The Love of a Dog

Posted on by Kathleen

The good Lord has given us many gifts in life. Parents, brothers, sisters, friends of all races and colors, dogs and cats are all gifts from God.  They are in our lives for us to love and learn from.  In my case, I love dogs, all dogs, all colors, large and small.  This blog is about my dog ChuChu Charlie, a Keeshond.

Today is a sad day for me as I had to say goodbye to a special needs dog named Chu Chu Charlie. Charlie came to us at a time when we were losing another Keeshond named Annie who was getting ready to cross the Rainbow Bridge due to a long battle with cancer. Charlie and Annie became good friends right away.  Keeshond dogs are amazing the way they adapt to each other. It is always a tough decision to make but I let the pets tell me when they are ready to leave.  Medical tests last week showed that calcium levels and liver enzymes were too high and Charlie  was not responding to new medications prescribed 4 months prior.  I knew if would be a short time before it was time to say goodbye to my special needs dog.  We loved each other unconditioanlly. We bonded from the first time we saw each other. The good Lord meant for me to have this dog in my life.  He knew I would take care of him and love him. He also knew that I needed to be loved by this dog.  So we were both lucky to have each other.  You see, a pet just wants love and a good home.  Charlie was a Keeshond with special needs, although I did not know that when I adopted him.  He was happy and loving and the best dog I could ever hope to have in my life.  His colors were black and grey with tan paws.  You see, my dog groomer telephoned me one morning to let me know that the dogs owner has passed away the evening before and the family was taking him to be groomed before taking him to the pound.  Without question, my husband went to the groomers to bring the dog home. He adjusted immediately as he knew we were dog lovers and he had found his new home.  I call this the work of God sending Charlie to us.  After a couple of hours, a family member telephoned me and asked if she could meet us. So we went to the groomers location to talk with her to assure her that ChuChu would be loved and well taken care of. I asked if the dog has any medical problems as he was overweight. She said he had not been to the vet in a number of years and thought for sure he needed updating of his vacinations.  The next day, we took Chu Chu Carlie to our vet office for blood work  to see if he had any medical problems we needed to address. Since he was drinking a lot of water, we thought he had diabetes but found out it was Cushings Disease.  After an intense 3 months of testing with various doses of medications, he leveled out at 10 mg Trilostane.  Charlie did quite well for a number of years and led a comfortable happy life.  He was always happy and never did anything wrong. He was perfect. He was a gift sent to me to love.  How lucky I was to have him in my life. As time went on, we adopted a Husky and and rescued another Keeshond as companions for Charlie.  Charlie was the Alpha so the other dogs knew who was boss. I used to call him “Little Boss” when he put the other 2 dogs in their place if they were playing to rambunctious.

During the years he had Charlie, he was our faithful companion always at my side, ready to love and be loved. His sweet face and  happy smile. Forever in my heart, Charlie I will always be with you. YOU will always be with me in my heart forever.  Rest in peace my sweet Baby Charles as I used to call you, and THANK YOU for being a part of my life and being the best dog I could ever hope to have.

Customized gourmet gift baskets

Posted on by Kathleen

Customized gourmet gift baskets for all occasions specializing in Birthdays, Anniversaries, Christmas, and all kinds of events and holidays to give and receive gifts. The list is long, Mother, Father, son, daughter, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, manicurist, dog groomer, vet, friends, neighbors, beautician just to name a few. So exactly, how do you choose what gift to give to someone? Sunshine Baskets is here in Las Vegas to help you with that task.

Well, lets see. First, you have to determine your budget for gift giving. I want you to give some serious thought about the person that is going to receive your gourmet gift basket. What do you know about them? What colors do they like?  What foods, snacks do they really enjoy? Are they adventurous, like movies, sports ?  Many questions come to mind. You want this gourmet gift basket present to be perfect for them. They are special to you or you would not bother with getting them a gift. Then you have to decide what to buy each special person on your gift list.

You have to shop and wrap the gift. Sunshine Baskets & Gifts also provides gift wrapping service for items purchased that yu may want kept separate from the basket.  If you have family or friends living in Las Vegas and you live in another state, give us a call to customize and hand deliver your gift basket.

