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>> "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom"

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is brought to you by the

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following...

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>> That flower feeling.

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♪

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At home.

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♪

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At work.

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♪

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Or anytime.

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♪

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CalFlowers is a proud sponsor of

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"J Schwanke's Life in Bloom,"

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where flowers and wellness go

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hand in hand.

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>> We have fresh in all our

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stores, from soups and steaks

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and all things flour to all

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things flowering.

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Custom fresh arrangements

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designed by our in-store

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florists at

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Albertsons Companies.

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♪

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♪

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>> I show you ways to enjoy

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flowers for the holidays in this

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episode of "Life in Bloom."

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We'll decorate mini boxwood

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trees, wrap presents the J way,

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and I'll make a bouquet

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including a few of my favorite

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things.

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♪

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♪

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I'm J Schwanke.

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Welcome to "Life in Bloom."

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"I will honor Christmas

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in my heart, and

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try to keep it all the year."

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When it's time for the holidays,

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my thoughts turn to spreading

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good cheer with decorations,

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including flowers, of course.

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I have a few flower projects

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for the holidays to share.

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However, I also love

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vintage Christmas decorations,

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and I wanted to share with you

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a few of the cherished items

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I enjoy every year.

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Some of them are from my own

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childhood,

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and many are decorations that

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were just too good to pass up.

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This aluminum tree

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is a great example.

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I found this on a trip

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to Nebraska, and I was

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in the town of Valley, Nebraska,

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and I went

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into an antique store.

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There it was in its box,

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including the color wheel

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for the base,

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and it's become a treasured

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decoration ever since then.

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Speaking of trees,

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I have several ornaments

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from childhood.

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Santa and his Elf here

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are particular favorites,

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as is the angel at the top of

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the tree from Kel's childhood.

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Aside from vintage ornaments, I

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also have some treasured gifts.

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Incorporated into the tree

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is a larger-scale decoration.

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It's a Julenissa,

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or a large elf.

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It was given to me

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by a cherished friend,

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and it's always been part

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of my Christmas tradition.

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It's fun to take a large-scale

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decoration and place it into the

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tree.

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And a nest is a must

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for any tree.

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As legend has it, a tree

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with a nest brings prosperity

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for the following year.

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As you may notice, my love

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of vintage Christmas items

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extends to decorations

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around the house,

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including the packaging.

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King Santa here was a great find

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at an antique show,

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but the box he arrived in

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is also in great shape

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and worthy of display.

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The packaging of these angels

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is just too good to hide away.

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I call this one

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Santa's greenhouse.

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It was a surprise from a friend.

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I love that it lights up

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and flashes, as well.

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These salt-and-pepper shaker

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Santa and Mrs. Claus figures

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are fun to display

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on the dining table.

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I was swept into the putz-house

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phenomenon a few years back.

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A tiny Christmas village

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is hard to resist.

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This vintage mid-century card

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always makes its way out on

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display somewhere in the house.

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Speaking of mid-century decor,

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I found this magical musical

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domed nativity

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just a couple of years ago.

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This adorable little Santa band

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fits just about anywhere.

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This festive alligator

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is a fun favorite

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and was crafted by Kel's

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high-school art teacher.

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Here's one more item

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from my childhood, my stocking.

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I love the beadwork.

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And, of course,

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there was a stocking

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for my best friend, Blossom.

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She's right here,

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and here's her stocking.

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These were handmade

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by a babysitter,

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Rose Brannigan.

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Thanks for indulging me

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with a tour of decorations.

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Now let's see how flowers

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can add to the excitement

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of decorating for the holidays.

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♪

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Boxwood trees are a popular

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holiday decoration.

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You can purchase them

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at your local market or online

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or create your own

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using a flower foam cone

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and fresh boxwood.

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So we can place

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this inside any container.

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Today we're using a clay saucer

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so that we have a nice, rustic

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appearance for all the rest

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of the elements.

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First thing to do is add

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our pinecones.

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I've got these great

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Austrian pinecones, but,

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again, they don't have a pick

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on the back.

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So what I've done

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is I've taken a covered wire,

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and I'll weave it in between

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the pinecone at the bottom

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and then twist it tight.

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I've used a 22-gauge wire,

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so then I can take it and insert

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it directly into the tree.

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We'll also be using

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millimeter balls.

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With these,

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I can use one of the wires

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and wrap it around the stems

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to bind them together

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and then cut it off.

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We'll place those in the tree,

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as well.

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Stigmata pods are going to be

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a great accent,

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along with some silver balls.

