and Christians maintain unity despite regional conflicts The Druze balance their cultural identity with Israeli loyalty advocating coexistence and rejecting calls for a separate Druze state and Christians who have coexisted for generations a historically significant and close-knit community while larger populations live in Syria and Lebanon the Druze maintain a deep unity shaped by their religious beliefs and historical experiences balancing their cultural heritage with their national identity We serve and contribute at every level of government The Druze have served in the military since the state’s founding taking an active and central role in security and civil affairs the Druze are well-integrated within Israel the Druze have played an integral role in the state a Druze former commander of the Northern Brigade in the Gaza Strip the Druze are well-integrated within Israel.” While the Druze in the Galilee see themselves as Israeli Druze those in the Golan and other regions feel differently an entrepreneur and former Israeli security officer sheds light on the community’s sense of identity Despite differences tied to geography and personal perspective We are not interested in our own state; we are committed to our land and will protect it at any cost That is why serving in the Israeli military is not just an obligation—it is a commitment.” He further highlights the Druze’s role as bridge-builders The recent conflicts in Gaza have brought new challenges for Israel’s Druze community Many serve in the military and have firsthand experience of the conflict we feel the conflict from both sides,” says Eyal Ganim “We speak Arabic and are connected to the Arab world but we are also Israeli citizens and sympathize with the Jewish people October 7 changed everything—it shattered illusions about security and stability I fight because I want to grant peace to this land one day.” discussions about a potential Druze state have resurfaced While some advocate for an independent Druze homeland “I don’t think there will be a Druze state,” says Col “The Druze in Syria should stay loyal to their country if it protects them they must take control of their situation and defend themselves.” The Druze in Syria should stay loyal to their country if it protects them they must take control of their situation and defend themselves explaining how the Druze identity is shaped by the country they live in making it hard to speak for the entire community.” The Druze in Syria are Syrians in every way the ones who liberated Syria were the Druze—Sultan Pasha al-Atrash who led the fight against the French in 1925 The crisis in Syria has placed the Druze in a precarious position deputy CEO for logistics at the National Insurance Institute and former head of the Druze town of Hurfeish highlights the community’s historical ties to Syria “The Druze in Syria are Syrians in every way The massacre of Alawites in Syria has raised fears of similar violence against the Druze Reports suggest that Israel has offered assistance but the response within the Druze community has been mixed while others are wary of the political consequences “I don’t think a Druze state is the answer,” says Khiraldin The fall of Bashar Assad leaves uncertainty We’ve seen the horrors in Latakia and Tartus We hope the same fate does not befall the Druze (Res.) Hamada Ganim warns of the deteriorating situation communities in northern Israel continue to coexist Tannourine Restaurant is a testament to interfaith harmony “My brother and I started this place with our mother 24 years ago our existence is threatened.” He believes that political leadership has failed to foster unity “The Middle East’s struggles are not about people—they’re about politics Hana highlights the difficulties Christians face in the region our existence is threatened.” He believes that political leadership has failed to foster unity architect Matti Avahalomov is working on a project that embodies the region’s diversity—the transformation of the Migdal Beach Promenade “The promenade will physically represent coexistence and Islamic architectural elements to create a shared cultural space,” he explains Avahalomov believes in the power of architecture to unite communities “People see a divide between Jews and Arabs We are building a future that embraces shared history and identity.” He emphasizes the role of public spaces in fostering dialogue “Architecture is more than just buildings—it is about identity When we design spaces that bring different communities together we create opportunities for understanding.” the voices of Israel’s Druze and Christian communities share a common theme: unity Despite the conflicts that have defined the region Their message is clear—peace is not just an aspiration but a choice Israeli Druze have historically played an active role in national service “From the time of Israel’s establishment We serve and contribute at every level,” said Col Entrepreneur and former security officer Eyal Ganim reinforced this sentiment We are not interested in our own state.” the crisis in Syria has left the Druze community there in a vulnerable position with growing concerns about their security While reports indicate that Israel has offered aid opinions remain divided on whether external intervention is the right approach Some argue that the Druze should remain loyal to their respective nations while others fear for their safety if Bashar Assad’s government collapses Valente’s article delves into the complex identity and political realities of the Druze in Israel and across the region. Read her full analysis and watch the video report to better understand the future of this unique community Deir al-Balah and Rafah?As long as the power knowledge and information remain in Israel's hands and there will be people who continue to doubt the Palestinians' stories 2024Get email notification for articles from Sheren Falah Saab FollowDec 30 2024In a conversation I had with Palestinian author Muhammad Ali Taha he shared his memories of the child he was before the Nakba residents of the Palestinian village of Mi'ar in the Galilee feared for their fate during Israel's War of Independence Taha's family was one of those that chose to flee to Lebanon Picasso's bouquet of peace painting remains relevant with the message and spirit it conveys 25 Apr 2025 15:15 WIB · English Pablo Picasso painted a bouquet of flowers held in two hands as a symbol of peace in 1958 In light of the numerous humanitarian issues currently facing the world the Japanese brand Uniqlo invites everyone to revive the spirit of Picasso's work Uniqlo revived that spirit by organizing a painting workshop titled "Peace For All" in 25 major cities across various countries around the world specifically at the Uniqlo store in Pondok Indah Mall The workshop is a collaboration between Uniqlo and the Musee National Picasso Paris and the art organization Artolution The workshop invited representatives from the world peace community to recreate Pablo Picasso's bouquet of peace All the paintings from 25 countries will be exhibited at the Picasso Museum Uniqlo invited the Save The Children Indonesia community to be the representative painters Save The Children Indonesia is a community focused on creating safe and hopeful spaces for children's growth A total of 20 representatives from the community attended to reinterpret Picasso's peace bouquet in their own styles and interpretations All the paintings from the participants were then combined into a single beautiful collage Picasso created a painting of a peace bouquet to support the protests that took place in Stockholm The protests were directed at the governments of the world to cease the development of nuclear weapons Picasso is indeed renowned as an artist who upholds the values of peace in his works Picasso depicts peace with a bouquet of flowers blooming in bright colors but rather with thin brush strokes that highlight the essence of purity The flowers are also held by two individuals as a symbol of brotherhood One hand gestures to give while the other receives Picasso often depicted peace through paintings of doves All participants were truly given the freedom to create this painting Whether to paint it in a highly graduated surreal style or to make it transcend time by replacing the human hand with a robotic hand Anything is allowed as long as it aligns with the spirit of peace I often cry when I see what is happening in this world She is an artist who specializes in graffiti and street art Bunga guides slowly and carefully so that the resulting painting is a natural work Bunga is very grateful to be able to take part in this workshop I often cry seeing what is happening in this world," she said Participants were provided with complete painting equipment The painting atmosphere was made comfortable with the accompaniment of classical music She depicted a peace bouquet with lavender flowers She felt that the flowers were fragrant and beautiful Alifa also added butterflies to her painting "I use butterflies as a depiction of the expression of freedom to fly as high as possible," he said The depiction of peace was also narrated by a participant named Rehan He combined various painting tools in his work The combination of various tools produces paintings with diverse textures that blend together Rehan describes this as the ideal situation for world peace Uniqlo is also implementing Picasso's paintings into its clothing line titled "Peace For All." This line consists of five t-shirts featuring different paintings by Picasso said that all sales profits from this clothing line will be donated to several world peace organizations This is Uniqlo's real contribution in building a labor-intensive industry that has a positive impact on social life I use butterflies as a depiction of the expression of freedom to fly as high as possible Uniqlo sees that there is a contribution that must be made but also in the local market," he explained Irma considers Picasso to be an immensely influential artist in the global landscape His works have become a pioneer and an inspiration for many artists around the world to advocate for peace the fashion line "Peace For All" has also collaborated with renowned figures such as Haruki Murakami and Roger Federer Picasso's bouquet of peace painting remains relevant with the message and spirit it conveys This painting serves as a representation of a peace message that can be communicated