Lumsden FLorist etc.: Floriography: The Language of Flowers

Lumsden FLorist etc.: Floriography: The Language of Flowers

Lumsden Pumpkin and Scarecrow Festival

October 1&2 in Lumsden Sk
 Friday night "Story Time" with cocoa & cookies, lantern parade and jack o'lantern contest.
Saturday includes a Pumpkin Catapult, Scarecrow Hayride Tours.  Visit our booth at the Festival Harvest Market- where you can find all kinds of crafts & treats for all ages. 

Watch for some new exciting events for the kids on festival day.
more info

Hope to you there!

BRIMMER & CO. Construction will be there as well working the grill with those delicious bear paw burgers.

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Lumsden Duck Derby 2010

Despite the cool weather, the Duck Derby was a great success.  The winner of the $20,000 duck was a resident of Regina Beach if I heard correctly.






Our flower car took part in the parade, which had more spectators than I expected and sorry kids, we ran out of candy halfway through.  Next year!

The arts and crafts booths were crazy busy as well.  Lots of locals selling handcrafted hats, jewelry, doggie treats, people treats, quilts and offering other various services.  I did notice the "Fortune Teller" Angela Doyle was very busy, along with the Shiatsu massage lady.

Among the food vendors, BRIMMER & CO. CONSTRUCTION  had a rocking BBQ booth featuring an Ultimate Duck Berger combo, which was a hotdog on a cheeseburger - very delicious actually!!

Come out for the Scarecrow Festival on October 2 and see what this fun little town has to offer!!

Hawaiian Luau - How to Pit Roast a Pig

Pit Cooking  In an Imu (under ground oven)

Tools and Items for the Job

LOTS - 8-10” diameter rocks for 2 layers on bottom of pit (WIT Landscaping) Pick and Shovel                                                                                                 

1-1/2 Pipe six foot length
Newspaper and kindling       

8 bundles Ti Leaves (available at Lumsden Florist etc.)                                                                                      

1/4 cord firewood
1 qt. Charcoal lighter fluid                                                                             

Machete or Sharp Knife
Heavy Leather gloves or oven mitts                                                                                                             

Post hole digger to pick up hot rocks (optional)
12 Burlap sacks soaking in a tub of water                                               

12x12 Canvas Tarp
Garden Hose                                                                                                     

Rock Salt (for seasoning)
3-1/2 x 5 Chicken wire                                                                                    

Large receiving tray for the kalua poaa
Large forks                                                                                                          

Serving pans or trays

1. Dig a pit approximately 7x5 Keep the pile of dirt on the opposite side of the pit you intend to work from. Remember the cleaner your work the easier it is. The depth should be 2-1/2 to 3 ft. 
2. Crumple newspaper and place on the bottom of imu. Add kindling on to of newspaper.  Position pipe in the center of the imu standing up and build firewood evenly in a 45 deg. angle around pipe as you would a bon fire. 
3. Carefully place rocks neatly on top of fire wood and around pipe.  Ready!




Poaa (the pig)
An 80 pound dressed pig will feed approximately 40-70 guests. Depending on what other entree dishes you serve. I will recommend a chicken and a fish dish as well.

Score the poaa with deep incisions in any of the thick parts such as the hams (thighs). If you have a tight schedule and need it to cook in 6 hours, then remove the spine from the neck to the hip. Season generously with rock salt.



You will need chicken wire to wrap your poaa in to be place in the imu. The chicken wire should be large enough to go around the poaa once. Remember, you will have to unwrap the kalua poaa and lose as little meat as possible so don’t over wrap!  Line the chicken wire with 8 bundles of Ti leaves, positioned so the pig will be surrounded by the leaves.  Be sure to have the open side of the pigs cavity is on the same side of the opening. You will be putting a couple of hot rocks into the cavity of the pig just before you put the basket into the imu. You can make other baskets for other items you would like to add such as whole turkeys, steamship rounds of beef, sweet potatoes etc..