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So that gives you an impression

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of what the tree's

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going to look like.

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Now all we need to do

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is decorate it.

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♪

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♪

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♪

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♪

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♪

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♪

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♪

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And now we can add a ribbon.

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I can have tufts of burlap

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like this,

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and what we'll do with that

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is we're going to add it

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towards the bottom.

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Since our tree's kind of tiny

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and this beautiful burlap ribbon

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is very wide and would cover up

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a lot of things,

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we'll just tuck it along

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the bottom.

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And I'll do that in a couple

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of places around the outside.

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I can add this great

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little burlap cording

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as a garland on the tree,

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and I'll take it

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and get it started at the top

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just by pushing it down

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into the tree itself.

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Then we can use our turntable

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and just loop it

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around the tree.

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Now our little boxwood tree

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is decorated and ready

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to celebrate the holidays.

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♪

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So it's time to make

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some hot chocolate.

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I'm not a marshmallow fan.

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So I know many of you love

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marshmallows, and that's great.

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I'm not a marshmallow fan.

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I like whipped cream

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on my hot chocolate.

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So today we're going

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to make peppermint whipped cream

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to go on our hot chocolate.

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But let's make

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the hot chocolate first.

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So we've got our hot chocolate

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in here, and we're going to add

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our milk to that.

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And we'll get that going.

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I think the great part

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about this is that

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Christmas is a time for memories

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and making traditions.

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This is the kind of thing

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that can become a tradition

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for people.

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So while we're heating that up,

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we can start our whipped cream.

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We'll start with a pint of heavy

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whipping cream.

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♪

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I like to use powdered sugar

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to sweeten it.

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I use about 3 or 4 tablespoons.

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♪

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Then I add a little bit

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of vanilla

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and a few drops of peppermint

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extract.

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♪

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♪

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♪

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Now, you'll notice

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I left a little bit of room

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because I like a lot of whipped

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cream on top of my hot cocoa.

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There we go.

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So cheers.

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Happy holidays.

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♪

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♪

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Christmas is always

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about memories, and this is one

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of my favorite arrangements.

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When I was a little kid,

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we grew up in the flower shop,

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and there were all sorts

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of accessories that we always

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had in the flower shop

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for Christmas,

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and one of them were these cute,

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little novelty dancing Santas.

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And I just think that

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they are cute because my mom

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would use them in corsages,

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and they would use them

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for different sorts of things.

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Somehow the mold

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has been preserved

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and I still see them

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available online in

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different stores that I go to.

297
00:11:00,166 --> 00:11:03,000
So I have a collection

298
00:11:01,033 --> 00:11:04,433
of the dancing Santas,

299
00:11:02,133 --> 00:11:06,366
and I usually make

300
00:11:03,000 --> 00:11:07,766
an arrangement that has

301
00:11:04,433 --> 00:11:09,433
a few dancing Santas in it.

302
00:11:06,366 --> 00:11:10,366
It also reminds me of the old

303
00:11:07,766 --> 00:11:11,633
Judy Garland special

304
00:11:09,433 --> 00:11:12,966
where there were a whole bunch

305
00:11:10,366 --> 00:11:14,266
of Santas that came out

306
00:11:11,633 --> 00:11:14,933
and danced with Judy.

307
00:11:12,966 --> 00:11:16,200
So that's kind of the theory

308
00:11:14,266 --> 00:11:17,133
behind it,

309
00:11:14,933 --> 00:11:18,666
is that we've got a whole bunch

310
00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:19,400
of Santas that are going to

311
00:11:17,133 --> 00:11:20,666
go in this arrangement.

312
00:11:18,666 --> 00:11:22,700
We're going to use

313
00:11:19,400 --> 00:11:23,533
red carnations

314
00:11:20,666 --> 00:11:25,600
and white fuji chrysanthemums.

315
00:11:22,700 --> 00:11:27,233
We use a little bit of sugar

316
00:11:23,533 --> 00:11:27,233
pine, got a few ornaments,

317
00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:27,233
and our dancing Santas.

318
00:11:31,033 --> 00:11:34,300
We've got a red cube

319
00:11:31,900 --> 00:11:35,066
filled with flower-food water.

320
00:11:33,333 --> 00:11:35,733
We'll add a little bit of sugar

321
00:11:34,300 --> 00:11:37,166
pine.

322
00:11:35,066 --> 00:11:38,400
I always like to start

323
00:11:35,733 --> 00:11:39,933
with a greenery structure

324
00:11:37,166 --> 00:11:41,000
to help hold the other flowers

325
00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:43,300
in place.

