Roses Help Heal Wounded Soldiers

On Valentine’s Day this year, wounded troops recuperating at Walter Reed Army Medical Center received a nice Valentine’s Day surprise. Volunteers from Freedom Alliance, a military support organization, hand delivered roses to the soldiers in their rooms on Sunday.

“Recovering from wounds sustained in battle is one of the most difficult things to overcome, both mentally and physically,” explained Freedom Alliance President Tom Kilgannon. “We know that for many wounded soldiers even the smallest gestures of support can go a long way to them keeping a strong and positive focus toward their recovery.”

1,500 red, yellow, and orange roses were presented to recovering soldiers, support staff, and family members by over 20 volunteers. Every residence hall was visited and many volunteers had the opportunity to spend some time with a number of wounded troops throughout the different wards.

To read more click here. 

The Rose is Supreme

Ancient Hindu writings tell the story of the God Vishnu, protector of the world, and Brahma, creator of the world, arguing about which flower was the most beautiful. Vishnu bet his position as chief God on the rose’s superiority while Brahma, who had never seen a rose sided with the lotus. When Brahma saw the rose he immediately agreed that the rose was supreme. And Vishnu’s loyalty was well rewarded: from 108 large and 1,008 small rose petals the Goddess Lakshmi was created to be his wife.  To read more, click here.

10 Cents for a Dozen Roses

In this classic tear-jerker, Bobby, a poor young man searching for a gift for his mother that he can buy with his new-found dime, happens upon a kindly florist.  Read more here

Books About the Magic & Beauty of Roses

Send Yourself Roses: Thoughts on My Life, Love, and Leading Roles by Kathleen Turner
From her film debut as the sultry schemer in Body Heat to her award-winning role as Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, actress Kathleen Turner’s unique blend of beauty, intelligence, and raw sexuality has driven her personal and professional life. Now, in this gutsy memoir, the screen icon tells us of the risks she’s taken and the lessons she’s learned-sometimes the hard way.

Roses by Leila Meacham
Spanning the 20th century, the story of Roses takes place in a small East Texas town against the backdrop of the powerful timber and cotton industries, industries controlled by the scions of the town’s founding families.

Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts
Since she was a little girl, Emma Grant has always loved romance. So it’s really no surprise that she has found her calling as a wedding florist.

Roses by Jerome Goutier
The Roses box set features two volumes: the first, The Art of the Rose, provides an illustrated history of roses and their present-day uses, from their Chinese origins to the latest creations by Meilland and Delbard. It covers topics such as “The Origins of the Rose” and “The Family of Roses,” and the final section is dedicated to instructions for care and cultivation of these delicate blooms. The second volume, The Most Beautiful Roses, features 88 of the world’s most exceptional roses, through photographs and text that covers the essentials.

American Rose Society Encyclopedia of Roses : The Definitive A-Z Guide by Charles Quest-Ritson and Brigid Quest-Ritson
This encyclopedia, a beautiful tribute to America’s favorite flower, contains information on nearly 2,000 roses from the earliest species to the most modern cultivars.

Living through a harsher than normal winter gives us an appreciation for green life.  Bringing houseplants into your home or office can offer some natural calm and tranquility.  But for those of us with a history of throwing out dead plants, it may seem like we should stay away from house plants.  Not so, we say!  Here are some simple tips for keeping your indoor garden green and lush. 
 
Plants grown inside the home obviously need the same things as plants growing in your garden: water, light, soil, nutrients, etc. When you grow houseplants, you’ll need to provide them with the proper environment, and carefully monitor your plants to make sure they continue to grow in healthy conditions.

When you buy your houseplants, inspect them carefully to make sure they should now signs of diseases. Also look for evidence of pests both on the top and bottoms of the leaves.  For more on pests, click here.

Soils and Pots for Houseplants
If you receive a houseplant as a gift or buy one directly from the nursery, it will probably not need a new pot or new soil for quite a while. 

In general, some houseplants need to be repotted once every two years, while others may need a new pot or new soil more frequently. Usually it is time to repot a houseplant when it becomes root bound. This means that the roots begin to fill up the pot and no longer have sufficient room. The roots in this case may begin to grow in dense clumps, displacing the soil. You’ll notice when a plant becomes root bound when the water drains out of the bottom quickly, the plant constantly needs water, or there is limited new, healthy growth.

As a general rule, it’s recommendable to repot when the plant is actively growing. Spring, summer, and early fall are good times. When you repot, you’ll need to carefully select a soil mixture appropriate for growing houseplants. Look for a “peat-lite” mix with a high content of sphagnum peat. The potting soil should also contain equal parts vermiculite and perlite.

It’s a good idea to remove old soil when you replant. Gently pull up the root ball and shake off the soil. Next, add new soil to the bottom of the new container and place the plant into the pot. Add more new soil around the root ball. Do not pack the soil too much. Keep the root ball slightly below the level of the soil, but do not fill the container to the rim with soil.

Note that cacti and some succulents require higher levels of sand. Mix equal amounts of your potting soil with sand when growing cactus. Avoid using sand from your neighborhood dirt lot. Instead, buy sterilized sand used specifically for growing plants. Likewise, don’t add garden soil to your potting mix. Your houseplants will grow better in soil specifically designed for them.

When you grow unusual houseplants like epiphytes and orchids, you’ll need a special soil medium to grow them. Orchid bark is a good soil mix to use in this case. Also, make sure to ask your nursery or extension agent about the soil needs of specific kinds of houseplants. For example, gardenias like acidic soils. The addition of peat moss to your potting mix will help gardenias thrive. Consider using an electronic soil tester to determine the quality and acidity of your soil.

