J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom

>> "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" is brought to you by the following... >> That flower feeling.

At home.

At work.

Or anytime.

CalFlowers is a proud sponsor of "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom," where flowers and wellness go hand in hand.

>> We have fresh in all our stores, from soups and steaks and all things flour to all things flowering.

Custom fresh arrangements designed by our in-store florists at Albertsons Companies.

>> With additional support from the following... >> On today's show, flowers and kids team up for some exciting projects, including making perfume, a kitty made of flowers, insect-inspired snacks, and more flower fun with Wimee the Robot.

I'm J Schwanke.

Welcome to "Life in Bloom."

As a fourth-generation florist, it may come as no surprise to everyone that I grew up all around flowers as a child.

>> That's cool.

>> I think that has helped me express my inner child through the years, and part of the reason I'm eager to share my love of flowers.

On some level, I think I did appreciate my unique experience as a child.

Flowers surrounded me every day, yet I was still aware of how truly special and magical the circumstances were.

What a gift!

I wish everyone could have such an experience.

While growing up in a greenhouse only happens to a special few, I advocate that children should enjoy flowers and know nature from an early age.

I am always on the lookout for new ways to cultivate interest in flowers and nature with young people.

The benefits of flowers and nature lasts a lifetime.

I am more than excited to introduce everyone to Wimee the Robot.

You may already know him from his own TV show, "Wimee's Words," his website, or the Wimage app, which helps anyone to communicate and be creative.

Let's meet Wimee and his friends Michael and Kevin.

What you do is magical and unbelievable.

It's -- It's wonderful.

So I want to know where Wimee came from and how this whole thing came to be.

>> The whole concept of Wimee started, you know, as a byproduct of my work with veterans.

>> Correct.

>> So, I served in the military, came back home and wanted to keep serving, and we saw an opportunity to use art to help veterans heal.

So we created an organization to help veterans through art.

And throughout that process, we saw that, "Hey, if art can help veterans heal, could art help kids learn, be creative, be expressive?"

And so we created a technology that would help kids see their words become images.

But to make it a kid-friendly app, we needed a character.

And so that's where Wimee, the lovable robot, was born.

>> Awesome.

So was Wimee ever anything else before he was a robot?

Or did he start out as Wimee the Robot?

>> So the very start -- he's actually right behind us!

This is Wimee 1.0, as we like to say.

And, Michael, you first said "We want, like, a robot," and we wanted to build it out of physical things because Wimage -- words to images -- we wanted ima-- like, items -- like, this is a wheel, this is a can.

So the concept was to build a robot that could be the face, like Michael said, to help kids connect, to be goofy, to be silly, to expand.

>> We want kids to be producers of the content that they're creating.

>> Right.

>> You know, a lot of times, kids are just consuming technology, and sometimes it's good, but we also want to inspire them to be the next creatives.

And Wimee does that by inviting them to share a word, to share an idea, to share a thought, and in real time, Wimee acknowledges the kids.

>> Right.

>> So that they can see that their ideas matter and their words matter, and they can help change the scene or the kids in locations, they can help change their own environment.

>> Well, I think, you know, when we talk about flowers, I think one of the things that's important is that there's an empowerment that goes with it.

And that's what our show is about, is empowering people to include more flowers in their life so they can enjoy the health and wellness benefits.

That's -- That's our general mission.

And so -- but Wimee's about empowerment, as well.

>> Absolutely.

>> If something is perfect and grandiose, it's good and beautiful.

But kids feel like, "That's there, I'm here," and so we're trying to kind of create that -- masterpieces of whatever but also kind of create this concept of, "Start now, create, go.

"Don't worry about the mistakes.

And each day, the more you go and the more you create, the more you do, you'll get to that masterpiece.

But every step along the way, that's where we thrive, though, is in that relationship, and it's using all the forms of how we can do that.

>> Yeah, it's really inspiring kids to enjoy the journey and bring others with you.

>> Right.

>> I love that.

>> Oh, that's wonderful.

So, Wimee, I am so excited to be here with you today.

I have some questions to ask you.

>> Okay.

>> All right.

>> Yes.

>> What's your favorite flower?

>> My favorite flower?

Tulips!

>> [ Gasps ] Wonderful.

Why -- Why tulips?

>> I think it's fun to say tulips, tulips, tu-lips.

And I like the city of Holland.

Holland, Michigan.

>> Yes.

>> And, um, they're pretty.

There's so many colors.

And they grow tall.