Timing...
Your Imu is now ready to be fired up! 2 hours to preheat the imu  plus 8 hours cooking time, total of 10 hours.

4am - 7am - Start fire, prepare the poaa
6am – 9am - Place the poaa into the Imu
10am - 5pm - Prepare other entrees, salads, desserts, etc.
5pm - 6pm - Set up Buffet. Unearth Kalua Poaa 
6pm - 6:30 - after showing, de-bone and pan the meat- place in chafing dishes on buffet.
7pm - Open buffet

Pit Roasting Continued....

Now would be a good time to have all your tools and items ready sorted out and organized close to the imu. Cut the banana tree trunks cut into 2 lengths. Cut those pieces in quarters lengthwise. Use your sledge hammer to flatten them a bit. Neatly stack them near the imu. Wash off the banana leaves with water and stack them near the flattened stumps. The burlap sacks should be clean. Soak them in a tub and have them near the imu also. The following tasks should be done fairly quickly so too much of the heat from the imu is not lost. It should take about a half hour by time the imu is sealed.

Into the Imu
Once the Imu is ready to be fired up, get out the charcoal lighter fluid and pour the 1 pint bottle down the pipe and remove the pipe. Carefully drop a lit match into the hole where the pipe came from. Charcoal lighter fluid lights easily and doesnt explode so it is pretty safe, I wouldnt use anything else.


After 2 hours of burning the rocks should have fallen lower in to the imu. Using a post hole digger or a shovel, even out the hot rocks so to form a bed that your poaa will eventually be situated on.


Put the poaa that is already in the chicken wire on your canvas tarp next to the imu. Open up the cavity and season generously with rock salt. Place about four hot rocks into the cavity of the pig. Close up the wire with a couple of pieces of bailing wire.  We ran a steel rod through the wire to use as a handle to lift the pig in/out of the fire.

Put a layer of the wet burlap on the hot rocks followed by a layer of banana leaves (if you have extra). Place the wrapped poaa on top and cover the poaa with another layer of soaking burlap sacks.  Cover the whole imu with the canvas tarp.

Starting around the edges of the tarp, cover with the dirt. Then cover the rest of the tarp evenly. Try not to put too much dirt on the middle of the tarp so you wont have a hard time taking it off.


The hose will be needed to spray the imu with water after it is covered to create a good seal, and also to check for any smoke that could be escaping from the imu. If any smoke is detected then you must cover it with more dirt.

 If smoke is not covered, a fire may start in your imu and you will lose your kalua pig (baked pig), and all your hard work will be for nothing. Once you have covered any leaks, then shoot it down once again with water.  Now you have 8 hours to prepare the rest of your menu.


Out from the Imu
You should have a large tray to receive the basket of kalua poaa. There will be alot of grease from the poaa so be prepared to drain it somewhere. Have a bucket of water handy to dip your hands in occasionally to cool your hands while handling the hot rocks, basket etc. You will also need some large forks to shred the meat and remove the bones. Have your pans that you will be serving the kalua poaa from handy so you can transfer it into after the bones are removed and the meat is shredded.

The time has come to remove the kalua poaa from the imu. Remove the dirt from the tarp, taking care not to puncture the tarp. Roll back the tarp towards the back of the imu. Remove the burlap sacks. Carefully remove the basket and place it on your receiving tray on top of your work table. Open the basket and remove the rocks that are inside the basket. Turn out the kalua poaa from the basket into the tray.  Take pics and show the cooked pig.


Using the forks, shred all the meat and remove all the bones. Season with salt.Transfer the meat into your serving pans. It is ready to go to your buffet! Now go and enjoy the fruits of your labor. As the Hawaiians say suck em up!

Wait a couple of days before you clean up the imu, to make sure the fire is out.  Save the rocks. 

