The Petal Pusher

Bad News, Good News, Bad News

2009-10-04T14:42:00.000-07:00

Bad news..... Most of us 'just folks' just don't have much extra spending money these days.
Good news..... Everything except flowers, coffee & chocolate is marked down 50% at The Petal Pusher.
Bad news..... Our last day in business will be October 17th. Don't feel bad about the bad news. Stuff happens. Feel happy that you can still get wonderful flowers from us until the 17th AND there are some terrific bargains waiting for you! Our last few days will have deeper and deeper discounts. Come in soon and later.

Tropical Flowers In Hermiston, Oregon

2009-06-28T17:12:00.001-07:00

Here they are! Come on in and see the rest of them. We'll get another shipment fresh from Hawaii next month.

Weddings

2009-06-28T16:41:00.001-07:00

We're asked the question often... "How much money will my wedding flowers cost?" I don't have a pat answer for that one.

The Petal Pusher is a full SERVICE florist. Part of our service is helping you choose the perfect flowers that will enhance and beautify your special day. We will always honor your budget.

We're here to help you, whether your ideas are already firmly set or you don't know where to start. You see, we've loved making a simple sunflower & wheat bridal bouquet just as much as we loved traveling to Portland last summer to create dozens of bouquets, boutonniers, corsages & centerpieces.

BBQ Season Is HERE

2009-06-28T16:35:00.001-07:00

If you're a regular Petal Pusher shopper you're acquainted with our specialty food. We've added some new players this summer.

Okay, check out these great BBQ products we've just gotten in. Two sauces and two rubs. They are all great! Come on in and try them out.

Happy Birthday to Us!

2009-06-11T16:17:00.000-07:00

We're celebrating our 2nd Petal Pusher birthday on Wednesday, June 17th. We'll have cake and sale prices and maybe even a piano player. Big Bash starts at 4 pm. Don't miss it!

Hermiston Things You Don't Want to Miss This Summer

2009-06-02T13:26:00.001-07:00

A quick run through a sprinkler of your choice.
Wednesday evenings Downtown Farmers Market.
Wednesday wine tasting at The Petal Pusher. (Begins June 17th.)
A morning or evening stroll at River Front Park.
June 17th Summer Open House & Birthday Party at The Petal Pusher. *
At least one day of hooky.
Tropical blooms fresh from Hawaii, the second week of every month, only at The Petal Pusher. **
Saturday Farmers Market in front of The Conference Center.
June 20 1 - 4 The Petal Pusher presents Wine 101 with Rich Breshears. (Tuition $40 per person. Call The Petal Pusher at 567-7414 to register.)
Lunches in cafés & lunch counters downtown. *
Specialty food samples at The Petal Pusher. Enjoy one of our iced lattes while you’re at it.
A time of reflection at the clock tower in McKenzie Park.
Friday June 26, build some twig furniture at The River Gardens. Willow Station from Gates, Oregon will help you. http://www.therivergardens.com/ http://www.willowstation.com/ Total cost $125. Call or email us for the details.
A fresh fruit basket & flower basket from The Petal Pusher sent to someone who’s a little wilted.
Wednesday July 8, Learn to make your own European hand tied bouquet or fresh flower wreath at The Petal Pusher. Total cost $40. Call or email us for details & to register.
Comment YOUR suggestions to our Blog. The list can grow, and grow, and grow. www.hermistonpetalpusher.blogspot.com

** Preorder yours and we’ll deliver in town for free!

Twig Furniture Class

2009-05-30T07:55:00.000-07:00

Early in May we had the pleasure of hosting a furniture making class with Brian & Samantha of Willow Station in Gates, Oregon. Lina offered The River Gardens as our location, which WOULD have been perfect, if not for the RAIN. (Hey Brian & Sammie, did you bring the liquid sunshine with you from the valley?)

ANYWAY, the class moved to our garage and we had a great time creating lovely stuff! So much fun that we're doing it again. Friday June 26, at The River Gardens. See me, Dottie at The Petal Pusher for details and to sign up. Be there or be square.

Picking Flowers

2009-05-24T09:02:00.000-07:00

When our Lizzy was just a toddler she would magically appear on the front step with her hands behind her back. “Mommy…I have a surprise for you!”

What was hiding behind that back? Flowers. Always the most beautiful I had ever seen. Always individually chosen from whatever was blossoming in the yard.

In defense of the flowers we really didn’t want picked and to continue our baby’s gift giving joy, we aimed her to the violas and pansies. And we renamed them “Picking Flowers”. Our pansies were always the most beautiful on the block because they were kept so neatly picked. The bouquets on my windowsill were absolutely the prettiest ever. Always.

Fast forward.

This spring granddaughter (age 4), Papa and I choose an assortment of Picking Flowers to plant in our backyard planters. They are now full of blossoms.

