So Much To Be Thankful For

  

Wow, what a year…and what an amazing 60 years we’ve had.  From Al’s Fruit Stand to Al’s Garden Centers over the last 60 years, and yes, I’ve seen them all; there have been so many amazing changes.  As I look back I can only see all the things I’m thankful for.  There have been many challenges over the years, like the development of I-5 back in the 1960s.  What was great for the state of Oregon almost put an end to our original Al’s Fruit Stand off of 99E.  Each year tourists would purchase over 11 tons of walnuts from us.  These tourists were now traveling down I-5 miles away from our stand.  It’s during these times of strife, and there’s been a few, that we’ve had our greatest ideas that have lead us to our greatest successes.  It was at this time; over 40 years ago we decided to incorporate plant material to cater more to our local market and to the community.  This “strife” and the response we received from our community transformed us into the garden center we are today.   

 

Times of challenge make us look hard at ourselves.  And as we look deep within, historically we realize that we are part of a community, and that community is important to us.  We realize the blessings in our lives, like the gift of having loved ones around us and the opportunity the holidays bring to us to spend time with them. 

These moments are some of the best times for us to stop and give thanks.  So at this time I want thank God for the challenges he has sent to make us better; and on behalf of my entire family, the Purple People and my beautiful wife Deanna, from the bottom of my heart I want to thank the communities we belong to for supporting our garden centers.  We hope you’ve enjoyed this first year of Al’s Bloom magazine.  I know we’ve enjoyed having the opportunity to share with you what inspires us in our gardens, homes and lives.  In this Holiday issue of Al’s Bloom and online I think you’ll find more of these inspirations.  We’ve written stories in this issue we hope you’ll share with your whole family this season.

 

Did you know that we started growing this year’s poinsettias back in June?  It’s a labor of love for sure.  Learn how one small cutting named Red, grows into the quality poinsettia Al’s is known for in A Poinsettia’s Story.

 

I’ve recently added a bird feeder to my garden.  I swear I have every bird in the neighborhood for dinner at my house.  If you are interested in making your home an aerial destination, our Woodburn Store Manager, Todd Randall shares tips on plants and products in Feeding our Feathered Friends. 

 

The holidays can be a stressful time.  One of the biggest stresses is setting the Christmas tree up.  My son Mark offers some valuable suggestions on keeping peace in your home by taking the headache out of Christmas tree care.

 

Next to the appearance of Mrs. Santa Claus at Al’s, our most exciting annual event is the arrival of the Ice Apples.  You’ll never taste anything sweeter, and technically they are healthy food! You can pass them off to your kids as candy.  I just love the taste and aroma of cinnamon when you make a few into apple sauce. [Here's easy Ice Apple Sauce Recipe.] So how did these sweet apples get their name?  Snuggle up next to a child and read to them the Legend of the Ice Apples.

 

As we close our 60th Anniversary year I want to wish you and your families safe and happy holidays, and a very Merry Christmas!