beautifully and elegantly Note : The article is a collaboration with Kompas Daily intern Parker Paschall was tucked away in Seaside He had been working as a freelance florist events and decorated chaos was basically a full time job “You’re opening up a store,” Paschall’s mother told him “I don’t think that’s in my plan right now,” he shrugged off the idea you’re opening up a shop,” she stated plainly The back and forth continued but his mother’s resolve was unshakable But he simply knew it wasn’t going to happen he had no plan and didn’t really know where to start He opened Parker Paschall Designs three months later on Oct offering floral arrangements for residential buildings As a child, he always found himself drawn to plants and flowers. When he began analyzing what he wanted to pursue, heading into the world of floral design seemed to be the perfect way to combine his love for events and holidays with his inherent connection to flowers and plants. “I think it kind of all ties together. I love getting people together,” he says. “It just makes me happy being able to see all of these little things throughout the year that can bring people together.” It would seem that finding and opening his storefront was yet another opportunity for Paschall to bring people together. His father’s construction company knocked out almost all of the necessary remodeling the space needed in a week. His shop manager, Lori, taught him how to do floral arrangements as a child and is his mother’s best friend. His little brother Griffin also works in the shop. And of course, mom got the show on the road. “Luckily, I have an incredible support system, even the people that work for me,” Paschall says. “I think I wouldn’t be even close to where I am today without all the people in my life, just because of how much people believe in me, even when sometimes I don’t.” The Bouquet is part of the larger Botanical Collection which launched as part of LEGO's lifestyle rebranding in 2021 The company has found new ways to integrate their sets into people's living spaces as its popularity among adults has increased So now, instead of condemning sets to storage shelves or negotiating where to put them on a limited number of desks or tables, an adult LEGO fan can hang them on the wall in the case of the flowers and plants in the Botanical Collection place them on window sills or use them as centerpieces The Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet is divided into six bags with an extra seventh bag of long rods to use as flower stems The set comes with a printed instruction booklet LEGO has actively encouraged builders – especially on these sorts of crossover sets – to go online and look at the digital instructions which allow you to rotate the builds and zoom in on them So if you're relatively new to adult LEGO or you're hesitant about buying this for a Valentine's Day gift on account of its complexity know that the digital option exists to make this hobby more accessible The ones included in this build are as follows: daisies The instruction booklet alternates its instructions with single paragraph descriptions of each flower (in English so you can learn a little bit about each one before you build it "Cymbidium orchids are documented in records from Confucius' time making them the oldest known cultivated orchid species." And here is the description for Dahlia nymphaea more commonly known as the waterlily dahlia: "Symbols of elegance and grace the decorative waterlily dahlia blossoms unfold like a luxurious firework display." they think of the binding tube mechanisms beneath each brick which causes them to 'stick' together the flowers are largely built on hinges– one piece clamps to another at a single connection point to create the impression of a petal extending outward from the flower's center you tilt these petals at angles to one another to create a cumulative impression I used building techniques on this set that I had never used before which is always a treat for someone who's loved LEGO as long as I have To create the rose's signature appearance I had to fold the petals upward in an overlapping pattern But this required forethought – to anchor the petals in a staggered fashion Figuring out the right spacing required some trial and error in a building medium that typically prizes precision and exactness If you place one petal forwards instead of backwards and you'll have to go back and redo it This happened to me at least twice and can be frustrating The orientation of each petal is as crucial as its spacing a traditional LEGO build begins by building the foundation and underlying support structures Only then does it switch focus to the details: the curved accessories and the stickered/printed tiles that give a build its character and personality But the Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet has no underlying structure or foundation 'what-you-see-is-what-you-get' sort of deal And whereas a traditional build's pieces are either structural or aesthetic the Bouquet's pieces are almost entirely aesthetic This is LEGO design at its most impractical – but that's not a negative Kevin Wong is a contributing freelancer for IGN, specializing in LEGO. He's also been published in Complex, Engadget, Gamespot, Kotaku, and more. Follow him on Twitter at @kevinjameswong. Words and phrases like “nostalgia” or “back to her roots” come to mind when listening to Gwen Stefani’s fifth studio album Bouquet – and it is in no way negative the singer leans into the mellow rock of her youth – think Hall & Oates Fleetwood Mac – with dashes of country vibes here and there immediately recalling the early aught when No Doubt still existed the songs are about a woman who’s been through the ringer – but life gave her a reprieve in her second act Bouquet is a not so furtive ode to husband Blake Shelton – who she met and fell in love with while they were both coaches on the singing reality competition show they were both going through divorces to Gavin Rossdale and Miranda Lambert the Stefani-Shelton romance arrives through yacht rock sounds and flowery language in songs with titles like Marigolds it is with a duet with Shelton on Purple Irises If the album tells a story of her relationship it starts with the opener Somebody Else’s Stefani starts off the proceedings by listing her previous romantic entanglement and bad choices “ I don’t know what a heart like mine/Was doin’ in a love like that “ I don’t know what a woman like me/Was doin’ with a man like you It’s a direct counter to the title track where the focus appears to be back on Shelton: “ We met when my heart was broken/Thank God that yours was “ So lucky that you were goin’/ Through what I was goin’ through.” she decries the fact that they met so late in life a clever turn of the phrase and a great voice are what it takes to get this album going View the discussion thread. Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem was very warmly welcomed and officiated the Divine Liturgy at the old Church of Saint George in the Rum Orthodox Arab-speaking Community of Buqei’a in the Acre-Ptolemais district of northern Israel This Liturgy aimed for the Orthodox education and the sanctification of the Orthodox faithful of this Community Co-celebrants to the Patriarch were Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth the Dean Priest of this church Father Ioannis and the Dean Priest of the other Church of this town Father Netarios The chanting was delivered in Arabic by the Byzantine choir of Acre-Ptolemais under the lead of Archimandrite Philotheos and the service was attended by the faithful of this Community The Patriarch delivered the following Sermon to them: “Then came to him his mother and his brethren My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God The grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us all in your historical town of Buqei’a to celebrate the Divine Liturgy and glorify the Name of our Trinitarian God in Eucharist praising Him with the words of the psalmist: “What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” (Psalm 116:12) so great is his gratitude that he doesn’t know what to render unto the Lord for this great benefit This very love did Jesus teach to the crowds saying that “My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God and do it” (Luke 8:21) “… the word of the truth of the gospel” (Col which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1:9) And the true light is our Lord Jesus Christ: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12) This word of the Lord was heard and acted upon by all the saints of the Church who became brothers of Christ according to the Holy Bible which reads: “For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee” (Hebrews 2:11-12) there is a strong bond between our Saviour Jesus Christ and those who are saved by Him Jesus is not ashamed to call them His brethren in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee” The interpreters’ comments on this are noteworthy: “God is the common Father between Him [Christ] and them [the people] as the Creator; the Creator of Christ for His human nature” Zigavinos says “He is not ashamed to call them brethren” (Hebrews 2:11) he showed the difference; for He is not a brother to us according to the nature “He is not ashamed to say and that shows that he was not of the same nature but that he was not ashamed due to His caring” Theophylaktos says In Christ’s words: “My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God we distinguish the incomprehensible to the unfaithful man mystery of the Incarnation of God the Word through the pure flesh of the Ever-Virgin Theotokos Mary according to Saint Paul’s preaching: “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh namely the mystery of the incarnation of God the Word This is precisely the magnificent feature of the Christian religion the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14) according to the true witness of Saint John the Theologian Saint Athanasius says: “Hearing that the Word became flesh but that He put on flesh upon Him and became man” And Saint Chrysostom says: “Because there are some who say that all things related to the Providence are a fantasy and a hypocrisy and a suspicion… the word ‘became’ was not a change of nature but His will to receive the true flesh upon Himself” the only and ultimate purpose of the Christian religion is the unity of man