Flowers

"Blue Valentine" is a film about a couple on the verge of a meltdown, with emotions as raw as the sexuality. The strength of this bittersweet story lies in the care and passion with which it's told. Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling give all-stops-out performances that feel so real, you forget they're acting. It's puzzling that only Williams was given an Oscar nomination. The film opens with the pair going through the motions of a marriage, and you can feel a long-building tension between them.

"Dahlias are back in fashion," said the magazine title. The topic of garden fashion may not be high on your conscious agenda, but I'll bet you subscribe to more gardening trends than you may be aware of. Fifteen years ago, hydrangeas were only seen in grandma's or, maybe even, great-grandma's garden. Calla's were about as hip as knitting. Then, over the past 10 years, both of these seemed to spout up all over the neighborhood. Dahlias seem to be one of the next big plant trends.

Rosemary Ruth (Looschen) Cox died February 6 of pneumonia at her home in Costa Mesa.   She was born April 6, 1928 to Margaret (Murphy) and Paul Looschen.   She was the youngest of 3 children and was raised with her two older brothers, Mark and Paul, in Nebraska until she turned eighteen.   After she graduated from high school, she bravely took the train to Los Angeles to go to college and see the world beyond Nebraska.   She met Paul Cox at L.A. City College who she married in 1948.

With Valentine's Day on a Monday this year, many couples are making more creative plans to celebrate. Restaurants are offering weekend-long deals, and many are offering special incentives like gift cards for Feb. 14 diners to entice people to dine out on a Monday. To get an idea of availability, visit opentable.com and peruse the offerings. Here are some of our favorite options, ranging from the traditional to the eccentric. Slow hands Spa Gregorie's is offering the chance to develop your massage technique repertoire for $15 per couple.

Chances are, as you read this, your living room is strewn with wrapping paper and holiday greeting cards. Gadgets are being plugged in, instruction sheets are being deciphered and calories are being consumed. The daily paper is soon to be dissected, a preamble to tomorrow's post-holiday sales and savings. Christmas Day celebrations have a lot to do with relationships, sharing, gratitude and peace. Families come together, friends call each other, children are at their happiest and collectively, we all show our appreciation and love for each other.

Dearly loved mother, grandmother and friend peacefully entered eternal life on November 18 th , 2010. Eloise is preceded in death by her loving husband, Bob, who was at her side for 55 years. She is survived by her daughters, Barbara Margetich, Joan Therrien, Teresa Manni and her son, Bruce Haubrick; son-in-laws Jim Margetich, John Therrien and Art Manni; grandchildren Joseph Margetich, Julie Margetich; Lance Haubrick, Leslie Haubrick; Jeff Therrien; Derrick Manni, Matthew Manni, Melissa Manni; great-granddaughter, Caitlin.

The weeds behind my apartment had been unruly for a long time. Every time I walked by I would think, "I've got to pull those weeds. " The pathway between my apartment and the one next door was embarrassing. It's not that I didn't want to clean it up. It was that I was afraid of the bees. For about a year, we had told our landlord about a swarm that has made a hive in the stucco wall above the weeds. Every morning I heard them buzzing outside my bathroom window, and every afternoon I walked by the weeds.

If you've been huddling up inside the house and avoiding the raindrops and puddles, the coming days offer a chance to get outside for some fresh air. Three exciting once-a-year events are on tap. Flowers, homes and gardens are the theme. American Rose Society Show The Orange County Rose Society, and affiliate of The American Rose Society, is hosting their annual rose show Saturday and Sunday at Roger's Gardens, 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road., Corona del Mar. This year's theme is "Bounty of Roses.

Sam Simonoff, 83, of Newport Coast, passed away Sept. 24, 2010. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Oct. 1 at Pacific View Memorial Park, Corona del Mar. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Sam’s name to Hoag Hospital Foundation ( www.hoaghospitalfoundation.org ). He will always be in our hearts.    

  In about an hour I am visiting a friend's garden in Newport Beach. I've never seen his garden, but after knowing him for a few years I certainly have a picture in my head of what I think it will be like. My friend is a landscape water conservation expert, one of the best in the West actually, and he invited me over to sit down for a few minutes and brainstorm some ways the city might encourage its residents toward even greater water conservation practices. But, he also invited me over simply to see his garden.