Last night was the perfect early summer evening. Just the right temperature, delish barbequed ribs from Dorothy, the family on the deck enjoying a meal and each other.

How does one improve upon perfection? Let the picking begin. Two-year-old grandson and 4-year-old big sis began to do just what is supposed to be done with Picking Flowers. Pick them. They brought them one by one to the adults. One by one we all were adorned with Picking Flowers. Ladies wore them in our hair and tucked behind our ears. Daddy had his in the holes of his hat. Papa was a very good sport and allowed one stuck behind his ear. Grandson wore his IN his ears. (Good thing he picks the stems short.) Nana (95 years young!) was honored with two flowers in her hair.

I managed to snap two pics that pretty much sum up the happiness of the evening. If you ever wonder whether flowers bring smiles, just look at these lovely faces.

MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!

2009-05-01T13:53:00.000-07:00

Okay, we love to make flowers for mothers. We want to make flowers for YOUR mothers and others. AND have you taken a look, smell, taste of our new chocolates? How does a milk chocolate covered marshmallow caramel bit sound? (Here's a hint. It blows See's out of the water!) SO add some chocolate to your Mom's Day treats. Seriously. Do it.

Rumors

2009-04-08T19:48:00.000-07:00

... do swirl around, don't they? Lately we've been hearing rumors about frogs.

Frog A has been very naughty. He (She? We're not sure.) doesn't like being called a flower frog. Really doesn't like people look at the holes in his back. He's been acting out and he's gone to frog jail. Frog B comes and visits. At night. When no one's looking. They pretend they can't move during the day.

There's more to the story, but it's a very silly story cooked up one night when Lina and I stayed too late. Stop in and visit the frogs. If you can find them.

Easter

2009-04-08T19:33:00.001-07:00

Wishing you beauty, renewal, salvation and peace this week.

Stop and remember what's important.

Don't forget to have fun!

Hermiston Bridal Show

2009-02-22T08:08:00.000-08:00

What's a floral shop owner to do the week after Valentine's? A bridal show of course! We joined forces with our friend Lina who owns The River Garden and welcomed brides, friends of brides, mothers of brides, church wedding planners & other happy wanderers to our little spot at The Hermiston Bridal Show. It was great fun & we loved meeting and greating and showing off a small example of my designers' beautiful work as well as showcase Lina's perfect event garden.

Now, if only I would have had my friend Shannon (www.definingdetails.com) take these pictures instead of Moi. She has cameras with names and knows how to use them. My Nikon point and shoot, well.... not so great. My camera skills... seriously not so great. BUT I had so much fun and Lina did such a wonderful staging of our corner that I just have to share.

My Happy Place

2008-06-19T20:37:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite place in the shop this week. Yep, that's a frog hanging from the arbor. It's his happy place, too.

My thanks to Heidi Eidler for the great pic!

Flowers, Chocolates, Coffee and ????

2008-05-14T06:43:00.000-07:00

The answer is a nice bottle of wine. We've selected a few bottles to add to our Petal Pusher mix of products and we think you'll be happy with the additions. So.... when you want a nice bouquet and a nice bottle of wine to make your dinner special stop on by.

Spring Open House ~ Save The Date!

2008-02-26T06:59:00.027-08:00

Thursday, March 6th. 4 in the afternoon until 7:30 in the evening.

We think it's time for a party, so here's what we've done.

Sherry and Shawnaci have created very cool spring and summer floral designs.

With Joan and Nicole's help we're bringing in great spring and summer home accents.

For wine tasting we've rounded up a great little winery, Wheatridge In The Nook.

For tasty noshes Hermiston's soon to be famous Bon Appetit Catering company is on board.

Add to this some very fun hand painted one of a fashion accessories by Bling'n Things.

Now throw in samples of our gourmet chocolates.

Sounds great, yes? Invitations will be in the mail on Friday. If you don't get one it's because I don't have your mailing address. Just email me and I'll be sure you're included.

Baby Baby

2008-02-04T07:35:00.000-08:00

Did you know that we have a really trendy and fun baby section? We do.

Piggy banks LARGE to small, picture frames, stuffed stuff, bath squirties, first aid kits, picture frames and of course fresh flowers to celebrate baby's birth and homecoming.

Might I suggest sending those flowers in a Fiesta coffee mug? There's a reason they're displayed with the baby stuff. Just right for coffee in the morning and warm milk at night. After all Mommy and Daddy need some pampering too.

Just last week we brought in a line of baby skin care products that I'm really really excited about. It's an Oregon line that Liz and I discovered on our scouting expedition last month.

I really think that the Baby Bubbles is the very best and most soothing non-tear baby bath product on the market.

