Once upon a time in Queen Street ....

"Living My Dream"

On the 1^st April 2011 Country Flowers moved to 150 Queen Street Kensington. We purchased the house in 2002 and it can be best described lacking a little TLC. It was in such an unsavoury state I couldn’t bear to have a full inspection when I first saw it, all I remember is lots of small dogs and the brown gloss ceiling in the kitchen. The deal was done the loan approved and we took occupation on the 2 January 2003, unfortunately the estate agent who had the keys was away on her annual vacation and our poor house stayed locked up for a month in a glorious hot Johannesburg January. The day we received the keys will remain in my mind for as long as I live and every time I dare to go there the memory never fails to make me roar with laughter. Annie, my dearest mother and best friend joined me as I bravely opened the front door. We were apprehensive to take a good look around the house we had staked our future on. We made it in the front door, through the entrance hall and into the back room, a strange sensation had come over me I felt as if my skin was crawling and one look at Annie told me she was feeling the same way. Together we looked down and to our horror we were being eaten alive by fleas. Pandemonium followed, about turn, hand bags on heads, run for the door, find the right key to lock the house, jump in the car, drive the 8kms to Annie’s home, scratching all the time. Every time we looked at each other we squealed in horror and laughed to beat the band. Arriving at Annie’s the idea was to get out of our flee infested clothing but as we got out of the car the pool came into sight and we both made a mad dash. Clothes and all we were in! It sounds like a slap stick movie but no we lived it, we laughed, we panicked and nearly drowned together. I couldn’t have asked for a more memorable start to the next chapter in living my dream. 

Welcome to ORANGE week @ Country Flowers

Every year it’s a given, winter follows autumn and comes before spring in September followed closely by seven month of glorious southern hemisphere summer. It never ceases to amaze me how unprepared we are and how much complaining we manage to fit into these 12 winter weeks. If I had a rand for every time I’ve heard ”It’s so cold”, “ I hate Winter”,” flowers are so expensive”, “the variety of flowers is so limited”…….I’d be rolling in cash. I’ve had enough! I’ll tell you something I do know winter in the florist business is the season for wreaths and sympathy arrangements. Now that is something “real” to feel blue about.

As long as I’m here on this amazing, ever-changing planet we call earth I’m going to celebrate winter. It makes me think of all the things I’ll miss when spring arrives. Winter boots, open fires, glühwein, cosy rugby afternoons on the couch, hot curry, butternut soup, autumn leaves and navel oranges, I could go on and on.  As I made this list the colour that popped into my mind was ORANGE, in all its wonderful hues. Warm, comforting, bright and so versatile. The selection of flowers in season at the moment which come in orange is extensive, Roses, Carnations, Alstromeria, Lilies, Streletzia, Snaps and Leucodendron, to name just a few.

The other great thing about it being a little colder is how long cut flowers last, they might be more expensive but my word there longevity ensures you value for money. Orange is also a fantastic colour to use in interiors, try this fun ideas at home.

Have an awesome winter week and remember  “People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy.” Anton Chekhov


Written by Jackie, owner of Country Flowers, "living my dream"