When making a soil mixture for repotting your plants, make sure you use sterilized soil. This will minimize potential problems with soil borne diseases and pests. There are also several techniques you can use to sterilize soil if you have an old batch of potting soil you’d like to recycle. See this website from Colorado State University for more information on sterilizing potting soil.

A good container is also important for growing houseplants. When you select a container, pick a pot that isn’t dramatically larger than the original one. This will allow your plant to feel comfortable in its new space, and will ensure that your plant’s roots will absorb water from the soil properly. Take into account that clay containers absorb some of the moisture from the soil and make it dry out a little faster. Always pick containers that have a sufficient number of holes in the bottom to drain water. Check the holes occasionally to make sure they aren’t plugged. Plants like ferns often love hanging planter baskets.

Fertilizers for Houseplants
Houseplants need plenty of organic nutrients to grow properly. If you use high quality potting soil and add well decomposed compost to your soil, your plants should receive most of the nutrients they need. You may also choose to occasionally give your houseplants a dose of fertilizer to help them grow.

When fertilizing houseplants, we recommend that you try out compost teas or other natural fertilizers before using potentially harmful chemical fertilizers. Slow release fertilizers are a good pick for use on houseplants. Many organic fertilizers are slow release and will help to minimize the risk of “burning” your plants. Garrett Juice is an excellent organic fertilizer that you can purchase ready made or you can make yourself.

Whether you choose to use chemical or organic fertilizers, always make sure you read the instructions carefully. Over applying fertilizers can be harmful to your plants and to the environment. Also, if you overuse fertilizers, your plant may actually become weaker.

Spring and summer are good times to fertilize houseplants. It’s best not to fertilize houseplants during the winter when they are dormant. If you notice that your plant does not look healthy, do not add fertilizer as a way to stimulate growth. Check for other issues like lack of light, root bound pots, diseases, and pests. See this troubleshooting guide for more tips.

Note that plants that are grown in full sun will generally need more frequent treatments with fertilizers.

Watering
Watering is one of the most important factors for growing houseplants successfully, so read this section carefully! Consistent and proper watering will keep your plants happy and healthy.

If you over water your plants, they may suffer from disease, root rot, etc. Your plants will also be stressed and unhealthy if you underwater. Additionally, if you let the soil dry out too much and too often, it may have trouble absorbing water in the long run. Remember to never let your plants get so dry that they begin to wilt. This will cause them severe stress and will make your houseplants more susceptible to disease and pests.

Note that different kinds of houseplants have different watering schedules. You can check our list of recommended houseplants to get an idea how often to water your plants. If your plant is not on the list, make sure to do some research to find out how often you need to water it.

As a general rule, houseplants with flowers need watering more frequently than plants that only have foliage. To test if your houseplants need water, you can use a soil tester or feel the soil with your finger. When you use your finger, if the first 1 ½ inches of soil are moist, you can wait a little while longer to water.

Pay attention when you water your plants. The water should gradually soak into the soil. If the water drains out quickly, your plant may be root bound. Water your plants thoroughly. It’s ok to let a little water drain out of the bottom of your pots. However, don’t let your plants sit in water for extended periods of time. Discard any extra water.

When you water indoor plants, a good method is to use a watering can. In the summer, another option is to take your houseplants outside and use a hose with an attachment to gently apply water to the plants.

Some people also like to water their houseplants by placing them in a container of water. Choose a large bucket or similar container and place the houseplant inside. Gradually fill the bucket until the water is over half way above the top of the pot. Do not let the water get above the rim of the pot. Let the plant soak for a while and remove it when the top layer of soil feels wet. If you use this technique, occasionally water your plants with a watering can. This will help pull accumulated salts out of the soil.

If you need to travel or be away from your plants for awhile, don’t worry. In these cases there are a number of handy houseplant watering devices available to help slowly water your plants while you’re gone.

Humidity and Temperature
Some houseplants, especially ones originally from tropical climates, prefer humid environments. During the winter, your home may become very dry due to your heating system. Some houseplants are sensitive to these dry conditions and may need a little help.

Try using a humidifier to balance out humidity levels in a dry climate. You can also use a mister to moisture the leaves occasionally. Also, if you have a special room in your home where you can control the humidity, it’s a good idea to keep your most sensitive plants there. Note that many orchids have special needs and like high levels of moisture. Read this excellent guide to growing orchids for more information.

As far are temperature goes, as a general rule flowering plants prefer cooler spots, especially at night. This will extend the life of the flowers. Around 60 to 70 degrees average daytime temperatures are good for flowering plants. Low temperatures of 60 degrees are recommended at night.

Plants without flowers generally do well in slighter higher temperatures. Make sure to read up on the recommended maximum and minimum temperatures for your foliage houseplants. Our list of recommended houseplants discusses plants that can handle lower temperatures. Also, this website from the University of Missouri (PDF file) has a list of common houseplants and their temperature requirements.

No matter what kind of houseplants you grow, avoid placing them near drafty windows in the winter. Also, avoid placing houseplants near heaters or radiators during this time. The sharp temperature changes can stress and weaken the plants.

Light Levels for Houseplants
Giving your houseplants the proper amount of lighting involves first selecting appropriate places to grow them. If you’ve carefully observed your house and thought about where you’d like to grow plants, you’ll have good idea where you can grow houseplants. You can also consider building or buying small planters or other structures such as window boxes to help your plants get closer to windows.

South and west facing windows typically get high levels of light. Obviously, the larger the window is, the more light. The intense light in some locations may be unhealthy for some plants, especially when they are flowering. Flowers will last longer when the light is indirect.