with God in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ We foretaste this mystical union through our participation in the Sacrament of the Divine Liturgy the bloodless sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist This very union of God with man was accomplished by the Saints we honour today Aristovoulos and Narcissus and their co-martyr Epimachus They became brothers of Christ because they not only heard but also preached and followed the word of Christ to keep our calling to Christ steadfast through our good words and deeds For it is in this manner that the entrance to the kingdom of heaven will be kept open and free and be granted to us according to Saint Peter’s advice: “For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:11) The Divine Liturgy was followed by a reception where His Beatitude addressed all present as follows: and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16) Honourable Members of the Ecclesiastical Committee Who has gathered us all in your historical town of Buqei’a where after the deadly trial of the corona plague we have been deemed worthy to celebrate the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1) And we say this because our Primeval Rum Orthodox Community co-exists with the other religious communities here as the Apostle Paul preaches: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love temperance: against such there is no law” (Gal peace and unity is irrefutably testified to the world by the Holy Church of Christ in the Middle East and in the Holy Land throughout the centuries Our Church of Jerusalem does that through its spiritual mission and pastoral work; “For this God is our God forever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death” (Psalm 48:15) in order to proclaim “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph in order to convey the blessing of the Holy City of Jerusalem the place of meeting of the heavenly with the earthly but also the place where God “hath broken down the middle wall of partition…of the enmity” (Eph and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col the Patriarch visited the new Holy Church which He consecrated a few years ago and participated in the meal hosted by the Parish at the Church where the Divine Liturgy was celebrated the Patriarchate of Jerusalem solemnly celebrated the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women... Archbishop Elpidophoros of America celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Monastery of the Theotokos.. it was announced that two Roman Catholic institutions in Bavaria have decided to jointly.. A car once used by Pope Francis during his 2014 visit to Bethlehem is being transformed into a mobile.. the Monastery of Saint Vlash in Albania hosted a festal Divine Liturgy on the.. Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece presided over the festal Great Vespers at the historic.. (function() { window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { listeners: [] cb) { window.mc4wp.listeners.push( { event : evt callback: cb } ); } } }})(); © 2023 OrthodoxTimes.com - All rights reserved Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website These cookies do not store any personal information Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website Without Palestinian FlagsAcclaimed author Muhammad Ali Taha says Arabs should join the pro-democracy protests and that proposals to create a binational state without first creating a Palestinian one will perpetuate the occupation 2023Get email notification for articles from Sheren Falah Saab FollowMay 1 the residents of the Palestinian village of Mi’ar in the Galilee feared for their lives as war engulfed them The family of writer Muhammad Ali Taha was among those who fled to Lebanon Archaeologists SayRevisiting ancient ruins on Buqeia Plateau between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea amid wreckage wrought by army exercises and desert joyriders Rafi Lewis and Joan Taylor ask: How did the people live 2023Get email notification for articles from Ruth Schuster FollowSep 7 about halfway along the descent from central Israel to the Dead Sea lies a plateau confusingly known as the Hyrcania Valley aka the Buqeia Plateau It looks dry as dust most of the year and about as inviting yet archaeologists will tell you it has been inhabited for thousands of years The burning question is how these intrepid people who settled on the plateau in the Iron Age in the seventh century B.C.E Was it even possible for them to cultivate the arid Why would they have wanted to farm there in the first place It is helpful to understand that Buqeia isn’t a classic valley in the sense of being a V-shaped cleft in the land crescent-shaped plain about 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) at its broadest and 9 kilometers long and more because Israel’s main international airport is expected to reach peak capacity by 2030 On the opposite western border of the Kingdom of Judah, at Lachish, there were fields of wheat and rich lands with vineyards and olive groves The Buqeia on the eastern side of the kingdom was not as fertile Our story starts at Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were originally found older ruins from the Iron Age were found beneath the Hasmonean and Roman layers Subsequent examination in the vicinity of Qumran revealed similar settlements nine kilometers away on the Buqeia Plateau to the west a survey carried out identified no less than 17 Iron Age II sites on the plateau aka the Buqeia Plateau.Credit: Dafna MaorCome the early ’70s the three main settlements on the plateau were revisited by Lawrence Stager a director of the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East He is the late archaeologist who suggested that these were “permanent paramilitary establishments” operated by people who farmed the land in patches of runoff from the wadis But did they? That is the cardinal question addressed in a recently published paper in a book dedicated to the doyen of ancient desert research in Israel and Jordan: Thomas E Levy of the University of California San Diego Shimon Gibson of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte a senior lecturer at Ashkelon College and Prof who spent years of research making a reevaluation of the way people lived in Qumran and the Dead Sea area nearly a thousand years before the Dead Sea Scrolls were penned Open gallery viewSheep grazing in Buqeia Valley which averages around 100 to 160 millimeters of rain a year.Credit: Dafna MaorIn the wilderness spending most of their time shepherding sheep the Judean Desert does turn green in the rainy season though winter precipitation averages just around 100 to 160 millimeters a year But when it rains in Jerusalem – which averages 600 millimeters a year descending rapidly via the wadis and cutting across the Buqeia plain the flocks could have eaten whatever desert-adapted plants survive on the grounds that the starving eat anything and/or the flocks were being led by their shepherds toward the relatively-less-arid upland areas in the direction of the outskirts of Jerusalem Open gallery viewCamels grazing and drinking at Buqeia Valley.Credit: Dafna MaorToday the main forms of life on the plateau are sparse but one never sees wild animals because they are not stupid and they hide – especially since Israeli soldiers use the plateau for military training There is the odd tourist hiking or driving a desert buggy recklessly at high speeds (judging by the palimpsest of tire marks on the hillocks There are also Bedouin with camels and small flocks passing through So even if a layperson might wonder why one would bring livestock into this dry desert it isn’t too far-fetched for the Iron Age inhabitants to have husbanded herbivores on this plateau of all places – and the alternative picture of farmers with wheat fields and vineyards seems rather unlikely Open gallery viewCamels grazing on the Buqeia plainCredit: Dafna MaorApropos spurred discussion on whether they could be identified with names listed in Joshua 15: 61-62 – Middin respectively – which came up in the context of the inheritance of the “children of Judah.” Lewis and Taylor note that according to the translation of Joshua into English Secacah and Nibshan are situated “in the wilderness”: “And the children of the Kenite went up out of the city of palm-trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah” – Judges 1:16 “Wilderness” is a translation of the Hebrew word “midbar,” which in modern Hebrew means desert the biblical text referring to Midbar Yehudah “the wilderness of Judah” in Judges and Psalms 63:1 doesn’t necessarily infer “desert” as a barren wasteland suitable only for lizards and hermits The context of “midbar” is “wilderness” and the subtext is “uncultivated land,” and that could theoretically include “pasturelands,” i.e. Open gallery viewNahal Ogg in the Buqeia Plateau the waters cut across the plain toward the Dead Sea.Credit: Dafna MaorIn linguistic support for their thesis the team points out that the Hebrew root d.b.r (from which “midbar” derives) means “to drive” – as in a goat to pasture The sheep and goats would have been grazed on land watered by winter flooding from December to February and would then be “d.b.r’d” westward toward the lusher Jerusalem Hills in the scalding summer months All of which begs the thought that the legendary King David may not have been the desert rat that some might assume – “A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah” (Psalms 63:1) – though the “rangeland of Judah” doesn’t have the same ring The team also notes that the Buqeia Plateau has been suggested as the biblical “Valley of Achor” (valley of tribulation) where the ancient Israelites executed and cremated a looter named Achan (and his family) because the man had disobeyed the deity’s command not to steal spoils from Jericho but to dedicate all of it to itself The team shares no opinion on this identification Open gallery viewBuqeia Plateau in the winter For a while.Credit: Dafna Maor Open gallery viewSeasonal wadi flows on the plain.Credit: Dafna MaorThe herds of Qumran The new theory posed by Gibson and colleagues is that in the seventh to early sixth centuries B.C.E. the plain had been occupied by quasi-military herders rather than quasi-military agriculturalists Their conclusion followed intermittent research visits to the region from 2005 to 2019 the team closely