Flora Grub--An Amazing Nursery!!!!

A nursery for the soul!  Simply amazing!!!

vertical hanging garden of succulents

floragrubb.com

164 Jerrold Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94124

(415) 626-7256

Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am-5pm

and....there's even a Ritual Coffee Shop on the premises!!!

Thomas Keller at Flavor! Napa Valley! & Recipe for Puree of Sunchoke Soup

I had the pleasure of attending a demonstration by Chef Keller last weekend at the Culinary Institute of America! It was amazing! I followed it up by volunteering at his book signing event. I had a great time taking pictures of the attendees with the Chef, and had one taken too!

Thomas Keller's Puree of Sunchoke Soup

1/2 cup          thinly sliced yellow onion

1/4 cup          extra virgin olive oil

2 3/4 cup       sunchokes, peeled and sliced about 1/4 inch thick

1 tbsp.           salt

1 tsp.             sugar

Heat a large heavy-bottomed stock pot over medium heat.  Add olive oil , onions and salt.  Sweat the onions until they are soft and translucent.

Add the sunchokes and enough water or stock to just cover the sunchokes and bring to a gentle simmer.  Cook until the sunchokes are very soft.  Transfer the contents of the pot to a blender and puree.  Strain the soup through a fine mesh sieve and adjust the seasoning with salt and sugar.  Optional, add croutons to garnish and enjoy!

Cupcakes! Cupcakes!

Check out these adorable cupcakes I created for my friend's son's birthday!  Happy Birthday Richard Jr.! Many happy returns!

A Southern Party!

It's not just about the flowers.  I love to cook too!  Check out some pictures from a Southern Party that I hosted!

Bourbon and mint for the classic mint julip!  Oh, and don't forget the moonshine!

mini mac n' cheese

 spinach dip!

jalapeno poppers!

chicken wings, carrots and celery

Hanging out with Preston Bailey at the Bently Reserve in San Francisco

I love Preston Bailey!!!  He's an incredibly talented floral and event designer.  We were able to share our experience as Macy's Flower Show designers, he in New York, and me in San Francisco.  Of course his design was amazing!!!  And, he was a lovely person to meet and chat with.  He didn't make it on talent alone, although he has it in abundance, as his kind personality comes through very profoundly.  Here's a link to the amazing birds Preston created from orchids and tropical flowers.  http://blog.prestonbailey.com/2012/04/06/macys-flower-show-2012/

Love you Preston!!!

Fleur De Vie at the Macy's Flower Show San Francisco Union Square!!!

This weekend only Fleur De Vie will have its design displayed at the Macy's Flower Show at San Francisco Union Square!  The theme this year was Brazil!  Lush, tropical and exotic!

Here's the gown I designed using purple ti leaves, birds nest leaves, and drascena leaves with a hypericum berry necklace.

Here's another view.  Check out the little dog on the bottom left of the design.  The gown has a commodore petticoat under the purple ti leaf skirt.  Also, she's has some amazing strappy heals made with ti leaf stalks and cut leaf.

And, you can't have a gown without a mushroom, orchid, succulent, and date bustle!

Oh, and a little parrot resting on a large fiddle head fern on a plate of blue glass peeking out behind the design!

Little Lamb at de Young Museum on ABC 7 News!!!

Don't miss this wonderful event happening now through Saturday!!!  And, don't miss our little lamb for the De Peyester Painter, Maria Maytilda Winkler.  Clink on the link below to see our lamb and an ABC 7 segment about the exhibit!  Don't miss this!!!
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=8579975&syndicate=syndicate&section=

Fleur De Vie on 7Live Making Watermelon Arrangements!

This was a blast!  Make watermelon arrangements!  They're easy and inexpensive!  Watch the segment to lear how!!!!  http://7liveonline.com/Floral-arrangements-with-a-twist/8580876