Fluorescent lights and grow lights are good options to provide extra, low-intensity level light to your plants. You’ll need to locate your plants fairly close to these artificial light sources, about 16” from the top of the plant. About 14 hours of artificial light will work for most houseplants.

Plants that are mostly foliage vary widely in how much light they need. Read up carefully on what your foliage plants require. If they need full sun, a south facing window is best. Once your plants are established and growing in their spot, don’t move them to an area with different light levels. If you need to move a plant, move them to a spot with intermediate light levels first.

Plants may start to grow towards a light source. To grow a more even plant, rotate the container occasionally.

Other Houseplant Growing Tips
Some houseplants benefit from some time outdoors during the summer. Wait until temperatures are warm enough to place the plants outside. Make sure night time temperatures don’t get below the recommended low temperatures. You may want to gradually expose the plants to outside temperatures by moving them outdoors a few hours a day and moving them back indoors at night.

Keep track of light levels as well. Plants moved outdoors may receive a lot more light than they do indoors. Try placing them in an area of filtered light for a couple weeks before moving them to an area with strong, direct light.

Heavy rains and winds may damage some houseplants. Ask your nursery or extension agent if you’re unsure weather or not a plant is ok to set outside during the summer.

Keep in mind that if you keep your houseplants outdoors for part of the year they will dry out more quickly. During the summer you can choose to place your houseplants with the entire container inserted into garden soil. This will cool the pot and maintain moisture levels. However, there is a slight risk that the roots will grow into the soil, so make sure to remove the plants periodically and check the bottom.

Also, check your plants for pests and diseases if they’ve spent part of the year outdoors.

For more on growing green plants, go to HouseplantGrowing.com

It’s easy to choose flowers for any occasion or recipient.   We’ll give you a few simple tips.

Let’s start with the happy occasions.  Anniversaries, romantic expressions, birthdays, new babies, thank yous and just sharing your deepest emotions are good opportunities to reach out and celebrate!  Flower arrangments with these flowers alone or in combination and are perfect:

• Roses
• Lilies
• Hydrangea
• Tulips
• Irises
• Delphiniums
• Daisies

For more solemn occasions, such as the sad parting of a loved one, the same flowers will work, but in different types of arrangements and in soft colors like yellow, red, pink, and pastels.

To choose flowers for your recipient, we suggest these easy guidelines:

Younger Women

• Tulips
• Daisies
• Smaller, relaxed arrangements such as Pink n Playful
• Colorful Lilies and Roses

Older Women

• More sophisticated flower arrangements with long stem roses and asiatic lilies
• Bold arrangements with tropical flowers
• Modern arrangements with simple lines such as Blossoms of Joy

For Men

• Arrangements with bold flowers
• Tropical flowers
• Florist designed gift baskets (Ask your florist to create a custom basket!)

Keep in mind what you know about the recipient, the colors they enjoy, and their personalities, whether more playful or more serious.

Express your emotions!

 

Copyright 2010 MyFlorist

For those of us living in the Northern Virginia & Washington DC areas, this week has given some of us plenty of snow days to twiddle our thumbs.  We say use some of that time to plan a memorable, ultra warm Valentine’s Day for your nearest and dearest.  And we have some fresh ideas for you that are easy to do when you’re mostly snowbound!

Chocolates and roses, champagne and diamonds—what else will you get for your beloved this Valentine’s Day?  We’d like to suggest, in addition to the gold standards,  showing creativity and thoughfulness by adding those special moments to the occasion.

High Tech Valentine

If you’re in a modern day romance and want to tell your darling just how much you love them, take a gander at these high-tech tips to will tickle and delight your mate this February 14th.  So, let your heart do the texting and the Web do the wooing, and show your sweetie just how much you love them.

• Quickie Text. One of our daily habits can truly be put to use this Valentine’s Day. Texting is one of the quickest ways to communicate with someone—and you can only use a limited amount of characters, making your message concise and meaningful. Don’t underestimate the power of the text message, lovebirds, and use this technique wisely. Send your sweetie a quick and to-the-point message telling them how much you love them and appreciate them, or any sweet compliment you think they deserve. Text your sweetie how much you loved waking up next to them this morning. Text to let them know you’re thinking about them and that you can’t wait to see them again. Texting can be romantic; you just need to find the right words.
• Make a Playlist. The mixed tape is long gone—we’ve stepped into a new era of music compilations. Steal away your guy or gal’s iPod or MP3 player and make a playlist of songs for them.  Title the playlist, alluding to what the songs should mean to them—and the best part—don’t tell them you did it. Nothing’s more romantic than the classic combination of music and the element of surprise.
• Romantic Readers. Have a honey that’s a bookworm? Every avid reader should have an e-reader, allowing them to have more than one literary lure with them at all times. If you’re looking to purchase an e-reader for your loved one, don’t just buy it—take it a step further and personalize it for them—preload a couple of their favorite books and ‘hopeful reads’ onto the device before giving it to them. Small things like that really make all the difference. If there’s a book you know they’ve been dying to read, buy and download it onto their new device.
• Send a Love e-Letter. Love letters have been courting and connecting people for centuries, and while putting your feelings into words will never go out of style—the medium in which you choose may just change a little. Write your beloved an email telling them everything you love and feel about them—it’s our generation’s modern love letter. The nice thing about email is that your words can reach the person you love almost instantly, and won’t get lost at the post office.
• Admiring Apps. We’ve entered the age of smartphone and, believe it or not, there are some romantic perks that can come out of having a smartphone. You can create your own Valentine via iPhone, and for free, with the Create a Valentine app. The app offers several different backgrounds and heart styles to choose from, and allows you to add your own message.  Another free app is the Sweethearts app, which allows you to customize your own popular sugary candy for your sweetie. You can send virtual Sweethearts candy boxes with custom messages to the ones you love and you can even make them appear on that person’s Twitter page.
• Set the Date. Set up a calendar on your Google account, or just make one via Microsoft Office, that details the plans you’ve made for you and your partner.  Plug into the calendar the things you planned to do for them or do together—like a picnic in the park, a weekend trip to the coast, or even something simple like breakfast in bed—and then send it in an email. It’s a nice surprise, especially for someone who’s been busy with work—it gives them something fun and romantic to look forward to amongst the daily trials of office life.
• TiVo Together. TiVo, or record, your loved one’s favorite shows or a special event that you know they’d like to watch and make a date of it. Bust out the pillows, popcorn and pajamas, and have an at-home date. TiVo is good for a lot of things, even relationships.
• Clean up. There is nothing more tedious than cleaning a computer—especially the keyboard.  One of the nicest things you could for your guy or gal this Valentine’s Day is to clean their tech. Cleaning technology, whether it’s your HDTV, laptop or even your car, is something that we all put off. You could also clean up their desktop and hard drive—make their computer a little speedier for them. Performing this task for someone you love is a priceless gift that really shows you care.
• E-cards. Don’t go to Hallmark and the flower shop for your darling, look to the Internet instead. E-cards are endearing, customizable and just a click away. Send your loved ones an e-card everyday for the few days leading up to Valentine’s Day—making each day special. You could also use e-cards to drop some hints on what you have planned for them this V-Day. Customize the messages to provide some clues as to where you’ll be going, what you’re planning, and what they should be excited for.

