I had a little "Ladies Who Lunch" last Wednesday....(Well, it was a 'Ladies Who Lunch+One Gentleman')----the first such lunch since last September---We were celebrating Dianne Travis' Birthday, and Mark & Dianne's 33rd Anniversary....(I will do a little blog about that soon....!)To make the occasion prettier and more festive, I got some flowers from the wonderful Van at The Conservatory....And they were and actually still are, just gorgeous!
One of my very favorite roses of all time---Sterling Silver. The color is just so lovely and soft....I have always been partial to the lavenders and purples of all shades....Sterling Silver was one of Larry Parks' favorite Roses...In fact that was how I got to know this particular Rose. He had a beautiful Rose Garden that he tended and cultivated while he was alive, and Garrett, Betty & Larry's oldest son took care of it after Larry died. It is no more, unfortunately, due to some horrible blight that hit their entire neighborhood about 15 years ago and killed every one's Rose bushes....
This Rose above is another very beautiful color....well, in reality it isn't just one color...the subtleties of the colors in this rose are so amazing....And as it gets older, it keeps changing....I really should take some more pictures today of all these flowers....
Look at this lush beauty above....! It looks so yummy----Good enough to eat, in fact! (lol)...And talk about a rich deep color....Oh My!
Above is a close-up of one of the very beautiful Orchids that came in this lovely arrangement.....These colors are so extraordinary....I love Orchids, as well as Roses, too....I first became aware of the fact that there were so very many variety's when I lived in Hawaii for 14 weeks back in 1974.....I had Orchids in every room in the house...given to me by a friend who lived in Kailua-Kona all year round, and who's Significant Other raised Orchids, among other things....Here is another BEAUTIFUL Orchid, below....
This arrangement was so full and generous in it's abundance....When Van delivered it---yes, he not only designs every piece that is created there but sometimes even delivers them himself.....The moment I saw it, it took my breath away...It was so "Spring", you know? I could not stop looking at it, and turning it about, as it sat on the table, because everything in it was just simply so exquisite.
Everywhere I looked there was nature's perfection! I mean look at this one above....The petals are so soft and creamy...And that center...Well, I just had to get in closer on that..... 
Isn't that an amazing center? That shape is unexpected....! And there was another one of these Beautiful flowers....(I need help with the names here, Judy, please....lol....) 
I have no idea what this is, but look at the center here, too....It is similar because of the little yellow stuff and the green, dead center....but, the shape of the center is entirely different....! 
By this time, you all have probably gathered that I love looking at things very close-up....Studying the beauty that truly is in 'the details'....I find great joy in that.....To illustrate my point....
Another view of that first Orchid I posted above....My eye doesn't know where to look first, there is so much beauty here...So I just keep looking and looking and looking....I never tire of looking at nature's creations. Check out this next picture.....
And then...this.
And then, this. 
Such beauty. There were 18 or 20 if these sweet little blossoms mixed in everywhere.....And here below, another Rose.....
There's more...but I will save some for next time.....Having these pictures is almost as good as having the original arrangement. Operative word: Almost. Nothing beats the live three dimensional.....But, it is a blessing to have the photographs to remind one of the great great beauty that nature shares with all of us, all of the time.......!
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had this to say:
Perfect start to a dreary, gray stormy Missouri morning.
Thanks.- Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 5:19:00 AM PDT
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I had never heard Sterling Silver until my brother began giving them to his wife. I couldnt' believe how pretty they were when I saw the vase.
Those flowers really do bring Spring into the heart don't they? Each such a lovely color and design. Beautiful photos of them!
I hope you have a nice April Fool's Day and that no one does any tricks to you. I want to think of a good one to pull on my family but I haven't come up with anything yet!- Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 6:48:00 AM PDT
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I don't blame you for being in love with that florist and his arrangements. He is a true artist! The flowers you asked about are ranunculus, both of them, even though the centers are a bit different.
The next-to-the-last photos of the pink ones with stripes are alstroemerias or Peruvian Lilies. I was once asked by Dr. Joyce Brothers if she could grow alstroemerias in pots on her terrace high above NYC. I had NO idea what to tell her, since my only experience with them was as cut flowers.- Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 10:07:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
I do believe that Spring has finally Sprung. Beautiful flowers, Naomi.
It is 68 degrees here today!! Finally shedding off winter.
Love the closeups!- Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 10:21:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
Simply Show Stopping Stunning! Funny how looking at flowers makes me breathe deeply. Makes me feel all unglued. The last one looks just like the one I wore behind my ear at our Easter Brunch this year.
I had a ladies lunch sort of recently too, more like a shamanic drumming and feast.
I thought of you when I saw this bee http://blueridgebluecollargirl.wordpress.com/2008/03/23/the-light-has-come/#comment-1127- Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 10:28:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
Oh, what great photo's. Thanks for brightening my very dreary afternoon at work. Spend my days looking at partno's on reports, every day all day long. Just came back from lunch, for some strange reason, it is 60 degrees here today, but looks like a thunder storm is brewing. Wednesday is to be back to 40's, can not wait, until the 70's that my favorite temps, with all the spring flowers popping out. Pussy Willows are in bud, have to have my husband, cut me a bunch of new ones, to keep in the house. They are the promise of better things to come. Thank you for sharing. Pat
- Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 10:34:00 AM PDT
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Another set of beautiful, breathtaking pictures...just amazing flowers!
- Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 10:54:00 AM PDT
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Van needs to pay you to do his advertising for his business. Your testimonials are terrific!
Van could pay you in floral arrangements instead of cash. You'd be surrounded by his flowers all the time!
:-)
He really does spectacular arrangements!- Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 1:02:00 PM PDT
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And now I shall go to bed with lovely pictures in my mind. Thank you Naomi. It is amazing how they blow up. I'm sure your guests appreciated them. What a tragedy about the rose bushes. So sad. Night night dear.
- Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 3:44:00 PM PDT
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Beautiful. I love the Sterling Silver roses. It's such an amazing color. I love an arrangement of multi-color roses. Simply stunning. Although each of the flowers you showcased are lovely. I don't think there's a more dramatic way to decorate than with fresh flowers.
- Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 4:56:00 PM PDT
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Gorgeous and you know I really should have bought YOU back the arrangement you sent us, I wish I could have bought it home with me lol
- Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 4:59:00 PM PDT
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I always fainted when I see all the lovely flowers Naomi.....I wish they are here with me now hehehehe...
- Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 5:48:00 PM PDT
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How colourful and cheerful ... lovely. All these pretty flowers should help you manage with the tax stuff ... i just hate forms of any kind. What i ant to say never fits in with any of the questions ... funny that!
- Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 6:27:00 PM PDT
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Lovely photos. The flowers don't even look real!
- Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 6:42:00 PM PDT
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My favorite flower combinations,colorwise. Really beautiful. They look almost good enough to eat. :)
~S- Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 7:00:00 PM PDT
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Sometimes, when the flowers are especially beautiful, I wish I could crawl inside of them and look out. Now that would be a picture, eh? :)
Oh, yes, taxes. I did mine in February and it was no less painful, just earlier is all.- Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 9:22:00 PM PDT
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Those flowers are gorgeous, Naomi!
- Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 9:28:00 PM PDT
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Stunning, stunning, stunning. What an arrangement and what beautiful spring colours/flowers. I am sure those flowers took place and pride in your home...
- Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 10:41:00 PM PDT
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My comment posting all screwy too. Naomi, I really needed this, these lovely flowers...after the day I had. Thank you. (I had a friend who raied roses, used to bring one new variety weekly. She made a JFK. Ever hear of that? It was white with a red spot on each one.)
- Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 10:51:00 PM PDT
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I know I'm in the vast minority of the world, but I really do not like orchids. They creep me out and look like little monsters. I LOVE roses on the other hand, especially the uniquely colored ones like the sterling silver here. My favorite is sort of a coral color and I have to restrain myself from stealing them if I see them growing in someone's yard. Your pictures were beautiful and I can't wait to hear about your luncheon! Good luck with your taxes.
- Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 12:06:00 AM PDT
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you aren't fooling me lol.. you thought if you looked at all those gorgeous flowers you could forget the "taxes"! hehe.. I hope the misery of doing taxes is over quickly!!
- Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 5:13:00 AM PDT
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Oh! What a nice and colourful photos, Naomi! All those beautiful flowers takes my breath away...
Thanks for sharing such beauty!
Many hugs!- Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 8:36:00 AM PDT
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what gorgeous flowers. They do indeed say spring. I am sure they added a lot to your luncheon as flowers always do
- Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 9:47:00 AM PDT
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They are beautiful Naomi and you did a superb job of taking pictures, as usual!!! Lovely, lovely colors!!
Hope the 'fun' tax stuff is going well!! :)- Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 11:34:00 AM PDT
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Gorgeous flowers. Good luck with your taxes. Guess I better get started on mine, since it is April.
- Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 2:50:00 PM PDT
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Sterling Silver was my mom's favorite rose. She had a rose bush in our yard probably since before I was born. I just got one a few weeks ago and it's doing wonderfully. I can't wait for it to start blooming!
- Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 4:54:00 PM PDT
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Looking at those flowers gave me this positive feeling. A feeling of spring and something new that is bound to happen. At the same time it makes me miss home as well. Belated Happy April's Fool's Day
- Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 9:55:00 PM PDT
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Thank you for these pictures Naomi, the flowers themselves are stunning but the way you show them really gives a great impression of how beautiful that flower arrangement is as a whole, and in it's various parts and details too. Wonderful. I felt like I was looking at "real" flowers for a minute. Now I feel like running out and getting myself some. Or better yet, I should have some delivered to me from one of our better florists! :-)
- Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 1:24:00 PM PDT
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Fantastic photos of gorgeous flowers! These are so cheery! I know what you mena about wanting to gte in closer to see the detail of the beauty. Somehow there is beauty within beauty and everytime you get in closer there is more detail to see! I got a macro lens for Christmas and am looking forward to getting to grips with using it as soon as my MBA is over.
- Friday, April 4, 2008 at 2:11:00 AM PDT
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Hello, Michele sent me this time to say that these flowers are beautiful. The day I visited it was hard to post a comment cause blogger was acting up!!!
You always have the prettiest flowers on your blog...- Friday, April 4, 2008 at 1:21:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
Gorgeous beyond words! HOW on earth does Van manage those colors? It's truly amazing!
Terri
http://www.islandwriter.net- Friday, April 4, 2008 at 1:26:00 PM PDT
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Absolutely exquisite Naomi - never are flowers prettier than the ones on your blog :)
- Friday, April 11, 2008 at 2:46:00 PM PDT
x4
