Regina Pappas is knee deep in flower petals in the run-up to Valentine’s Day. Known to many as Regina the Florist, she has been putting together bouquets for Edmonds residents for 16 years. Formerly on Walnut Street with a retail florist shop, she literally went underground and now runs a studio-style florist company, making custom bouquets in a “rough and ready” basement space, formally unoccupied for 40 years!
As a florist, Regina has seen a lot of Valentine’s Days come and go. Her advice? Get your order in early and consider having flowers delivered in the days leading up to the big day. “I tell the men, write a note and say ‘I couldn’t wait another day to say I love you!’ But then, I remind them to do something on Valentines Day too. I say, ‘So you’ve got the flowers – but do you know what you are cooking for dinner? Did you buy the wine and pick out a few lines of poetry?’ It’s about the whole ambiance!” She recounts the story of one man who ordered rose petals from her, and stuffed them in his wife’s glove box, spilling out and surprising her in the morning! Regina the Florist 425-775-9993
Of course, not everyone loves the holiday of love! Daphne’s has got your back – Edmonds’ littleist bar, on 4th and Main, is open on Valentine’s Day with a strictly No-Couples-Allowed policy! Daphne’s bar is your safe haven from footsie playing, hand holding, and all manner of eye-rolling activities for one day of the year. Bartender Elizabeth Maxey will mix you up a Heart Breaker (1 ounce of Stoli raspberry poured over ice, shaken, drizzled with grenadine, and topped with whipping cream and a cherry) and tell you about the worst pick-up lines she has ever heard, including this doozy: “You are married too? Then we’re perfect for each other!”
For those who are hoping that a new love will blossom this Valentine’s Day, pay a visit to The Wishing Stone on 3rd and Main. On my recent visit, salesperson Christy Gurley gladly showed me around the store,pointing out the stones that can bring good luck in love. “Rose Quartz is known for bringing love,” she explained, “and purple amethyst too. All of the pink and purple stones are good for love.”
Browsing the jewelry cases, she pulled a speckled stone bracelet from the case. ”Tiffany stone is known to be good for…how can I say this?” she said.
“Passion?” I asked with a smile.
“Yes — It’s nickname is Purple Passion!” Made from pressurized volcanic ash forming pockets and layers of color, snaked through by black veins, its true name is opalized fluorite.
With all of these love stones surrounding her all day, I asked Christy is she was a believer in love at first sight? “Yes,” she answered wistfully, “Yes, I am. I am a believer in true love. Love is really special.”
One block up Main Street from The Wishing Stone is Edmonds’ own Resident Cheesemonger and expert at wedded bliss, Strom Peterson. Strom has been married four times, each time to the same woman. For his third wedding, he surprised his wife with vows on the beach in Hawaii. This guy knows a thing or two about keeping romance alive, so I asked him to show me his sexiest cheese for all of those parents who will be celebrating Valentine’s Day at home after the kids go to bed. He pointed out two heart- shaped cheeses. “This one is a triple cream brie with layers of truffles,” he said of the Amour De Brillat. “Serve it with a bottle of champagne, a fresh baguette and slices of pear.”
If you want to introduce your kids to the joys of professing their love on Valentine’s Day, bring them over to the Edmonds Library, where kids of all ages are invited to come by at 11 a.m. this Saturday, Feb. 12, to make a Valentine. The library will provide all the materials. While you are there, help your child pick out a book about love to read on Valentine’s day! 650 Main Street.
Glazed and Amazed is having its own Valentine’s celebrations with a party on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., promising fun, food and treat bags all day. On Monday, it’s Mommy & Me day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with 20 percent off your total bill. 514 Main Street.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Edmonds mom Lara Alexander keeps busy chasing after a toddler, growing and cooking good food, and writing about it all. You can find more of her writing on her blog at www.food-soil-thread.com. If you have Edmonds-specific family activities for possible inclusion in Lara’s column, email them to family@myedmondsnews.com
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