>> "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" is brought to you by... Albertsons Companies... with additional support from the following... CalFlowers... Dollar Tree... Sunshine Bouquet.

♪ ♪ >> Today on "Life in Bloom," it's all about making time for what makes us happy.

So, naturally, I picked a favorite bloom.

We'll make some arrangements that always bring a smile.

I share my favorite dish ever.

And we'll visit one of my favorite places on the planet.

♪ ♪ ♪ I'm J Schwanke.

Welcome to "Life in Bloom."

Welcome to "Life in Bloom" and thanks for watching.

I've gotten so much positive feedback from you about the show.

And I'm humbled by the fact that so many of you tell me that relaxing with "Life in Bloom" is your happy place.

I don't think there's a strict definition for "happy place," but hopefully you know what I mean.

And as my dear friend Lorraine always said, "You have to make a plan."

We need to plan and schedule time at our happy place, just like we plan for other parts of our lives.

♪ We all schedule our work -- meetings of all kinds, social obligations, and more.

But do you make an effort to plan time just for you, to do what makes you happy?

♪ ♪ That's my inspiration for today's show.

I'm highlighting topics that I think bring joy.

I know they make me happy.

I hope you like them, too.

♪ ♪ Obviously, I'm of the opinion that flowers make us happy.

It's the backbone of the whole show.

One of the best things you can do is to plant a few annuals or perennials in your yard or garden.

When the flowers come into bloom, you can enjoy them outside and inside, too.

Peonies are a favorite of many people, myself included.

And when the peonies or other flowers come into season, I so enjoy going out and cutting a few stems and placing them in vases to make happy flowers that I can spread all around the house.

♪ ♪ ♪ The health-and-wellness benefits of gardening -- digging in the earth and getting dirt under your fingernails -- is proven to reduce stress.

The accomplishment of growing flowers that you can then cut and arrange promotes health and wellness, too.

♪ Heading out into the garden just around sunrise is the perfect time to harvest flowers.

Take along a bucket of cold water with flower food already mixed in.

Immediately place your cut stems into the water for best results.

The act of arranging flowers does in fact release endorphins in our body.

Endorphins make us feel happier, less depressed, and help in reducing stress.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Sharing your handcrafted flower arrangement with others, such as family, friends, or neighbors, extends the health benefits of flowers to them, as well.

The people who receive your flower gift release their own dopamine, which makes them feel happier, too.

The happy effects of flowers are far-reaching -- from seed to stem, from face to table, from heart to heart.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Here's some blasts from the past that still bring smiles today.

These are novelty flower arrangements, and many of them were popular when I worked in my flower shop, even when I was a little kid.

We grew big, standard mums in our greenhouses, and we would use those to turn into a clown arrangement, like this, where the mum's the background, and then we put a hat and nose and eyes and a smile on it.

And that would be the clown arrangement to make somebody happy.

We also created one like this.

It was a tiger.

My high school was the Fremont Tigers.

So, it was very popular.

We'd use several mums together and then use pipe cleaners to define the face of the tiger.

One of my favorites was the smile mug.

This also came with a cookie jar that was made by the McCoy Pottery Company.

I have one of the originals, and I love it.

And we'd fill it with yellow flowers.

That iconic smile face, even with today's emojis, is something that makes people happy.

One of the favorite arrangements that we would do all the time was the soda.

And I still joke about it today because I think if a flower shop puts a flower soda in their cooler, it's gonna sell because it's unique and unusual because it's flowers that look like food.

So, let me show you how we would make this classic soda arrangement.

We'd use a soda glass like this.

Back in the old days, we used shredded Styrofoam, and we'd pack the vase with shredded Styrofoam and then fill it up with water.

Today, I'm using a product that's a polymer.

It also can be found in craft stores, and it's called "artificial snow."

♪ So, it's filled up, and this is wet.

This type of medium you could actually root plans in.

So, it's gonna work well for our carnations.

Then, we're gonna use some dye.

I've just got some red food coloring.

What we're gonna do is, we're gonna put a couple drops around the outside.

♪ ♪ This was my favorite part when I was a kid, because then you go through.

You can streak that color down inside the polymer.

♪ ♪ It starts to look like the syrup they would put down inside the sodas at a soda fountain.

♪ Then we'll cut our carnations short.

And we'll use four of them around the outside.

♪ ♪ ♪ And we'll put one more on the top in the middle.

This is one of the first arrangements I learned to create when I was a little kid.

It was easy enough for a little kid to make, and my parents loved letting me put it in the cooler.

