Written by Alex | May 7, 2015 | 2015 NewslettersNewsletter Tags: flowers, Gardening, jokes, recipies, stories
Have a Happy Mother’s Day!
Newsletter 12 – Thursday, May 7, 2015
Current Hours
Cottage Grove location open
Special Saturday Hours for Mother’s Day Weekend!
9 – 8 Monday through Friday
9 – 6 Saturday and Sunday
Saturday, May 9, 2015 – 8am-8pm
Edgerton location open
Mon-Sat 8:30-6:00
Sun 9-4
Motherhood: All love begins and ends there
~Robert Browning
For many of you it has become a tradition to bring the entire family out to the greenhouse and have Mom, Grandma or anyone else who is Mothers-Day-Special to you, pick out their own hanging baskets and planters. We, too, especially enjoy this weekend because we get to see so many of you. We will be open from 8 in the morning to 8 at night this Saturday, and 9-6 on Sunday. Just a reminder, easiest shopping hours are early and late. We look forward to seeing you.
I asked my wife what she’d like for Mother’s Day and she said for me
to drive 7 hours east with the kids & then turn around & come back.
For a Hands-on Mothers Day Gift
There is still time to come out and create a special Mothers Day gift at our Make & Take Workshop. Today, Thursday, May 7, 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 along with a wide variety of potteries. You are welcome to register by calling 222-2269 or just stop on out.
If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?
Milton Berle
Hands-Off Mothers Day Gifts
Dont have time for the Mothers Day workshop? We have a wide and gorgeous selection of hanging baskets that will brighten any day. Swing by and pick out that perfect hanging basket for Mom. And dont forget the Dramm watering wand (24 or 30 lengths available) to help Mom get to those hard-to-reach places.
Things Mom Would Never Say
"Yeah, I used to skip school a lot, too"
"Go ahead and keep that stray dog, honey, I’ll be glad to feed and walk him every day"
Moms Love Gift Cards
Not sure what flower or plant Mom would like for Mothers Day?
We can help! Stop out and pick up an America’s Best Flowers gift card for your mom, grandma, aunt or special lady. If youre in a hurry, just call us at 608-222-2269 and well take your order and payment over the phone. Your gift card will then be ready for you to pick up at our front Customer Service Desk.
Remember, our gift cards do not have an expiration date and may be used at both our Cottage Grove location and our Edgerton location.
The Secret
A mom was teaching her 4 year old son to zip up his jacket.
The secret, she explained, is getting the little straight piece all the way into the little slot before you pull up the zipper.
Her son looked up at her and said, Mom, why does that have to be a secret?
New Products Corner
Add some pizzazz to your outdoor entertainment area with a few of these wonderful pieces of lawn furniture. Guaranteed to complement any dècor or color scheme. Each piece is treated with a baked-on powder coated finish. The cushions are made with an indoor / outdoor material. To ensure years of enjoyment bring the cushions indoors in the off season.
You Cant Get Here from There
The road construction on Cottage Grove Rd and Stoughton Rd (Hwy 51) may change the route some of you will take to get to the greenhouse this year. See this article for information.
Since Southbound entrance and exit ramps onto 51 will be closed, those coming from the north will need to get off Hwy 51 at the Milwaukee Street exit. Go left (east) at the bottom of the exit ramp and stay on Milwaukee St. until you get to Sprecher Rd. Turn right (south) go to the first stop light, which is Cottage Grove Rd. Turn left (east) go 1 mile and then take a right (south) on Vilas Hope Rd. We are down one half mile on the right. Hope to see you soon!!
Click here for a live version of the pictured alternate route.
Everybody wants to save the earth; nobody wants to help Mom do the dishes.
Associate of the Week: Larissa
Larissa is our associate of the week and has been at Americas Best Flowers for the last year doing both retail and customer service. This spring she has been working on our planting line and checking in new product for the retail area. She also helped with the Scarecrow workshops last fall and enjoyed it so much she wants to help again this year.
Larissa states Its so much fun to work here! Theres always something going on and everyone here is a hoot! Plus the plants are beautiful! One of her favorite plants that we carry is the hydrangea. These plants have the big clusters of flowers and come in many colors and varieties.
Larissa is an MATC student studying Art Teachings. She enjoys taking walks and being with her friends. She likes to draw portraits, cartoons for people and enjoys photography.