Big Screen Valentine

Being stuck at home is the perfect start to a week of romantic movies!  Here is a short list of the greats:

Pride and Prejudice (Any version)
Sweet Home Alabama
The Notebook
The Wedding Date
Sabrina
Ever After
French Kiss
While You Were Sleeping
The American President
Dave
Grease
Two Weeks Notice
Pretty Woman
The Wedding Planner
The Cutting Edge
Return to Me
You’ve Got Mail
Medicine Man
Music and Lyrics
Life or Something Like It
Someone Like You
Murphy’s Romance
A Walk in the Clouds
Indecent Proposal
When Harry Met Sally
Kate and Leopold
The Holiday
What a Girl Wants
She’s All That
Pure Country
Hope Floats
The Truth About Cats & Dogs

And so many more!  Check out the list of top 200 Romantic Movies.

Today’s Blog Credits go To:  Digital Trends: Hi Tech Valentines

Valentines Day is Sunday, February 14th.  So take advantage of Saturday and wrap the entire weekend around enjoying time with your special someone.  If you plan to go out on the town, we have some great ideas for romance in our local DC Metro area. 

Washington, DC Romantic Restaurants
The Washington, DC area has many romantic restaurants. They do get busy for Valentine’s Day, so you should make your reservations as early as possible. Here are some restaurants with Valentine’s Day Specials from About.com.

Dinner Cruises on the Potomac River
Take a romantic cruise and enjoy a night of dining, dancing and live entertainment, while cruising past the beautiful views of Washington, DC. Make a reservation on the Odyssey or the Spirit of Washington.

See “Grease” at the National Theatre
American Idol Taylor Hicks stars as Teen Idol in this Broadway version of the 50s themed musical production. February 9-21, 2010. Enjoy your favorite songs: “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin’” and “We Go Together” Tickets are on sale now through TicketsNow.com.

Woo at the Zoo
February 12, 2010. The National Zoo is hosting a fun-filled FREE event for Valentine’s Day. Learn about animal mating, dating and reproductive habits in an honest and humorous forum. The event includes complimentary hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, and a special Valentine “treat” for all attendees. Reservations are required.

Outdoor Ice Skating
What’s more romantic than ice skating under the stars at one of Washington, DC’s outdoor ice skating rinks? After a nice dinner, get some fresh air and enjoy the ambiance of the city.  Here are some great locations.

Chocolate in Washington, DC
Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to give the gift of chocolate. Find the best chocolate, truffles, fudge and brownies in the Washington, DC area.  Here is a great list of places to shop for chocolate.  Just want to celebrate chocolate?  Check out the Chocolate Lovers Festival in Old Town Fairfax, February 6-7, 2010.  Enjoy a festival of everything chocolate! See the Chocolate Challenge, an arts contest featuring breathtaking art made completely of chocolate, sample chocolates, historic re-enactments, children’s activities, craft show and more.

Best Florist in the Washington DC Area
MyFlorist, of course!  And we are delivering on Sunday.  And we recommend ordering early.

Washington, DC Area Jewelry Stores
Is this a special Valentine’s Day event?  If you need to shop for jewelry, do it now.  Here’s a list of local jewelers to help you get started. 

Terrapin Adventures - Valentine’s Day with an Adventurous Twist!
February 14, 2010, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 8600 Foundry Street Savage, Maryland. Special adventure package for couples: $59.95/couple includes two hours on the zip line, giant swing, high ropes course, and climbing tower with free hot chocolate, Hershey kisses and gifts from the merchants at Savage Mill. For more information, call (301) 725-1313 or click here.

Watson Adventures Scavenger Hunts
Celebrate Valentine’s Day enjoying an usual task - searching for nudity in art one of DC’s top art museums. Participants in teams search for answers to tricky and humorous questions. Cost: $22.50. Advanced reservations are required. Call (877)-9-GO HUNT.  To visit their website, click here.