And then, when it would sell, they'd ask me to make another one.

The flower soda and other novelty arrangements are a fun way to make us happy and make us smile when it comes to a life in bloom.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Probably my most favorite happy place on the planet is the San Francisco Flower Mart.

I visited the historic San Francisco Flower Mart for the first time when I was 7 years old.

It was an early-morning convention tour with my dad and many other florists.

And, as they say, the rest is history.

Every time I visit northern California, I have to go.

I love getting up early, pulling into the parking lot in the cover of darkness, and walking into the enchanted, nocturnal world of the flower market.

Flower markets are active before the sun comes up.

And there's an amazing world of flowers and flower friends to explore -- the palpable passion of generations of flower folks, along with the obvious eye candy of flowers everywhere you look.

So, think of the phenomenal amount of volume of flowers that move in and out of this market on a day-to-day basis.

♪ >> It's a big opportunity for people who say they're visual people.

So, you know, they can come in here and actually pick what they want that day.

It's kind of nice for them to be able to come in here and just look around and see what's good and see what's new and then go from there.

>> There's lots of stuff I love about this.

One, the variety of things that are available here are just not available anywhere else in this country.

>> So, I'm always looking for something unusual or something different.

It's kind of a treasure hunt... >> Yeah.

>> ...when you come here.

You never know what you're gonna find here.

>> Our strongest suit is carrying a lot of variety and as much miscellaneous product as possible and having it available in quantities that people need.

>> But I always feel like if I lived here, I would have to come to market every day, because you have to see what's available and all the cool stuff that you can have.

>> Oranges.

>> Oranges.

>> Or... mini pomegranates.

>> Lemons.

>> Can't -- >> See?

We never see this stuff, you know?

This is where you see this stuff, yeah.

>> It's amazing, right?

>> I'm talking to a multigenerational family here, the Neve brothers.

You guys are famous in the market.

So, Victor, you are third generation.

>> That's right, J.

>> Okay.

>> I was actually born in it.

On the night of the 23rd, 1958, my mother was bunching plumosa and went into labor.

And on Christmas Eve day, 1958, I was born at 5:30 in the morning.

So, I was literally born in it.

>> I was born at a flower convention.

So, my mom and dad were running the Nebraska Florist Society in March of 1960, and my mom went into labor.

There was a snowstorm and had me at the hotel.

♪ What's your favorite part about the flower market?

>> You know what it is?

Handling the customers.

>> Okay.

>> Explaining to them the things that we do.

>> I love the industry.

I love the people down here.

This is on my social life, you know?

My wife can't understand.

She says, "How can you do that?"

I say, "This is my social life," you know?

>> Yeah.

>> I know these people.

I know their families.

They know me, my family.

>> Opening up boxes, you know, getting -- diving into those things that are coming off of the truck or coming in from the airport is probably some of my most exciting times of the day.

♪ >> What's Louie Figone's favorite flower?

>> Probably the dahlia.

>> Is it?

Yeah, you're famous for it.

Whenever I mention your name, everybody's like, "Oh, his dahlias, his dahlias.

He's the dahlia guy."

>> I love peonies, and I love tulips, those kind of big, pretty flowers.

>> Open, pretty flowers.

>> Yeah, romantic.

>> Yeah.

>> My favorite flower?

Still a violet.

[ Laughs ] >> Ah!

Okay.

>> It's still -- it's still -- it's still our roots.

>> Right.

That's wonderful.

>> It's a lot -- it's a lot of fun, yeah.

>> Willie, I'm gonna start with you.

What's your favorite flower?

>> Peonies.

I love peonies.

>> Ah, okay.

>> You know, I have to go with a rose.

I'm partial to a rose.

I grew up with it.

>> I love every flower.

There isn't a flower that I don't see in an arrangement that just doesn't go, "Wow!

Look what they did with it this time."

>> Okay.

>> You know, and it just -- every time I see something -- new colors, new varieties, the new season of flowers coming in -- it just awes me, and I can't say it's one flower.

>> Like a visit with a treasured, old friend, the San Francisco Flower Mart always leaves me feeling emotional, excited, and extremely happy.

♪ ♪ Today, I'd like to share with you one of my all-time-favorite recipes -- turkey noodle ring.

Whenever my mother-in-law makes turkey noodle ring, it certainly takes me to my happy place.

So, let's make turkey noodle ring together.

Although my mother-in-law introduced me to turkey noodle ring, she found it in a vintage cookbook.

