Valentine’s Day – It’s for the Guys, Too!

Valentine’s Is for the Guys, Too!

Although it’s traditionally a day for the men to remember, why not spoil your man with something special on Valentine’s Day? Men love flowers and plants, yet only a third of women buy their husbands floral gifts for Valentine’s Day, and we think that number should go up! Here are some ideas for you:

-Birds of Paradise. Paired with orange carnations and purple statice, the arrangement will pack major visual punch without looking feminine.
-Bright roses in a clean, contemporary vase with bold foliage—it looks great on a desk or a meeting room!
-Bold, modern looking blooms and plants, like dendrobium orchids, cacti, or bamboo, are a great choice (and will probably distract their attention, too!).

Here are some of our Academy Florist favourites!
Paradise Island

Spicy

Mango Mini Calla Lilies

Don’t forget – a suggestive notecard along with the flowers will go a long way in making him more excited about the delivery.

Valentine’s Day – It’s More Than Just Roses

More than Just Roses
There’s a reason why lovers around the world choose roses to send to the ones they cherish: widely grown for their beauty and fragrance, roses symbolize love and all that accompanies it. Poets have long idolized them with romantic fantasy, contributing to the meaning now associated with roses and Valentine’s Day: A red rose is said to symbolize passionate, true love while a blue rose remembers love at first sight. But when it comes to Valentine’s Day, there’s more than just roses to say you’re in love! Here are some of our favourite flowers and their romantic meanings…

Tulips: Choose red to make a declaration of love, pink to show you care, or yellow to show how hopelessly in love you are.
Orchids: Tell your love she’s a delicate beauty with a potted orchid or stunning bouquet.
Queen Anne’s Lace: Delicate femininity goes hand-in-hand with this ethereal bloom.
Yellow Chrysanthemum: Are you a secret admirer? This is the perfect choice for you!
Daisy: Innocence goes hand-in-hand with daisies.
Forget-me-not: Remember me forever.
Iris: Is she your muse? A spring flower, irises speak of inspiration.
Larkspur: With it’s tall shape and unique blooms, larkspur symbolizes a beautiful spirit.
Sunflower: Pure and simple, adoration!
Aster: Daintiness, love, and trust are all tied up with asters.
Pink carnations: Perfect for your mother or child, pink carnations reflect a mother’s love.
Gardenia: Gardenias tell people they are lovely, and whisper of secret, sweet love.

Valentine’s Day is more than just roses… but, we sure do love them!

Madeline’s Weddings Show at the Delta Hotel!

Come one, come all!
Okay brides, if you’re in search of a little more inspiration, come and see us on February 5th at the Delta Hotel, where the one and only Madeline’s Weddings will be putting on an inspirational open house style wedding show! Here’s all the info from Madeline’s Weddings for you…

You’ll be able to interact with quality vendors one on one, see gorgeous table and linen designs and sample some delicious treats, and every bride or groom attending will have a chance to win the Grand Prize Give Away full of free services and discounts for your big day! Academy Florists is giving away a dream wedding bouquet, and we’re putting together INCREDIBLE looks for your centrepieces that you will definitely want to steal and a bouquet bar for you to check out gorgeous bouquets!

There is no charge to attend this event, but we ask that each person attending bring a non-perishable food item that Madeline’s Weddings & Events will donate to Winnipeg Harvest.

All brides and grooms are welcome to attend but you MUST register for your FREE tickets here. Here is a preview of just some of the vendors participating in this years show!

Madeline’s Weddings & EventsDelta Hotel
Michelle Zerr Photography
Academy Florists
Fine Eyes Make Up
A Moving Pictures Studio
Dwayne Larson Photography
Cake Studio
Marc Desrosiers – Marriage Commissioner
Sunlife Financial – Kate Brito
Harp Oasis
Tania Jane
The Bagpiper
David’s Bridal
The Floral FixxSteven Fehr – Marriage Commissioner

Plus, here’s a look back at one of Madeline’s previous wedding shows at the Delta Winnipeg. Thank you to Michelle Zerr for these awesome photos!!

