Used to in my “youth” be quite brave about going floating. Middle of the week, I’d cancel my appointments, grab my dog Stan, and head out Route 66 down to Blue Springs or Bob Bass canoe outfitters. I can handle a canoe by myself if the rivers aren’t running too fast and furious and there aren’t a lot of rapids. One summer Stan and I took my 12-year old nephews along for cruise down the river, we had a blast – I remember we stopped at the “Diamonds” and the boys bought indian beaded jewelry to wear and we all had Indian names. I was PokaDi (as in Pokahanus).

The guys had a blast but about 20 minutes from our departing site we ran into some very scary, pesty, snaggle-toothed roughians and I thought “what on earth was I thinking taking these two little kids and a dog down the river alone!” Anyway, haven’t been on the river without a large group since!

One of my favorite “large group” floats was shortly before I moved back to St Louis from Chicago. Did a “canoe pub crawl”. Since there are no beaches we had to throw the canoes off a dock and then lower ourselves in. Floated from near Ashland and Elston to Navy Pier. Must be a dozen bars and/or restaurants with docks along the river – who knew! Now that was some treacherous water and you sure didn’t want to get any on you – plus there are all the big ships and cruise boats and sight seeing boats to dodge! Not to mention those crazy bridges going up and down!

This weekend I’ve been helping my friend Mary McClellan plan her 25 year Washington University dental school reunion float trip. With all this heat and lack of rain the rivers are low – Bob Bass Canoes out of Steelville isn’t even putting in the Huzzah or the Courtois (pronounced code away – that’ll be another blog!). Blue Springs outfitters down in Bourbon tell me the Meramec is low but it’s running good, a 6 mile float can be done in 3 to 5 hours. It’s not so low that folks are portaging, so it’s down to Blue Springs in Bourbon, Mo for the dental reunion float. It’s a lot to figure out – 12 to 14 canoes, most of the folks are from out of town, we’re borrowing coolers, hiring a bus and driver, and gonna have to do a lot of shopping. How many beers and sodas and waters per person? I remember this group back in the late 70s could put away some beer. I am sure that marriage and children have curbed their beer appetites! Let’s hope we get some more rain before that beautiful sunny day September 6 is gonna be! And that we don’t run into any snaggle toothed ruffians! I figure I’ll be safe floating with a couple dozen dentists after all!

Bass River Resort is in Steelville, MO (about 1-3/4 hour drive from downtown St Louis) and provides canoes and rafts for the Meramec, Courtois and Huzzah Rivers. Blue Springs Resort is in Bourbon, (about 1-1/4 hour drive from downtown) and they provide canoes and rafts for the Meramec River. Both outfitters have web sites, give ‘em a google for more information.

Ponce De Leon never found the Fountain of Youth. Neither did anyone else. (Not yet anyway – I’m looking!)

If I recall my history correctly he was looking for the island of Bimini when he happened upon the “island” of Florida. I’m sure I’m correct in remembering that he thought Florida was an “island”.

There is a wonderful spring in St Augustine, Florida named The Fountain of Youth which celebrates Ponce’s “discovery” of America.

I wonder who this youthful goddess is

and if she is related to this lovely lady of the frogs (see previous blog)

Here’s a little “desk-top” fountain celebrating youth!

Stop in at our greenhouse to see these and other fountains, all at a great price!

What is the difference between a frog and a toad, You will be surprised

Do you like moonflowers? I just love them. I’ve grown 2 kinds, one is like a bush, got some seedlings from Aunt Verna and Uncle Ed up in Tuscola, Illinois, years ago and have been messing with them ever since, I just love how the flowers open and close – they’re kinda like pinwheels. And you can see how big they are by that bee!

And then there is the moonflower vine. I bought seeds one year thinking they were the moonflowers like I got from Uncle Ed and Aunt Verna, but they turned out to be a vine that grew all the way up to the second floor deck and beyond! I think they’d have covered the roof if I had let them have their way! Heart shaped leaves bigger than dinner plates! It’s amazing what a little miracle grow will do.

And finally, here’s a little moon flower arrangement I made using a flower frog, it didn’t last long, but it was beautiful and did I mention how fragrant the moon flowers are at night?

Aw, there the little ones go, climbing onto the buses, heading off to start another school year. If they aren’t starting this week, they surely are next. Ah, the back yard will be peaceful again, I can have the swing to myself, maybe even read! No running to see what the latest “scream” was about.

If you are of the same frame of mind as I am, you are thinking perhaps one or more of those teachers deserve a gift, how about some Pink Lemonade Roses, or even a festive Daisy Bowl, either idea should rid you of the guilt you feel!

Don’t these girls look like they are having some “proper” fun!

I’ll bet they’re not “spitting” those watermelon seeds!

Dog days of summer bring thoughts of refreshing watermelon to me. Great to eat as these fellows are enjoying theirs – outside – easy clean up with a garden hose, and if seeds escape, just maybe you’ll end up with something like this on your fence next year! Is this the cutest watermelon you have ever seen? It’s the size of a baseball today, but only as big as a marble one week ago.

Like Sunflowers and cucumbers, watermelons are great fun for the kids to watch grow, especially once the fruits start setting – Like I said, the size of a marble to as big as a baseball in one week – how magic is that!

Another fun kid thing is Look What I Made. Every Saturday afternoon at 2pm all of our retail locations offer this free program to children under 12. Kids come in and make a flower arrangement for a parent or teacher or even for themselves. Turnout and feedback from parents and children and WKF staff has been great. Everyone has a good time.

Our new super energy efficient greenhouse cover

BUTTER BALLS

Whether you call them Cuernitos (Mexican), Kourabiedes (Greek), or Butter Balls these cookies are everyone’s favorite! The following recipe uses granulated OR powdered sugar—the granulated sugar cookies have a more “sandy” texture and the powdered sugar version is a creamier cookie. If you use almonds, add 1/2 tsp almond extract along with the vanilla extract.

3 sticks unsalted room temp butter
3/8 cup granulated sugar
OR 3/4 cup powdered(confectioner’s) sugar
3 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups flour
1.5 cups finely chopped nuts, either pecans, walnuts, almonds or pistachios (chop with a knife—don’t use a grinder or food processor, the nuts will be too fine)
1.5 to 2 cups powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 325F.
Cream together softened butter and sugar until well combined, mix in the extract(s) then gradually add salt and flour and finally the chopped nuts. Roll into 1 tsp size balls and lay out on un-greased cookie sheet about an inch apart. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. They’ll just barely brown on the edges and bottoms. Remove to cooling racks and dust liberally with powdered sugar. (I put tea-towels under the racks to collect the excess powdered sugar which can be collected and used for the second dusting.) When cool, again sift more powdered sugar over them. These keep really well in a cookie tin.

These cookies are often called
“Wedding Cookies” and we just happen to have lots of wedding information.

And, finally, if you just don’t have the time or urge to bake, you can buy freshly baked cookies for delivery anywhere across the USA!

Frank Viviano comes to Walter Knoll Florist and Chuck Knoll travels to Vivianos to share customer service information