So, I had to find my own vintage cookbook with the noodle-ring recipe in it.

So, I searched online until I got a vintage cookbook.

This one's actually from 1961.

And it was a gift to Anna Lee from Pop and Mom "B."

But what was interesting is, when it arrived in the mail, and I opened it up, I looked, and there was a paper clip on one page.

I opened up to that page, and it was marking the noodle-ring recipe.

So, we'll use that vintage recipe today to create the turkey noodle ring.

It's a great way to use a turkey, or even chicken, after a holiday.

So, at Thanksgiving time, I always know that turkey noodle ring could be something that happens when I help her set up her Christmas tree.

I'll show you how it goes together.

We've boiled our egg noodles, and then we've greased the inside of a Jell-o mold.

That's what's gonna make the noodle ring.

Then we'll take 3 eggs... ♪ ...3/4 cup of milk, and a tablespoon of butter that's been melted.

♪ We'll also add some salt and pepper.

♪ ♪ We'll mix those together.

We've used a 12-ounce package of noodles.

And we'll fill up this noodle ring with all the noodles.

♪ Then, we'll pour our mixture into the noodles.

♪ ♪ We've got our oven set to 350.

And we'll bake this inside a pan that has water surrounding.

That way, the noodle ring turns out perfect.

In the meantime, we'll add our cut-up turkey to a white sauce.

I've gotten it all ready.

It's simply milk and butter and flour.

And it's all ready to be added to our turkey noodle ring.

So, once our noodle ring is baked, we're gonna come in with a grapefruit knife, and we're gonna cut around the outside to make sure that it pops out onto the plate right.

It's just loosening it up.

♪ ♪ Then, we'll place our plate on top and flip it over.

♪ ♪ Now we'll add our creamed turkey to the center of the turkey noodle ring.

♪ ♪ And now it's ready to serve.

Turkey noodle ring -- I promise, it'll take you to your happy place.

♪ ♪ Allium gigantum is an Asian species of onion native to central and southwestern Asia but cultivated in many countries as a flowering garden plant.

The flowers on allium grow on the end of a usually leafless stalk.

The flowers are clustered together to form a pompon arrangement at the top of the stem.

Allium gigantum are grown from bulbs and are part of the lily family.

They may grow anywhere from 8 to 20 inches tall.

Flowers can be 8 to 12 inches across.

Allium bulbs vary in size between species, from very small to rather big.

Bees and butterflies love alliums, as do many gardeners.

Deer and rabbit, however, tend to shy away from them.

♪ ♪ I'm here with my friend Jen Pascua.

I thought it would be fun for us today to talk about fragrances.

>> Oh, I like fragrances.

>> What's your first memory of flowers?

>> Like, smelling my grandma's perfume, and she loved, like, really heavily scented flowers.

And I think that was passed on to my mother.

So, anytime I smell, like, gardenias or roses, it smells like my mom and my grandma.

You gonna bring back some memories for me?

[ Sniffing ] Oh, yeah, definitely.

>> So, this is a gardenia.

>> Yes, definitely.

>> So, yeah, does that remind you -- >> That's my mom, totally.

>> Okay.

>> That's a nice, warm, fuzzy-feeling smell for me.

>> Right?

Right.

>> Yeah.

>> I'm gonna just -- I'm gonna hand them to you.

>> Okay.

>> And you just smell them and tell me what they remind you of.

>> [ Sniffing ] Like springtime.

>> Okay.

>> Immediately, like, after the rain, and you go outside, and it's kind of that, you know, crisp, clean feeling.

>> So, that's an Itoh peony.

>> Oh.

>> This is a regular peony.

>> Okay.

>> Don't you think it smells different?

>> Definitely.

>> Yeah.

>> Yeah.

>> So, now, for me, I completely get what you're saying about that, though, that that smells like spring.

>> Yes.

>> So, what does that smell like?

>> I don't know.

It just smells good.

>> It smells like Memorial Day to me.

>> [ Laughs ] >> I always think that it's Memorial Day.

>> Yeah, yeah, I can see that.

>> Because people would put them all at the cemetery, and we would deliver hundreds of bouquets to the cemetery.

>> Yeah, right, right.

>> But it smells -- it just smells like Memorial Day.

So, this one... >> Okay.

>> ...is a marigold.

>> Oh, okay.

>> Okay?

So, it's a pungent fragrance.

>> It is.

>> Marigolds are part of the Día de los Muertos tradition... >> Oh, sure.

Right.

>> ...for Day of the Dead.