326
00:11:39,933 --> 00:11:45,400
Then we'll add

327
00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:54,933
our fuji chrysanthemums.

328
00:11:43,300 --> 00:11:56,200
I'll add four around the base.

329
00:11:45,400 --> 00:11:57,533
♪

330
00:11:54,933 --> 00:12:05,366
Then I can tuck carnations

331
00:11:56,200 --> 00:12:13,133
in between.

332
00:11:57,533 --> 00:12:14,733
♪

333
00:12:05,366 --> 00:12:15,400
♪

334
00:12:13,133 --> 00:12:17,066
Once I've got my carnations in,

335
00:12:14,733 --> 00:12:18,500
I'll add one more

336
00:12:15,400 --> 00:12:20,066
fuji chrysanthemum, and we'll

337
00:12:17,066 --> 00:12:20,066
tuck a little bit of sugar pine

338
00:12:18,500 --> 00:12:20,066
in the top of the bouquet.

339
00:12:23,800 --> 00:12:26,966
Some of the Santas

340
00:12:24,500 --> 00:12:28,933
have shorter stems,

341
00:12:25,666 --> 00:12:29,966
so I can stick those directly

342
00:12:26,966 --> 00:12:32,833
into a flower where others can

343
00:12:28,933 --> 00:12:33,466
get placed throughout the

344
00:12:29,966 --> 00:12:35,466
bouquet.

345
00:12:32,833 --> 00:12:44,733
We'll accent it

346
00:12:33,466 --> 00:12:45,766
with our ornaments.

347
00:12:35,466 --> 00:12:47,233
♪

348
00:12:44,733 --> 00:12:49,333
There we have it,

349
00:12:45,766 --> 00:12:55,800
dancing Santas,

350
00:12:47,233 --> 00:13:02,333
a perfect Christmas arrangement.

351
00:12:49,333 --> 00:13:03,666
♪

352
00:12:55,800 --> 00:13:06,466
♪

353
00:13:02,333 --> 00:13:08,733
Amaryllis means

354
00:13:03,666 --> 00:13:10,133
"to sparkle" in Greek.

355
00:13:06,466 --> 00:13:13,566
Its genus name of Hippeastrum

356
00:13:08,733 --> 00:13:15,300
is derived from the Greek words

357
00:13:10,133 --> 00:13:16,666
for "horse" and "star."

358
00:13:13,566 --> 00:13:17,933
In nature, amaryllis blooms

359
00:13:15,300 --> 00:13:20,666
in spring or summer

360
00:13:16,666 --> 00:13:21,933
but are commonly forced into

361
00:13:17,933 --> 00:13:24,800
early bloom for the holidays.

362
00:13:20,666 --> 00:13:26,133
Amaryllis make dramatic

363
00:13:21,933 --> 00:13:27,900
and long-lasting cut flowers.

364
00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:30,133
The U.S. imports more than

365
00:13:26,133 --> 00:13:32,233
10 million amaryllis bulbs

366
00:13:27,900 --> 00:13:33,533
every year, mainly from Holland

367
00:13:30,133 --> 00:13:37,366
and South Africa.

368
00:13:32,233 --> 00:13:39,466
Plant breeders have developed

369
00:13:33,533 --> 00:13:42,000
more than 600 named varieties.

370
00:13:37,366 --> 00:13:43,100
The amaryllis genus Hippeastrum

371
00:13:39,466 --> 00:13:45,266
has yielded several substances

372
00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:46,900
with medically useful

373
00:13:43,100 --> 00:13:49,766
properties, one of which has

374
00:13:45,266 --> 00:13:51,366
shown promise as a treatment

375
00:13:46,900 --> 00:13:55,733
for Alzheimer's disease.

376
00:13:49,766 --> 00:14:00,866
A properly cared-for amaryllis

377
00:13:51,366 --> 00:14:02,033
plant can live for 75 years.

378
00:13:55,733 --> 00:14:03,033
♪

379
00:14:00,866 --> 00:14:04,866
So, this is a great project

380
00:14:02,033 --> 00:14:06,100
for the holidays,

381
00:14:03,033 --> 00:14:08,066
and it's super easy.

382
00:14:04,866 --> 00:14:09,266
Each one of these cylinders

383
00:14:06,100 --> 00:14:10,666
will be exactly the same.