But not too tall.

>> Right.

This show is about kids.

>> [ Gasps ] >> And we have three kids that are on the show with me.

>> Yeah.

>> And each one of those kids gave me a word.

>> [ Gasps ] The three-sentence story!

I love playing this game.

>> Our first person is June.

>> June.

>> June is 6 years old.

>> Okay.

>> And her word is "kitten."

>> Kitten!

Okay.

So I'm going to set the scene in the first sentence with the word "kitten."

Then I'll ask you for the second word, where there's going to be a problem.

>> Okay.

>> And then I'll get the third word for our solution.

Okay.

>> All right.

>> First word, "kitten."

It was a lovely day, and a little kitten was hopping through the field.

Ah, this is so cute.

I can just picture it.

>> I know.

Right?

>> Okay, but there's a problem, and that word is... >> Bugs.

>> Bugs.

Who shared the word "bugs"?

>> So that was from Hendrik.

Hendrik is 8.

>> [ Gasps ] Okay, bugs.

Okay, okay.

It was a beautiful morning, and a kitten was hopping through the field.

Up in the sky, a giant bug came floating down and was about to smush all the flowers.

[ Gasps ] How do we solve this problem?

We don't want the flowers to get smushed.

>> It's true.

>> Yeah.

>> So, Atticus, who is 10... >> 10.

>> ...gave me the word "perfume."

>> Perfume!

>> Okay.

Oh, I got it, I got it!

Okay.

The solution.

Here we go.

It was a beautiful day, and a little kitten was hopping through a field.

Up in the sky, a giant bug was coming down and about to smush the flowers!

Luckily, I had my grandma's perfume and went -- pssh!

-- and the bug said, "Ahh!

Delightful," and floated down carefully right next to us.

Thanks for June, Atticus, and... >> Hendrik.

>> Hendrik!

Thanks for those words.

I love playing that game.

>> You're magical.

>> [ Gasps ] Thank you.

>> Why do you think you're magical?

>> Well, I just love to try to spread joy and creativity and positivity.

I just love working together to create, whether it's a story, a picture, a song, and I just love how all of us, we have different perspectives and things to bring to the table, and it's just fun to celebrate each other.

And so I think it's just kind of maybe how -- I guess my outlook on life that you're feeling.

>> That's awesome.

So I have a very special treat because everyone who comes on my show, we have a tradition.

>> Okay.

>> Okay?

>> Okay.

I'm excited!

Okay!

I can't wait to see what he's gonna get.

[ Gasps ] Oh!

That's so colorful.

>> This is a flower crown.

>> Oh.

[ Gasps ] >> So, it sits on your head.

>> Oh!

It's just my size.

>> I know, right?

>> Oh!

>> Does it make you smile?

>> It does!

I just...

Okay, let me practice.

Dee, dee, dee, dee, dee Wait.

What could I say?

I'd be like, "Okay."

Does this come with any special things I should know?

Like... >> It has superpowers.

>> [ Gasps ] >> It will make you smile.

It will make you feel happier.

>> Yay!

>> It will make you feel less stress.

I know -- Zen-like feelings.

>> [ Sighs ] Oh.

>> I think it makes us happier to see you in a flower crown, as well.

>> This is incredible.

I've never had such an amazing flower crown!

I've never had any crown!

It's a flower crown.

>> You are the king of flowers right now.

How about that?

>> I feel so happy!

It's true.

>> All right.

Well, thank you, Wimee.

I appreciate it.

>> Yay!

Thank you.

>> Doo doo, doo doo I feel happy [ Laughs ] >> Have you ever thought about how perfume is made?

My friend Atticus has, and he suggested we make perfume on the show.

I knew flowers were often involved in creating perfume, so I decided it was a great idea to learn more about it.

It's not as complicated as you might suspect.

So, we have different kinds of dried flowers.

So, I mean, these are just examples because you can get all sorts of different ones.

There's lemon, there's peach blossom, there's peony, there's lavender.

Then we also have essential oils.

So, you can go online, and you can pick out your different essential oils.

And then those are floral.

Those are ones that are just floral.

And then we have 99 proof isopropyl alcohol which is also called perfumers.

Yep.

That's exactly what that is.

And then we have... >> Jojoba oil.

>> Jojoba oil, which is perfect.

So we need those things to go in to the perfume.

Correct?

>> Yes, correct.

>> Okay.

So, what do we need to do first?

>> So, we take the alcohol.

Then you put the two flowers that you need to for the base scent.

