Newsletter 34 – December 18, 2008

Gift Cards      Indoor Plants       Holiday Cookies

“Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you,

that you can hear the flutter of their wings.”

By a Metro Denver Hospice Physician

I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd, when the car started to choke, sputter and die. I barely managed to coast into a gas station, glad that I would not be blocking traffic and would have a warm spot to wait for the tow truck. Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the Quickie Mart building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a gas pump, so I got out to see if she was okay.

When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes.  At that moment, everything came into focus; the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff, the 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95.

I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help.  She just kept saying ‘I don’t want my kids to see me crying,’ so we stood on the other side of the pump from her car.  She told me she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now.  So I asked, ‘And you were praying?”  That made her back away a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said, ‘He heard you, and sent me.”

I took out my charge card and swiped it through the reader on the pump so she could fill up her car.  While it was fueling, I walked to the next door McDonald’s and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee.  She gave the food to the kids in the car, who attacked it like wolves, while we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little.

She told me her name and that she had been living in Kansas City.  Her boyfriend left 2 months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet.  She knew she wouldn’t have money to pay rent Jan 1 and finally, in desperation, had called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5 years.  They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there. So she packed up everything she owned in the car and told the kids they were going to California for Christmas.

I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road.  As I was walking over to my car, she asked, “So, are you like an angel or something?” Through tears I said, “Sweetie, at this time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people.”

It was so incredible to be a part of someone else’s miracle.  And, of course, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem.  I’ll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but I suspect the mechanic won’t find anything wrong.

Everyone at America’s Best Flowers wishes you the very best Christmas ever.  May you, too, hear the angels’ wings during this holy season.

Gift Cards for Christmas

It’s not too late to order gift cards for all the gardeners on your list.  A gift card from America’s Best not only shows you care, but it gives the recipient a promise that spring really will come again.

Give us a call at 222-2269, tell us how many, and where they go and we will take care of everything for you.  You can give our gift cards with confidence, they never expire or have any service charges.

What did the bald man say when he got a comb for Christmas?

“I’ll never part with it.” joke 1

Short Days Affect Your Indoor Plants

Houseplants, just like people, are affected by winter. Temperatures drop, humidity falls and the days get shorter, reducing the quantity and quality of available light.  The change in light conditions can cause your favorite plant to suddenly drop leaves.  Some varieties, such as figs and hibiscus can lose so many leaves that you may think they are dying.

Keep in mind that this is natural response to environmental stress.  Be sure their winter home is away from cold or hot drafts, resist the urge to fertilize to help them snap out of it (it won’t), and watch them carefully to determine their watering needs.  Most houseplants need to dry out a bit between waterings.  Test by sticking your finger into the soil a couple of inches to test for dryness, and by watching for signs of wilt.  Plain water that has been allowed to warm to room temperature is the best choice during the winter.  March is the time to start fertilizing your plants again.  Use half strength until April 15, when you can return to full strength.

What do you get when you cross an apple with a Christmas tree?

A Pineapple. joke 2

For a fun winter activity, try growing your own pineapple.  It’s so easy, click here to see how to do it.  http://cahe.nmsu.edu/CES/yard/1997/112497.html

What do you get if you eat the Christmas decorations?

Tinsel-litis.  joke 3

BONNIE’S KITCHEN

These are so good and get gobbled up right away. We never seem to have many left for the Christmas Cookie platter!

HOLIDAY OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

1 c Butter Flavor Crisco

1 c firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 c granulated sugar

2 eggs

2 T milk

2 t vanilla

2 1/2 c quick or old-fashioned oatmeal

1 1/2 c all-purpose flour

1 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

1 c semi-sweet chocolate pieces

1 c red & green M&Ms

1 c chopped nuts

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Beat in first 6 ingredients until smooth. Add combined oats, flour, soda and salt. Mix well. Stir in remaining ingredients. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 3" apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake-10 minutes for chewy or 10-12 for a crisp cookie. Cool 2 minutes and remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Yields about 4 dozen.

“Why does Scrooge like Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer?

Because every buck is dear to him.” I joke 4

SEE YOU IN THE SPRING. We open April 1^st!