Gallatin, TN May 2023

To the Women Who Make an Impact and Inspire Change

While it’s always important to shop local and support our area businesses, this month is the perfect time to patronize and prioritize businesses owned by women in our community as well! That’s one of my favorite parts of what I get to do as Publisher of Gallatin Lifestyle, connecting with and championing the best-of-the-best when it comes to Gallatin’s women and cheering them on in their success and we have so many of those among us!

Our local women are movers and shakers, builders and makers. They are both seen and unseen. Their silent service blesses those who are under their care and their attention to detail shows us something about beauty that can’t be seen or understood any other way.

The women who we spotlight in this issue are the unsung heroes who work tirelessly to improve the lives of others, often without any recognition or fanfare. They may be volunteering at a local non-profit, hosting events to raise awareness or teaching others the beauty of our community. Despite their invaluable contributions, these women often fly under the radar with their efforts going unnoticed by those around them. Nevertheless and without seeking recognition, they continue to make a significant impact, proving that true change can be brought about by the selfless actions of everyday individuals!

As Mother’s Day nears, all eyes are on moms and rightfully so. Likewise, it’s not just the biological mothers in our lives but the mother figures as well who have made an indelible impact on us, too. It’s the family members, teachers, friends and neighbors doing awesome things in our communities, pouring themselves into our lives and making themselves unforgettable and irreplaceable.

This month, take a few extra minutes to send a text, make a phone call or get your kids on a video call with the women in your life who deserve recognition. It only takes a minute to brighten someone’s day and remind them how much you love them. Women continue to mold and shape us and we are blessed for the moms and other role models in our lives today and every day.

May 2023

PUBLISHER

Nicole Bell | nicole.bell@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Scott Bell | scott.bell@citylifestyle.com

PHOTO EDITOR

Stacey Norman | stacey@plumpoppyphotography.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Patti Gordon, Jessica Cheek, Rachel Brown, Laura Rodriguez

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Laura Rodriguez, Lyndsey Sayles Photography, Payton Wright Photography

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Rachel Collins

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard

NICOLE BELL, PUBLISHER @GALLATINLIFESTYLE

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

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1: Dr. Ezell, wife Jamie and Smile Connections Family Dental at the Gallatin Shamrock Run 2: The O'Brien Agency providing recovery fuel for the runners at the Gallatin Shamrock Run 3: Gallatin Young Professionals group first quarterly Gallatin service project at Gallatin Child Care Center 4: Percentage Day for Friends of Gallatin Miracle Park at Cinnaholic 5: Boy Scout Troop #425 cleaning litter from Town Creek as part of Gallatin's Adopt-A-Stream Program 6: Totally Tubular! '80's themed colon cancer awareness event at Prince Street Pizza 7: Meet The Artist Brunch at Artisan Hatchery in Downtown Gallatin

JAMIE EZELL

NICOLE BELL

NICOLE BELL

NICOLE BELL

GALLATIN CITY GOVERNMENT

ARTISAN HATCHERY

SUMNER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

Enjoy

Sumner County Museum Award of Excellence

Get

in

e

GALLATIN WOMEN LEAD THE WAY

ARTICLE BY NICOLE BELL

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAYTON WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

SPREADING LOVE, POSITIVITY AND INSPIRATION FROM THESE LOCAL FEMALE LEADERS

Co-owner and COO of Honey + Suede Boutique

WHAT DO YOU LOVE THE MOST ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY?

How kind and supportive our community is! We have truly experienced the graciousness of our community through their love and support of our little boutique; they support and encourage us in ways that I don’t know that they will EVER know. We really do consider our H+S community as family and we pray they leave our store feeling the same!

WHAT INSPIRES YOU THE MOST?

When someone comes into our store and leaves feeling better than when they arrived. My heart’s desire is for women to feel their most confident! I love to help style people; sometimes, people just need to be inspired to see an article of their clothing in a different way.

HOW DO YOU SPREAD POSITIVITY AND LOVE?

My mission statement for my life is, “I strive to see the unseen beauty in people and spaces and to be a light to help shine that beauty into the world.”  So, that’s how I live my life. I may fail at times, but I do try hard to live this mission out!