Send Irene your gardening questions!
Americas Best Flowers wants to help you succeed in your gardening efforts. If you have gardening questions send an email to Irene, at abfirene@gmail.com. Irene will get back to you promptly. Let America’s Best Flowers be your go-to greenhouse for answers.
Lucys Story – Chapter 90

"Out here, I’m known as Dr Lucingstone, famous explorer of the hosta jungles."
Click for Larger Image
Snippet from Lucys journal
My moms favorite hosta saying is, You can never, ever have too many hostas. My dad doesnt feel that way though. After counting 63 hostas in the yard last year he said that we had about 45 too many.
So, when my mom brought home another hosta the other day my dad just groaned and said, Come on. Are you kidding me? When is enough enough?
Then my mom explained, This is for Lucy. You know how she likes to lay in the middle of the hosta field on hot summer days. Its a cool and shady spot for her to relax in. And this is another Sum and Substance hosta that gets really, really big and will give her more shade.
Oh, its for Lucy! Ok, Ill get the shovel. Come on, Lucy Girl, were burning daylight. Lets get this thing planted.
My mom walked over to my dad and gave him a big hug and then out to the backyard we went. Just me and my wonderful dad!
Till next time!
~Lucy
You know you’re a mom when you’re up each night until 10 PM vacuuming, dusting, wiping, washing, drying, loading, unloading, shopping, cooking, driving, flushing, ironing, sweeping, picking up, changing sheets, changing diapers, bathing, helping with homework, paying bills, budgeting, clipping coupons, folding clothes, putting to bed, dragging out of bed, brushing, chasing, buckling, feeding (them, Not you), PLUS swinging, playing baseball, bike riding, pushing trucks, cuddling dolls, rollerblading, basketball, football, catch, bubbles, sprinklers, slides, nature walks, coloring, crafts, jumping rope, PLUS raking, trimming, planting, edging, mowing, gardening, painting, and walking the dog. You get up at 5:30 AM and you have no time to eat, sleep, drink or go to the bathroom, and yet … you still managed to gain 10 pounds.
Upcoming Events
Thu, May 7 | 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. Reservations are accepted 608-222-2269. |
Sun, May 10 | Celebrate Mother’s Day w/flowers! |
Sat, May 16 – Sun, May 17 | 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 EMPTY pots or buy some of ours. |
Sat, May 16 – Sun, May 17 | Universal Saw & Tool Sharpening 9am-3pm Get your tools ready for easier gardening. |
Sat, May 23 | Herb Cooking Class 11am-1pm Cooking with fresh herbs. |
Sat, May 30 | Perennial Gardening Class 10am-11am Free garden plan and class. |
Sign in a kitchen
If you write in the dust, please don’t date it!
Our Kitchen
Rhubarb desserts have started appearing on the break room table. There is nothing like that first bite of juicy, tart rhubarb to prove that spring is truly here. Last week Thelma brought in her Rhubarb Torte. It was gone long before afternoon break time. The pie recipe is from Sharons family. She guarantees it to be the best rhubarb pie in the world. Choose your favorite, or if your rhubarb is doing well, try both. Youll love hearing the ooohhhs and aaahhhs.
Rhubarb Torte
Crust
- ½ c butter (room temp)
- ½ c sugar
- 1 egg yolk (save white)
- 1 ¼ c flour
- 1 T milk
Filling
- 1 c milk
- 2 eggs plus the white from above
- ¾ c sugar
- pinch salt
- 3 c rhubarb, sliced ½ pieces**
Directions
Blend crust ingredients and press into a 9×13 baking dish or pan. Bake 15 min at 350 degrees.
Mix filling ingredients. Pour into crust. Bake an additional 45 minutes.
**Thelma loves to add a few raspberries.
Rhubarb Cream Pie
- pie crust for 9 pie top and bottom
- 1 ½ c sugar
- ¼ c flour
- ¾ t nutmeg
- 3 eggs, slightly beaten
- 4 c rhubarb, sliced into ½ pieces
- 2 T butter
Directions
Line pie pan with crust.
Beat eggs in medium bowl. Combine dry ingredients. Beat into eggs. Add rhubarb.
Pour into pie pan. Dot with butter.
Top with lattice crust.
Bake at 400 for 58-60 minutes.

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