This can be a very lengthy process and time consuming for the busy lifestyle you already have. For that reason, you have access to Sunshine Baskets & Gifts personal shopping service. We can shop for you, wrap and deliver your gift to your family or friends in Las Vegas. So please give us a call to eliminate the stress of gift giving.

Sunshine Baskets & Gifts is family owned and operated in Las Vegas since 2002. Call now to place your order. 702-656-7783

Gift baskets and fresh flower designs are hand delivered in Las Vegas and North Las Vegas to all homes, hotels, hospitals within an 16 mile radius.

Mother’s Day, Gifts for Women

Posted on by Kathleen

 

Mother’s Day, Gifts for Women. Flowers and gift baskets are popular gift choices for Mother’s Day.  Mother’s Day in the United States is annually held on the second Sunday of May.   It celebrates motherhood and it is a time to appreciate mothers and mother figures.  This is a special person in our lives. Se is the one that gave you life and nurtured you into the fine human being that you are.  Show your love by spending time with her. Talk to her as a person and really get to know who she is. You may find she is the most amazing person you ever met.  Does she love flowers? We do and we are here to make a gorgeous bouquet for her-from you. We work from the heart just as your mom did over all the years of raising you.

Many people give gifts, cards, flowers, candy, a meal in a restaurant or other treats to their mother and mother figures, which may include grandmothers, great-grandmothers, stepmothers, and foster mothers.  Here at Sunshine Baskets & Gifts our personalized shopping service allows you to give your mom the perfect gift that you know she will enjoy. Flowers, gift baskets, gift certificates-we do it all.

Many people send cards or gifts to their mother or mother figure or make a special effort to spend the day with her.  Common Mother’s Day gifts are fresh flower arrangements, chocolate truffles, salted caramels, breakfast trays with coffee, tea, and biscotti, or a beauty treatment or trip to a spa. Some families organize an outing for all of their members or hold a special meal at home or in a restaurant.  In our business, Mothers Day is a very busy day for flowers and gift baskets. Sunshine Baskets & Gifts located in Las Vegas is ready to help you with your orders for that special person-your mother, mother-in-law-grandmother, or a special auntie. We proudly serve Las Vegas since 2002 and we are family owned and operated.  We love what we do and know that you will too.

While Mothers Day is not a federal holiday it is surely a day of celebration. It is a day to celebrate the love you have for your mother.

 

 

Who’s Your Valentine?

Posted on by Kathleen

Who’s your Valentine?  Valentine’s Day is for everyone you care about. Your mother, father, sister, brother, husband, wife, girlfriend or boyfriend- they are all special people in your life. Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14th every year. Go buy some flowers or chocolates.  This is the one day a year we are to profess our love for that special someone. Friends and family are to be cherished. Enjoy your life, enjoy your friends and family. After all, it is a holiday clearly marked on all calendars. Celebrate life!
I remember handing out valentine day cards to my friends in school and then when I grew up, to my close friends at work. I always bought small gifts to hand out on Valentine’s Day just to make someone happy. I was known as the gifting angel in the workplace. Perhaps that is why I opened my business Sunshine Baskets & Gifts in 2002. My joy came from seeing the smiles on peoples faces. You can also call this random acts of kindness. Give a gift without expecting anything in return. Then see how good you feel.

Tell me why we should limit ourselves to just one day a year to show that special someone that we care about them? A single rose is sure to put a smile on someone’s face.

But, what about single people who are not “in love” with one special person?   What about people, whether married or single who want to celebrate Valentine’s Day.  Do you have to be ”in love” to celebrate love and friendship?  Maybe you are in love with more than one person. After all, we love different people for different reasons.

Valentine’s Day is not just for lovers and sweethearts.  It is for everyone you care about. Think of your friends and how special they are to you.  Friendships allow us to bloom in many different ways. Friends enrich our lives.

So go ahead and celebrate Valentine’s Day. Be happy, be in love every day or just this one day each year.  Surprise someone with a Valentine card, flowers or chocolates.  Celebrate things you have in common and just the joy of being friends. Sunshine Baskets & Gifts in Las Vegas is here to help you send your loving thoughts to that special person in your life. All through the year, we are here for you. Give us a call-we are happy to help you.

So now, I ask you again. Who is your Valentine?

