in, and began a really great tour with Els as the tour guide. She is a native of Holland, her departed husband George sold and bought through the auction, we are fortunate. I was there a few years ago, it was not o computer then, wow, it is first class, high tech. There are 5 areas as the one in the picture. Look at Alsmeer Flower Auction for details on how it all works. We walked, looked and shared the volume of what happens with the flowers, foliages and plants.
Els and I said goodbye to Bob, Ruthie and their group, then we headed to the supplies/product/wholesale area across the area. There were some really wonderful ideas that I will talk with Jacquie about in our supply department at Koehler to help inform our customers. It is exciting.
We went to Els house, talked, had a good lunch. About 3:00 we left the house to visit Kukenhof Gardens and the tulip fields. It is a short drive, she lives so central, and the country is small. We passed so many beautiful fields of flowers, the lilacs and fruit trees were blooming, beauty everywhere.
Els worked at the gardens for years designing, giving programs, and creating displays.

Floriade 2012

April 12,2012
Floriade 2012 Velno Holland
We stayed in a nice hotel last night, a garden room on the main floor. It was lovely with a charming garden to look at and enjoy. The hotel that Els choose included the ticket to Floriade, a coffee and pastry of the region which we ate after we checked in, a dinner and wine and breakfast, including parking and free WIFI.
It took a couple of hours to drive from her house through the beautiful countryside. There was a lot of traffic both ways, so she concentrated on the road .After we checked in and ate our snack we walked through the little town Arcen ,the shops and gift shops, a flower shop and clothing shops. It was really nice. Everyone spoke some English, some more than others, , The drive was about 15 minutes to the parking for Floriade. The bus was waiting to take us to the entrance. Everything is well marked. We entered a Floraculture and Horticulture wonderland from all over the world. I will not take the time to walk through all of the exhibits, please go on line to Floriade.com .
We arrived right at 10:00 when it opened and stayed until 5:00. We saw everything we wanted, almost all of the exhibits. Several were a walk through. One can bring their lunch and snacks or purchase many different varieties of food and drink there.
So much Green, both in the color and green products. Part of the whole concept is recycle, growing, caring for the earth in all languages and resources. There were the best exhibits for children, interactive for all ages, a, adults actors, performers, floral designers, gardeners…so much to see.
We ended in the Floraculture building. Els will be judging the exhibits with some other invited professional judges. We talked to one of the people in charge to have some information on what the criteria is for the exhibits. I will include some pictures.
Our feet are well used today, it was pleasant. I am blessed to be able to be here after 25 years of wanting to come and see Floriade. Thank you everyone for encouraging me to follow my goal and to Els who made my dream a reality.
On to Kukenhof gardens tomorrow. Yipee pofergees to eat.