384
00:14:08,066 --> 00:14:11,933
We're going to use evergreen

385
00:14:09,266 --> 00:14:14,433
and we'll use our winterberry,

386
00:14:10,666 --> 00:14:17,233
but the secret fun part

387
00:14:11,933 --> 00:14:18,100
about this is the cranberries

388
00:14:14,433 --> 00:14:20,700
because cranberries float.

389
00:14:17,233 --> 00:14:25,100
So we're going to add

390
00:14:18,100 --> 00:14:26,133
cranberries to our vases.

391
00:14:20,700 --> 00:14:27,633
♪

392
00:14:25,100 --> 00:14:29,000
See how you get a great,

393
00:14:26,133 --> 00:14:30,666
little level on there?

394
00:14:27,633 --> 00:14:36,633
And then our stems will go right

395
00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:37,700
through those cranberries.

396
00:14:30,666 --> 00:14:38,966
♪

397
00:14:36,633 --> 00:14:39,966
So now we'll start

398
00:14:37,700 --> 00:14:42,000
with our evergreen.

399
00:14:38,966 --> 00:14:42,966
The evergreen will help us

400
00:14:39,966 --> 00:14:44,133
give structure to the base.

401
00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:47,466
I want to trim off

402
00:14:42,966 --> 00:14:49,566
any of the pieces that are going

403
00:14:44,133 --> 00:14:51,100
to fall below the waterline

404
00:14:47,466 --> 00:14:59,166
and then our winterberries are

405
00:14:49,566 --> 00:15:00,233
going to go in the top.

406
00:14:51,100 --> 00:15:01,333
♪

407
00:14:59,166 --> 00:15:02,533
The cranberries provide

408
00:15:00,233 --> 00:15:03,766
some structure,

409
00:15:01,333 --> 00:15:06,100
but I like the collar

410
00:15:02,533 --> 00:15:08,300
of sugar pine

411
00:15:03,766 --> 00:15:13,400
to provide crisscrossing stems.

412
00:15:06,100 --> 00:15:15,400
So when I place my ilex in as

413
00:15:08,300 --> 00:15:17,433
a bunch, it'll stay in one spot.

414
00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:18,933
I've trimmed each bundle of ilex

415
00:15:15,400 --> 00:15:21,966
to be exactly the same length.

416
00:15:17,433 --> 00:15:23,900
There's eight stems in each one

417
00:15:18,933 --> 00:15:25,033
of the cylinder vases.

418
00:15:21,966 --> 00:15:27,166
Once the vases are complete,

419
00:15:23,900 --> 00:15:27,966
I put them in the middle

420
00:15:25,033 --> 00:15:29,200
of the evergreen wreaths.

421
00:15:27,166 --> 00:15:31,000
These are cute, little

422
00:15:27,966 --> 00:15:32,866
evergreen wreaths that I got

423
00:15:29,200 --> 00:15:33,666
at the farmers market.

424
00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:35,566
Then we'll add a ribbon accent.

425
00:15:32,866 --> 00:15:37,733
I roll off about a

426
00:15:33,666 --> 00:15:39,633
yard-and-a-half of the wide

427
00:15:35,566 --> 00:15:41,333
plaid, and I take one of my ilex

428
00:15:37,733 --> 00:15:42,966
branches and push it down

429
00:15:39,633 --> 00:15:44,500
into the wreath.

430
00:15:41,333 --> 00:15:45,700
Then I add the red shear ribbon,

431
00:15:42,966 --> 00:15:48,000
which emphasizes the red

432
00:15:44,500 --> 00:15:49,933
in the ilex berries

433
00:15:45,700 --> 00:15:52,100
and the cranberries.

434
00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:53,833
You see how simple it is to make

435
00:15:49,933 --> 00:15:55,033
this little trio centerpiece.

436
00:15:52,100 --> 00:15:56,766
But remember, you can also do it

437
00:15:53,833 --> 00:15:58,200
with just one vase

438
00:15:55,033 --> 00:15:59,633
and one wreath, too.

439
00:15:56,766 --> 00:15:59,633
It's a great idea for holiday

440
00:15:58,200 --> 00:15:59,633
decorating.

441
00:15:59,866 --> 00:16:10,966
♪

442
00:16:05,500 --> 00:16:10,966
♪

443
00:16:11,200 --> 00:16:14,433
We're going to wrap

444
00:16:11,766 --> 00:16:16,100
a Christmas present.

445
00:16:13,100 --> 00:16:17,633
And, of course, these Christmas

446
00:16:14,433 --> 00:16:19,466
presents are amazing

447
00:16:16,100 --> 00:16:20,800
because you can add all sorts

448
00:16:17,633 --> 00:16:22,266
of different items to them

449
00:16:19,466 --> 00:16:23,400
and make them personal.