And they believe that fragrance is what brings the spirits back to your house for the celebration.

>> I love when they can kind of link the smell to a memory or to some sort of, you know, symbolic thing that happens.

>> Right.

>> I like it.

Yeah.

>> Marigolds.

Now, this one.

>> Okay.

>> So, this is heliotrope.

>> Smell it?

>> Yeah.

It's a pollinator-friendly.

>> Oh.

>> I used to have a cologne that I wore in high school that was -- >> Yeah, it's taking me back to, like, I was gonna say.

I didn't want to age myself.

>> Right.

>> But... >> I had a cologne that I wore that was heliotrope in high school.

>> Yeah.

>> And it reminds me of high school.

>> It reminds me of high school, junior high, junior high school.

>> Maybe -- maybe you dated somebody that... >> Perhaps I did.

>> ...that wore heliotrope.

Alright.

I saved the best for last... >> You did?

>> ...because I know you like food.

>> Oh, goodness.

I think I'm gonna sneeze.

[ Both laugh ] Okay.

No, I'm good.

I'm good.

>> Okay, okay.

Okay, I want you to think of the breakfast-food aisle.

>> Oh, my goodness.

If this smells like bacon, I'm buying tons of this.

[ Both laugh ] Oh, um... it smells like cereal.

>> It does.

>> [ Laughs ] Like...not Froot Loops.

Is it Froot Loops?

Froot Loops?!

Ha!

Yes!

I got it!

>> You are so good!

I know, right?

I love it.

Yeah.

>> That's fun.

What are these?

>> These are freesia.

>> Oh!

>> And I've always said that freesia smell like Froot Loops.

>> Yeah!

>> That's what they smell like.

>> Wow.

>> Isn't that crazy?

>> I've learned so much now.

>> Yeah!

One of the things that is so important for us is that the fragrance of flowers evokes memories.

>> Mm-hmm.

>> And so, we can build around those memories.

So, I mean, if there is a time that you want to think about your mom or your grandma... >> Yeah.

>> ...you might want to use gardenias.

Or if you want to have breakfast cereal in the morning, you can bring out a few freesia for the Froot Loops, you know?

And I always appreciate when you come by.

So... >> Oh, do I get a flower crown yet again?

>> You do!

>> Yay!

>> And -- and I put gardenias in your flower crown.

>> You did?!

>> So, yeah!

>> Oh, it's so nice!

Thank you!

>> And it fits.

>> Oh, it fits.

>> I know.

>> Oh, my gosh.

I love this.

>> You look so pretty.

>> You've taught me a lot.

I will say, ever since I've met you now, J, I go get flowers... >> Aw!

>> ...especially during the times when I'm a little down, you know?

>> Right, right.

>> I need a little boost.

>> Right.

>> And this is perfect.

>> Thank you for coming.

We love always having you here.

>> Thank you.

>> And I always love you.

You're a great friend.

So... >> Oh, you're the greatest, too.

>> Thanks!

♪ ♪ Here's a fun throwback activity.

When was the last time you drew on the sidewalk with colored chalk?

Including kids in this activity is a natural, but don't be afraid to enjoy it all on your own.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ I hope you've enjoyed our happy places on this episode and will be inspired to find your own happy places, and, more importantly, take the time to make a plan and experience them.

For "Life in Bloom," I'm J Schwanke.

So, here's the deal is... >> What?

>> ...when you smell roses, they claim to close your eyes... >> Yeah.

>> ...and breathe in for 5 seconds.

>> Okay, 5 seconds.

Alright.

>> And then that's gonna give you the undertones, as well as the regular fragrance.

>> Like, it's on the tip of my tongue, and I want to say something food-related.

[ Both laugh ] Honestly!

It smells something... >> Of course you do.

>> It smells something like -- like, the back end of it, the final oomph smell of it is very, um... it's a little sweet.

>> Okay.

>> But I can't put my finger on it.

>> They claim that this one is just classic rose.

>> Oh, for crying-out sakes!

>> It's like the classic rose.

>> Seriously?

>> I like that you were gonna make something out of it.

[ Both laugh ] >> I thought it was something like -- so, maybe I don't have the greatest nose.

>> Alright, I know.

No, no, no, no.

"J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" is filmed in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

>> "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" is brought to you by... Albertsons Companies... with additional support from the following... CalFlowers... Dollar Tree... Sunshine Bouquet.

♪ Closed-caption funding provided by Holland America Flowers.

♪ For everything flowers, recipes, projects, and more information, visit ubloom.com.

♪