Thanksgiving with Family

Thanksgiving has come and gone. The weather here was just perfect, sunny and warm. Forty seven years ago, there were only two of us: my husband and me. Now, he is a retired physician, my son has followed his footsteps, my daughter (an architect) helped us design and renovate this comfy, beautiful retirement house, and our youngest daughter is a high school principal in New York City. This past June she had her school's first graduation (she founded the school), and 95% of her seniors graduated. We are so proud of her! We also have our four grandchildren, they are good kids and healthy. We have 12 people in total in the family by now. We are thankful for so many things, and our family being together, happy and healthy, is what we are most thankful for!

Using all the materials I had on hand to make an arrangement in ten minutes.

My four grandchildren and their cousin are sitting at kids table.

Climbing up a tree at Washington Crossing park

Fall Arrangement (Lesson 3)

Lesson 3) Fall arrangement- It should be suitable for the Thanksgiving dinner table.
My materials: Kale, mum,Winter berry, Hinoki, Hydrangea and dried branch / ceramic container

Front side view

Back side view

Hata Sensei's demo arrangement

Morimono Thanksgiving Arrangement (Lessons 1 and 2)

Hata Sensei's class had been moved one week early for November because of the Thanksgiving holiday. We had three lessons as usual. Two in the morning, and one after lunch, which was Free style.
Lesson 1) Variation #4 Upright Style Moribana: Basic style, Shin and Hekei but no Soe arrangement
Materials: Magnolia, Kale and mum / ceramic container ( 11/13/2017)

The Magnolia branch should be a little bit taller

 Lesson 2) Morimono arrangements

Hata Sensei's morimono arrangement

My morimono arrangement in class

My other morimono arrangement, days before class

Leaf Manipulation Demonstration with Yuri Ishizuka

On November 16th, Ikebana International Philadelphia chapter held a program "Leaf manipulation." I was there to see first hand Sensei's demonstration. I usually just leave the leaves in a natural way in my ikebana arrangements. If I should have the big tropical leaves like below, I certainly can use the ideas from Ms. Yuri Ishizuka. Please see the arrangements that she made for the I.I members below. Here is her biography from the program:
      
"Ms Yuri Ishizuka is a Senior Professor of Ikenobo School, the highest Ikenobo diploma- Jun Katoku 15, a Special Teaching Member. She teaches privately and at the Nippon Club in NYC, and holds workshops at the Tiffany & co. design studio. She has also exhibited widely, including at the United Nations, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the residence of Japanese consulate General."

Beautifying the Township Building for MWGC

For the week of 11/6 to11/9/2017, I promised to do an arrangement at the township building. It is our Martha Washington Garden Club's weekly job to have their members bring a potted plant or a flower arrangement to beautify the office's front desk.
Here is my simple arrangement. It should last for a few days.

Kale Cabbage Arrangements for Fun

I bought two Kale cabbage plants to use for any fall arrangements. It is a long lasting material for Ikebana arrangement.

Kale, Winter berry, Hydrangea, hosta and forsythia / ceramic

Kale, Hosta, mum and bittersweet / ceramic container

Kale, nandina, sunflower and bitter sweet/ ceramic