When skies darken, then begin to drip, we like to begin exploring unusual shops and locations. Steeling away for a cup of tea, or sneaking into a bookshop always brings out the local colors of the towns we visit. When it is cold and grey, people tend to open up….at least there is the weather to talk about.

We have a favorite place that make us feel warm and special, even when the weather is at its nastiest. Herban Bloom is one- year-old this winter and has done wonders to serve the community of Vashon Island with color, fragrance and sparkle. Every time we go into the little shop, it has changed with more fun objects, brightly colored flowers, arrangements, and fragrances of the seasons. Bundles of flowers fill the containers outside and the big glass garage-styled door beckons us to enter another world.

We happened to be there on a Saturday afternoon, before the big Homecoming Dance that evening. Boys were coming in to pick up corsages for their dates. I had to smile, remembering how exciting that time was. Then, to my surprise, before the embarrassed boy could leave with his flowers, he had to listen to the advice being given by the sales folks….”now remember, with these flowers, you are agreeing to open doors for your date, car doors, room doors all of them. Never walk ahead or behind her, just stay alongside. And look at her face when you talk with her. Say nice things to her, she will like that”. Sage advice!

Christmas time was special with lots of glitz and little items that could adorn the tops of packages or slide into stockings. They were well equipped with candles and holders, tall trees decorated with silver and forest creatures. There was so much sparkle to look at….a treasure for sure.