reexamined the excavated ruins and analyzed the relationship they had with Qumran insofar as it was possible given that all three Buqeia sites are in a terrible state of preservation because of Israeli army training activities and desert joyriders they found the preservation of the sites had seriously deteriorated They confirmed the Iron Age dating of the settlements including the one at Qumran beneath the Hasmonean and Roman levels They also showed that paths descending from the Buqeia Plateau to Qumran existed in the Iron Age and remained in use during later periods Open gallery viewAn illustration of the possible layout of Khirbet es-Samrah.Credit: Shimon GibsonAt Qumran itself, the Iron Age settlement was no “insignificant cluster” of huts as had been described previously by Israeli archaeologists Yitzhak Magen and Yuval Peleg Not at all: It featured a rectangular compound with a central courtyard in true Middle Eastern style a water system and an “industrial area” with pottery kilns Right by the living area they found a large walled space which they believe was an animal pen where the Iron Age Qumranites kept their flocks “It appears that pastoralism was a significantly important facet of the economy of Qumran in the Iron Age and not just a sideline,” the team concluded This led them to reappraise the Iron Age sites on the plateau Those Buqeia settlements arose along the main road in the region at the time and the fact that they existed at the same time – the seventh to early sixth centuries B.C.E the ruins of the ancient walled compound have been almost entirely destroyed by modern army activity with a rotting mattress sitting on top of a pile of bulldozed debris A description in 1928 by the British Mandatory Palestine Department of Antiquities tells of a “square strong building … possibly a fortress,” while later investigation including by Stager in 1972 described a possible guard tower and postulated animal enclosures that he thought dated to the modern Bedouin Gibson and the team have determined them to be from the Iron Age The inhabitants at ancient Abu-Tabaq built a row of chambers higher than floor level accessing them either by ladder or steps that are now gone presumably so they wouldn’t get flooded in winter Other rooms that Stager thought were residential seem to have served for storage Open gallery viewHorkania Fort.Credit: tomerpIllustrating the difficulty of archaeological interpretation at Khirbet es-Samrah a depression was noticed Stager in 1972 thought it had been dug by modern soldiers to place artillery Gibson and the team think it was an ancient open reservoir that would have gone dry in summer but was filled in during the winter and could have retained water at least until spring Stager associated curvilinear enclosures at the site with the Bedouin but the present team thinks they date to the Iron Age curvilinear walled-off enclosures are identifiable next to the compounds and The team speculates they served as corrals or simply – since they consisted of leveled surfaces – as places to pitch tents When the going gets rough the tough want goats and Gibson and the team note that it’s hard to distinguish ancient ovine and caprine remains or the people of yore ate of the sheep but scorned goat stew Open gallery viewA drone shot of Khirbet es-Samrah.Credit: Rafi Lewis Open gallery viewConder & Kitchener's imagined layout of Khirbet es-Samrah based on 1883 excavations.Credit: Conder & Kitchener 1883In any case Gibson and his colleagues point out that if the people were pastoralists and not farmers they wouldn’t have wantonly slaughtered their animals to eat; they’d have nurtured them for their milk the charms of which had been discovered by the Iron Age the livestock would have been sheltered in the interior courtyards of the compounds for protection Gazelle bones were also found – an indication of possible hunting as well That would not be a surprise: gazelle has been a favored prey animal in the region for hundreds of thousands of years Open gallery viewKhirbet Abu-Tabaq in 2007 before army destruction.Credit: Shimon GibsonWhatever the dog did by looking at the structure of the Iron Age settlements that have survived the ravages of the ages – which includes the Bedouin the joyriders and the “attentions” of the Israeli army – the team of archaeologists estimate that Khirbet Abu-Tabaq had the “capacity” for herding some 250 to 624 animals; Khirbet es-Samrah could have hosted 250 to 585 animals and Khirbet el-Maqari could have been home to 225 to 450 animals – all of which is quite a lot considering that latter-day Bedouin living in the Negev today typically own between 50 and 250 sheep In an interview with 'Rolling Stone,' the No Doubt bandleader said she wanted to make "one big statement" with new LP By 2024-04-26T13:06:00+01:00 says the 2024 is shaping up to be a positive one with good commercial prospects for its Bouquet seedless watermelons The company is on course to market 145,000 tonnes of the fruit this year At a meeting with growers in Murcia on Wednesday to analyse the new campaign commercial director Miguel Abril said: “to date especially in areas where the drought has been less punishing “We hope that the weather continues to be favourable for both crop yields and consumption we will have enough watermelons in quality and quantity to face the season” stressed the need to focus on raising consumption levels average consumption of watermelon in this country was 9.5kg per person together with an increase in production costs leading to a significant fall in consumption,” he explained with the normalisation of volumes and prices this average annual consumption per person can be recovered.” President Alejandro Monzón explained that Bouquet watermelons were the first seedless watermelons to reach the European market we have renewed our leadership as the first Spanish watermelon operator in Europe consolidating our position as a pioneer company in the category,” he said commercial manager of Anecoop’s watermelon programme said the company would continue to focus on diversifying its growing areas in order to extend its production calendar while also looking for varieties that require less water and are more able to withstand adverse weather conditions Anecoop is planning a far-reaching marketing campaign which this year will emphasise seasonality and national production under the strapline “Everything in its time” Piedad Coscollá explained that it will feature a strong online presence featuring well-known influencers as well as focusing on specialised and general press the Twitch platform will feature as part of the online campaign Outdoor advertising is another mainstay of Anecoop’s campaign strategy This will include aerial advertising on the Mediterranean over the summer and activities in Spain’s main AVE rail stations highlighting the association between Bouquet watermelons will see the group focus on supporting different sporting events including sponsorship of the AVAPACE Association of Valencia and the URA Clan de Rugby Foundation in Almería Coscollá said marketing activities will focus on France and the Czech Republic in coordination with Anecoop’s subsidiaries in each market Site powered by Webvision Cloud By 2023-12-12T13:42:00+00:00 Anecoop will ship its first-ever container of Persimon Bouquet-branded Rojo Brillante persimmons to mainland China this week grown by the Valencia-based Coalmar cooperative will set sail on 14 December from the port of Algeciras and is due to arrive in Shenzhen in mid-January From there it will be transported to Guangzhou wholesale market As established by the China-Spain bilateral protocol the fruit will be subjected to cold treatment conditions at zero degrees during transportation The Rojo Brillante variety can withstand long journeys and Anecoop regularly ships it to distant markets including Canada due to the consumption potential it has and its knowledge of the product The protocol to export Spanish persimmon to China was signed in the first quarter of 2023 The conditions of the protocol require the registration of farms and packhouses as well as the monitoring of certain crop management measures during the production cycle and until its departure to its destination commented: “in this first test shipment we want to see how the process develops We know that we have to go little by little and we are also at the end of the persimmon campaign “This is a premium quality persimmon and this added to the fact that its arrival is scheduled for before the celebration of the Chinese New Year increases our expectations that its reception will be good We are already thinking about the next campaign for which we want to build a more regular programme.” The day after Valentine’s Day is usually pretty unexceptional You may dig into some leftover candies or scour CVS for deals on discounted chocolates farm staff and volunteers will sort through donated Valentine’s Day blooms transform them into gorgeous bouquets and deliver them to local hospitals ten local florists and retail stores will donate flowers and thirty volunteers will create bouquets Wednesday morning and deliver them via the farm’s CheerMobile to six sites throughout Rhode Island including the Providence VA Medical Center nestled onto three acres just steps away from Providence’s Olneyville Square rescues and donates flowers to local hospices This is its third Valentine’s Day Bouquet-a-thon; the last one was held in 2020 There’s still time to give to the cause: Each $10 donation equals a donated bouquet, and donors receive a Valentine’s Day card to color in and give to a friend or loved one. Visit whatcheerfarm.org for more information or to donate What Cheer Flower Farm gives out 100,000 flowers a year and has ambitious plans for growth in the future including remediating the rest of the site a brownfield that once housed the Colonial Knife Company and creating a floral academy to train workers in the art of floristry Staffers also want to launch a community cut-flower garden where folks can grow their own blooms What Every Mom Wants for Valentine’s Day Wander Through 2,500 Dahlias at the What Cheer Flower Festival Date and Gift Ideas for Valentine’s Day in Rhode Island Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Photo by Paula Jackson Photography / Floral Design by Simple Florals A cascading bouquet is an arrangement of flowers that literally cascades from the bride's hands Shean