Cascading Orchid Wedding Package

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QUIZ: Are you High Maintenance?

   1 – It’s the first nice weekend all summer.  You plan to:

A)     Dunno, hit the lake with the girls, enjoy some sun and surf!

B)     LuLu Lemon is having a sale – So what if its 2 hours away and you don’t have a car!?  Make your beau cancel his plans and drive you!

C)     I’m pulling an extra shift @ work for some extra cash.

D)     Hmmm, maybe I’ll grab some friends and check out the cool shops in Lumsden.

2          2 - You have been invited to a friend’s cabin for the weekend.  Your first question is:

A)     Is there running water?  Does it stink?

B)     What can I bring??

C)     Is there a blow dryer there?

D)     Can we stop in Lumsden Florist etc. for some frozen shot glass molds!?

3         3 -  Suntanning.  Your opinion?

A)     Wrinkles = gross

B)     Everyone looks better with a tan

C)     Tanning beds are great – no bugs!!

D)     Who has time to tan?

4          4 -  Your perfect vacay would be:

A)     Eclectic Bed & Breakfast in Lumsden, tour the shops, have a massage and enjoy the view.

B)     5 Star Luxury.  Room Service.  In room Couples Massage.

C)     A remote campsite with good fishing, canoeing and no one around to disturb the quiet.

D)     Vegas!  Or New York!  Bright lights, big city fun.

5          5 -  After work on a Friday night you’re hoping for a quiet night.  However, your roomy has invited people over for a last minute party and BBQ.  Do you:

A)     Empty some chips and salsa into bowls, and grab a couple bottles of your fave wine that you brewed yourself – Thanks Lumsden Florist!

B)     To hell with this!  Run a hot bath with bath melts from Lumsden Florist and lock yourself into the only bathroom.  Take that party peeps!

C)     Bow out and head to a girlfriends 4 a nice relaxing night.

D)     Hello!?  Lets make this a pool party  - Canon Ball!!

6          6 -  You find yourself on an un-planned (unprepared) beach day with friends.  Do you:

A)     Well, my underwear is a matched set, so no one will know its not a bikini.

B)     Allow my friend to lend me a bikini while cringing at the thought of borrowed bottoms the whole time

C)     Insist a shopping trip to Lumsden for necessities.  I am so NOT wearing someone else’s outdated suit.

D)     Suggest we go to a quiet secluded beach and do a little skinny dipping

7          7 -  Your Grandmother is laying a guilt trip on you.  She wants you to donate a precious summer weekend to help roof her house.  You figure:

A)     Duh, she’s my Grandma.  I’ll tell my brother that Grandma needs his help.  I’m not cancelling my outta province shop trip.

B)     Complain bitterly to anyone who’ll listen.  But you go and drop many hints of birthday gifts all weekend long.

C)     These hands do not do manual labour!  Has she lost her mind?  Time for Shady Pines maybe.

D)     Dial 306-533-6032 and hire BRIMMER & CO. CONSTRUCTION to do it.  You’ll even go halvsies with her.  Why not pay someone who knows what they’re doing to do it?

8          8 -  A friend is having a holiday wedding this summer.  She’s asked you to look after house and yard. You say:

A)     For Sure!  You even get them a gift of matching Padraig Slippers from Lumsden Florist etc.

B)     You’re a little miffed that you weren’t asked to be a bridesmaid, so you accept and relocate her bedroom set in the living room and vice versa.

C)     Tell her to find another chump.  You’ve got plans baby!  Yard work…(shudder)

D)     Accept however the yard suffers somehow.  Those sprinklers should come with instructions.

9          9 -  Your beau is taking you on a drive to the pretty Qu’Appelle Valley.  Do you:

A)     Head to Lumsden, hitting all the fun little shops – especially the funky flower shop, they have EVERYTHING, and so much is made locally.

B)     Stop frequently, picking wildflowers along the roadside.  While enjoying a delicious lunch, you have Lumsden Florist professionally arrange your flowers for you.