>> Okay.

>> But I think we should do this first because this is going to take 24 hours to do.

>> Okay.

Got it.

>> Have to soak that in... >> Okay.

>> ...for 24 hours.

So we're going to use white tea.

>> Okay.

>> Lotus.

And vanilla.

>> Why did you pick those?

>> Sort of a sweet smell, Japanese-like, because I'm gonna make a Japanese perfume.

>> Okay.

>> So I'm using jasmine for one of the main scents, and I'm also using Phnom rose.

>> Okay.

Perfect.

So, we need some alcohol in here first?

Is that what we need?

Okay.

So I have a -- I have a funnel.

>> Perfect.

Okay.

>> I want the primary one to be probably the lotus.

>> Okay.

And so we're going to add -- we're going to add more of that -- right?

-- than we would... >> Yes.

>> Okay.

>> Gonna make the white tea like a middle note, maybe.

>> Okay, so not as much of the white tea then, correct?

>> Yeah.

We only need to add a little bit of vanilla.

>> Okay.

>> I'm gonna wash that down so we get all the essential oil with some isopropyl alcohol.

>> Okay.

Do we need any oil in there?

Any jojoba oil?

>> That's for, like, a carrier oil.

>> Which these already have been done.

Correct?

>> We've already done that.

But if we were making our own oil, then we would use the jojoba oil.

>> Okay.

I want you to spray some on this for us, okay?

>> And to mix it up.

>> Okay.

Oh, there we go.

Okay.

Smell that.

>> It smells pretty good.

>> I know.

You did a great job.

I like it.

Hey, thank you for coming and showing this, how to do this.

I really appreciate it.

Also, you know, I have a tradition here.

So, I make flower crowns, but I also made an ivy crown for you.

So it looks like that.

You like it?

>> Yeah.

>> Cool.

Well, thanks for coming.

>> You're welcome.

>> Fist bump?

Thanks.

Poppies are herbaceous plants, often grown for their colorful flowers.

The flower color of poppy species include white, pink, yellow, orange, red, and blue.

Before blooming, the petals are crumpled in the bud, and as blooming finishes, the petals often lie flat before falling away.

Poppies have long been used as a symbol of sleep and peace.

Sleep, because the opium extracted from them is a sedative.

Poppies used as emblems on tombstones symbolize eternal sleep.

This symbolism was evoked in L. Frank Baum's 1900 children's novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," in which a magical poppy field threatened to make the protagonist sleep forever.

One interpretation of poppies in classical mythology is that the bright scarlet color signifies a promise of resurrection after death.

I'm happy to have a dear family friend, Bretagne Whitford, with us today, as well as her sweet and inquisitive kids to share my love of flowers with a younger generation.

Presently, I am joined by June, age 6, along with mom Bretagne.

Bretagne is deaf and an accomplished communicator in both ASL and English.

Bretagne is an associate professor of sign language studies at Madonna University.

While all of Bretagne's children are hearing, June has an undeniable gift to communicate in American Sign Language, as well.

By the way, kudos to husband and father Jesse for joining us behind the scenes today, as well.

I had previously asked June what she might like to make with flowers.

We discussed all kinds of creative ideas, but what was most appealing to June was to create a kitty from flowers.

We are going to start with this color.

Because this is the -- this is the points that you want to make.

So what are we going to do is, we're going to cut these off.

Okay?

This is where his eyes are going to be.

>> Mm?

>> I know, right?

So we're going to put two in where the eyes are going to be.

And I'm pushing those all the way in so they're back there a little bit further.

Then, I'm going to put the nose.

And you know what?

I want a little longer one.

There we go.

Okay?

So, see how the nose sits off further than the eyes?

So it gives it a little more shape.

Okay?

Then this is going to be the chin.

And this is going to be the start of the cheek.

The body is going to be this color.

So when we work on the ears up here... we're going to go here... to make the ears.

And so what I'm doing is, see how I make the shape of the ear?

Like that?

And then we're going to fill in in there with purple ones.

All right.

So, I'm going to start filling this in.

We are going to make a bow.

I have pipe cleaners for whiskers.

So, we have a kitty out of flowers.

So, I know "flower."

What about "crown"?

Crown?

So, flower crown.

One for you.

And one for your mom.

How about that?

>> It's cold.

>> It is cold.

It was in the fridge.

Here.

Can I help you put it on?

Okay, here we go.

Oh, that -- Oh, hang on.

