Written by Alex | June 5, 2014 | 2014 NewslettersNewsletter Tags: flowers, Gardening, jokes, recipies, stories
Succulent Workshop this Weekend
Newsletter 16 – Thursday, June 5, 2014
Current Hours
Cottage Grove – open Mon-Fri 9-8, Sat and Sun 9-6.
Edgerton open Mon-Fri 8:30-7, Sat 8:30-6, Sun 9-5.
Lucys Story – Chapter 52

"This image isn’t actually 6 years old. My mom just doesn’t know how to set the date on her camera."
Click for Larger Image
Its very soothing to listen (but not listen, you know what I mean) to my mom and dad while they are talking with each other. They gab about all kinds of things like the garden, their puppies and grand-puppies and the crazy squirrels in the back yard (my dad is not a big fan of squirrels). You know that everyday kind of stuff.
Anyway, early this morning the three of us were relaxing outside on the deck. I was drifting in and out of my morning nap enjoying a nice gentle summer breeze.
All of a sudden my moms voice dropped to a whisper which I thought How sweet is my mom, not wanting to disturb me while Im napping.
In the same breath I heard her say Lucy and the word surprise. What? My ears went into autopilot. Yep, I know this is called eavesdropping which isnt a polite thing to do, but, well, I love surprises, especially if they are for me. So, as I pretended to nap I got down to some very serious listening.
I heard my mom say she had never heard of or seen this thing before, but she was pretty sure that I would enjoy it. In fact, she was so sure of it that she ordered 2 of them. One is for indoors and one is for outdoors.
I must have reacted somehow cause my mom and dad both looked down at me and my dad asked Lucy, are you really sleeping or are you faking it again?
Faking it…me?
I tried to look as innocent as possible, but I dont think I pulled it off because they both got up and walked out into the yard and continued to talk.
Gosh, I wonder what it is.
My dad looked over at me and laughed.
Okay, Lucy, here are your clues. Its not a toy, not a treat or a collar. And its bigger then a bread box. Thats it. Those are the only clues youre going to get. Good luck you little eavesdropper!
So, I get the toy, treat and collar thing. But what in the world is a breadbox? I know these arent very many clues, but can anyone out there help me figure this out?
~Lucy
Hey, everyone! I see that Lucy is up to her old tricks again! Believe me when I say that Lucy will never, ever guess what her surprise is. I bet none of you will either. In fact, Im so sure of it that well give a $25.00 Americas Best Flowers gift card to the first person that responds to our Facebook page with the correct answer.
~Till next time,
Shirley
Dont Miss Our Succulent Garden Workshop
This Saturday, June 7 from 10am to 4pm
Whether on a sunny dining room table, in a hanging basket or potted around the yard, succulents are the newfound FUN plants for todays consumers. No longer limited to the gardens of the Southwest, gardeners are finding new and creative ways to use natures most durable plants. Easy to care for, all you need to do is forget to water them. They make perfect house plants as well as striking patio specimens.
Join us on this Saturday, June 7 for a Succulent Container Workshop. Let us assist you in creating your own unique container. We have a variety of containers for you to choose from or you can bring your own. Soil and design help are free of charge. Join our design team anytime between 10 and 4 in our container gardening area. Well see you there!
What is the best thing to do if you find a gorilla in your bed?
Sleep somewhere else.
Perennial of the Week June is Perennial Month at Americas Best Flowers
The Russian Sage is a sun loving perennial that will provide your garden with a long and lovely season of bloom. This plant grows in a bushy upright tuft of lacy and fragrant leaves and the combination of its grayish leaves and violet-blue flowers make it a true visual delight for your garden. This easy to care for perennial works well as a border, a focal point in your garden, or as a light and airy addition to a shrub area.
An added bonus is the neighborhood butterflies will visit your garden often!
Stop on out and choose from a selection of our specially priced Russian Sage and receive 20% off.
What did the rug say to the floor?
Don’t move, I’ve got you covered.
Glass with Class for Your Garden
Our beautifully designed colored glass top garden stakes are truly a work of art. Add one of these beauties to your shade garden for a pop of color or let its brilliance be displayed in your sun garden. These unique glass stakes will also add a WOW to any indoor house plant.
Any one of these would make a perfect gift for that special gardener in your life!
Because they had no reservation at a busy restaurant, my elderly neighbor and his wife were told there would be a 45 minute wait for a table.
Young man, were both 90 years old, he told the maitre d.
We may not have 45 minutes.
They were seated immediately.
Its Getting Close to Flea Market Time at America’s Best Flowers

America’s Best Flowers
2014 Flea Market Schedule and Information
July 12 | Saturday | Flea Market 8am – 3pm Rain or Shine |
August 23 | Saturday | Flea Market 8am – 3pm Rain or Shine |
Sept 14 | Sunday | Flea Market 8am – 3pm Rain or Shine |
Oct 18 | Saturday | Flea Market 8am – 3pm Rain or Shine |
For vendor participation 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.
Each vendor will be allowed two parking spaces, which equals one booth, to display their wares. More vendor space is available for an additional $10.00 for each parking space. Additional space must be requested at the time of the initial registration. Each vendor is limited to only one $20.00 America’s Best Flowers gift card regardless of the number of parking spaces (booths). The flea market will be located in our huge blacktop parking lot. Rain or shine!
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
Sun, Jun 1 – Mon, Jun 30 | Perennial of the Week Focus is on a new perennial each week. |
Sat, Jun 7 | Succulent Garden Workshop 10am-4pm FREE soil and assistance. Bring in your own container or buy one of ours. |
Sun, Jun 15 | Fathers Day FREE Schoepps ice cream for Dad and the family! |
Sat, Jun 21 – Sun, Jun 22 | Herb, Terrarium & Miniature Garden Container Workshop 10am-4pm FREE soil and assistance. Create your own herb container garden, terrarium or miniature garden. Bring in your own containers or buy some of ours. |
Sat, Jul 12 | Flea Market 8am 3pm Rain or Shine |
Sat, Jul 19 | Universal Saw & Tool Sharpening 9am-4pm – Get those tools ready for easier gardening. |
Q: Why was the birthday cake as hard as rock?
A: Because it was a marble cake!
Our Kitchen
Recently, Diane treated us with a fabulous bundt cake. It was gone in no time which means that we highly recommend this tasty treat.
Asparagus Bundt Cake

- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 2 cups grated fresh asparagus (about 1 pound), drained
- 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, un-drained
- 1 to 2 tablespoons grated orange peel
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups chopped pecans
Icing
- 1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 2 ¾ cups confectioners sugar
- 2 teaspoons grated orange peel
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 to 4 tablespoons milk
Directions
In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Add oil, eggs, asparagus, pineapple, orange peel and vanilla; mix well. Fold in pecans. Pour into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. For icing, beat cream cheese and sugar in a small mixing bowl until smooth. Add orange peel, vanilla and enough milk until icing reaches desired consistency.
Spoon over cake, allowing icing to drip down sides. Yield: 16-20 servings.

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