450
00:16:20,800 --> 00:16:25,066
So we've wrapped our package

451
00:16:22,266 --> 00:16:26,600
in a coordinating paper

452
00:16:23,400 --> 00:16:27,900
that goes with the ribbon.

453
00:16:25,066 --> 00:16:30,033
I'm using four different kinds

454
00:16:26,600 --> 00:16:34,200
of ribbon so that

455
00:16:27,900 --> 00:16:38,466
I've got a great variation.

456
00:16:30,033 --> 00:16:40,633
We'll start with

457
00:16:34,200 --> 00:16:42,533
about 2 yards of ribbon.

458
00:16:38,466 --> 00:16:44,600
I love this chevron pattern.

459
00:16:40,633 --> 00:16:45,466
Chevrons are really popular

460
00:16:42,533 --> 00:16:47,466
right now,

461
00:16:44,600 --> 00:16:49,133
and we're going to wrap it

462
00:16:45,466 --> 00:16:49,133
around our package

463
00:16:47,466 --> 00:16:49,133
and tie it into a knot.

464
00:16:52,466 --> 00:16:59,500
Now, you'll notice that I left

465
00:16:54,600 --> 00:17:00,266
the tails long so that they can

466
00:16:56,833 --> 00:17:02,333
stick off to either side.

467
00:16:59,500 --> 00:17:03,800
Now I'll pick

468
00:17:00,266 --> 00:17:06,533
an alternating ribbon --

469
00:17:02,333 --> 00:17:10,233
this one with the green

470
00:17:03,800 --> 00:17:12,000
and the sparkle in the middle.

471
00:17:06,533 --> 00:17:12,000
For the second tie, we'll do

472
00:17:10,233 --> 00:17:12,000
about 2 yards of ribbon.

473
00:17:16,433 --> 00:17:22,633
And we'll bring those up

474
00:17:20,666 --> 00:17:22,633
and tie those into a knot.

475
00:17:25,966 --> 00:17:31,766
Now we're tying them right over

476
00:17:27,166 --> 00:17:34,866
the top of the other knot.

477
00:17:30,100 --> 00:17:36,533
And you'll notice for this one

478
00:17:31,766 --> 00:17:39,333
that I left two long pieces.

479
00:17:34,866 --> 00:17:43,333
We're going to use that to help

480
00:17:36,533 --> 00:17:45,600
create the rest of our bow.

481
00:17:39,333 --> 00:17:47,066
So with my chevron ribbon,

482
00:17:43,333 --> 00:17:47,900
I'm going to come back

483
00:17:45,600 --> 00:17:49,300
and make a loop.

484
00:17:47,066 --> 00:17:52,033
With this, we're going to

485
00:17:47,900 --> 00:17:53,966
construct the bow

486
00:17:49,300 --> 00:18:01,433
in separate pieces.

487
00:17:52,033 --> 00:18:05,233
So I grab my ribbon...

488
00:17:53,966 --> 00:18:11,366
♪

489
00:18:01,433 --> 00:18:14,900
...and I make two loops.

490
00:18:05,233 --> 00:18:19,200
I lay that down on top of my bow

491
00:18:11,366 --> 00:18:20,600
and tie it into place

492
00:18:14,900 --> 00:18:22,100
with these two ends.

493
00:18:19,200 --> 00:18:24,100
So you'll see that I'm starting

494
00:18:20,600 --> 00:18:25,100
to construct a bow out

495
00:18:22,100 --> 00:18:26,666
of different types of material.

496
00:18:24,100 --> 00:18:26,666
So let's add the rest

497
00:18:25,100 --> 00:18:26,666
of the ribbon.

498
00:18:30,266 --> 00:18:34,566
We're adding ribbon

499
00:18:31,266 --> 00:18:36,200
on top of ribbon.

500
00:18:32,900 --> 00:18:37,966
So I'm making a loop or two

501
00:18:34,566 --> 00:18:43,500
in my hand and then tying it

502
00:18:36,200 --> 00:18:44,633
into the center of the bow.

503
00:18:37,966 --> 00:18:46,633
♪

504
00:18:43,500 --> 00:18:50,000
The fatter ribbon goes on the

505
00:18:44,633 --> 00:18:50,966
bottom, and the skinnier ribbon

506
00:18:46,633 --> 00:18:52,400
goes towards the top.

