Behind The Scenes: The Bakanas Flowers Edition Vol. 3

            By now, we’ve all heard “Feliz Navidad” for the hundredth time as we wait a half an hour in line at the store for that last minute gift. Yepp, it’s the home stretch; three days until Christmas! Now, I know I’ve been neglecting my dear readers, and for that, I apologize. Since my last post, I have been deep in the trenches of scholarly knitty-gritty, but that’s over and done with for now! I’m free for a WHOLE month! I must say I cannot wait for December 25^th. Next to Halloween, Christmas is my favorite holiday. The lights, the trees, the decorations, the cold, the smell of pine coming from the Christmas centerpieces, they all fill me with a sense of child-like wonder. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year. Friends come together for jolly merriment; families gather to decorate the tree and sing carols. I think what I like most about Christmas Day is the sense of peace and tranquility that washes over the normally bustling metropolis of Marlton. Working in a flower shop makes my week before the main event extremely hectic, so I always find Christmas morning extremely relaxing. The mad rush is over until Valentine’s Day, it’s time for… PRESENTS! My youth comes back with vengeance Christmas morning. No matter how late I was out the night before, this is the only day I will voluntarily get out of bed before noon. I actually enjoy giving presents more than receiving them. There’s nothing better than that feeling of finding the perfect present for someone and witnessing the joy on their face when they open it, no?

                On behalf of everyone here at Bakanas Flowers, we would like to extend the warmest holiday wishes to everyone. For Behind The Scenes: The Bakanas Flowers Edition, I’ll see you next year.

-Liz

Behind The Scenes: The Bakanas Flowers Edition Vol. 2- Thanksgiving

The holiday season is in full swing, and in the hustle and bustle of hunting for the perfect turkey, fighting tooth and nail for the last can of gelatinous cranberry sauce, and figuring out where to put the hoards of hungry relatives we should remember what this holiday is really about… giving thanks.
        So in between answering the phones and creating bountiful centerpieces, I’d like to offer everyone a rare glimpse behind the scenes of Bakanas Flowers. I asked some of the staff what they were thankful this season: One of our clerks, Alice,” is thankful for my friends, my wonderful and loving family, and chocolate.” Paul, a second generation Bakanas, co-owner, and my uncle, “is thankful for our customers (who are like family and friends), my business partner (who puts up with him). I am also thankful for my supportive family, and friends.” Anna Marie, also a second generation Bakanas, my mother, and co-owner, says “I love Thanksgiving, catching up with family members we don’t often see, watching the cousins play football in the backyard, holding hands at the dinner table and giving thanks for all our many blessings- home, health, family and friends. I am thankful to live in a country that is free and ask God to watch over our nephew and all those serving far from home.”

         As for me, well, I have a lot to be thankful for, I may not always realize but as I ponder it now it’s the things I often take for granted and even complain about I find are the things for which I am most thankful. I am fortunate to have not one but two jobs that I actually enjoy, in a society where a man could be a CEO one week and then working the drive thru at a fast food joint the next. A woman could be on top of the teaching world only to be knocked off the map by budget cuts. I have access to more technology than I know what to do with, I also have access to a top-notch education. My family has always stood by me through good times and bad. I have one of the best circles of friends a girl could ask for. It doesn’t matter what we do whether it’s hanging out on someone’s couch until we all fall asleep in the middle of a Mad Men episode or going to a diner at 3 in the morning these times will be some of the best of my life. I am thankful that in this busy, busy world I have been taught to stop and smell the roses; but most importantly I am thankful for Grandparent food. I don't know what it is, but that grandparent comfort food always makes me happy. Seeing that big bowl heaped high with mashed potatoes brings a smile to my face. I guess you can tell where I will be spending my Thanksgiving... To grandmother's house I go!
        As Christmas, draws closer don’t forget to stop and smell the roses, and on this Thanksgiving holiday take a moment and notice all the little blessings in your life; feel free to comment on what those might be!
Happy Thanksgiving,
- Liz

Behind The Scenes: The Bakanas Flowers Edition

With the passing of Halloween, the race to Christmas has finally begun. It’s a bit early if you ask me. Last night I went to a movie only to find the theater plastered with Holiday Gift Card campaigns and Christmas music blasting in the lobby. I was shocked; the windows have pop corn kernels as snow! It’s too much, too soon. I think if it weren’t for Black Friday people would completely forget about Thanksgiving. Where there is Thanksgiving there are Thanksgiving centerpieces. Folks, no Thanksgiving dinner is complete without a holiday centerpiece to serve as the focal point of the table.
That is why, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the Country Cornucopia: Celebrate a year filled with prosperity- overflowing with friends, family, and joy. As a centerpiece or a decoration, the cornucopia's abundance symbolizes the fullness of our lives. This festive centerpiece contains gerbera daisies, sunflowers, bronze chrysanthemums, and accents of fall berries, cattails, fall foliage, natural wheat, and decorative grapes overflowing from a wicker cornucopia.

“Hm? What’s that? Sounds lovely but how about something simpler?” How about the “Bright to Light Centerpiece”? Keep Thanksgiving simple and stylish with a charming centerpiece featuring a single orange candle nestled in a radiant array of fall flowers. Strike a match and watch the magic happen. This traditional centerpiece includes yellow cushion spray chrysanthemums, rust cushion spray chrysanthemums, and orange alstromeria accented with assorted greenery and dried leaves. These puppies go fast so order soon! And remember, in the race to Christmas; let’s not forget about a wonderful little season called fall.

Authors Note: If I am to serve as your semi-monthly guide through the flower world, I feel I should introduce myself. Liz is the name, and I am a third generation Bakanas. I’ve worked part-time at Bakanas Flowers for three years as a sales clerk, but a year ago, I became a delivery driver, so look for me at your door! Besides the flower shop, I work part-time at a movie theater and go to school full time as an English Major. When asked to helm this little internet literature I jumped at the chance to make my mark on the internets. This is my first time penning anything like this, so feedback is greatly appreciated. Comments are welcomed and most certainly encouraged. Please tell me if you like something, or even if you dislike something. It helps me learn and grow as a writer, and lets me know what you want to read about and don’t. Comments can be left over “facebook”; or if you have a “gmail”, “LiveJournal”, “Wordpress”, “Typepad”, “AIM”, or “OpenID” account comments can be made directly on “blogspot”.
Until next time!
-Liz

Bakanas Flowers & Gifts

Holiday Open House

Friday November 19th, Noon to 7pm

Saturday November 20th, 9am to 5pm

Relax an be inspired as you browse

through our winter wonderland,

sample gourmet treats and

enter to win a free holiday centerpiece.

See what's new for home and gift giving;

receive 10% of all purchases(outgoing wire orders excluded from discount)