Kelly Mills

Kaneisha Dotson CEO of KB Popcorn

WHAT DO YOU LOVE THE MOST ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY?

It feels like a Hallmark movie that I am in! I’m a native of Gallatin and although the city is growing/changing, it’s still home. The local baristas know my order, boutiques know my style and public servants are part of my family. In this movie sometimes I’m the star of the show, sometimes just a supporting character and other times I work behind the scenes!

HOW DO YOU SPREAD POSITIVITY AND LOVE?

Our business donates time, money and popcorn to lots of community events and fundraisers. I also co-host an Annual Juneteenth CommUNITY event to promote unity and love. The event raises scholarship money for current seniors in Gallatin!

WHAT’S A FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF?

I love EVERYTHING about Christmas! It takes weeks to get my house ready for one day and touching my decor, once finished, is a federal offense! I currently have three trees that I decorate and I dream of having a tree in every room.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE THE MOST ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY?

I love the diversity, inclusion and appreciation for all people, no matter the backgrounds or beliefs of all in our area. Our area is so diverse and seeing everyone come together in different ways is a joy.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU THE MOST?

Seeing people who face serious adversity, seeing how they persevere through and overcome obstacles and adversity with success inspires me to keep going when faced with obstacles of my own; celebrating those victories for others is amazing.

HOW DO YOU SPREAD POSITIVITY AND LOVE?

I love volunteering and learning more about different people. Whether it’s serving on the local Family Support Council through my job at HATS, volunteering at the local Night to Shine annual prom, or hosting all-inclusive events for families through the Friends of Gallatin Miracle Park, I love to be involved and give back. It’s truly a beautiful thing to see people come together and have nothing but pure joy and love in their hearts wrapped with acceptance for one another.

WHAT’S A FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF?

My husband and I love to go kayaking and spend most of the warm weather season out on the local waterways!

Karen West

Habilitation and Training Services (HATS)

Rainbow Early Intervention Services

Co-Founder & President, Friends of Gallatin Miracle Park

“It’s a beautiful thing to see people come together and have nothing but pure joy and love in their hearts.”

Tabithia Graves

Special Education Teacher, Gallatin High School

WHAT DO YOU LOVE THE MOST ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY?

Acceptance. As a special education teacher, I am always striving to get our students in the community to experience all things Gallatin. Our community has been very accepting of my needs and wants, but more importantly of our students! Without the partnerships that we form with our community, our students would not be able to access those skills. So, for that I am grateful!

WHAT INSPIRES YOU THE MOST?

My most important gift is those that I leave behind in this world, including my own children (Alex, Chloie, and Kendra) and the students I teach.  Scripture says, “and as for your little ones, …and your children who today have no knowledge of good or evil, they shall go in there; and to them I will give it and they shall possess it” (Deuteronomy 1:39). What inspires me the most, is that I live like the Lord and love my neighbor, so I may be reunited with my own girls and I will be able to see my students in the perfect form.

HOW DO YOU SPREAD LOVE AND POSITIVITY?

One of my greatest passions is speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves. I also have the honor of being able to spend a couple of nights a week with individuals who have disabilities and take them for food or for something fun to do. My motto is I need to be who I needed when I was young!

WHAT’S A FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF?

My husband and I met through a sporting event at Gallatin High School. When we got engaged, we took our picture on the Gallatin field and on our fifth wedding anniversary, we had a wedding ceremony on the Gallatin football field (the first in its history)!

Jenna Maddox

WHAT DO YOU LOVE THE MOST ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY?

How everyone is so welcoming! I love the hometown feel while also having an endless number of fun things to do. I am so gracious to be a part of this city. Watching people literally of all ages having a blast year-round in our Gallatin parks makes me love what I do.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU THE MOST?

My favorite part of my job is being able to showcase the incredible resources and experiences Gallatin residents have access to right here in town. My number one goal is to help increase the quality of life for Gallatin community members whether that’s through fun events or showing off our department’s incredible amenities!