507
00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:54,300
Once I've tied the ribbon

508
00:18:50,966 --> 00:18:56,433
in place, I can go back

509
00:18:52,400 --> 00:19:01,866
with my low-temp glue gun

510
00:18:54,300 --> 00:19:07,200
and glue in other decorations.

511
00:18:56,433 --> 00:19:08,600
♪

512
00:19:01,866 --> 00:19:10,233
♪

513
00:19:07,200 --> 00:19:12,466
I'm using smaller and larger

514
00:19:08,600 --> 00:19:13,500
ornaments.

515
00:19:10,233 --> 00:19:14,666
Birds are great. Pinecones.

516
00:19:12,466 --> 00:19:16,233
You could even add

517
00:19:13,500 --> 00:19:17,133
a little sprig of fresh

518
00:19:14,666 --> 00:19:18,966
Christmas evergreen.

519
00:19:16,233 --> 00:19:27,800
It's a great way to add

520
00:19:17,133 --> 00:19:29,800
a personalized decoration.

521
00:19:18,966 --> 00:19:29,800
♪

522
00:19:27,800 --> 00:19:29,800
These packages are showstoppers.

523
00:19:30,033 --> 00:19:33,166
I hope you enjoyed learning

524
00:19:31,300 --> 00:19:36,033
the J way to wrap packages

525
00:19:33,166 --> 00:19:36,033
for the holidays.

526
00:19:36,266 --> 00:19:45,000
♪

527
00:19:41,400 --> 00:19:45,766
So, when Christmas rolls around,

528
00:19:43,033 --> 00:19:47,033
people always ask me,

529
00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:48,400
"What's Christmas

530
00:19:45,766 --> 00:19:49,633
like at J's house?

531
00:19:47,033 --> 00:19:51,566
What do  you  like for Christmas

532
00:19:48,400 --> 00:19:52,333
arrangements?"

533
00:19:49,633 --> 00:19:53,300
I have a simple favorite,

534
00:19:51,566 --> 00:19:54,133
and I wanted to share it

535
00:19:52,333 --> 00:19:56,233
with you today.

536
00:19:53,300 --> 00:19:59,433
It's just like the Christmas

537
00:19:54,133 --> 00:20:02,166
song, "My Favorite Things."

538
00:19:56,233 --> 00:20:03,400
It's red carnations, white pine,

539
00:19:59,433 --> 00:20:04,466
winterberry, pinecones.

540
00:20:02,166 --> 00:20:06,833
It's very traditional,

541
00:20:03,400 --> 00:20:08,933
and we're going to create it

542
00:20:04,466 --> 00:20:09,400
in my favorite vase.

543
00:20:06,833 --> 00:20:11,633
This is the only time of year

544
00:20:08,933 --> 00:20:13,866
you can get

545
00:20:09,400 --> 00:20:18,900
ilex or winterberry.

546
00:20:11,633 --> 00:20:20,666
And so we'll start with that.

547
00:20:13,866 --> 00:20:26,033
♪

548
00:20:18,900 --> 00:20:31,400
We'll add our white pine.

549
00:20:20,666 --> 00:20:32,766
♪

550
00:20:26,033 --> 00:20:34,633
♪

551
00:20:31,400 --> 00:20:38,433
Christmas was always a really

552
00:20:32,766 --> 00:20:40,766
busy time at the flower shop,

553
00:20:34,633 --> 00:20:44,666
and I remember one year,

554
00:20:38,433 --> 00:20:46,966
it was Christmas Eve,

555
00:20:40,766 --> 00:20:48,333
and my grandma wanted to know

556
00:20:44,666 --> 00:20:48,966
where the Christmas tree was.

557
00:20:46,966 --> 00:20:50,433
Most of the lots were closed.

558
00:20:48,333 --> 00:20:51,400
There weren't a lot of

559
00:20:48,966 --> 00:20:54,633
Christmas trees to be found,

560
00:20:50,433 --> 00:20:55,866
and my grandpa went out

561
00:20:51,400 --> 00:20:58,033
and we had a Christmas tree

562
00:20:54,633 --> 00:20:59,633
that we'd removed

563
00:20:55,866 --> 00:21:00,966
most of the branches off of.

564
00:20:58,033 --> 00:21:03,333
We'd use the branches to plug

565
00:20:59,633 --> 00:21:05,700
into other Christmas trees

566
00:21:00,966 --> 00:21:07,900
to make them fuller.

567
00:21:03,333 --> 00:21:10,566
And so there was that trunk

568
00:21:05,700 --> 00:21:12,533
laying on the ground

569
00:21:07,900 --> 00:21:14,900
that had a couple branches.