Strong is the floral designer and creative director behind Shean Strong Design an Atlanta-based wedding and event planning company Photo by Corbin Gurkin; Floral Design by Nicolette Camille Floral Design  Photo by This Modern Romance; Floral Design by Seascape Flowers Photo by Chikae O.H.; Floral Design by Shean Strong  Phalaenopsis orchids and jasmine vine give length and double petal hellebore create body in a bouquet Photo by Brandi Crockett / Floral Design by Ojala Floral Photo by Kaden Frost; Floral Design by Lu Long Photo by Clean Plate Pictures / Floral Design by Lewis Miller Design Photo by Gianna di Natale Photographers / Floral Design by Flower Addicted Photo by Kate Holstein; Floral Design by Toast Santa Barbara  Photo by Kristin Sweeting Photography / Floral Design by Mayker Events  Photo by Megan Robinson / Floral Design by Amber Reverie Photo by Donny Zavala Photography / Floral Design by Bows and Arrows Flowers  Photo by Jacqueline Benet / Floral Design by Nadira Design Photo by Norman & Blake for The Wedding Artists Co / Floral Design by Dana Markos Events  Photo by Alexandra Wallace / Floral Design by Of the Flowers  Photo by Charla Storey / Floral Design by Max Owens Design  Photo by Ashlyn Cathey Photography / Floral Design by Luxe + Bloom Photo by Josh & Dana Fernandez / Floral Design by Mibellarosa  Photo by Kayla Barker / Floral Design by Bows and Arrows  Photo by Jose Villa / Floral Design by Bows and Arrows Flowers  Whoever catches it is supposedly “next” to walk down the aisle Cristina Montemayor is a writer and makeup artist whose work has appeared on HelloGiggles Photo by Beatrice Howell Eddie Zaratsian is the owner of Eddie Zaratsian Lifestyle & Design and has over two decades of experience in the wedding and event industry Keep your big-day blooms forever with these wedding flower preservation methods which range from simple DIYs to professional services Photo by Oliver Fly Photography Shannon Morrow is the founder and lead designer of Arvo Floral Studio Arvo has served countless couples on their wedding day by bringing their floral dreams to life Courtesy of Pressed Floral you'll want to start the process when petals are still vibrant The dried stems will become brittle and fragile Courtesy of Leman Floral/Etsy Courtesy of Salt Stains/Etsy Dead and dried-up flowers can also be repurposed, so consider getting crafty before tossing them! Options include making homemade potpourri, adding the petals to homemade candles, creating a DIY floral bath soak, pressing them in a journal, or simply composting them You probably aren't interested in preserving every floral arrangement at your wedding. For flowers used as décor bring them to a local hospital or nursing home or bring some to the burial site of a deceased loved one If you're hoping to keep your wedding bouquet fresh until you or a professional can preserve the blooms make sure to pop the stems in water as soon as possible dark place away from direct sunlight until you're ready to use them or preserve them The cost will depend on the project—and the amount of wedding flowers you would like to preserve Basic bouquet preservation starts at around $250 but more involved projects (that involve framing encasing the blooms in resin for trays and paperweights PHOTO BY 515 PHOTO CO LaParis Phillips is the owner and lead designer of Brooklyn Blooms Photo by Karla Garcia Costa Photo by Chris and Ruth Photography Photo by Bonnie Sen Photography / Floral Design by  Tai Flora Services Photo by Jana Williams Photography Photo by Rebecca Yale Photography / Floral Design by Of the Flowers Photo by Mallory Dawn Photography / Floral Design by Lavender’s Floral Photo by Jana Williams Photography / Floral Design by Of the Flowers Photo by Biancca Wallace Photography / Floral Design by Walden Floral LA Photo by Lauren Fair Photography / Floral Design by Stylos & Flores Photo by Stephanie Brauer / Floral Design by Vanessa Jaimes Talk to your floral designer about creating a unique shape for your overall bouquet design for an extra special touch of the unexpected Photo by Aimee Silver / Floral Design by Silver Dust Decoration Photo by Erich McVey / Floral Design by East Olivia / Local Florist: Viva Flor Photo by Caroline Lima Photography / Floral Design by Le Jardin Floral Photo by Katie Ruther / Wedding Planning by Destination Weddings Tulum Photo by Addison Jones / Floral Design by Rewild Photo by O'Malley Photographers / Floral Design by Valley & Company Photo by Jillian Mitchell / Floral Design by Francisco Salazar Let the autumn season have a say when it comes to picking your wedding bouquet Liz Fogarty Photography Abby Jiu Kerry Jeanne Photography Orange Photographie The Happy Bloom These white wedding bouquets range from classic to creative arrangements KT Merry Julie Kaptelova Mike Cassimatis Photography Elisabeth Millay Elizabeth Messina Photography Jessica Claire Judy Pak Photography Construction Week India Home > Projects & Tenders > ATS Bouquet Flexible office space to dominate the commercial segment With an aim to develop a world-class commercial hub ATS infrastructure has commenced leasing for “ATS Bouquet” a one-of-its kind office and retail complex in sector 132 With a strategic location on Noida expressway the complex is spread over 7.5 acres which can accommodate 503 offices and 104 shops as an overall space It is thoughtfully designed to cater to all business segments and to meet the post covid-19 safety requirements of flexible & open working environment friendly space that is backed by world-class amenities Noida is currently leading as the best performing market in Delhi-NCR in terms of net office space absorption The market witnessed net absorption of 1.07 million sq which is 5% more than from the previous quarter thereby making ATS bouquet a perfect investment option in current times “Commercial properties in India have witnessed high growth trajectory as it has attracted various investments in the past Though the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic had some short term adverse effects on the sector but soon IT companies are expected to optimize their office portfolios in India by rationalizing the manpower ATS Bouquet is a step closer in providing the world class amenities to a new world we have observed a rise in demand from various leading IT companies to establish their offices here.” The ATS Bouquet complex is a premium business centre inspired by Chicago’s Art Deco architecture with office spaces starting from 400 sq.ft to 4,000 sq.ft It also comprises of an entertainment zone Noida being a part of National Capital Region is expected to see a drastic growth as currently it is attracting large enterprises for its fair leasing rates upcoming Jewar International airport and unmissable logistic parks These delicate blooms might just become your new favorite flower Photo by Olivia Leigh Photographie Isabelle Kline is the owner of Isabelle Kline Design and floral company based in Colorado and California.  Photo by Whyman Studios; Floral Design by  Always Flowers Photo by Brian Marcus of Fred Marcus Studio; Floral Design by Ocean Flowers Miami  Photo by Tamara Gruner Photography; Floral Design by Isabelle Kline Design  Photo by Waldorf Photographic Art; Floral Design by Fiddlehead Designs  Photo by Belathée Photography; Floral Design by Louloudi  Photo by Henry & Mac; Floral Design by Hanaya Floral Design  Matching boutonnieres of miniature calla lilies for your groom or groomsmen might be the perfect way to tie your floral design altogether Photo by Jessica Wright-Moore; Floral Design by Ruth Henning  Photo by Olivia Rae James; Floral Design by Buds N Blooms  Photo by Cambria Grace; Floral Design by Foret Design Studio  Photo by Birds of a Feather; Floral Design by Stonekelly Events  We love the idea of the deep tone paired with blush pink bridesmaid dresses for an extra feminine combination of pinks and reds Photo by Lisa Ziesing for Abby Jiu; Floral Design by Michelle Edgemont  Photo by Dennis Roy Coronel; Floral Design by Ixora Floral Studio   Photo by Jake + Heather; Floral Design by Rebecca Rose Creative  Photo by Kate Headley; Floral Design by Sweet Root Village  Photo by Jenny Fu; Floral Design by La Maison Dautel  From handheld arrangements to reception centerpieces these are the most suitable blooms for late fall nuptials Photo by Courtney Simpson Photo by Christina McNeill Photo by Corbin Gurkin Photo by Brandon Lata Photography Photo by Red Fly Studio Photo by Rebecca Yale Photography Photo by Carl S. Miller This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. “We are witnessing an acceleration that is absolutely devastating,” he said He was previously editor in chief of the Clio Awards and Muse by Clio He previously covered the private equity industry as a reporter for PEI Media Lindsay Rittenhouse is a senior reporter for Ad Age covering broad advertising industry trends He was previously a freelance journalist and podcaster covering pop culture and entertainment as well as a Pilates instructor and a professional dancer the “Scream” franchise and Halloween costumes covers household and personal-care marketers He's based near Cincinnati and has previously written for the Atlanta Journal Constitution woodworking and graphic design industries and worked in corporate communications for the E.W Gillian Follett is a general assignment reporter for Ad Age. She writes about a variety of topics including social media influencer marketing and the creator economy Gillian graduated from Syracuse University’s S.I He previously covered corporate communications and public relations agencies as a reporter at PRWeek Jon Springer covers sports marketing and beverage marketing He formerly covered the food retail industry for Winsight and Supermarket News and is a former sports and features writer for The Cecil Whig He has worked in newspapers from Albany to New York City He has also worked at every advertising industry trade publication that matters and he once visited Guatemala and once rode the Budapest Metro Adrianne Pasquarelli is a senior reporter at Ad Age She is also a host of the Marketer’s Brief podcast and spearheads special reports including 40 Under 40 and Hottest Brands Pasquarelli joined Ad Age in 2015 after writing for Crain's New York Business where she also focused on the retail industry.  