Written by Alex | October 27, 2016 | 2016 NewslettersNewsletter
Happy Halloween!
Newsletter 37 – Thursday, October 27, 2016
- Lady’s Story – Chapter 15
- Pumpkin Sale – 30% Off!
- Don’t let your Gourd down
- Bulbs So Nice You’ll Look Twice
- Cyclamen Plants & Amaryllis Bulbs to Shoo the Winter Blues
- 80% Off Perennials, Trees, and Shrubs
- Mulch Perennials for Winter
- Easy Money for Your Non-Profit Organization!
- We’re getting closer!
- Recipe: Vegetable Baked Ziti
Hours
Cottage Grove location open
Mon-Fri 9-6
Sat & Sun 9-5
Edgerton location open
Mon-Fri 8:30-5:30
Sat 8:30-5:00
Sun 9-4
Lady’s Story – Chapter 15
I’m bummed out! My mom just left to go on a road trip and I miss her already! I guess my dad could see that I was sad cause he got down on the floor and hugged me and said ‘Lady, I’ll miss your mom too, but you know what this means don’t you?’
I just looked at him sadly, thinking to myself, ‘Ya, I know what it means, no hugs, no kisses, no cuddling from my mom for days and days and days…’
Then he said the something MAGICAL!
‘Lady, with your mom gone we can eat whatever we want, whenever we want and do whatever we want. No curfew! It’ll be just you and me, Lady, on our very own special at-home-vacation!’
Wow! Suddenly, I’m feeling a little bit better!
Hey, don’t get me wrong, I’m still gonna miss my mom, but this could be a really, really fun adventure.
I gotta go now. I just heard dad open the fridge!
~Lady
Pumpkin Sale – 30% Off!
If these pumpkins had a face right now, they’d be smiling because they’re on sale – 30% off!!! Pick up some to carve or simply use for a Halloween display!
Don’t forget to roast the pumpkin seeds! It’s so easy- toss with a little oil and seasoning (like garlic powder, salt, or seasoned salt) and roast on a baking sheet at 350 for 10-15 mins, until light brown. Yum!
Sale does not include pie pumpkins or gourds. While supplies last.
Why did the monster’s mother knit him three socks for Halloween?
She heard he grew another foot!
Don’t let your Gourd down
Don’t let these gourds and pie pumpkins down; pick some up for easy Halloween decorations! Place in any nook and cranny of your home or yard to add a touch of fun and texture.
Add some ornamental corn, corn shocks, and hay bales to complete the harvest scene!
Why do ghosts like to ride in elevators?
It raises their spirits.
Bulbs So Nice You’ll Look Twice
Stunning!!! Marvelous! Enchanting!! Regal! … These are just a few terms you and your friends will use to describe your spring bulb display if you plant these bulbs now! Their beauty will make everyone look twice and stop in their tracks.
These bulbs are especially gorgeous because they’re 20% off!!
Now is the perfect time to plant, so hurry in to take advantage of this great sale. We have many varieties to choose from!
Cyclamen Plants & Amaryllis Bulbs to Shoo the Winter Blues
Cheer up your indoor environment and brighten the dark days of winter with cyclamen plants and Amaryllis bulbs. They’ll keep those blues away and make a great gift!
Our cyclamen are blooming now and will continue to bloom for the next 3-4 months, just when you need it the most. They enjoy bright sun in a cool spot, like a drafty windowsill and make a nice houseplant after they bloom. We will continue to get fresh cyclamen through mid-February, so you can pick one up now, or whenever you need a pick-me-up.
Amaryllis bulbs are in and ready to begin their journey to bloom. They are gently encouraged to bloom indoors when placed in soil or an Amaryllis vase in bright indirect light and kept moderately moist. In about 8 weeks, a large, showy bloom will emerge to lift your spirits!
What did the duck say when it bought lipstick?
Put it on my bill.
80% Off Perennials, Trees, and Shrubs
ALL perennials, trees and shrubs are now 80% off! Our selection is dwindling so stop out soon!
It’s a great time to make those landscape changes that you’ve been thinking about! This is a continuation of our progressive sale, where the percentage off increases by 10% each week.
This offer excludes mums and asters and is not valid on previous purchases or custom orders. There is no warranty on plants purchased at special savings of 40% off or more.
Dear sneeze,
If you’re going to happen, happen.
Don’t put a stupid look on my face and leave.