Baby Butter is a wonderful cream and the Rear Schmear is doing wonders for a certain baby boy's diaper rash. Not so fancy packaging, just simple good stuff inside.

A Bouquet For a Special Bride

2008-02-04T07:18:00.001-08:00

Last week we had the pleasure of providing wedding flowers for a small and special wedding ceremony. Here's the bouquet that Shawnaci created. Simple and stunning and just right. I wish my pictures did it justice.

Designing for Dog Food

2008-02-04T07:03:00.000-08:00

Strange title for flower shop post, yes?

Well.... January is a slow month in this business, so lots of shop restocking and rearranging gets done. Last week our granddaughter / merchandiser in training spent the afternoon helping at the shop and we seriously had a blast.

While I was distracted with another project she was quite busy in the front of the shop. Here is what she was creating. It's titled "Designing for Dog Food" and was announced as such. "Come on everybody! Come and see designing for dog food."

I can't quite get compeletly inside of the three year old mind, but you will notice 2 stuffed doggies and a bear in the mix. They're lined up in front of a notebook and some candles and look very much like they are judging a contest. I love it!

New things for the new year at The Petal Pusher

2008-01-08T12:27:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas displays been taken apart and put in the basement. Inventory is nearly finished and we have some great new stuff coming in for the shop.

Sally Meyer from Kennewick has brought in her not so shabby window art and we're really enjoying it! It will be here at least through January.

Liz and I traveled to Portland over the weekend and fell in love with a pile of Asian antiques. The clean lines are just what we were hungry for! We brought a few pieces back to the shop and will get more in February. You'll be seeing more of that look at the Petal Pusher as the spring and summer develop. For now, check out the red bamboo ladders in the front window!

We've found a new floral wholesaler who is bring us the most amazing fresh flowers! Sherry and Shawnaci are creating more beautiful arrangements than ever with them. I'll take some photos any minute now. Okay... in a few days.

Joan will be back from her medical leave soon. We miss her!

Shannon from Defining Details nearly has her office ready to present to the public next to mine. Hers is pretty. Mine, well we keep the door closed.

That's what's going on here. Stop in and say hello and have a coffee. Or better yet, one of our new MexiMochas. Yummm.

Take Time...

2007-12-20T09:07:00.001-08:00

to remember and celebrate what's important this week and next week and next year and always.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Best ~

Dottie

Milk & Cookies for Santa

2007-12-15T07:14:00.000-08:00

What happens at The Petal Pusher when we run low on Christmas decorations for our trees? Sherry and Nicole had the answer last week. Our front window tree is now officially a Milk & Cookies for Santa Tree, happily featuring a Santa appetizer plate set with wall hanger, Fiesta dinnerware mugs and dessert plates, faux cookies and a tumbler filled with (Wait for it......) faux milk. The only thing missing is a carrot for Rudolf. I guess Santa will have to take him a cookie.

Thanks Nicole for the pics and the "milk".

Old Friends

2007-12-11T07:39:00.000-08:00

This weekend we decorated our house for Christmas. Bringing the boxes out of the attic, digging through and deciding who comes out and who stays put - it's a lot like visiting old friends.

I thought you might to meet some of my old friends and learn a little about them.

This is Angie the Christmas Tree Angel. I was in third grade, shopping at Jaqueth's Hardware in my hometown, Libby, Montana. There was this most beautiful to my 8 year old eyes creation. Mom hesitated to purchase her, and during the hesitation I overheard a man complaining to his wife about Christmas ornaments made by those d**n J*ps. I had no idea who they were, or why he was swearing about them. Mom explained (quickly and quietly) that the man had probably fought in "The War" and it is hard for some people to forgive.

I'll never forget that day, the anger in that man's voice or the sadness in my mother's eyes. I'll never have a Christmas without Angie who tempered it all thanks to my dear mom and my third grade teacher Miss Lois Wilson who taught me her song.

The Santa Fam - One of our newest old friends. My pic doesn't show it, but Mrs. Santa is wrapping packages with two little kid elves. Our grandson Zachery was yet to be born, but his mama made sure he was helping me and represented on our tree last year. Mr. Santa is was having a truly tool birthday / Christmas and that's well represented on our tree, too. Happy happy times!

Last summer

2007-12-07T18:40:00.000-08:00

Here's a photo of one of my all time favorite Shawnaci creations. Hey Shawnaci, I think you need to make another one of these!

It's been busy here!

2007-12-07T18:20:00.000-08:00

Welcome! I'm finally sitting still long enough to actually start the blog!

It's been looking like Christmas here at The Petal Pusher since early November. We keep selling stuff and rearranging. Sherry put this great display together after we denuded the "Chocolate Tree". I'll bet you'd never know anything was missing if I hadn't told you.

Coming Soon. . .

2007-09-16T18:52:00.000-07:00