Bradley Johnson is Ad Age's director of data analytics Johnson focuses on data and financial topics related to marketing Los Angeles and New York including editor at large overseeing breaking news and daily coverage He also contributes reporting on the beverage automotive and sports marketing industries He is a former reporter for McClatchy newspapers where he covered business and state government and politics Jones Krahl is U.S. head of creative and creative fellow at Deloitte Digital She was previously creative editor at Campaign US and also served as a writer and reporter at Sidekick by Morning Brew and PRWeek Plus: The best wedding styles to pair them with Philadelphia-based Corinne Sebesta Sisti is the founder and lead floral designer of Sebesta Floral + Event Design and the creator of Spark Design Series With over 20 years of experience in the floral and event design industries Photo: Ana Lui; Florals: Il Profumo Dei Fiori Photo: KT Merry; Florals: Fern Studio Photo: Haley Richter; Florals: Sebesta Floral + Event Design Photo: Merari Photography; Florals: Ocean Flowers Photo: Rebecca Yale; Florals: Wild Bloom Floral While posy and round bouquets are typically more floral-focused the hand-tied bouquet is also where you start to see more of a mix of foliage and florals PHOTO BY BRAEDON FLYNN; FLORAL DESIGN BY REVEL PETALS Photo: Kayla Baker Photography; Florals: Sebesta Floral + Event Design PHOTO BY STEPHANIA CAMPOS; FLORAL DESIGN GLORISOSA EVENTS AND DECOR PHOTO BY SHANNON MOFFIT Photo: Two Ring Photography; Florals: Sebesta Floral + Event Design Photo: Jana Williams Photography; Florals: Of the Flowers Photo: Kaylee Chelsea Photography; Florals: Irises Designs In a culinary twist that has captured the hearts and appetites of romantics in Heraklion one souvlaki restaurant has taken Valentine's Day celebrations to delicious new heights with a savory creation: the Pita Gyro Bouquet this eatery has long been a favorite among locals for its delectable gyros and mouthwatering specialties it was their stroke of culinary genius a few years ago that truly set them apart – the creation of the Pita Gyro Bouquet all wrapped up in a pita and presented in the shape of a bouquet the restaurant owner expressed their delight at seeing how their creation has blossomed into a beloved tradition "We wanted to offer something unique and memorable for this special day of love," they explained "And what better way to do that than with a bouquet that combines the flavors of Greece with the aesthetics of romance?" the Pita Gyro Bouquet has become a symbol of love and appreciation with couples flocking to the restaurant to share in its savory delights perfect for sharing with a beloved partner indulging in the Pita Gyro Bouquet has become a Valentine's Day tradition a delicious way to celebrate love and gratitude "It's become our yearly ritual," one satisfied customer gushed "There's something so special about sharing a meal that's not only delicious but also incredibly unique." Couples in Heraklion are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to sink their teeth into this culinary masterpiece And for the team behind the Pita Gyro Bouquet seeing the joy and happiness it brings to their customers is the greatest reward of all if you ever find yourself in Heraklion this Valentine's Day why not spice up your celebration with a taste of love in the form of a Pita Gyro Bouquet the way to someone's heart is through their stomach – and what better way to express your love than with a bouquet that's as delicious as it is heartfelt SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you When Sophie Rhys Jones married Prince Edward on June 19th 1999 at St she carried a bouquet with more than a hint of the past about it The couple who starred in the last big Windsor wedding of the 20th century had gone for something of a medieval theme in the look of their big day and the flowers carried by the bride fitted right in From the pageboys and bridesmaids in outfits inspired by the ancient Order of the Garter to the striking pearl jewellery given to the bride by her groom there were plenty of Plantagenet touches about this royal wedding And the Countess of Wessex’s wedding bouquet a medium sized arrangement in a cascade style Sophie’s bouquet was a mix of some of the most popular flowers used by brides for their big day But the star flower in this arrangement is the calla lily which nestles at the heart of the bouquet and remains its most striking feature Surrounding the blooms is trailing greenery including some very deep leaves which reflect the black and white colour scheme used for the bridal party As you’d expect from such traditional bridal blooms all the flowers in Sophie’s bouquet have rather romantic meanings in the language of flowers that was so popular with the Victorians scattered throughout the bouquet in clusters represents ‘’the return of happiness’’ while the freesias Roses take on different meanings according to their colour with white blooms symbolizing new beginnings as well as purity and innocence Sophie’s flowers also have another claim to fame This is one of the few royal wedding bouquets known to have been kept A section of the posy was preserved and put in a frame The Countess of Wessex has said the wedding reminder is on show at her home so all her guests can see it Windsor for his daughter to the starring role it took in the official wedding portraits this has always been a striking arrangement a royal wedding bouquet that has really stood the test of time There is lots more about this historic marriage in our new book, out now. Royal Weddings: A Collection is available on Amazon as a paperback and an ebook Landscape architecture and urban design firm Terrain Work has declared their love of New York City by transforming one of its street staples into something fit for a giant Scaling the conventional flower bouquet way up site-specific installation comprising a giant cone that contains an assortment of colorful trees and flowery shrubs The flower installation art measured an impressive 40 feet long and eight feet high the massive bouquet was a nod to the much smaller “cut flower culture,” in which arrays of gathered blooms are for sale on countless corners around the five boroughs Broadway Bouquet was created as part of the NYC/DOT Car Free Earth Day event on April 21 Situated at Broadway and 24th street—a very busy intersection—the piece occupied a space that could otherwise be used for a car demonstrates the beautiful possibilities for public art when we lessen vehicular traffic Interview: Floral Installations Transform Gallery Spaces Into Immersive Indoor Gardens Glittering Resin Jewelry Immortalizes the Delicate Beauty of Real Flowers Colorful Street Art Paintings Replace Heads With 3D Flower Bouquets Floral Designer is Turning NYC Trash Cans into Giant Vases Overflowing with Flowers Want to advertise with us? Visit My Modern Met Media Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening The hottest trend in a bride’s hand these days is the horizontal bouquet and florals that can either lay in your arms or drape out to the sides This beautifully relaxed arrangement is fit for a beach but ballroom brides could also indulge in their slightly deconstructed “To build a horizontal bouquet, it is best to do so with garden flowers and vines, such as clematis and jasmine vines, garden roses, and Queen Anne’s Lace,” says Benjamin Newbold, creative director of Floral and Events for Winston Flowers “These types of flowers have stems that fall open to create less of a round shape.” This gives your bouquet a wild Ivy berries, lilacs, and hyacinth are also preferable for more texture and scent, or you can try incorporating larger flowers such as dahlias when in season. “This gives more space for flowers to be appreciated,” he adds. Your florist can also add long tails of ribbons to match the bouquet to colors in your wedding palette Although Newbold believes that horizontal bouquets work best with simpler “It could also be used with an elegant dress to create a juxtaposition of the dress and the bouquet,” he adds This softened bouquet sets a cool and collected tone for your Big Day It just might be time to tell those uptight flowers to take a hike Getting married? Start and end your wedding planning journey with Boston Weddings' guide to the best wedding vendors in the city. ©2025 Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC And now TJ’s has a new bouquet that is kind of blowing my mind and it has — get this — mini bananas in it Instagram account Trader Joe’s Obsessed spotted them in a Colorado store But it’s the bunch of mini green bananas (or plantains it’s hard to tell from the photo) that’s the really eye-catching part They go perfectly with the vibrant leaves and give the whole bouquet a gorgeous And I’m not the only one who’s delighted by the whole arrangement “Stopppp these are SO CUTE😍” one commenter wrote on the Instagram “but can I eat them?” the answer is … maybe A TikTok user with the same question actually took apart the bouquet and cut one open and found that the inside is an edible-looking fruit Read the commentsFiled in:News The home you love starts here The home you love starts here Apartment TherapyThe wordmark for the Apartment Therapy brand.More From Us By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Tested by Katie Bandurski and Annamarie Higley Taste of Home's Editorial Process Need an easy way to cheer up your home (or your BFF) Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more. We all know buying fresh flowers is an easy yet thoughtful way to make someone’s day But it can be tough to keep those grocery store blooms from wilting before day three—let alone learning how to arrange mixed stems There’s a lot to consider when picking the best flower subscription but start with a reason—even if it’s as simple as everyday joy and think of a palette that matches the theme of the occasion or event,” says florist Hannah Bonham Blackwell Our team tested 10 services to find the best picks for every budget $1 at Bouqs Topping our list of best flower subscription services, The Bouqs Co. is a modern florist delivering farm-fresh flowers cut to last much longer than traditional bouquets You’ll always have something to look forward to by signing yourself (or a loved one) up for a monthly subscription It’s arguably the best deal The Bouqs Co offers as it grants up to 30% off bouquets compared to ordering arrangements over and over All you have to do is choose between original (10-16 