Written by Alex | May 1, 2014 | 2014 NewslettersNewsletter Tags: flowers, Gardening, jokes, recipies, stories
Happy May Day!
Newsletter 11 – Thursday, May 1, 2014

Current Hours
Our Cottage Grove location is open Monday-Friday 9-7, Saturdays and Sundays 9-6.
Starting next week, we will be open Monday-Friday 9-8, Saturdays 8-7 and Sundays 9-6.
Lucys Story – Chapter 47
The other day it was too wet to do anything outside, so my mom said it was a good day to do some spring-cleaning.
My dad is so funny. Quietly, he said to me, Lucy, this is a good day to run and hide!
My mom has this fancy-dancy machine that sucks up everything off the floor, off the couch, off my beds, off the rugs and out of every single corner of every single room. I tell you, nothing; nothing is safe when that machine is on the move. They (my mom and the machine) traveled together throughout the house, sucking up anything and everything that was in their path.
I know my mom is really impressed with that stupid machine, but I get confused. First she is oohhing and aahhing over how great it works and then later I hear her grumbling (well, actually, its more like a growl!)
You see all the stuff that gets sucked up through that hose thingy goes into what looks to me like a bowl of water. After they were done going through a couple of rooms, what was once a clean bowl of water turned into a dark and dingy sludge. My mom then turns the machine off, takes that water bowl thing into the bathroom and dumps the water out. Its at that time that the growling starts. She is going on and on about the water being so dirty and I hear her say to herself,
What are we a bunch of slobs or what?
And then, then, she says…are you ready for this?
There must be enough black fur here to make a blanket.
Now wait just a minute! How did I get dragged into this? I know I shed a little here and there, but, really, enough fur to make a blanket? Talk about your exaggeration!
So, I decided to get my dad. I looked all over the house for him. I knew he would defend me. I knew hed tell my mom that she was being way too dramatic about all of this. Then I remembered what he said to me earlier…it was a good day to run and hide.
As usual, my dad was right! Next time hes not leaving without me!
~Lucy
More Fun This Weekend At Our Greenhouse!
We are having another Container Garden Workshop this Saturday and Sunday, May 3 & 4, from 10 4 PM. The workshop starts at 10 AM and is ongoing throughout the day till 4 PM. Come in anytime between those hours. After you have shopped for your plants, flowers, and containers pick your spot in our designated workshop area and let the fun begin!
Bring your garden gloves with you as its a hands-on experience. Our knowledgeable and friendly associates will be happy to assist you while you do the planting and will help with any and all plant or design questions.
We do ask that if you are bringing in containers from home, please empty all soil from them before bringing them to our greenhouse. We will provide fresh and FREE potting soil for your creation and we will also clean up the mess.
If you are bringing in large containers please bring in packing peanuts, chunks of Styrofoam or Styrofoam egg cartons to help fill the bottom of your container. It makes the container a whole lot lighter for you to transport back home and also, easier to rearrange in your garden if you want to change your outside decor.
In A Hurry?
We get it! You want gorgeous planters, but you cant possibly squeeze one more thing into your already overbooked schedule. We believe we have the perfect solution for you!
Stop in and pick up several of our ready-made Grab-n-Go container gardens. We guarantee they will brighten up your patio, deck, yard and/or front stoop.
But, wait, there is more! We also custom design container gardens.
We have a talented design team that will custom design and plant your containers at our greenhouse and will then deliver them to your home or business. If you have permanent container structures our designers will come out and plant on site.
Containers come in all sizes and shapes and we can design and plant them all. Give us a call 608-222-2269, and well work with you and for you to create the container gardens that youve always daydreamed of.
Do you know what you get when you play a country western song backward?
You get your job back, you get your house back, your wife back, your truck back…
May 11 Is Right Around The Corner!

Plan ahead for Mothers Day this year by sending your mom, grandma, aunt or special lady an America’s Best Flowers gift card! Its as easy as calling us at 608-222-2269. We can take your gift card order over the phone, add your personal message to the card and we will even put it in the mail for you.
For a Hands-on Mothers Day Gift
Come on out and create a special Mothers Day gift at our Make & Take workshop. On Tuesday afternoon, May 6 and Thursday afternoon, May 8, from 5-7 pm, our container workshop area will be devoted to Mothers Day creations. Plant a special gift for Mom, Grandma, a favorite aunt or a special friend. America’s Best Flowers has a wonderful selection of beautiful plants, flowers and herbs for you to choose from. We also have a nice variety of potteries starting at $9.99. You are welcome to register by calling 222-2269 or just stop on out.
Or How about a Hanging Flower Basket?
We have a wide and gorgeous selection of hanging baskets at the greenhouse. Stop in and grab some for all those special ladies in your life. To make it even better, we offer a price break when you purchase five or more.
While youre here grab a Dramm watering wand (24 or 30 lengths available) to help water those hard-to-reach places.
St. Vincent de Pauls Pick-a-Pack Weekend!