Mulch Perennials for Winter
Late fall is a great time to mulch your perennials to protect them from the stress of winter. 2-3 inches of mulch helps keep in moisture, but more importantly, it helps regulate the temperature of the roots. We have several kinds of mulch available.
What did the janitor say when he came out of the closet?
*Supplies!*
5 Days Left to Vote for Us!
Think back to spring, when you visited our greenhouses with the sun shining, fresh air, and lush plants abound… Now think of all the other nice things you liked about your visit! If you enjoy visiting us and like what we do, please vote for us in the Lawn, Garden, & Landscape category. October 31 is the last day to vote!
Easy Money for Your Non-Profit Organization!
Is your non-profit organization in need of funds? America’s Best Flowers’ fundraising program begins this fall on October 1 and runs through April 1, 2017. We have designed it to be quick, easy, and profitable. In as little as 2-3 weeks or less, you can earn substantial money for your group.
What else makes our fundraiser so special?
1. Your group gets 25% of the total value of the America’s Best Flowers gift cards they sell!
2. Our gift cards are valid at both our Cottage Grove and our Edgerton locations!
3. America’s Best Flowers gift cards NEVER EXPIRE!
Offer your customer that perfect gift to give for the holidays or any occasion. To help promote your fundraising efforts be sure to advertise that an America’s Best Flowers gift card may be used to purchase items for the coming holiday season. We will have beautiful poinsettias, Christmas trees, decorated and undecorated fresh wreaths, holiday hanging baskets, Grab and Go Porch Pots, and much more for your holiday decorating needs. Many non-profit groups have told us that “America’s Best Flowers’ gift cards almost sell themselves!”
Learn more about our fundraising program by visiting our website www.americasbestflowers.com or emailing Shirley at abfscimino@yahoo.com.
We’re getting closer!


The cooler is now running, staying cool, and making its way closer to the finish line! Each week, we get a little closer to having floral bouquets, fresh cut flowers, and fresh centerpieces at our Cottage Grove location. Please continue to pardon our extra dust and mess as we remodel. We are hoping to have our floral shop up and running by the holidays!
In the meantime, our Edgerton location can provide beautiful arrangements that we can deliver from Cottage Grove with a little advance notice. Give them a call at 888-287-1411.
What do Italians eat on Halloween?
Fetuccini A-fraid-o
Upcoming Events
Sat, Nov 19 – Sun, Nov 20 | Holiday Porch Pot Make & Take 9am to 3pm Create a festive porch pot for the holiday season. Pre-Registration Appreciated. |
Sun, Nov 27 | Christmas Miniature Garden Make & Take 10am to Noon or 1pm to 3pm Create an indoor miniature winter wonderland. Pre-Registration Appreciated. |
Sat, Dec 3 – Sun, Dec 4 | Holiday Porch Pot Make & Take 9am to 3pm Create a festive porch pot for the holiday season. Pre-Registration Appreciated. |
Sat, Dec 3 | Christmas Open House 9am-3pm Holiday celebration! Free kids activities!
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Sun, Dec 4 | Holiday Wreath Make & Take 9am to 3pm Create a holiday wreath that will cheerfully welcome all holiday guests. Pre-Registration Appreciated. |
Sun, Dec 11 | Holiday Centerpiece Make & Take 9am to 3pm Create that finishing touch for your holiday table with a festive holiday centerpiece! Pre-Registration Appreciated. |
Our Kitchen
Here’s another casserole-y baked dish that makes weekday evenings so much easier. This recipe was already pretty healthy, but I modified it to include more veggies and a little less ricotta cheese to make it even healthier. This is great for the end of a cold day. Enjoy!
Vegetable Baked Ziti
- cooking spray
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 1 large zucchini, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 8 oz. button or baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- 8 oz. whole wheat penne, cooked al dente according to package
- 11/2 -24 oz. large jar marinara sauce (I like the chucky kind, but choose your favorite)
- 1/2-15 oz. container of ricotta cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 C Italian blend cheese (or mozzarella)
- 1 Tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add zucchini, red pepper, and mushrooms. Cook until softened and liquid has boiled off, about 7 minutes more. Remove from heat.
- Add pasta, marinara sauce, ricotta, salt, and pepper to skillet with vegetables. Stir until well combined.
- Pour pasta mixture into baking dish. Top with cheese. Bake for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley before serving, if desired.