All Stars Comedy Club
Valentine’s Day Show. Enjoy a night of laughter with stand-up comedy featuring three professional comedians from HBO. Special packages are available to add dinner and a hotel room. Located in Arlington, Virginia. Reservations are required. (410) 212-3568 OR (703) 739-7377.

All You Need is Love at Jammin’ Java
February 14, 2010 at 7 p.m. 227 Maple Avenue East, Vienna, VA. Celebrate the holiday with a Tribute to the Beatles and Love Songs featuring Anthony Fiacco, Shane Hines, Todd Wright and Luke Brindley. Tickets are $10 in advance, $13 at the door.  Website

From: About.com

Yep, it’s approaching. Valentines Day! And guys, you KNOW that your lady is all set on romance on this day. But what if you’re not the “romantic type”? Not to worry. I’ll show you how to show your lady just how much you love her on that special day.

Show Her How Much You Love Her

Many guys are at a loss on what to do for Valentines Day. I think the amount of men who are the romantic type is likely less than 40%. Women know this and over the years, she may not really expect much more than a nice card and a dinner date. But you can do so much more and you don’t have to break the bank doing it.

Here are a few pointers.

Flowers: Now it’s pretty common to come home with a dozen roses but you can do that and have even a bigger effect on her. Instead of bringing the flowers home to her when you get home, have them sent to her at work. Her friends will all see it. Women LOVE to know that they are thought of and they love even more to show that off to their friends and co-workers. If you work and she stays at home, have them sent to her at home.

The Card: Now if you’re capable of writing well and putting your feelings on paper, I recommend writing a little something romantic and sweet to her in the card but if you’re not, you’re in luck. These days you can get a greeting card to say just about ANYTHING. Up to and including something like, “I know I’m not very good at expressing my feelings, but I want you to know that….”. Take your time when searching for a card. Big and pretty don’t mean NEARLY as much as just what it says inside. Your lady will be able to tell if you just grab one.

Plan ahead: Don’t run around like a maniac on February 13th trying to get everything set. You can’t take your time if you have to rush. Make reservations and pick out any gifts ahead of time. Don’t forget to buy candles. You’ll need them. Make it a goal to have everything all set one week BEFORE the 14th.

The dinner: This should be common sense but you’d be surprised how many guys think a place like a chain restaurant is class. Make sure it’s a nice place. A quiet place with candlelight and violins with chilled wine is what you’re after. Your lady has no desire to look up at one of the many televisions located all over the casual dining restaurant.

Get a baby sitter: Valentines Day is for lovers. If you have children, this is essential. And if you can, get someone to take them overnight. This is a night for you and your lady. No children allowed.

Make it a night: If you can both manage it in your schedules and budget, take the 15th off and get a nice hotel room that night after dinner.  Or you can take it easy on the wine at dinner and decline desert. Have a nice bottle of wine waiting at home with a nice cheesecake or strawberries dipped in chocolate. Sit at your table with nothing but candlelight and soft mood music playing.

The end of the night:  Now if it’s simple date, it will end with a sweet kiss at her doorstep, but if this is your wife or live-in girlfriend, the night is far from over. Go into the bedroom before she does and light the candles that you should have already set out. It’s all about taking your time.  Look into her eyes and tell her how much you love her. Take some extra time making her feel good. Give her at least an hour of adult attention.

Afterwards, blow out the candles (you don’t want to burn your house down) and hold her in your arms or wrap your arms around her while she falls asleep.

Happy Valentines Day!

By Karl Withakay

More Ideas:

Cupidr - An iPhone App for Romantic Ideas
Romantic Valentine’s Dinner - DIY
A Valentine’s Guide for Guys 

Finding romance seems like a complex puzzle with odds similar to Lotto.  Finding The One involves a little strategy and a lot of socializing!

Washington Post staff writer, Lavanya Ramanathan followed Washingtonians searching for love or who recently found it. She asked them what they’re trying, what works and what doesn’t, and where they meet people.

Then she asked love gurus and authors to weigh in, but not before asking them what makes them such experts.

What follows is the lowdown on what it means to be looking for love in Washington in your 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. We’ve compiled great ways to meet others and fabulous ideas for first dates. And we’ve got only one rule: Stop looking at dating as a game or chore, and approach it with optimism and confidence. It’s supposed to be fun.

Dating in Your 20s

What we’re about to say may infuriate you. It may prompt you to send us angry missives about ageism. But here goes:

The rest of us could learn a thing or two from the dating habits of 20-somethings.

Our dating experts all suggest the same approach to dating at any age: Relax (or at least appear to be unaware of the incessant, pounding tick-tock of your internal clocks) and your charms will shine through.

No one does this better than people in their 20s. (The first dates that can make the rest of us so nervous? A 25-year-old will casually call them “hanging out.”)

Of course, 20-somethings have good reason to be relaxed about love. Their dating pool is a virtual ocean, still teeming with cute, smart, upwardly mobile types. And they often have the opportunity to dive right in: There are bars, work outings, social groups and even strange, retro sports leagues that can all serve as venues to meet that special someone.

“Meeting through an interest is 10 times better than meeting in a bar,” says Matt Simonson, 24, who attended a recent gathering of 6th in the City’s new running club. “In a bar, everyone is trying to be someone, everyone is trying to prove who they are, whereas if you meet through an activity, you’re actually showing who you are.” (Sorry, folks, he’s off the market; he met his current at a climate-change rally.)

Twenty-somethings get out there. If a relationship doesn’t work out, they keep optimistically forging ahead — a strategy everyone should try.

