Welcome back! Last we planted herb seeds. We planted basil, parsley, and rosemary. We also planted tomato seeds and they are looking great! They are growing at the dialysis clinic in the lobby. We are going to sell them for $1-$5. We will gorw them for 2-3 more weeks. Right now the basil and tomatoes have sprouted and have two leaves each.
I feel excited and I want to cook with them so the whole family can enjoy them.

I feel ok about turning sweet 16, but i dont feel excited about it because I cant think of much to do for my party. I want to go out to eat and I want to go swimming and enjoy myself.

Valentine's Day

I am posting this because I want to make everyone happy by selling them flowers.
Link to my flier!

If I were in the snow right now....

I'd lie down and make a snow angel and make snow balls and throw them at my niece.  I'd eat it and it would taste moist.  I'm hoping for more snow all year long because it is fun and fuzzy. 

Getting to flower arrangements

I start by looking at the flower colors. Next I begin to look at the vases. Then I begin to
arrange. I start out by putting the flowers together by their size. I compare the flowers and stems. The sizes depends on the arrangement. For example, If I make a tall flower arrangement, I cannot use short flowers. When I see the colors I think about a combination that looks nice and pretty. For example, I use blue and white not pink and yellow colors. I know I'm finished when I review what I've done and ask everyone for their opinion. If everyone is okay with it, I know I'm done.

New school year

What are you most excited about for this school year?
I'm excited to meet new teachers.
What classes are you taking this year?
I'm not sure yet, but I want to take English, Biology and Cyber lab.
What is cyberlab?
It is most learning about computer skills.
Are there skills that you want or need to learn?
I just want to learn how to work on the computer more and because my brother is in that class.

What did you learn this year making flowers in clinic?

I learned some of the flower names. I learned to ask questions. I learned that money is not everything.

What is your goal for this school year?
My goal is to get good grades, meet new people, and stay focused.

Summer Thoughts from Christon

What is your favorite color combination?
"I like green, red, and blue. Green is the color of money and i like money. Red is my favorite because of roses. I love the smell of roses, especially red ones. And blue is my favorite because it reminds me of the sky."

Do you like working with fresh flowers? Why or why not?

"Yes because the fresh flowers are beautiful and pretty."

You have not done a fresh flower arrangement in a few months. Have you missed it? Why?
"Yes I have missed it. My cable is cut off and I don't have much to do at home and doing flower arrangements is fun. I look forward to doing flower arrangements. It keeps me focused while I am at the clinic."

Tell us about your spark.

"It gets me excited when I can imagine how I put together flowers. When I get excited, then I feel like I have my spark. I got it today.

Do you see these flowers? This is my spark!"

Summer flowers

Interview of Christon

It's been a long time since you've contributed to your blog. Where have you been?
School! I've been working hard at school, getting my grades up. My grades are good!

What's your favorite part of school?
Working on computers. I do math and geography on the computer.

Do you work on the computer when you are doing your flower stuff?
Yes. It is pretty fun. I make business cards and I made a business order form. I'd like to make some more fliers on the computer.

What are your goals for this summer?
I want to have fun. I have a money goal to get a computer to help me.

What has been your favorite part of flower arranging this spring?
Coming up with more ideas.

Katie is going to talk to people at other gardens to suggest that they start programs like the one you're involved in (making flower arrangements and learning about natural science), what would you like to say to them? Is this program good? Why?
Because it brings out the inner part of people and its fun. I think everybody should do it!

Please write me back [post your comments]!

Interview with Florist Christon:

What is your favorite type of arrangement? Size, colors, containers?
I prefer a small, blue, square container with roses, spider mums, baby's breath, and yarrow.

Do you have a business plan for the holidays?
If you buy one, you can get one free. Maybe I will also make wreaths.

If you could own your own business, what would it be, and where would you do it?
I would own my own business, which is a florist shop. It would be in Scotland Neck, NC.

What is your favorite part about making arrangements?
My favorite part is cutting the stems for the arrangement. Also, my favorite part is creating the arrangements.


You have a smile on your face in most of the pictures. Can we assume that doing flower arranging is something you like? Does it make you happy? How does it affect your time at the clinic? YES! It does make me happy. It affects me by doing arrangements faster.

Do you feel differently on flower days?
Yes.

What is different?
I get dirty. I talk to people more. I sleep less. Sometimes I smile more. Sometimes, I make money.


Anything else you want to say?

No.

Donation Drop Off

Last week, I made two arrangements for the Center for Integrative Medicine. We took the flowers to the lady [Dolores] who put them by the window. She said "thank you and come again! Here's a t-shirt for you. Oh they are beautiful!" I feel kind of shy because I dont know anybody over there, but it's a big place with good people.

I think my flowers are beautiful.

Power Flowers

My shop's name is Power Flowers. We use flowers to make people feel better and my flowers bring happiness.

Creating Arrangements

I have many parts to my creative process. Creating is very hard for me, but I try my best to use what I have. I like the challenge and I like to use my creative powers. My favorite part is the design. First I go to my happy place in my head. I figure out a pattern to be sure that it looks right. I start with the most beautiful flower I have. Then I make a pattern out of that color. Then I make a design and there you have it, your flower arrangement.

Watch me create!

How to Order

Please come to or call my sister's house and place your order. You can also order online by emailing me at mcdaniel.christon@yahoo.com. I also take orders at the clinic.

Plans for now and the future

I have many plans for my future business. I am going to write a grant to the government for my flower shop. With the grant money, I will buy equipment for my flowers and flowers, too. Me and my family are going to run the business. I will be the owner and the main florist. My twin brother will be giving out free t-shirts with every purchase of flowers. The store will be in Scotland Neck.

Right now my plans are a little bit different. I will go to my sister's and she will help me or I will keep doing flowers at the dialysis center. I think there is a florist shop in Scotland Neck already. For now, maybe I may get a job there. In the future, I will own my own flower shop.

Power Flowers Open

I usually make 2 or 3 arrangements each Monday.
I also make at least two arrangements to donate to the Center for Integrative Medicine.

Come by for a free flower- I bet it will brighten your day!