Does it fit your head?

There you go.

You guys look great!

Thank you.

Thank -- thank you?

Thank -- thank you.

Thank you very much.

How would I do "very much"?

Okay.

Thank you very much for coming.

Thank you very much for coming and doing this with me.

I love it.

I've invited my young friend Hendrik to the show, and we wanted to do a project related to flowers.

Bugs and flowers are undeniably intertwined together in nature.

So I asked Hendrik to help me create snacks that look like bugs.

So we can fill up bags.

I just used a bag.

A plastic bag.

And I'm going to do this so that we could... >> Squish.

>> ...squish it into our celery.

And then do you want to decorate?

>> Mm-hmm.

>> One grape.

There you go.

Cream cheese.

One of the tricks to this is taking the back side of this and cutting off a little piece so that it sits flat, which I didn't do.

This is going to be his brace.

How about that?

There we go.

Should we do one with wings?

>> Yeah, let's do a butterfly.

>> A butterfly?

Okay.

We could put a flower on for a head.

>> Yeah, let's do that.

>> Okay.

So, I know you grow sunflowers, right?

That are huge, that are like taller than your house.

>> Yeah.

>> So I was inspired.

I thought, "I should make an arrangement for Hendrik."

>> We're gonna make a sunflower.

>> Uh-huh.

Okay.

I have one that's not quite open yet.

All right?

So, we're gonna put that one in first.

>> Oh, it's filled with water.

>> Here's the other thing about these is, if you cut them at an angle like this... they slide into the vase better, and they don't spin around.

I'm going to put one more over here like that.

Okay?

And I'm going to put one more at the bottom, down here.

This is my favorite.

It's called foxtail fern.

So that's kind of like your garden, sort of, right?

And so we can set that over by our -- by our bugs.

>> [ Chuckles ] >> So, when people come to visit me, I usually make flower crowns.

But today, I made for you an ivy crown.

Kind of like the Greek warriors.

So then you can put it on your head like that.

You like it?

Looks good, right?

Thanks for coming.

I appreciate it very much.

And now it's time for my favorite part of the show -- "Flowers From You," the viewers.

Today, I have an adorable flower puppy to share from viewer Moon Trask.

Moon writes, "Been a fan of yours since seeing you on P. Allen Smith's show.

After seeing your segment on fun floral arrangements, I decided to try it myself.

I've worked in wholesale flowers and directly with growers.

I feel I share your thoughts and sentiments in regards to flowers.

They always brighten someone's day, inspire someone's thoughts or can become beautiful art like Georgia O'Keeffe or Monet."

Her flower puppy is so cute.

I just love flower animals.

Thanks for sharing, Moon.

Please send me your pictures of flower arrangements inspired by "Life in Bloom."

We call them Schwankes, inspired by viewers Brad and Kelly's nickname.

Send them to [email protected].

That's the letter J at the letter U bloom.com.

And watch for more Schwankes on upcoming shows.

I hope you've enjoyed our show on flowers and kids and are inspired to enjoy flowers with the kids in your life.

Communicating and cultivating a love of flowers, especially with young people, will yield rewards for everyone in the future.

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

What was the kitty's name?

>> Was the kitty's name?

Will you choose the name?

>> Bowie.

>> We can make a song.

>> We could.

No, but, yeah.

Later.

>> Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

>> Okay.

Okay.

Bowie The kitten Was hopping through the fields Hop, hop, hop, hop Bowie Will you sing that part with me?

Bowie Was hopping through the flowers Out came a bug Out came a bug Oh, no!

>> Oh, no!

>> Pshh!

[ Sighs ] "That smells beautiful," and the bug and the kitty -- I guess I'm going back to the story.

The kitty and the bug, and all of us and Bowie just enjoyed the sunny day.

>> It was perfect.

Bowie That's my favorite part.

>> I know.

"Bowie" is really the favorite part.

June will like that, too.

She will like that.

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

>> Visit J's website, ubloom.com, for flower projects and crafts, complete recipes, behind-the-scenes videos, J's blog, flower cocktails, and more.

"J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" is brought to you by the following.

>> That flower feeling.

At home.

At work.

Or anytime.

CalFlowers is a proud sponsor of "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom," where flowers and wellness go hand in hand.

>> We have fresh in all our stores, from soups and steaks and all things flour to all things flowering.

Custom fresh arrangements designed by our in-store florists at Albertsons Companies.

>> With additional support from the following... Closed caption funding provided by Holland America Flowers.