Desneige VanCleve

Marketing and Events Director, City of Gallatin Parks and Recreation Department Founder and CEO, Grace Place Ministry

WHAT DO YOU LOVE THE MOST ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY?

I love the people; we have a community full of givers and that is very special. Since I lead a non-profit that relies solely on the generosity of peoples’ time and resources, I get an up close and personal perspective on just how generous our people are. We also have awesome restaurants, beautiful parks, a strong faith community and excellent schools.

HOW DO YOU SPREAD LOVE AND POSITIVITY?

I think the best way to spread positivity and love back into a community is by taking full ownership of the opportunities and challenges a community is faced with and working to make sure that all of our community members have access to those opportunities and support through those challenges.

WHAT’S A FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF?

I have seen every episode of The Office and Parks & Recreation an embarrassingly number of times. I was also at Game 5 in Miami when Lebron James won his first NBA championship.

Beyond Skin-Deep: Investing in a Glowing Future

ARTICLE BY PATTI GORDON

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAYTON WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

ASPIRE AESTHETICS OWNER, STEPHANIE MITCHELL, SHARES THE DISCOVERY AND SECRETS OF HEALTHY SKIN

Instagram filters are impressive, but great skin is better.

We’ve all seen the trendy skincare treatments and en vogue regimens on social media. Flawless skin, an amazing routine for self care, and more specifically, skincare, has quickly become a great indication of overall health and well-being as we lean more into wellness. But, as you are taking inventory of your own results and routines, if the only way you are achieving smooth and glowing skin is by applying a filter on social media, then perhaps finding a way to gain your confidence back when the filters are off is with a customized, tailored approach for your own, personalized routine.

Stephanie Mitchell, as a Nurse Practitioner, took her skills of self-discipline, hard work, team edification and determined dedication that she acquired through years of her own education and various life experiences, and tunneled it directly into her business when she opened Aspire Aesthetics in early 2022. She opened Aspire with the goal of building a skincare business that was entirely based on scientifically-proven and clinically-researched products, health-defining treatments and providing top-notch client care.

Just as we invest in other areas of our healthcare and our lives, our skin wellness is no exception. Aspire Aesthetics welcomes anyone who is ready to invest in their skin’s health and takes pride in meeting you at whatever step you are at in your skincare journey. While their list of services is geared toward anti-aging and skin correction, all clinical method treatments are heavily researched and trusted and

Photography by Jacquelin Brooks

include: cosmetic injectables, biostimulants, advanced collagen stimulation technology, medical grade facials, customized medical grade home care regimens, as well as top of the market laser technologies.

Stephanie’s extensive background in nursing has helped her set the bar high on what she desires for her client care. Beginning with a consultation, her top goal is collaborating with clients on what would be best for their skin, their routine and their budget.

“Clients are spending money to take care of their skin and I want to be able to provide my knowledge and support to make sure that their outcome is achievable and safe,” Stephanie says.

Post-consultation is all about keeping up with a consistent and manageable routine, in the clinical setting and at home, which is key to achieving realistic skin expectations. But, what’s the difference between clinical treatments with a home component versus other DIY at-home treatments on your own? Stephanie says, “There’s an uptick in aesthetics and that’s great; but, the beauty product field is not as regulated. This is where I hold the standard to make sure to not sacrifice quality, safety or patient outcomes with trendy or non-researched treatments.”

Stephanie knows that Aspire certainly has established itself as a recognized name in our area and attributes that to the way they operate differently. “My motivation lies in the ability to make a difference. My desire when creating Aspire was simple and in part, it was how Aspire got its name. We aspired to be the best because our patients deserve the best. When Aspire was created it was created with the desire that we wouldn’t settle because that meant our patients would have to settle.”

Not having to settle means having an array of services available for any

journey, need and budget, including laser and broadband light treatment (BBL). Aspire Aesthetics also carries the product line of Alumier MD, a professionally-dispensed, medical-grade skincare brand certified as a Clean Science line. Alumier MD, and likewise Aspire Aesthetics, pledges and promotes clean products and clean sciences for healthier skin and a better environment.

“We are here in the community to create long-lasting connections and beautiful skin.”

