In Anglo-Saxon coun- tries, the 14thof February is traditionally celebrated as St. Valentine’s Day. Bu this day, gaining ground in many countries in the world, is no longer reserved for “I love you™ — messages. A Valentine gift’ can also be a token of appreciation given to someone who recently provid- ed you with special help or support. Hmmm, now what does this mean? Valentine’s Day, of all days, is when giving a bou- quet can mean something even more, since the colours and choice of flowers can contain hidden messages. Floral sym- bolism was very popular dur- ing the Victorian era (1837- 1902). Everyone knows what it means to send or receive a bouquet of red roses. However the world of flowers offers a plethora of meaningful possi- bilities. Sending anemones, for example, conveys expectation and thoughtfulness; ixy means friendship and fidelity; jongssét- fa narcissi indicate “I hope to receive a verification of your love”; mimosa stands for friendships urple lilacs testify fist feelings of love and then ted fue reflects a fiery, pure kind of love. A less passionate avowal of one’s feelings can be made by giving a little bunch of snow- drops connoting hope and joy- Some green reading Terry Peters Contributing Writer _AS the winter montis . drag slowly across the Worth Shore, many frustrated gardeners are trapped indoors. They can only look to the outdoors and make plans for the next growing season. One thing that can brighten a gloomy day for the house- bound horticulturist is the joy of looking at beautiful pho- tographs of gardens. Garden Table is a sure , cure for the winter blues, This wonderfully book is a collaboration of Pho- photographed - north shore news ay FHOME & (GARDEN A bouquet contains a mediey of meaning Photo Netherlands Flower B::ib Information Centre A different approach to Valentine’s Day: red tulips to convey an expression of a fiery, pure kind of love. ful expectation, or a bunch of heavenly blue forget-me-nots that conceal a message of true love. Since many flowers are now available year round, consider asking your florist to include a few sprigs of peppermint in a Valentine’s bouquet, to signify tas, recipes and garden infor- mation. Celebrating outdoor dining, the authors present a wide range of reci ipes. Simp simple soups like cream ©: are followed by more Naboo menus such as h as lobster with leek, curry and The reci cp were created by - master chef Jan Lagrouw. “warm feelings,” or perhaps a hawthorn branch (even though they are not yet blooming in February) to rep- resent hope. If you are planning to send a Valentine’s bouquet or two this year, perhaps some of the following combinations might come together to form the per- fect expression of vour feelings: A bouquet of red tulips: Red tulips express the love of an jndisidualise. Although a bouquet of tulips is pretty all on its own without the addi- tion of anything else, you could underscore your feelings of affection, love and fidelity by mixing them with a few sprigs of myrtle (for love), ivy (for fidelity) and birch branch- es — just because they look good. Hidden admiration: Although most varcissi repre- sent vanity, stemming from the myth about Narcissus, giving a delightfully bouquet of scented Jonquilla narcisst is just like saying, “I hope to receive attic- mation of your love.” Add ina sprig of mimosa here and there (to indicate your status as a _ secret admirer) and top it off with a few fern leaves, the sym- bol of fascination. Tender young love: White lilies are one of the first flowers associated with innocence, purity and even virginity. Many old paintings, for example, depict the Virgin Mary holding the Madonna lily, or ilure candidum in her hand. But other white flowers, such as white anemones and white ranunculus can also be made into sweet posies expressing the tenderness of love. After all, tenderness also embodies the concepts of § innocence, purity, joy, charity and faith. for the winter blues Elizabeth De Lestricux has written the text which provides the continuity between the photos and recipes. Her words take the reader on a journey through the seasons. But it’s the beautiful pho- tographs by Kees Hageman that make The Garden Table such an enjoyable book to look at again and again. The rich colours he presents in his work brings out the best in the flow- ers and the food. (The Garden Table, by Kees Hageman, Elizabeth De Lestrieux and Jan Lagronw. Friedman/Fairfax Publishers, New York, Printed in England, 144 pages, $38.95.) Sunday, February 7, 1999 — North Shore News — 23 A peace offering: Parching up a quarrel or disagreement can also be made easier if assist- ed by the sending of flowers, If this is your aim, send a bou- quet of | sweet-scented hyacinths, as this flower sym- bolizes peace. A single olive branch added into the bouquet will underscore your point. Let North Shore's financial advisors help you build a secure financial future with tailored RRSP solutions like FLEXterm*. A favourite with our members, FLEXterm Tl . 0% guarantees you a premium 4 Annually to give you complete flexibility, FLEXterm is fully cashable without penalty after. 60 days. - Floor Model Clearance Prices slashed on all models while quantities last Twin Sets from $299.00 (Ask about our FREE delivery, set-up & old bed removal service) REGISTRATION FOR _ SEPTEMBER 1999 OPEN HOUSE Saturday, Feb. 13 rate of recurn for 2 years. 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