Washington does pose some major challenges for 20-something daters, not the least of which is trying to go out in the city on a ramen-noodle budget.

Meet the challenge with innovation. There was a time when every date Toblin went on involved dinner. But her now-boyfriend wooed her with a fabulous fall day that took the pair to Rock Creek Park Day (free) and the National Book Festival on the Mall (also free). The date “was epic,” she says.

At any age, first and second dates should feel organic and low-pressure. Hit the zoo, a festival or an art event. Check out a jazz club. Walk there if you can.

“A fancy dinner is not a good date,” says Michael Karlan, president of Professionals in the City, which organizes speed-dating and other social events in several cities. “It sends the wrong message. You want the person to associate you with fun. You don’t want them to associate you with taking them places they’re going to feel this pressure.”

Best places to meet people in this age group: Adult sports leagues such as the World Adult Kickball Association (www.kickball.com) or No, Adult Kickball Isn’t Dumb (www.playnakid.com); synagogue, temple or church groups, such as 6th in the City (www.sixthandi.org); volunteer outings (www.dc-cares.org); or a Meetup group that matches your interests (such as dance groups and outing-focused Meetup groups such as Young and Loving DC and GoGayDC (www.meetup.com.)

Dating in Your 30s

It’s a Saturday night in Reston, and the bar at McCormick & Schmick’s is packed, filled with members of Meetup’s Singles in the Suburbs. As its title suggests, the group is aimed at unmarried folks living in Reston, Herndon, Fairfax, as well as Maryland.

The 30-to-50-somethings who are its members are a friendly, chatty bunch that like to go out; they organize trips to a bar-centric take on “Jeopardy,” to see the holiday lights at Bull Run, or to a Santa Bar Crawl. On this night, they’re out on a bar crawl for Feed the FISH, an event to raise money for the charity Herndon-Reston FISH, which offers emergency assistance to the needy. The culmination of this night of revelry? A date auction.

But Singles in the Suburbs isn’t actually about dating. It’s about getting out and making friends — and that’s why it has a pretty good number of dating success stories.

“Here’s why my group works,” says Rita K. Colbert, 33, the founder of the 1,000-member-strong meet-up. “My group does it all. We have a book club in the group, we have a movie club in the group, we go on hikes, we go on trips, we have happy hours. When people go to that group that attracts them, they’re meeting other people who are attracted to that same thing, so already, you have a common interest.”

She should know. She met her boyfriend of three years, Scott Langbauer, through Singles in the Suburbs, when Colbert was hosting a Texas Hold ‘Em night at her house.

Langbauer, 34, recalls that it was a Saturday night when all his friends had plans with their significant others, so he decided to check it out by himself. “Through that, we just sort of clicked. I think it was probably after I took all of her money, but I did use that to buy her dinner, like, two nights later.”

Dating in your 30s may mean it’s time you wean yourself off the bar scene and break old habits. Try going to events alone instead of with your 20 closest friends.

It’s also time to open your mind; you’re going to meet people who have a different set of issues than daters in their 20s: Many are coming back on the market after the end of long relationships.

Which brings us to our next suggestion for 30-something daters (and we know this one is going to hurt for the average Type A Washingtonian): Stop requiring the people you meet to live up to the impossible standards you’ve managed to create by your 30s.

“Most of us look for clones,” says L.A.-based dating coach Marc Evan Katz, co-author of the book “Why You’re Still Single: Things Your Friends Would Tell You if You Promised Not to Get Mad.” “We want someone who’s just like us, but the opposite sex, without our flaws.”

You know you’ve done it: Anyone less than an attractive fellow federal worker/MBA/triathlete/cat-lover contacts you on Match.com, and you hit the delete button.

But the truth is, if you say it aloud — “The person I really want to date is me” — it sounds more like you need therapy than a life partner. So try something different: Check your expectations along with your coat, for a couple of dates, anyway. It’s an ancient practice we like to call “getting to know each other.”

Best places to meet people in this age group: Singles in the Suburbs (www.singlesinthesuburbs.com); swing dancing at Glen Echo Park (www.glenechopark.org/dancing.htm); volunteer outings (www.dc-cares.org). Art fan? Check out the all-things-D.C. Web site www.pinklineproject.com for listings of art salons and parties, or join an arts group targeted at young professionals, such as the Corcoran’s 1869 Society.

Planning a date? Being in your 30s may mean you have a little more expendable income than you once did. Try: Room 11 in Columbia Heights (www.room11dc.com) or the reservations-only cocktail bar Gibson near U Street (http://www.thegibsondc.com). Share a cheese plate and wine at Proof after work in Chinatown (www.proofdc.com). Try an art museum such as the National Gallery of Art (www.nga.gov). If you enjoy the outdoors, hike the Potomac Heritage Trail, which in winter offers views of the Potomac and the waterfalls (http://www.nps.gov/pohe).

Dating in your 40s and 50s

If 20-somethings’ best advantage is that vast dating pool, 40-somethings have the boon of increased self-awareness and seriousness about finding lasting love.

“The amount of single people you meet at age 26 is astronomically higher than at age 46,” Katz says. “The single people who are ready to get married at 26 is astronomically lower than when you’re 46.”

Don Cooper, who would reveal his age only as “40s,” was among the singles at Professionals in the City’s “35-plus” wine tasting and speed-dating event at BlackFinn Restaurant and Saloon in Bethesda last month. He says that priorities also change.

