Sunflowers are my way of spreading flower love- simple, happy, long lasting as a plant or cut flower. I love all the varieties that are available on the market now, but still go back to the humble beginnings of the dark chocolate brown centers with bright lemon yellow petals radiating out to greet me! This month of July marks 14 YEARS of Heliotrope for Hospice! so I pay homage to the flower that represents our mission. The logo of...

On December 25, 2023, I find myself reflecting on the spirit of giving, the joy of sharing, and the beauty of repurposing. I came across an arrangement I designed for Millicent- an old fashioned seasonal theme, with a bird nestled in evergreens. As the founder of Heliotrope for Hospice, a charity that repurposes gently used flowers for hospice patients, I am constantly reminded of the power of small gestures. I want to share a story about my...

At Heliotrope for Hospice, we are often asked, “When do you know when someone will touch your life… when do you know if you touch someone else’s heart?” As a charity that repurposes donated flowers for those in hospice care, we experience these touching moments frequently. A Gift of Sunflowers In 2021, while I was teaching a floral class, a student overheard me mention a Celebration of Life for my mom’s birthday....

As October unfolds, Heliotrope for Hospice, a cherished charity in San Diego, is filled with gratitude. We recently received a generous donation of seasonal plants from Trader Joe’s Hillcrest, a testament to the community’s support for our cause. A Bounty of Seasonal Blooms One of my best contacts for donations, Kris from Trader Joe’s, called with a last-minute request for us to pick up a large donation of plants. From Autumn...

I think it was back in high school when I first read The Desiderata by Max Ehrmann, written in 1927. When you come across a message that resonates with your soul, you tend to revisit that yearning. The end of a year to the Beginning of a New Year is such a time. You know, I embrace solitude a little too easily- this poem resets me into the world… and I renew a commitment for desired things in my life. In sharing this poem, I reflect on...