C)     Tour all the Market Gardens and stuff yourself full of fresh veggies!

D)     Keep the AC on, windows up.  There are bugs out animals out there – Yech.

SCORING

1          A) 3      B)1       C)4       D)2     

2          A) 1      B)4       C)2       D)3

3          A) 1      B)3       C)2       D)4

4          A) 3      B)1       C)4       D)2

5          A) 3      B)1       C)2       D)4

6          A) 2      B)3       C)1       D)4

7          A) 3      B)4       C)1       D)2

8          A) 4      B)3       C)1       D)2

9          A) 2      B)4       C)3       D)1

9-14 Points

            I kinda doubt you get invited to many campouts.  Your life is orderly, scheduled and precise.  You are well groomed and know what you like.  People might find you a little hard to take – but who cares?  You can enjoy unplanned chaos now and again, like once every three years…

15-25 Points

            You’re friends and family know that you are up for almost anything.  You’ll try anything once - almost.  You are at home with yourself and you are able to adjust to most situations. 

26+ Points

            Guys love to date you.  You love the simple pleasures in life.  Nachos, beer and a game on TV – right on! You’re probably a tom boy, but you can definitely glam up and dazzle anyone in your path. 

WINNER - Valley Escape Package

Congratulations to Andrea Adcock!


I look forward to seeing you in Lumsden.  You will receive booking instructions via email.


Thank you all for participating in our draw!  Watch our newsletter for new upcoming events and prizes.

Last Chance!

WIN

Valley Escape Package

-         1 night at Eclectic Bed & Breakfast Lumsden

-         Prairie Cherry chocolates 

-         Bottle of Red or White Wine 

-         Catered Candlelight Dinner

-         Fresh Flowers to take home

Draw date:  July 12 2010

*$50 purchase, Name & Email required

You will receive notification via email.

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Weddings: To Theme or not to Theme?

Besides being fun to plan, theme weddings are becoming very popular.  Here are some themes that we really like.


           Watch for * = available at Lumsden Florist etc. 

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Country Fair

- Casual setting, usually outdoors, under a big event tent*, decorate with paper lanterns*



- Hot dog stands and candy apples amidst ring toss and dart games


- Favours: small honey jars with custom labels*, or handmade soap with your favourite scent and custom labels*


- Have guests toss air popped popcorn in lieu of rice



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Fresh Garden or Lakeside Cottage

- Line paths with ambience: using paper lunch bags or recycled 2L bottles with tops cut off; fill to 1/3 with sand and nestle in lit votive.


- Prop your old canoe onto its side, fill with ice and Voila - you have your bar half ready!



- Centrepieces: collect driftwood and stones from the lakeshore.  OR handmade birdhouses* which you can auction off!  OR try potted herbs or small plants*



- Set straw bales around in clearings and under trees for sitting space.  Cover with bright coloured blankets and quilts.

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Vintage Vanity Fair 

  - Hit second hand shops for fun classic diva accessories: Cigarette holders, half veiled hats, shawls, boas... Have handy for guests to use.


- Feathers! On everything: cake, in hair, with flowers. Use feather boas as garland and piled as centrepieces.*


- Flowers can be anything, but the full, imperfect garden roses look sooo good with their own half veil.*


- Think: old Coca Cola bottle machines with glass bottles cokes on hand, and of course, champagne darling!

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Modern Zen
    


- Zen in peaceful, and relaxing. Choose colours which are quiet yet modern: pale blue or cream with espresso.


- Centrepiece ideas abound: single, simple bamboo stems* OR a tall vase of curly willow* OR floating candle orchid vases seen here.*


- Location can be either outside with groomed rock or sand garden accents OR inside with elements of nature brought in.


- Have your bridesmaids hold simple paper parasols* in lieu of flowers


- Line walkways with a trail of rose petals* or river stones*

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