“When you get older, you say, ‘I just want to go out and enjoy myself.’ You want someone you can hang out with first, rather than the superficialities of how someone looks or what they do for a living,” he says. “It’s not like when we’re young, trying to act like we’re really something we’re not. It’s much more personal when we get older.”

Mary Beth Jalickee, 42, is giving dating a second shot after a recent divorce, and for now, her strategy is “just getting out there and showing my face,” she says.

Like Jalickee, many of those dating in their 40s and 50s may come from broken marriages, have lost spouses or have children.

“Somebody who’s 50 and coming back into the singles scene has probably been married 25 years. There’s been a lot of social change in that 25 years,” says Carol Randolph, executive director of New Beginnings, an Olney-based support group for divorced and separated people. Randolph recommends finding hobbies and engaging in group activities, which can offer a chance not just to get out, but to make friends with members of the opposite sex. “That’s a whole genre of experience that many people don’t experience till they’re separated,” she says, and it can help people test the waters.

While online dating may seem appealing, she cautions that it isn’t a way to get around the real issues: “You still have to meet this person. You still have to carry on a conversation. You still have to talk about something besides the demise of your marriage.”

Getting out there is exactly what relationship coach Amy Schoen tried when a divorce left her single again her late 30s.

She joined a bowling league, hit a few speed-dating events (”I was the worst speed dater,” she confesses.), tried outdoor clubs and even went on organized group vacations. It didn’t take her long before she met the man she ultimately married; they connected through a cycling group.

The approach, she concedes, isn’t for everyone. She has clients who are introverted or don’t do well in group events, preferring one-on-one interactions or online dating instead.

By your early 40s in particular, online dating can make sense “because you’re not going out to bars and picking up strangers to hook up with,” says Katz. “That’s why online dating is valuable. It creates opportunity where there is none.”

Best places to meet people in this age group: Support groups such as New Beginnings (www.newbeginningsusa.org); social groups and activities clubs including www.capitalhikingclub.org or find one through www.meetup.com. There are Web sites and e-mail discussion groups available, too; Schoen lists singles events on DCdatinginfo.com, and a popular e-mail group for those in their late 40s and older is Paul’s List (e-mail paulsslist@aol.com). Tommy the Matchmaker hosts a New Year’s event at the Georgetown Holiday Inn (call 301-656-2545 for tickets). And don’t be afraid to use the Internet; many of the people we met have used it with success. Popular sites include www.eharmony.com, www.chemistry.com, www.match.com or www.plentyoffish.com.

Planning a date? Try Black’s Bar & Kitchen (www.blacksbarandkitchen.com) or the D.C. landmark Old Ebbitt Grill (www.ebbitt.com); embark on a full-moon hike at the U.S. National Arboretum (beginning in February; www.usna.usda.gov); go swing, salsa or ballroom dancing at the Hollywood Ballroom (www.hollywoodballroom.com); or try posh cocktails at Quill at the Jefferson Hotel (http://www.jeffersondc.com).

From: The Washington Post

For those of us who love flowers and nature so much that we like getting our hands dirty, we have the following to-do lists for you to enjoy in your home gardens.  To find your zone, visit the National Gardening Association.

Zone 1

• Order fruit and vegetable seeds, roses, bare-root trees and shrubs
• Check potted or container-planted bulbs for signs of growth
• Bring in pots of crocus and bulbous iris if leaves have formed
• Cut branches of pussy willow, flowering quince, forsythia to force indoors if buds are beginning to swell
• Freshen house plants with sprays or shower bath
• Sow seeds of cool-weather vegetables indoors
• Sow seeds of hardy perennials indoors

Zone 2

• Cut back on feeding houseplants (do not feed dormant houseplants)
• Water cymbidiums weekly until they bloom
• Sow seeds indoors for tender perennials

Zone 3

• Order seeds
• Cut back on feeding houseplants (do not feed dormant houseplants)
• Water cymbidiums weekly until they bloom
• Sow seeds for tender perennials

Zone 4

• Order seeds
• Sow seeds indoors for hardy spring-blooming plants
• Cut back on feeding houseplants (do not feed dormant houseplants)
• Sow seeds for cool-weather vegetables
• Sow frost-tolerant perennials indoors
   

Zone 5

• Order seeds
• Sow seeds for hardy spring-blooming plants
• Cut back on feeding houseplants (do not feed dormant houseplants)
• Sow seeds for cool-weather vegetables
• Sow frost-tolerant perennials indoors

Zone 6

• Order seeds
• Sow seeds of warm-season annuals
• Sow seeds for hardy spring-blooming plants
• Cut back on feeding houseplants (do not feed dormant houseplants)
• Sow seeds for cool-weather vegetables
• Sow frost-tolerant perennials indoors
   

Zone 7

• Order seeds
• Sow seeds of warm-season annuals indoors
• Plant ornamental trees
• Prune flowering fruit trees while in bloom
• Prune winter-flowering shrubs and vines after bloom
• Sow seeds of warm-season vegetables indoors
• Sow seeds for hardy spring-blooming annuals
• Plant or transplant cool-season vegetable seedlings

Zone 8

• Order seeds
• Sow seeds of warm-season annuals indoors
• Set out cool-season annuals
• Plant fruit trees
• Apply dormant spray to fruit trees
• Spray for peach leaf curl, peach leaf blight, and canker
• Cut back on feeding houseplants (do not feed dormant houseplants)
• Plant or repair warm-season lawns
• Plant ornamental grasses
• Plant or transplant frost-tolerant perennials
• Sow seeds for tender perennials indoors
• Plant bare-root roses
• Apply dormant spray to roses
• Plant bare-root trees, shrubs, and vines
• Prune winter-blooming shrubs and vines just after bloom
• Apply dormant spray to shrubs and vines
• Plant bare-root perennial vegetables
• Plant seedlings of cool-season vegetables
• Sow seeds for cool- and warm-season vegetables
• Protect tender plants from frost