Orchids for Valentines Day for people with pollen sensitivity

Posted on by Kathleen

At Sunshine Baskets & Gifts, we are always striving to achieve new and unique designs, introduce exciting food items and provide useful information to  that will allow us to continue to be of service to our loyal customer base.  This article is for all of my clients that have pollen allergies. Orchids for Valentines Day for people with pollen sensitivity.   The reason orchids have flowers is for reproduction, and in many cases, pollination is the means of propagation. Insects, birds and even mammals can transfer pollen from orchid blossoms to other areas to instigate the growth of new orchid plants. However, gardeners with allergies and anyone interested in orchid reproduction will find that orchid pollen is surprisingly different than pollen from many other types of flower

The Most Important Things You Need To Know All About Growing Orchids!

Pollen Description

Orchids have pollen, but it’s not the free-floating variety common to many other types of flowers. Instead, orchid pollen is sticky and remains in its pollen packet until a pollinator, such as a bee, whisks it away. However, the pollen remains stuck on the pollinator; it never has the opportunity to drift in the air. This means that orchids are heavily reliant on pollinators for this type of reproduction.

How Orchids Attract Pollinators

Orchids have evolved natural ways to encourage pollination, and they go beyond enticing scents and colors. For instance, when pollinators land on the petals of a Bulbophyllum putidum, the flower gives way under the weight and cause the pollinators to fall into the pollen packets. Meanwhile, Phalaenopsis orchids often have flat, white petals that resemble moth wings, which attract real moths looking for mates. Many orchids have natural runways that make it easy for bees with ultraviolet vision to find their way to the pollen packets and back out again.

Facts for Allergy Sufferers

If you have a pollen allergy, fear not: orchids pose no problem. You can even sniff an orchid to enjoy its fragrance without worrying about pollen triggering your allergies. Because the pollen is sticky and hidden in pollen packets, it’s nearly impossible to come into contact with orchid pollen unless you do so on purpose to propagate your orchids. This makes orchids smart choices for a home garden if you have pollen allergies.

 

 

Looking a Gift Horse in the Mouth

Posted on by Kathleen

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On December 31st the clock struck midnight and fireworks went off all over the world. The majestic crystal ball in Times Square dropped in front of thousands of happy (and cold) New Yorkers. Sweethearts kissed, friends cheered and the world ushered in the beginning of a new year.

And now, just a few weeks after, the world is gearing up for another kind of renewal as we get closer to the Chinese New Year on January 31st. This coming holiday marks the year of the seventh year of the twelve-year cycle of the zodiac – the year of the horse. Specifically, 2014 marks the year of the green wooden horse, as we exit the year of the snake.

I’m sure if you look around, you’ll quickly recognize the horses in your life. Born in 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, and so on, horses are charismatic and full of life – excellent people to invite to a party. Horses are sharp and witty, with a love for travel. They’re also excellent with money…. So if you don’t have any friends who are horses, this year would be a great time to change that.

The Lunar New Year is celebrated every year, but the Chinese New Year has a monster at its heart…. Or at least the holiday’s legendary beginnings do.

According to legend, a terrible beast would attack the village on the first day of every New Year, eating livestock, pillaging farms and terrorizing the villagers. To protect themselves, the villagers left food out on their front steps on the eve of the New Year, thinking that if the beast had already eaten its fill, it would leave their farms alone.  Then one day, they watched in awe as the monster was frightened away by a small child dressed all in red. Since then, every New Year has been marked with red decorations and clothing, banners and scrolls. And the mythical beast has never returned to threaten the villagers again.

Red envelopes, usually containing money, are frequently given as gifts for the Chinese New Year. These traditional gifts are usually passed from older, well-established members of the family, to younger, unmarried relatives. Giving money in lucky amounts is also considered auspicious. Eight and six are considered lucky numbers, among many others.

It’s also not unusual to see other gifts changing hands. Gifts of fruit, flowers, and candy are always well-received and are an especially good idea when visiting someone’s home. Here at Sunshine Baskets & Gifts, we are ready to help you with your gift giving throughout the year. Proudly serving Las Vegas and shipping nationwide since 2002.

The Lunar New Year is celebrated all over the world, including lots of celebrations right here in the United States. It’s coming up quickly, so slip into your favorite red outfit and get ready to party!

written by Yelena Kart, Contributing Editor