stems) deluxe (20-32 stems) or grand (30-45 stems) relax and wait for your seasonal arrangement to arrive “My Bouqs bouquet arrived in an impeccable shape. We had been experiencing an autumn heat wave, yet my blooms came fresh—no wilting in sight!” shares Senior Shopping Editor, Katie Bandurski Shop on 1-800-Flowers A perennial favorite, 1-800-Flowers offers a flower subscription service with multiple levels and options Bouquets are delivered as often as weekly or every two You can also choose the type of bouquet delivered and whether or not to send a vase this is one of the best budget-friendly flower subscription services Product Testing Manager Annamarie Higley notes “My 1-800 Flowers bouquet—which came from a local shop called Bayside Garden Center—absolutely delighted the maximalist in me It was a cornucopia of textures and colors and every bloom seemed to be at its best upon arrival The yellow cockscomb was my favorite of the bunch—I’ve never seen anything like it Shop on UrbanStems choose whether you prefer seasonal arrangements We love that you can pause this subscription at any time while enjoying free shipping on every single order UrbanStems sends a vase that you can refill time and time again from the neat packaging to the included vase and stunning blooms let alone when sent inside a cardboard box versus hand-delivered in the vase snapdragons and thistle arrived carefully wrapped with zero damage in sight Shop on BloomsyBox Featuring a variety of eco-friendly blooms spanning seasonal bouquets, roses, tropical flowers and even houseplants, BloomsyBox is your one-stop shop for farm-to-door freshness larger bouquets or collections of just roses in monthly You can also opt for pet-safe blooms and bouquets inspired by the New York Botanical Garden My BloomsyBox arrangement featuring red and white roses arrived just in time for the December holidays Though the bouquet arrived expertly arranged I quickly trimmed the stems for maximum freshness and plopped them in a clear glass vase Some of the white roses began to turn a bit brown at about one and a half weeks Despite the less-than-ideal winter weather my bouquet remained intact for a whopping two and a half weeks BloomsyBox is officially my go-to for show-stopping flower delivery Shop on Bouquet Box this service includes all the bells and whistles needed to create a luxe DIY floral arrangement Choose your desired bouquet size and delivery frequency purchase one-off themed arrangement kits that catch your eye instead By the time you finish your first arrangement you’ll be dreaming of all the possibilities the flowers are so fresh that they last the better part of two weeks rather than a few days instructions and inspiration to begin arranging their own bouquets just like a professional It’s not just a pretty arrangement—it’s a bonafide hobby Shop on Pomp Flowers Whether you’re gifting a flower subscription to a friend or treating yourself, Pomp Flowers is our top choice for large We love that you get to choose between a rose bouquet or mixed blooms and you can customize the subscription frequency They make it extra special when gifting to a loved one by including your custom message “My bouquet was delivered in the middle of a Wisconsin snowstorm—and it still arrived in perfect condition,” says Katie “Pomp’s impressive packaging protected every single bloom Blackwell highlights the fact that roses are among the most popular choices for bouquets “While we often think about them as representing love they have many different meanings depending on their color,” she says Adding that “yellow represents friendship pink roses show gratitude and white represents purity (which is why they became popular for bridal bouquets).” $139.99 at Harry & David recipients are loaded with regular deliveries of high-quality bulbs they can plant in their gardens lilies and more flowers that are unique to each season Katie tried this club and was instantly impressed little shoots start to form and the bulbs emerge This is such a fun twist on a traditional flower bouquet Instead of watching the arrangement wilt and die you can enjoy it coming to life!” Choose from 3, 6 or 12-month subscriptions. You can also send your recipient one of our favorite plant clubs shoppers can equip themselves with the following considerations when shopping for their favorite flower subscription the top priority when buying a bouquet is ensuring the flowers are good quality and won’t wilt or die upon arrival Remember the seasonality of flowers and the region you live in to better understand what to expect seasonable blooms from reputable growers to ensure they’re sending customers healthy The selection offered by flower subscriptions usually varies with the seasons which allows you to enjoy different flowers throughout the year Blackwell shared some of her favorite varieties for different seasons: Most subscriptions offer flexible delivery options allowing you to choose how often you’d like to receive fresh flowers these services can be tailored to fit your schedule Flexibility in skipping or pausing deliveries can also be an important aspect to consider ensuring you receive flowers at a suitable time so meticulous packaging ensures they arrive in one piece Subscription services usually do a great job packing and presenting their bouquets to a high standard The aesthetic appeal of a pleasantly wrapped bouquet is worth considering especially if you’re sending flowers directly to someone as a gift Some florists go the extra mile and use sustainable packaging A telltale sign of a great company is often their customer service responsive customer support and clear communication of orders and deliveries Another key aspect of maintaining the freshness and quality of flowers is reliable delivery Look for subscription services that give accurate delivery windows arriving on time There’s nothing sadder than a beautiful box of flowers sitting at the front door all day in the sun because the delivery didn’t arrive when you expected The price of a flower subscription can vary depending on the quality of the flowers and the frequency of the deliveries Consider the additional value a particular subscription can offer like premium blooms or unique arrangements to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the service for your needs take advantage of introductory offers since many subscriptions try to entice new customers with a signup deal flower care guides or access to exclusive arrangements not available to non-subscribers Some services also offer loyalty programs and discounts on additional purchases or seasonal gifts adding extra value to the subscription and making it feel more personalized and special One last consideration is whether the subscription offers customizable mailing options for different recipients Gift subscriptions are a fun idea for someone in your life who loves to always have fresh flowers in their home some services offer one-time gift options or gift cards which provide flexibility for those looking to send flowers on a special occasion cleaning gadgets and “internet-made-me-buy-it” home finds we have over 20 years of editorial experience For this article, we interviewed professional florist Hannah Bonham Blackwell, the lead creative and co-founder of the non-profit Southside Blooms in Chicago who shared her personal experience and expert tips with us Hannah opened her online flower shop in 2019 also helped update and contributed research to this article Paul is a former commerce editor at Bob Vila and has written shopping guides since 2021 Sending and receiving flowers is no easy feat To keep your home looking—and smelling—fresh with minimal effort we scoured the internet for the best flower subscriptions From the variety of items available and ease of subscribing to the overall delivery experience we tested 10 flower subscription services to find the best arrangements for your home and loved ones We also carefully evaluated how long the stems last from when the first petal drops to when the flowers wilted completely Our top subscriptions were hand-selected based on the overall experience bouquet type (like if it’s a single stem arrangement or mixed florals) subscription flexibility and value for the price Most flower subscriptions deliver arrangements of roses lilies and more based on how often you want blooms delivered All the services we tested are available as 1- so you can look forward to something different with each delivery if you prefer the same bouquet style each month some services allow you to subscribe to a particular arrangement Blackwell says one of the best methods is to “clean the stems of your blooms so that no leaves will rot in the water which shortens the vase life of your arrangement.” A pristine vase and frequently changed water is important she adds that “if you have lemongrass oil on hand add a drop or two of that in the water as well as a copper penny.” flowers can wilt or become damaged in the process of being delivered Online flower delivery services can sometimes be a bit pricier and they may not be a good option for quick turnaround situations especially if you want same- or next-day delivery it may be better to opt for a local flower shop or delivery service You can either pop in to personally choose your bouquet and drop it off at your loved one’s home or order it for delivery your recipient is sure to appreciate the beautiful sentiment Since most services offer multiple subscription plans gift show-stopping arrangements are delivered for three or six months straight but it’s not necessary to participate in a flower subscription A flower subscription is a great way to receive fresh flowers regularly It’s ideal for those who love to have flowers at home and eliminate the hassle of having to go out and choose a bouquet every time According to their website, a Bouqs subscription costs as low as $40 more frequent and fancier bouquets increase the cost We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices We recommend our users to update the browser lifestyleMan proposes to girlfriend of 10 years with a 'chicky' KFC bouquetPHOTO: Roam The Hills PUBLISHED ONFebruary 16, 2021 10:40 AMByMelissa Teo For special occasions like Valentine's Day most people would make it a point to gift their partner with a bouquet of beautiful flowers to commemorate the date a young man in Singapore decided to go the extra mile by contacting fast-food chain KFC to