Delicious Fall Pumpkin Recipes

Ready for some Flowers and Food? Seasonal recipes with beautiful flower arrangements are the perfect way to fill your home with the warmth of the season. Watch this video for more!

Pumpkin Scones:

2 cups all-purpose flour
7 Tablespoons sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
6 Tablespoons cold butter
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
3 Tablespoons half-and-half
1 large egg
Sugar Glaze Ingredients:
1 cup powdered sugar
1 Tablespoon powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons whole milk
Spiced Glaze Ingredients:
1 cup powdered sugar
3 Tablespoons powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons whole milk
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 pinch ginger
1 pinch ground cloves
Scones Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Lightly grease a cookie sheet or line with parchment paper.
3. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and spices in a large mixing bowl.
4. With a fork, pastry knife, or food processor, cut butter into the dry ingredients until mixture is crumbly and no chunks of butter remain. Set aside.
5. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk pumpkin, half and half, and egg.
6. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Form the dough into a ball.
7. Pat out dough onto a lightly floured surface and form it into a 1-inch thick rectangle (about 9 inches long and 3 inches wide).
8. Use a large knife to slice the dough into three equal portions. Cut diagonally to produce 6 triangular slices of dough.
9. Place on prepared baking sheet from step 2.
10. Bake for 14–16 minutes until scones turn light brown.
11. Place on wire rack to cool.

Sugar Glaze Directions:
1. Mix the powdered sugar and 2 Tablespoon milk together until smooth.
2. Brush glaze over the top of each cooled scone.

Spiced Glaze Directions:
1. As sugar glaze firms, combine the spiced icing ingredients.
2. Use whisk to drizzle over each scone and allow to dry before serving.
Makes 6 pumpkin scones.

Pumpkin Muffins:
2 cups pumpkin puree
1 cup sugar
1 cup olive oil
4 eggs
Mix first four ingredients and then add:
2 cups flour
1 cup bran
½ tsp salt
3 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp each baking powder and baking soda

Fold in 1 cup chocolate chips if desired. Bake at 350F for 20 minutes.

Pumpkin Seeds:
Pumpkin Seeds (from 1 pumpkin)
1-2TBSP olive oil
Salt, chili powder, or other spices to taste
Combine all ingredients and roast on a greased pan at 400F until deep golden brown (about 15 minutes).

Pumpkin Penne:
Penne con la zucca (Pumpkin Penne)
For 4 portions as a main course you’ll need:

1LB penne or other pasta
1.5 cups fresh pumpkin puree
2 large yellow onions, sliced
½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
half a cup heavy cream
nutmeg and black pepper to taste
Cook pasta.
Carmelize onions with a litte butter in a heavy pan – about 20minutes on low heat. Add pumpkin, nutmeg and Black pepper. Remove from heat and add heavy cream. Add sauce to pasta and then add parmesan and mix. Garnish with extra parmesan if desired.

The History of Academy Florists

Over the past 31 years, Academy Florists have been privileged and delighted to be designing and delivering flowers across Winnipeg. Having started in 1980 with one designer, we now have five locations throughout Winnipeg and Brandon.

We have seen many changes over the years, fashions come and go, and flowers have remained a welcome gift. Although designs and containers have varied over the years we sincerely feel that Academy Florists will still deliver the arrangement or bouquet of your dreams. The designers in each of our shops can design your flowers in the “traditional” to “modern”, “classical” and even “tropical” looks. If you have a favorite container, bring it into any of our shops and we will make an arrangement for you that will delight you and others as well.

Weddings and social events have always been a significant part of Academy Florists’s services. Wedding consultations are free and ideas are endless. From the bride’s bouquet to the smallest details, Academy Florists will surpass your expectations.

Academy Florists also has a website where you can place your order securely and with ease. Many also use our website to find their choice and then call us to place their order. Our selection is very extensive including bouquets, arrangements, plants, silks and specialties for more permanent décor of your home or office and much more. Please take a moment to check us out at www.academy-florists.com.

At Academy Florists, we express your feelings and enhance your world with flowers.

We’re “Wild About Flowers!”