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 2-4, you have the opportunity to help the St. Vincent de Pauls community garden. By donating a $1.99 pack of tomatoes or Lady Bell peppers for their gardens the food pantry will be able to offer fresh vegetables to many families this season. For every 4 pack sold, America’s Best Flowers will donate $.50 towards the SVDP gardens.
Did you hear that NASA is planning to send a group of Holsteins into orbit?
Apparently theyre calling it the herd shot round the world.
Don and his magic grinding wheel are back for the weekend!

Come in and sharpen your garden tools
Don, from Universal Saw & Tool Sharpening, will be here both Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4, from 10am-4pm and will, for a nominal fee (collected by Don) sharpen those dull garden tools, lawn mower blades, tin snips, and more. Look for our signs in the parking lot directing you to the drop off area.
Don will be able to sharpen most items while you are enjoying your time at the greenhouse. For more difficult sharpening Don may need to take your items back to his shop. They may then be picked up at Americas Best Flowers the following week.
Snake 1: Are we poisonous?
Snake 2: I dont know. Why?
Snake 1: I just bit my lip.
Plan ahead for Americas Best Flowers Flea Markets
2014 Flea Market Schedule and Information
July 12 | Saturday | 8am – 3pm Rain or Shine |
August 23 | Saturday | 8am – 3pm Rain or Shine |
Sept 14 | Sunday | 8am – 3pm Rain or Shine |
Oct 18 | Saturday | 8am – 3pm Rain or Shine |
To participate we require a non-refundable registration fee of $25.00. After you have your space set up on the morning of the flea market, Americas Best Flowers will present you with a $20.00 America’s Best Flowers gift card.
Freshwater piranha fish ~ $4.50 each.
Free to good home ~ one-legged duck named Betsy.
Send Al your gardening questions!
Americas Best Flowers wants to help you succeed in your gardening efforts. If you have gardening questions send an email to our Operations Manager, Al Lunde, at abflunde@yahoo.com. Al will get back to you promptly. Let America’s Best Flowers be your go-to greenhouse for answers.
Upcoming Events
Fri, May 2 – Sun, May 4 | St. Vincent de Pauls Pick-A-Pack Event Come out and donate a $1.99 pack of tomatoes or Lady Bell peppers for their gardens. The veggies will be used for their Community Food Pantry. For every 4 pack sold, Americas Best Flowers will donate $.50 towards the SVDP gardens. |
Sat, May 3 – Sun, May 4 | Container Workshop 10am-4pm FREE soil and assistance. Create a beautiful container garden in our greenhouse and well clean up the mess. Bring in your own pots or buy some of ours. |
Sat, May 3 – Sun, May 4 | Universal Saw & Tool Sharpening 10am-4pm Get those tools ready for easier gardening. |
Tue, May 6 | Mothers Day – Make & Take Workshop 5pm-7pm Plant a beautiful ceramic planter with an herb or pansy to give Mom, Grandma, or a favorite aunt. |
Thu, May 8 | Mothers Day – Make & Take Workshop 5pm-7pm Plant a beautiful ceramic planter with an herb or pansy to give Mom, Grandma, or a favorite aunt. |
Sat, May 10 – Sun, May 11 | Celebrate Mothers Day |
Calories (noun): Tiny creatures that live inside your closet
and sew your clothes a little bit tighter every night.
Our Kitchen
Cheesesteak Bundles
- 1 loaf of bread dough (I used frozen)
- 1lb. Thinly sliced steak (I used stir fry meat)
- 1 Bell Pepper, sliced
- 1 Medium red onion, sliced
- 1 tsp Minced garlic
- salt and pepper to taste
- Shredded Mozarella cheese
Directions
Allow dough to rise (and thaw, if necessary).
Fry beef until cooked and browned. Add vegetables and seasoning and fry until vegetables are cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside.
Roll dough out thinly to approx 1/8" thick. Cut into 12 evenly sized pieces. Place a spoonful of filling on each square. Sprinkle cheese over top. Fold opposite corners to the center and seal edges by pinching, forming a pocket. Place on a cookie sheet, seem side down. Back at 350 for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Edward Knapton says Keep on Smiling!
Sec – Treasurer Berry Hill Farms, Inc.
DBA Americas Best Flowers Garden Center
4311 Vilas Hope Road
Cottage Grove, WI 53527
608-222-2269 Fax 608-222-1234 Cell 608-698-5627