Zone 9

• Sow seeds for hardy spring-blooming annuals
• Sow seeds of warm-season annuals indoors
• Plant summer-flowering bulbs
• Repot cacti and succulents, if essential, once they have finished blooming
• Plant bare-root fruit trees
• Apply dormant spray to fruit trees
• Spray for peach leaf curl, peach leaf blight, and canker
• Plant citrus
• Repair or plant lawns
• Plant or transplant frost-tolerant perennials outdoors
• Sow seeds for tender perennials indoors
• Plant bare-root roses
• Plant bare-root trees, shrubs, and vines
• Prune deciduous trees
• Prune winter-flowering shrubs and vines just after bloom
• Plant bare-root perennial vegetalbes
• Plant seedlings of cool-season or winter vegetables
• Sow seeds for cool-season or winter vegetables
• Sow seeds for warm-season vegetables indoors

Zone 10

• Order seeds
• Sow seeds for warm-season annuals
• Set out seedlings of warm-season annuals
• Set out summer-flowering bulbs
• Repot cacti and succulents, if essential, once they have finished blooming
• Plant bare-root fruit trees
• Prune flowering fruit trees while in bloom
• Spray for peach leaf curl, peach leaf blight, and canker
• Plant citrus
• Protect citrus from frost damage
• Feed houseplants that are growing or blooming
• Plant bare-root roses
• Plant bare-root shrubs and vines
• Prune evergreen shrubs
• Prune winter-flowering shrubs and vines after bloom
• Plant bare-root trees
• Plant or transplant cool-season vegetable seedlings
• Sow warm-season vegetable seeds
• Transplant warm-season vegetable seedlings

Zone 11

• Sow seed of summer annuals indoors
• Sow seeds of hardy vegetables indoors
• Improve soil by spading in humus
• Plant bare-root trees, shrubs, vines, roses
• Be ready to shelter tender plants against frost
• Finish dormant spraying

From BackyardGardener.com

There are times when you just don’t want to be outdoors - whether that’s because of inclement weather or just wanting to stay home. So how can you enjoy life indoors?  Here are some great ideas so you don’t get cabin fever!

Indoor Activities at Home

Turn off the TV and have fun together:

• Play board games. Board games and card games keep you interacting with one another. Find a variety of different games from trivia to strategy to the childhood games of your past to enjoy.
• Cook together. Go online and find recipes for new things that you’ve never tried to make at home before. Shop for groceries and cook in the kitchen without distractions. Cooking and eating together is a timeless activity.
• Video games. It’s a lot more enjoyable if you play together. Choose games where you can team up against other couples or battle each other. It’s all about having fun.
• Indoor exercise. Find exercises that you can do together - such as passing the medicine ball back and forth. You’ll get your heart rate going and feel the endorphins waking up.
• Make art or make music. Being creative together is a great way to really enhance the relationship. Find something that you both like to do whether it’s picking at a guitar or making collages out of old magazine images.
• Home improvements. Couples that live together can come together by finding ways to improve the home they share. Create a list of projects that you would like to work on and start checking things off of the list one by one. Working together to create a home is a great way to spend time with someone else.
• Throw brunches, dinner parties and movie nights. If you want to be social together as a couple but don’t want to leave the house then make your house the setting of all of the fun. Do these weekly or monthly to get a routine going that’s all about fun instead of boring habits.
• Make bucket lists. A bucket list is when you sit down and brainstorm all of the things that you’ve never done that you’d like to do before you die. Things on the list can be as mundane as “make a cake from scratch” or as wild as “visit every national park in the country”. Make your life lists separately and then share them; you’ll be amazed how much you find out about each other.
• Surf the web. The Internet doesn’t have to be something in your home that alienates you from one another. Sit down in front of the computer together and watch funny videos, read interesting articles and share ideas about what you read. It’s far more interactive than just watching TV and keeps both of you from being bored together.
• Picnic indoors. If you’re both feeling like just laying down and watching a movie together, do it with some romance. Put together a wine and cheese picnic basket, spread a blanket out on the floor together and get ready to have a better-than-normal evening of watching the tube.

Indoor Activities Away from Home

When you really want out of the house, you can go to other indoor locations with your partner. Here are some ideas:

• Dress up and go to a movie. Dressing up is important because it makes it more of a real date than when you normally just head out to a movie together.
• Go gaming. If there’s a casino in your local area then you can have some indoor fun together there.  (Take a predermined amount of cash and leave your checkbook and ATM card at home!)
• Go to a spa or local hot tubs. Get away together into relaxation and get that chill of the icky weather out of your bones.
• Check out a local museum or art gallery. You can learn something together and share an experience that you don’t take the time to enjoy nearly often enough.
• Visit friends or family. Sometimes hanging out with others is the best way to be together. Ask someone in the family to host a spontaneous potluck on a rainy afternoon.
• Take a class together. An art class, an improv comedy class or a cooking class can bring the two of you closer together even as you meet others and learn something new.
• Go to an event that you’ve never been to before. Seeing something new together can brighten up even the dreariest of days. If you’ve never been to a poetry slam, the local ballet or a Broadway musical then get some tickets and go.

The real goal to keep in mind when trying to find things to do with your significant other is just spending time together relaxing.  The activity can be simple, as long as it’s outside the norm for you.  Think outside your rut!

by Kathryn Vercillo
Hub Pages