In the Crown

Of my world

Your enduring

Beauty

Keeps me

Climing

To new Heights

Each cool night

Away from you

Ignites a Dream

Of nights to come

When I

Conquer

Distance

To seize

Your body

With passionate embrace

Together

We shall light sky

In aurora

Ecstasy

–A. Justin Baker May 2008

commissioned by Jesus for Kathryn

OR BiZi Bee (your local Seattle florist) could deliver it for you as well!  We belong to a network of Florists all over the country/world and can make sure that your Mom gets flowers and/or gifts for her special day: Mother’s Day; May 11th, 2008.

For the Moms in Seattle and surrounding areas, we’ve came up with a few things we thought you would like:

  Phaleonopsis Orchid Plant: comes in white or purple/magenta.  Order for mom: $79.99

  Fragrance Galore!  Stargazer lillies, lilac and stock designed in stylish cylinder vase.  Order for Mom: $75.99

  Simple and Elegant for Mom: Stargazer lillies with curly willow in stylish vase.  Order for Mom: $59.99

  A bit of the tropics.  Belles of Ireland, Birds of Paradise, and Calla Lillies.  Order for Mom: $95.99  There will be other styles of tropicals available.  Just ask!

  Simple and Sweet.  Roses with phlox in a garden style bouquet.  Order for Mom: $59.99

  “Green” bouquet for Mom.  A recyclable container filled with Veriflora Certified flowers…for those ‘au Natural’ Moms.  Order for Mom:  $39.99

   Gardeners pleasure.  A ceramic container filled with a beautiful assortment of snap dragons, delphinium, roses, alstromeria, stock…this is one garden that your mom won’t have to maintain!  Order for Mom: $45.99

 Happiness for mom.  This yellow and white bouquet arrives in a beautiful blue and clean vase.  Filled with lillies, roses, stock, and alstromeria.  Order for Mom: $35.99

There are so many wonderful things your Mom would like: a card (for sure!), jewelry, fresh flowers, plants, and/or a trip to the spa.  We’d like to think that we’ve got you covered on any one of those OR all of them combined!

• We’ve got some great greeting cards for mom!
• We’ve got Jewelry by Banu and Cathy Hern (both local artists!)
• Did someone ask for fresh flowers?!  Not only are they Fresh, but they’re also Veriflora certified!
• Plants?  yes, we have them..a varity of orchids, indoor/outdoor blooming plants, and basket gardens with green and blooming plants.
• As far as the trip to the spa–you’re lucky!  We can get her a gift certificate to a fabulous little spa called “Diva Nail Salon and Spa“, where they can treat her like the queen she is with a great pedicure/massage and having her nails in tip-top shape!  You just specify the amount you’d like to purchase for the gift card and we’ll make it happen and attach it to your gorgeous bouquet that she’ll be getting from you too!

Just give us a call if you’d like something different.  Our mom’s deserve the best, and that’s why we’re here..to make sure they get it!  206-440-8819

 The request: a dozen roses wrapped and delivered by 1 pm to Bellevue.  Justin was lucky enough to catch the recipient and take a photo.

For our client:  Thank you.  It was an honor to help you make someone’s day extra special.

 We, here at BiZi Bee Floral in North Seattle, strive to make the world a better place..through flowers!  Not only are flowers beautiful to look at and smell, but they lift spirits and make people happier.  So, why not take it a step further by providing our clients with flowers that are grown in an environmentally friendly way?! 

We buy our flowers directly from the growers (all of which are Veriflora certified)…which leads to this question clients have..what does Veriflora certified and sustainable mean?  Here’s the answer: 

The VeriFlora certification program was established to provide stringent sustainability performance standards for growers and handlers of cut flowers and potted plants. It empowers each of us to stand up for sustainability standards that encompass all of the important issues, and to support the farmers and businesses who are making sustainability a reality.

Being Veriflora certified and organic are 2 seperate issues.  To be truly organic is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers.  Veriflora is very close and strives to be even closer to fully organic soon.  I came across a really great article that you could can check out here about the different ways flower growers are striving to be more “green”.

We do visit a local farm and buy product directly from them during the season and know that she runs her operation as organic.  I did a wedding last year, using farm flowers and it turned out amazing and better yet, it was all organic.  But, during the off peak season for locally grown organic product, we only order from Veriflora certified growers.

We can certainly also get USDA Organic flowers (variety is a little scarce, usually roses and calla lilies) and need a weeks notice for any special orders/colors.  If you’re going to use the roses “on” a food(cake), always make sure to rinse, even the organic ones.

So, if you’re looking for a “green” local Seattle florist, BiZi Bee Floral is here to deliver!

Today (April 22, 08), on Earth Day, BiZi Bee Floral had the honor of delivering a gorgeous eco friendly bouquet of flowers on behalf of Earth Justice in Alaska to one of their good friends that is here in Seattle.

I know they wanted to show their support to a colleague and their request from us was that we deliver eco friendly flowers in a recycled container (which happened to be a vase we purchased at Goodwill in North Seattle). Not only does the money go for a good cause when you purchase from Good Will, but it’s also a great way to recycle containers that we, in the floral industry, use every day.  On occasion we’ll purchase new, but BiZi Bee really prefers to recycle instead of having wasted energy go into something that is going to end up in the garbage or the back of a cupboard. (By the way, we love to accept those containers/vases that can be reused instead of taking up space in your home…we’ll even give you a credit or a flower, whichever you choose).

The bouquet was made with all VeriFlora Certified flowers: Gladiolus, Delphinium, Snap Dragons, Lillies, Alstromeria, Tulips, Iris, Thistles, Boronia and greens.  It was a truly lovely bouquet designed for the customers’ sentiment.

So, thank you to Earth Justice for the delivery we made on Earth Day and for trusting that we would do the very best for one of your own!