570
00:21:10,566 --> 00:21:16,800
So my grandpa cut off

571
00:21:12,533 --> 00:21:17,766
the branches

572
00:21:14,900 --> 00:21:21,133
and took it

573
00:21:16,800 --> 00:21:24,266
to the flocking booth

574
00:21:17,766 --> 00:21:25,433
and flocked it with snow.

575
00:21:21,133 --> 00:21:27,666
Then he spray-painted it black

576
00:21:24,266 --> 00:21:30,733
and then took it home.

577
00:21:25,433 --> 00:21:32,666
So it was just a trunk

578
00:21:27,666 --> 00:21:34,266
with the stems sticking out.

579
00:21:30,733 --> 00:21:35,600
On all of the different stems,

580
00:21:32,666 --> 00:21:38,633
he hung different shapes

581
00:21:34,266 --> 00:21:40,233
of red Christmas ornaments

582
00:21:35,600 --> 00:21:42,000
from this big to this big.

583
00:21:38,633 --> 00:21:42,766
It was awesome

584
00:21:40,233 --> 00:21:44,333
and the most decorative

585
00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:45,800
Christmas tree

586
00:21:42,766 --> 00:21:47,800
anyone in Fremont, Nebraska,

587
00:21:44,333 --> 00:21:49,800
had seen in the middle

588
00:21:45,800 --> 00:21:52,133
of the '60s.

589
00:21:47,800 --> 00:21:53,833
And, as some of you know, his

590
00:21:49,800 --> 00:21:55,800
name was "Carnation" Joe Green,

591
00:21:52,133 --> 00:22:00,166
and that's why the Christmas

592
00:21:53,833 --> 00:22:01,733
arrangement

593
00:21:55,800 --> 00:22:04,433
always has red carnations.

594
00:22:00,166 --> 00:22:06,300
I love the red carnations.

595
00:22:01,733 --> 00:22:11,433
They last so long.

596
00:22:04,433 --> 00:22:13,533
There's great memories.

597
00:22:06,300 --> 00:22:16,266
♪

598
00:22:11,433 --> 00:22:17,600
We also need

599
00:22:13,533 --> 00:22:18,500
some variegated holly.

600
00:22:16,266 --> 00:22:19,600
Green holly's really pretty,

601
00:22:17,600 --> 00:22:21,233
too.

602
00:22:18,500 --> 00:22:25,533
There's a lot more berries

603
00:22:19,600 --> 00:22:27,200
on green holly,

604
00:22:21,233 --> 00:22:36,266
but the variegated holly is just

605
00:22:25,533 --> 00:22:39,533
so traditional.

606
00:22:27,200 --> 00:22:41,466
♪

607
00:22:36,266 --> 00:22:46,466
Wouldn't be Christmas

608
00:22:39,533 --> 00:22:51,800
without a few red ornaments.

609
00:22:41,466 --> 00:22:55,500
♪

610
00:22:46,466 --> 00:22:59,333
Just gather those together.

611
00:22:51,800 --> 00:23:00,700
I'll attach them

612
00:22:55,500 --> 00:23:06,100
to wood pick just so it's easier

613
00:22:59,333 --> 00:23:08,200
to insert it into the middle

614
00:23:00,700 --> 00:23:10,466
of the arrangement.

615
00:23:06,100 --> 00:23:13,766
We'll also add a couple

616
00:23:08,200 --> 00:23:17,133
pinecones.

617
00:23:10,466 --> 00:23:18,733
Just adding a covered wire to

618
00:23:13,766 --> 00:23:21,966
the back.

619
00:23:17,133 --> 00:23:21,966
You slip it around just a couple

620
00:23:18,733 --> 00:23:21,966
of the petals of the pinecone.

621
00:23:25,666 --> 00:23:32,566
And, again, we'll just use

622
00:23:26,933 --> 00:23:34,433
that wire

623
00:23:27,666 --> 00:23:37,433
and attach it to a wood pick

624
00:23:32,566 --> 00:23:38,833
so it's easy to insert

625
00:23:34,433 --> 00:23:41,433
into the bouquet.

626
00:23:37,433 --> 00:23:42,633
One of the reasons that I love

627
00:23:38,833 --> 00:23:43,833
this vase so much is the fact

628
00:23:41,433 --> 00:23:46,033
that there's plenty of water

629
00:23:42,633 --> 00:23:46,900
in the bottom,

630
00:23:43,833 --> 00:23:48,466
and I can wrap my ribbon

631
00:23:46,033 --> 00:23:48,466
right around

632
00:23:46,900 --> 00:23:48,466
the neck of the base.

