Spring Wedding Flowers

I love arranging flowers. 

I especially love it when those flowers are fragrant Peonies and Garden Roses.

I spent Friday morning in the old cottage behind the store, surrounded by buckets full of blooms, cleaning roses for arrangements, enjoying a chocolate pecan scone and tying the bride's bouquet.

Here is her finished bouquet. 

The stems were left long and it was tied with long, trailing blush ribbon.

It also had bits of Wax Flower tucked in it, a couple white Hydrangeas, as well as some antique blush Spray Roses and Eucalyptus greens.

The Peonies were a favourite variety of mine that I used to grow - Duchesse de Nemours. They are very fragrant, white double blooms.

The bouquet smelled heavenly.

My mom tied her bridesmaid's bouquets which were mostly Hydrangeas with a few roses tucked in them to match the bride's.

She also did these gorgeous centerpieces. They are Hydrangeas, Mums, Ranunculus, Roses and Lisianthus in footed mercury glass bowls.

I find it to be a relaxing escape for a few hours.

Pumpkin Spice Waffles and Painting

I love breakfast.

I love making breakfast. 

I love setting the table and flipping pancakes while enjoying the first of the coffee. I love how much my husband loves a big breakfast on a Thursday morning, which in our house is Saturday.

I love the smell of bacon in the oven and the way my youngest says every morning "My tummy's sore... I really hungry", as he pulls out his chair and climbs onto his seat.

There are times though that there just isn't time.

On those days, when I still want something warm and comforting and dripping with syrup, I pull out a bag of frozen waffles. Not those kind of waffles. Real waffles.

Every Saturday at the store, waffles are served. They are served lots of different ways - with local strawberries in the Spring, fresh peaches in the Summer, pumpkin spice in the Fall. But no matter the flavour, one thing always remains the same - we always use real whipped cream and real maple syrup.

If there is ever left over batter, my mom bakes it all off and sends home a bag of waffles for her grandsons. They actually heat up well in the toaster, or if I'm warming a lot, in a tinfoil pouch in the oven.

This week's flavour was Pumpkin Spice. I served them with the usual - whipped cream and maple syrup, and then threw a few toasted pecans on top.

They were so delicious.

And it was exactly what I needed to start a very long day of painting...

I'm nearly finished with the painting in the family room. The panelling has been primed and painted and the trim and windows are nearly done. I can't wait to get it all back together.

The Shop Around the Corner

One of the benefits of our new home is that we are now minutes away from my parents and their shop. The boys couldn't be happier about this, and it means that I can pop in and see what's going on whenever I feel like it.

On Friday evening, I popped in to see how they were coming along with flowers for a wedding that Saturday. I love when they have flowers to work on, as the store is filled, and it usually means I can help out.

It's even more fun when the wedding theme is something as elegant and beautiful as this particular one was. It's no surprise that I'm a fan of white and green, and even more so, when they are combined with rustic pieces. This wedding was a perfect combination.

The church arrangements were in old apple crates.

Each table had a smaller version, in a different style crate.

This was the bride's bouquet.

And the bridesmaids carried simple Hydrangea bouquets.

Her boutonnieres were nautical, with simple ribbon and twine.

It was lovely, and my mom did an amazing job.

Bremfield's: The Tour

Now that we have the first week under our belt, I feel like I finally have time to give you a tour of Bremfield's.

Welcome to the store.

Bremfield's is a combination of a floral market, cafe and bakery with some beautiful antiques tucked throughout the store.

The idea was to create a beautiful, inviting place to come in and sit down with a coffee and something sweet. To meet a friend for a simple, home-style lunch and browse lovely vintage finds. To take a cappuccino out to the cafe sets on the sidewalk and watch the boats go through the canal. To take home a pie made with local fruit, and while you're at it, a hand-tied bouquet for your table and a hanging basket for your front porch.

And this is exactly what you'll find when you walk through the door. 

And of course, the owners - my mom and dad.

Have I made how proud I am of them clear yet?

If you're able, pop in for a visit.

Bremfield's: Getting Ready to Open

Things are coming along wonderfully with the store.

It's so hard to believe that on Friday their doors will officially be open. It feels like it's been such a long time coming, and yet at the same time, as though the time has gone way too quickly.

My parents (and so many others) have worked tirelessly for months and all of their hard work is paying off. It's looking wonderful.

 I've been trying to be there as much as possible. We've been busy refinishing furniture for the sitting area, practicing making silky smooth foam for cappuccinos, and baking test batches of cookies and bars. Oh, and lots of shopping! Shopping for antiques, shopping for ingredients, shopping for supplies, shopping for flowers... I even had to write an exam yesterday morning on food handling.

It's been a blast! (Well, maybe not the exam part...)

I'm anxious for Friday to come, but at the same time, there are so many last minute details that need to be finished up first. So for now, Friday can take it's time.

I hope if you're in the area you are able to make it out!

Bremfield's

91 Main Street West

Port Colborne, Ontario

Monday to Saturday

8 am to 6 pm

phone 289.836.9863

This antique cast iron rabbit is one of my favourite pieces we've found. I think he's so cute, all perfectly aged and weathered. We also have the most beautiful pair of cast pheasants.

Along with fragrant Lavender, Pussy Willow branches have arrived and are being forced.

(notice the pheasants)

Some of the delicious treats we've been perfecting.

Willen is getting the outdoor garden center part of the store ready with Opa. He's been helping him with any projects he's needed to work on. He's a good little worker... Although occasionally I catch them playing pirates or robbers.