Problem was, i wasn’t sure who to call as “Cousin Vinny” was on vacation and it was snowing outside so all the usual shadetrees were baby sitting some brandy, jack, whatever.. Very lucky for me, i ran across Rob from RCP Automotive.

I have certainly been taken for a ride before by unscrupulous mechanics..so i wasn’t sure what to expect. First off, i was impressed because Rob showed up at the agreed time and place with all his own tools and a very pleasant attitude. Instantly, he was at work and making it obvious that he knew what the hell he was doing. in fact, i got tired of shivering and left him alone. about an hour and half later, he called and told me to come get my van.

Good Stuff..and as you know i like to share good stuff. If you need your car,truck, van, or suv repaired (even on the side of the road) you too can recieve excellent service by calling Rob at RCP Automotive at 425-218-6142. I’m certain he’ll take great care of you and your vehicle.

With Mother’s Day ahead, i am feeling great about driving all our deliveries thanks to Rob. When your money is on the line, he is the man!

poem written by a. justin baker of on 4/10/08 on commission of Bill F. for Dru for “A Lunch Date to Remember”..

Here’s a few helpful hints to make sure your Bachelorette Party goes off without a hitch and make sure you have the most relaxing day ever.

• Who Hosts?–Your attendants or siblings could chip in to create a send-off that’s right for you.  Here’s a hint: Let THEM do all the planning.
• Pre-Party To-Do’s–Make sure the people organizing the party know what your tastes are, so you don’t end up being asked to do anything outside your comfort zone.  You need to still be prepared for some surprises.  You need to let them know if you would rather head out of town for the weekend or keep it to a one-day event.
• Venue–You could get the party started by jetting off to Acapulco or the Mexican Riveriera for margaritas and some clubbing.  Vegas is always an option! Or maybe a spa day (try Spa Noir, Salon Zeka, or Diva Nail Spa for some options), Or a day in the city sampling wine at a wine bar (like The Purple Cafe or Smash Wine for a couple venues)and remember, flowers on the tables are a nice touch..you can have them made by BiZi Bee Floral in North Seattle and delivered to your destination!; or gather at that fabulous restaurant you’ve been meaning to try (The Melting Pot, Canlis, Sky City Restaurant in the Space Needle, or Wild Ginger)
• Guest List–All members of the bridal party, sisters and close friends.

DAY-OF NOTES:

Make the Bachelorette Party night (or weekend) memorable by taking lots of pictures.  Plus, dress to impress in something sexy (depending on the event you’re having) and yes, this is one time a tiara is acceptable!

 –In Style Weddings Magazine was the resource for most of this article

So, do me a favor, Don’t think of this as his last chance to celebrate being single; it’s simply an opportunity to spend time with his closest friends and toast the amazing life change that is about to happen!  Here’s a few tips I’d like to share:  the bachelor party should happen 2-3 weeks before the wedding (there’s so many things that could go wrong if done the night before..so plan ahead)

• Who hosts?–Usually the best man and groomsmen do this planning.
• Pre-Party To-Do’s–Discuss what kind of party is being planned for your fiance and make sure you’re comfortable with it too.
• Venue–Ideas for planning a weekend away are wide open: Las Vegas is an awesome option for good food and late night fun, or he can try something seasonal , like hitting the links in Arizona or California.  If the party takes place locally, he might consider chowing down at an upscale steak house (like the Metropolitan Grill or Rock Salt:Steak and Seafood), or attending a sports event (like the Mariners) or heading out for a day of adventure rock climing (try Mountain Madness for a great resource), white water rafting (try Blue Sky Outfitters for a great resource) or other extreme activity, such as ATVing (check out ATV Action Tours).
• Guest List–The groomsmen, your fiance’s brothers and any other friends he’d like to celebrate with.

DAY-OF NOTES:

Let him know that he can call you, even if his friends tease him, but they’re probably doing the same thing!

–In Style Weddings magazine was the resource for this article.

ii.
on the homefront
children play
unaware of their future
recessed from decay
of institutions
while old men read
papers delivered
people sit in cars
going nowhere
power from all it
derived from pipelines
and tankers
laiden in liquid
that one glance to the next
changes from red
to black
as fat cats
too lazy to count
their own green
spend offshore accounts
others are paid to do it
while those who truly
pay (children)
cannot count the cost
their innocence
deprives them of knowing
their world
is a runaway train
that drives them in suv’s
to mcmansions
the unsustainable
sustained
by war
only answer?
stay the course
set by great men
standing on lecturns
turning phrases
rattling sabers
speaking of victory
hollow words
to families
missing pieces
staring blankly
at empty places
can’t replace warm spaces
once filled
cold sheets
to greet
longing loved ones
meaningful moments
gone to history
never to return
to empty arms
now only cold walls
to stare back
why are those
who pay the price
the little ones
belonging to those who’ve
paid the price
now abandoned
as orphans
why, why, why
is the question
i beg to hear
ringing from sea
to shining sea
before again
we see
the bold, the brave,
the beautiful
our beloved
be closed
into breach
of conflict
beyond
control

iii.
again
i go
seeking
shipment
flowers flown in
only to greet
a cardboard box
with label
“human remains”
escorted by two
friends
Marines
Majors
standing
resplendant
in full dress blue uniform
symbolizing sacrifices
they know
firsthand
as they stand
by the side
of a fallen brother
not leaving his side
til they return
him to mother.
never again
will i shiftless
watch news
look the other way
never again
will i
cease to ask
before
such sacrifice is asked
why?!!!

poetry written by a. justin baker
after returning from picking up flowers from delta air cargo on april 5, 2008. justin is a vet of the united states navy. it is a salute to the us marines who served with lt colonel hall.
you guys truly live “semper fi”.