help him create a fried chicken bouquet for his soon-to-be wife met in secondary school and dated for around 10 years Couples usually have common interests and passions which serve as the gel that holds the relationship together and for this pair Han Yan herself loves the fast-food brand so much that she has religiously tried every one of KFC's innovations [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/CLQimTclRlz/[/embed] when Darren was planning to propose to her he played around with the idea of getting her a fried chicken bouquet He initially thought of DIY-ing one himself or purchasing it from a florist but after some deliberation he decided to head straight to the source and ask KFC for help In an interview with Youthopia Darren said that as "KFC doesn't sell the chicken bouquet [he] thought it would be more meaningful if [he] could manage to get the chicken bouquet from KFC [He had] tried writing into KFC and they were very excited to help [him] with it" They executed the 'chicky' plan sometime last December Darren gave Han Yan a regular bouquet of flowers along with some cards and a video he had put together himself Only after romantically serenading her did he propose with the ring and of course Darren even threw in a reference about her 'dream' of wanting to marry the grandson of the owner of KFC saying that while he isn't part of the KFC bloodline he will still do his best to fulfil all her (fried chicken) needs and wants the fast-food chain congratulated the happy couple on its social media platforms saying that "this was one of the sweetest requests [it has] received" It seems like KFC may want to consider making the fried chicken bouquet a permanent menu item as based on the comments a number of people seem pretty inspired by the idea PEMBROKE -- Anna Seery, director of the Pmbroke Council on Aging, has a lovely piece in the September issue of the Pembroke Pioneer newsletter about the power of scent and fragrance to transport us through time Seery, a licensed clinical social worker, describes a recent visit to the Vermont Country Store where she found bars of the old Cashmere Bouquet soap. This was the only soap her mother-in-law used and she believed that unwrapped bars hardened and lasted longer "Hence any drawer or closet you opened in her home had a few bars tucked away perhaps a borrowed sweater always wafted the scent of Cashmere Bouquet," Seery writes Seery recently gave her sisters-in-law bars of the Cashmere Bouquet soap "One just closed her eyes and breathed in the scent What I found rewarding was the look of peace and contentment that came across her face." They all then spent nearly an hour sharing memories of their childhood and their mother "Smell has a remarkable way of invoking memories," Seery writes "Slowing down and paying attention to an emotional reaction to a smell may lead to a much needed mini-break that we all could use in our daily lives." I can imagine an activity for elders with presentation of different scents to see where any discussion might lead has an acute sense of smell to any scent I may bring in -- last week it was the "smoky" smell he picked up on my clothes but it might have been that slightly moldy scent of clothing left in a house on the Cape For more information about Cashmere Bouquet, visit the BrandlandUSA web sit.  An article there notes it is fun to have a brand that has not only survived a long time, but is still owned by the original company. "Such is the case with Cashmere Bouquet, a soap that dates to 1872, and for the whole time, has been made by another Uber-brand, Colgate-Palmolive." highly curated editorial content brings attention to hidden gems and social media maven who loves her state sharing all it has to offer is her passion After attending Montclair State University Share LinkSkip Flowers And Get A Cupcake Bouquet At Baked Bouquet In New JerseyBaked Bouquet in New Jersey offers unique cupcake bouquets and interactive baking experiences We think these clever cupcake bouquets might just be the best cupcakes in New Jersey a hybrid bakery/florist got its start because the owner (Wissam Elgamal) was on a mission to create the world's best gift Baked Bouquet/FacebookThough he had little to no baking experience He worked on perfecting the cupcakes and the bouquets Baked Bouquet/FacebookYou can buy beautiful bouquets of edible roses and hydrangeas in varying sizes Baked Bouquet/FacebookThere are even adorable potted versions Baked Bouquet/FacebookYou can also go the boxed route and purchase the cupcakes in boxes of six or 12. Baked Bouquet/FacebookLooking for something extra special? You can take a class (make individual cupcakes or entire bouquets) or book a private party. They're great for birthdays and bachelorette events alike. Will you be saying 'I do' to a baked bouquet Baked Bouquet/FacebookDon't these make the most amazing and creative gifts Baked Bouquet/FacebookThey're the most creative cupcakes in New Jersey Anyone with a sweet tooth would be lucky to receive one so keep an eye on updates about the store's offerings you can order a special treat for yourself or a loved one Choose your stateAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasNorthern CaliforniaSouthern CaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingSubscribe... Ready to take a long drive to see old growth forests in California's national parks? It's possible to see equally majestic trees at the Jedediah Smith Redwoods, a stunning Northern Californian state park. Thanks for subscribing. We’ll see you in your inbox! While many of us have probably been caught up in our preparations for the Lunar New Year, it isn't too late to start planning for the romantic holiday. Besides having a fancy candlelit meal and exchanging gifts another common gesture is to get flowers for your date Despite there being a plethora of bouquet options in the market you may want to consider getting your boo something a little more unique than the regular roses and baby's breath especially if they don't fancy flowers themselves We have a few options that you can consider a bouquet made of chocolates and even a money bouquet If your partner has a sweet tooth and loves pastel colours the Butterfly Bouquet ($48) from Cotton Dreams will be right up their alley [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/CKAxiuhnmdH/[/embed] Each bouquet comes with seven transparent baubles filled with cotton candy in assorted flavours A more extravagant option would be the Butterfly Queen ($118) which comes with 14 baubles The entire bouquet is also topped off with a gorgeous butterfly crown [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/CJfPCAqHRe_/[/embed] To order, fill up the form on their website and WhatsApp 97695609 after making payment via PayNow Another sweet option would be the Macaron Bouquet Flowers ($200) from Annabella Patisserie [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BSQQI3DhlpD/[/embed] The beautiful arrangement features ten heart-shaped macarons with chocolate filling bundled together with stalks of baby's breath Order it here Did you know that strawberries are considered the symbol of Venus So offering your partner a bouquet of strawberries is actually a rather romantic gesture [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/CKDJhpRnKiY/[/embed] You can get the Pinky Wish Chocoberry Flower Bouquet from Rainbowly which features their signature chocolate-coated strawberries that are arranged together with three stems of roses Order it here If your partner is a practical person who never knows what to do with wilting flowers you can consider getting them a fruit or vegetable bouquet instead The CORNgratulations bouquet ($40) from Petal Artistry is a great way to congratulate them for having a date this Valentine's Day [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/CD0i3VNHVdk/[/embed] Each bouquet comes with two cobs of corn and some celery Here's a post-Valentine's Day date idea: make a soup with these vegetables for a healthy meal after that luxurious romantic dinner If corn and celery aren't your partner's thing another option from Petal Artistry is the Ruby Apples Posy ($68) [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/CBunAHmHSBD/[/embed] The bouquet comes with Ruby Red apples from New Zealand and an assortment of other fresh blooms that are neatly arranged and wrapped in brown paper Order CORNgratulations here and Ruby Apples Posy here Red roses and baby breath flowers come together with packets of Kinder Bueno and Kit Kat Chunky to make a bouquet that's both cute and practical You can also opt to add a personalised sticker message fairy lights or a teddy bear to make it even more special Order it here a money bouquet from Magical Blooms is the way to their heart [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/CAdItHiHcDf/[/embed] These are available in different denominations — for instance Double Happiness contains 10 $10 notes while 50s has five $50 notes — depending on how much you want to give your partner Order it here He is probably going nowhere on the 10 Freeway this very second PAY ATTENTION: Enjoy reading our stories? Join YEN.com.gh's Telegram channel for more Talented Ghanaian singer Hajia 4Reall has shown that she does not need a lover to feel special on Valentine's Day While many Ghanaian celebrities flaunted their significant others on social media the 'Fine Girl' crooner displayed gifts she bought for herself Beaming with a smile, she opened a box with a bouquet of red roses she had ordered from Apple Yard Flowers. That package consisted of 50 luxury red roses and a bottle of Dom Perignon. Read also Michy flaunts smooth skin in 2-piece swimwear as she poses with roses in Val's Day photos On the official website of Apple Yard Flowers roughly GH₵3,851.28 per the current exchange rate on Google PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy In another package, she flaunted a large Dior Tote bag that is average set to cost $3,500 Read also Sista Afia flaunts oily smooth skin in red-themed Valentine's Day outfits TikToker Asantewaa has turned heads on social media after she dropped breathtaking pictures to mark Valentine's Day and taking pictures in a red-themed setting made her glow even more and many other fans have admired how well she portrayed the Valentine theme in her photoshoot New feature: Сheck out news that is picked for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy