French Tulips in our focus

French Tulips.  While a bit early these flowers are just starting to show there faces amongst the other Beautiful flowers in your local flower markets. Long stems and stunning blooms are a treasure of spring. With their lanky foliage and feather like petals they are perfect for creating drama and mood in any floral design. In these pictures I tried to focus on the soft elegant flower that gives us all a breath of the spectacular spring that is surly on its way.
When purchasing French Tulips always look for a very tight bloom. The flesh of the foliage should be firm and erect. Light green foliage is also very important. If there is any yellowing, its likely that the tulip is old and not the flower for you. Remember these blooms open quickly once introduced to the sunlight or the warm air of your home so if they are slightly opened when purchased they will be fully opened within minutes of cutting and placing them in fresh water. 

You can't go wrong when setting a table with a few bunches of long stem french tulips. Pink, yellow or white they are all beautiful. Classic as well as modern they always add a touch of sophistication. Enjoy these seasonal beauties while you can. They will only be around for a short time.

Let our friends eat cake....

Last night we had dinner with a few of our best friends Mandy,Laura, Renee and Joe . Laura invited Chon and I to one our favorite little places in town Fritti. Mandy's only request for the evening was a chocolate cake and good company. So good company she got. Can't really blame her. We are fabulous, LOL. Never mind us. It was all about Mandy .'' Happy Birthday Lady''. Oh and did I mention Chocolate Cake?   The Cake that I made for Mandy is from a magnificent recipe that I got while I worked for Scott Peacock at Watershed Restaurant In Decatur GA. This recipe is fairly easy to prepare and will knock the socks off your chocolate lover friends

. Its outrageous layers and decadent chocolate frosting is amazing served with lightly sweetened whipped cream or Delicious Vanilla Ice Cream. And don't forget a strong cup of java. This cake is certain to make your birthday girl smile or suffer from a chocolate hangover.

Very Good Chocolate cake

Ingredients:

For the cake:
Butter and flour for pans
2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 cup hot double-strength brewed coffee
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature

For the frosting:
1 cup heavy cream
1 stick unsalted butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 pound semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup double-strength brewed coffee
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter and flour two 9-inch cake pans.
To make the cake: In a bowl, sift together sugar, flour, salt and baking soda; set aside. Stir 4 ounces chocolate into the hot coffee and allow to melt completely. In a large bowl, mix together the oil, eggs, vanilla and sour cream. Stir in the melted chocolate mixture and blend well. Add the flour mixture in 1/3 increments, stirring well after each addition. Divide batter among prepared cake pans. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

To make the frosting: Heat the cream, butter, sugar and salt over low heat until butter is melted. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate until melted and smooth. Add vanilla and coffee; stir until blended. Allow mixture to cool to room temperature and to a spreadable consistency. Frost the top of one layer, top with second layer, then frost the top and sides.

A day in the country with fine photographer friends......

Last week on a very blustery day I traveled south of the city on a mission to set up two beautiful tables amidst the natural surroundings. These hundreds of acres of untouched and pristine country side have been named "the compound" by its wonderful owners. The Mellow Mushroom family, who are dear dear friends extended the opportunity to spend the day on their farm and create tables that were placed in a large Field just down the hill from their home. 

Spending the day in the open air was exactly what I needed to clear my head and create what I think turned out to be nothing shy of beautiful. Despite the outrageous winds that whipped me as well as the flowers and decor. Zinnia put together what I feel was a successful endeavor. Even my little friend Lalu enjoyed my work. But I think she enjoyed the wide open spaces more.

I only put together two tables in this photo shoot due to the overpowering winds. One table was set amongst a back drop of towering Bamboo. The bamboo was plentiful and strong. It was seasonally yellowing a bit, which I thought lent some interesting contrast. The table as well the chairs were all contrast and gave forth a striking glow of white. On the table, hues of red, black and green were used  to create a very striking palette. I built a grid with small thin bamboo and flax leaves to add more complexity. Center stage I placed a monumental floral piece that consisted of many layers of moss covered branches and mangled sago fronds. Amongst this mangled grid I added color with bright tropicals. All placed atop an over sized clear glass cylinder. Wow, I love it.

The second table was a slightly more traditional. White distressed table, White modern chairs, Fine bone china and layers of white containers filled to the brim with many varieties of spring floral offerings. Very simple but full of life. The back drop for this table was beautiful. Just rolling heels big blue sky and a huge red barn. I wanted to sit and have a fabulous farm style dinner with my friends Laura and Renee who spent the afternoon with me capturing all this beauty. But the day was fading to night and the air was becoming chilly. I had to wrap it up.  

Thanks to Art Star photography by Laura Stone and Renee Brock photography for your insightful vision and overwhelming talent. You ladies made my vision a reality. Cheers. 

8 and counting...... Happy Birthday Haylee

Monkeys and Hearts oh my.....This weekend we celebrated with our dear friends from the Benson family. Mrs. Benson contacted me last week and requested beautiful flowers and great decor for her Eight year old daughter Haylees 8th birthday. Seeing that I've spent the last Three years with the Benson's day in and day out as their private chef, I was excited to do something beautiful and whimsical for Haylees birthday. 

So I set off to Cut flower Wholesale to pay my friend and  favorite salesman Craig a visit. Craig always has great suggestions and guides me towards the freshest and best finds that the floral wholesaler has in stock. The look I was aiming for was very lacy and girly. I knew that babies breath was going to be a big part of my floral palette as well as pink roses. So I grab these items and kept up my search for other jewels to complete my look. Green orchids as well as bright pink carnations made there way into the mix to add just the right punch of color. Blushed hearty hydrangeas finished just to add more softness. I stacked all these flowers in multiple white as well a glass vases and grouped them all in the middle of a large table. It was gorgeous. Girly as could be. Just like little Haylee. 

Chon and I added many small touches to the table such as a pink runner down the center of the table as well as these great little framed pictures of a monkey a heart and a banana that I drew just for Haylees monkeys and hearts theme. All in all I think all the little girls had a great day. Once again Zinnia turned it out. Another Zinnia Design and I'm proud of it as well is Haylee Love Benson. Happy Birthday Haylee.   Now I'm off to do Moma Benson's Party on Wednesday evening. 

2009 Southeastern Flower Show

Last weekend I attended the southeastern Flower Show. This year it was held at Cobb Galleria center. Just about 10 minutes west of Midtown Atlanta. Seemingly scaled down from years past it was equally as brilliant with exciting vendors and spectacular displays of floral creations. The Botanical competition specimens were as usual educational as well as beautiful in there almost science fair like display. I enjoyed a slow stroll through the many man made gardens that are always awe inspiring to say the least. The Guys from Foxgloves and Ivy Florist located near Cabbage Town in Atlanta GA  always bring a great deal of  fabulous and comedy with there talks that I never miss. This year FG&I titled their program" Excuse me Martha. I'm A professional florist". Giving reference to the iconic domestic Goddess Martha Stewart. All in good fun, I promise. LOL. But most of all the floral competition and the professional designs by Els Teuinessen were the highlight of my visit. All in all the Flower show seemed to be a hit. I'm not certain how I feel about the change in venue being Atlanta drives everything out of town. But I did rather enjoy the free parking and short brisk walk to the venue. Can't wait till next year. I think I may even submit some work for competition. We will see.  

Zinnia wants to say thank you

Shon and I are hard at work creating new Ideas for you to enjoy. We would like to say thank you for visiting us at www.RoryMoon.com  and hope that you will follow our progress. Stay informed with  our new Ideas and Some pretty interesting entertaining tips. Remember its almost Spring. Its time to bloom. Thanks again Zinnia Design.