633
00:23:53,200 --> 00:24:01,566
These are a few of my

634
00:23:54,233 --> 00:24:07,200
favorite things.

635
00:23:55,900 --> 00:24:08,666
♪

636
00:24:01,566 --> 00:24:10,433
♪

637
00:24:07,200 --> 00:24:11,133
I truly enjoy this special time

638
00:24:08,666 --> 00:24:12,600
of year filled with traditions

639
00:24:10,433 --> 00:24:13,500
that will bring joy

640
00:24:11,133 --> 00:24:14,833
for years to come.

641
00:24:12,600 --> 00:24:15,866
Whether you're reminiscing

642
00:24:13,500 --> 00:24:17,933
of days gone by

643
00:24:14,833 --> 00:24:18,966
or creating new memories

644
00:24:15,866 --> 00:24:20,533
for future generations,

645
00:24:17,933 --> 00:24:21,600
I hope you'll be inspired

646
00:24:18,966 --> 00:24:23,133
by some of these projects

647
00:24:20,533 --> 00:24:24,466
to include flowers in your

648
00:24:21,600 --> 00:24:26,266
celebrations.

649
00:24:23,133 --> 00:24:26,266
For "Life in Bloom,"

650
00:24:24,466 --> 00:24:26,266
I'm J Schwanke.

651
00:24:26,500 --> 00:24:43,366
♪

652
00:24:34,900 --> 00:24:51,866
♪

653
00:24:43,366 --> 00:25:00,400
♪

654
00:24:51,866 --> 00:25:08,866
♪

655
00:25:00,400 --> 00:25:10,266
♪

656
00:25:08,866 --> 00:25:11,400
"J Schwanke's Life in Bloom"

657
00:25:10,266 --> 00:25:12,300
is filmed in Grand Rapids,

658
00:25:11,400 --> 00:25:12,300
Michigan.

659
00:25:13,466 --> 00:25:17,366
>> Visit J's website,

660
00:25:14,900 --> 00:25:19,633
uBloom.com, for flower projects

661
00:25:17,366 --> 00:25:21,333
and crafts, complete recipes,

662
00:25:19,633 --> 00:25:23,933
behind-the-scenes videos,

663
00:25:21,333 --> 00:25:25,000
J's blog, flower cocktails,

664
00:25:23,933 --> 00:25:28,833
and more.

665
00:25:25,000 --> 00:25:30,800
♪

666
00:25:28,833 --> 00:25:32,066
"J Schwanke's Life in Bloom"

667
00:25:30,800 --> 00:25:34,133
is brought to you by the

668
00:25:32,066 --> 00:25:34,133
following...

669
00:25:34,366 --> 00:25:42,200
>> That flower feeling.

670
00:25:36,033 --> 00:25:46,766
♪

671
00:25:40,866 --> 00:25:48,100
At home.

672
00:25:42,200 --> 00:25:50,533
♪

673
00:25:46,766 --> 00:25:52,533
At work.

674
00:25:48,100 --> 00:25:54,666
♪

675
00:25:50,533 --> 00:25:56,833
Or anytime.

676
00:25:52,533 --> 00:25:59,133
♪

677
00:25:54,666 --> 00:26:00,866
CalFlowers is a proud sponsor of

678
00:25:56,833 --> 00:26:02,000
"J Schwanke's Life in Bloom,"

679
00:25:59,133 --> 00:26:02,000
where flowers and wellness go

680
00:26:00,866 --> 00:26:02,000
hand in hand.

681
00:26:02,233 --> 00:26:06,900
>> We have fresh in all our

682
00:26:04,333 --> 00:26:09,300
stores, from soups and steaks

683
00:26:06,900 --> 00:26:10,833
and all things flour to all

684
00:26:09,300 --> 00:26:12,233
things flowering.

685
00:26:10,833 --> 00:26:13,600
Custom fresh arrangements

686
00:26:12,233 --> 00:26:14,866
designed by our in-store

687
00:26:13,600 --> 00:26:17,400
florists at

688
00:26:14,866 --> 00:26:20,166
Albertsons Companies.

689
00:26:17,400 --> 00:26:21,566
♪

690
00:26:20,166 --> 00:26:22,366
>> Closed-caption funding

691
00:26:21,566 --> 00:26:24,366
provided by

692
00:26:22,366 --> 00:26:24,366
Holland America Flowers.

693
00:26:28,733 --> 00:26:30,866
♪