Photography by Jacquelin Brooks

Great skin and a healthy lifestyle are both a sprint and a marathon and Aspire readily embraces helping patients understand how to achieve success at both speeds simultaneously. “We have been blessed to be operating in the community for a year now and I believe our roots are already deep. The community deserves medical providers who are honest, trustworthy and dependable and we strive every day to be exactly that. We are here in the community to create long-lasting connections and beautiful skin!”

from the expert's corner

The sun can be our biggest adversary when it comes to our skin. Protecting yourself with a quality sunscreen is paramount. Other lifestyle habits such as smoking, stress, poor diets or a sedentary lifestyle also damage our skin and inhibits its healing processes. Aging is multi-faceted and every individual needs their own specific regimen, tailored to their specific skin type, environment, lifestyle and needs. While there is no one size fits all solution, there are a number of specialized options for glowing, healthy and beautiful skin. Bottom line: when skin is healthy, it looks younger!

Having those in our healthcare and wellness community carry the love and passion forward is truly a beautiful thing and Aspire Aesthetics continues to be the light to others in doing so. While the glam of social media filters can offer a quick photo fix, having healthy, glowing skin continues to be the window into our total well-being for happier, healthier living.

Aspireaestheticstn.com, @aspireaesthetics_tn

Photography by Jacquelin Brooks

Elizabeth Hobdy Jones shares what it means to be a leader, mother, business owner and friend

FORGING A PATH WITH A SERVANT’S HEART

ARTICLE BY SCOTT BELL PHOTOGRAPHY BY LYNDSEY SAYLES PHOTOGRAPHY

Gallatin is full of amazing women leaders among us. One of those, Elizabeth Hobdy Jones, fits that billing to perfection as a Gallatin wife, mother, business owner and insurance extraordinaire. Elizabeth, local owner of Farmers Insurance in Gallatin, is well-rooted in Sumner County, having come from multiple generations of Sumner County residents.

Decades ago, her great-grandparents were also area business owners and respected leaders in our community. Her mother was a part of the first graduating class at the local high school and years later, Elizabeth danced as a Wavette and graduated as the president of her senior class at Gallatin High School, herself. Needless to say, her roots run deep in Sumner County and she is as proud as anyone of what that means!

Interestingly, Elizabeth wound up in insurance through unconventional means. Early on, she experienced multiple roadblocks in the business world. However, Elizabeth being the resilient woman that she was, did not let those obstacles become defining hindrances.

Instead, she chose to view those obstacles as a part of God’s master plan for her life, leading her straight into the opportunity of a lifetime: starting her own business and creating a community-focused insurance agency organically from scratch at the age of 21.

Elizabeth truly has a servant’s heart and she knows she has been called to be in this place at this time to make a difference in the lives of many. She thrives in her daily roles and responsibilities as she cultivates authentic relationships with people on a daily basis. She and her team of nine enjoy helping people and serving their families in their greatest times of need.

Elizabeth’s agency sets itself apart by working all of their customers’ claims in-house, avoiding the dreaded 1-800-number transfer. They take their time working through routine and specialized needs and events and Elizabeth even has her dad helping out in the office (even having retired several years ago), making this a true Gallatin family business!

CONTINUED >

Dedication to her craft and realizing that her customers are her biggest asset have led Elizabeth to some amazing notoriety in the industry. As a member of the Presidents Council, she has achieved this most elite distinction for the third time in her career, given only to the top 1% of agents nationwide, putting her in the top tier of more than 11,000 Farmers agents and managers. In addition to this prestigious distinction, she has also been named Tennessee Agent of the Year three years in a row and running, a direct reflection of her passion and dedication to service.

With so much local success in Gallatin, Elizabeth has recently opened a second location in Murfreesboro, as well. As she puts it, when you take care of people and make your business about them, you want to expand how you can continue to help those in our area.

Outside of the office, Elizabeth continues to serve our community in other roles. She is very active in the Gallatin Rotary Club and is involved in the Gallatin Chamber of Commerce. She adores her home church, Renovation Church here in Gallatin, where she assists with the children’s ministry and even leads worship services. She and her husband Brad have been together for 15 years and they now have a beautiful family, raising two sons and a daughter. Together, they enjoy attending church, being active in community events and frequenting new local restaurants. Elizabeth, in particular, loves sipping on a good cup of hot tea as she dreams up ideas for her agency and new ways to serve both her customers and her community.

Gallatin is full of amazing women and stories and Elizabeth’s contributions to our community are exactly what makes our area truly shine! @yourfarmersagent615

ARTICLE BY RACHEL BROWN |

FLOWER POWER

Putting together the perfect floral arrangement at home with Rachel Brown & Black Tie Floral

Instructions:

1/

Select flower colors that complement each other or choose all the same colors in a palette. Prepare the flowers by cutting about 1-inch from each stem, place in fresh water and allow them to hydrate for at least an hour before beginning your bouquet design; this helps to extend the life of the flower. The fresher the flowers, the longer your bouquet will last!

2/

Having greenery in a bouquet adds beauty to the arrangement and functions as a base to help hold the flowers physically in place. Simple clippings from your shrubbery or local trees can make a beautiful base of greens, or

you can purchase greenery from your local florist. The amount of greenery needed for the base of the flower arrangement depends on the size of the opening of your container or vase. Greenery that drapes over the edge of the container adds beauty and elegance to the design!

3/

An easy style for DIY/beginners is the "triangle.”  Imagine fitting the floral arrangement into a triangle that has a point at the top. Use three longer flowers to make the triangle then fill in the design with other flowers you have selected. Use larger-sized blooms toward the bottom of the design then smaller blooms toward the top!

Meet the Maker: Rachel Brown, owner of Black Tie Floral Design and Events, Gallatin's premier, full-service, family-owned and operated, local florist for events, delivery, special occasions or just because.

HOME,

I’ve

the perfect summer pasta salad

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHEF LAURA RODRIGUEZ

grilled mediterranean pasta salad

serves 8 ingredients

• 12 oz. brown rice pasta

• 6 organic chicken tenderloins

• 1/2 large yellow squash, sliced into 1/2" planks

• 1/2 organic orange bell pepper

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1 cup quartered artichokes

• 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives

• 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion

• 1/4 cup crumbled vegan feta cheese

• 1/4 cup freshly chopped basil

• 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar

• Extra virgin olive oil to taste (about 1/4 cup)

• Sea salt and black pepper to taste directions

1. Boil pasta according to package instructions then strain. Rinse thoroughly under cold running water until completely cooled. Let strain then place in a large mixing bowl.

2. Grill chicken, mix squash and bell peppers with salt and pepper then chop into bite-sized pieces and let cool.

Memorial Day must-have: an easy and colorful pasta salad recipe

Home-cooked food is always the goal! Use whichever ingredients you can find and enjoy this refreshing dish all summer long. Originally created for autoimmune warriors and others fighting inflammation-related illnesses, this yummy pasta salad will also benefit anyone looking to eat cleaner and healthier and can be a summer picnic delight!

3. Add cooled vegetables and remaining ingredients to the bowl with pasta and season to taste with olive oil, salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning then serve with your favorite beverage.

MAY 2023

20% Off

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

MAY 6TH

The Run for Rose MontKentucky Derby Party

HISTORIC ROSE MONT | 4:00 PM

Join us on Saturday from 4 - 7 p.m. at Historic Rose Mont for an afternoon of Derby fun! Don your best, brightest and biggest derby hat and head to the garden for mint juleps, live music, hors d'oeuvres and all sorts of fun - we hear there's even a live auction in store. Tickets are required.

MAY 6TH

Black Tie Floral Basket of Blooms for Mom

GALLATIN LIFESTYLE OFFICE, 129 S. WATER AVE, GALLATIN | 10:00 AM

Calling all dads and kids! Celebrate mom and create a beautiful floral bouquet for Mother's Day (or just because!) at this DIY workshop with Black Tie Floral Design & Events. Light refreshments will be served. Register by calling Black Tie Floral at 615-461-7701. Cost is $20 per child.

MAY 11TH

Tennessee Mental Wellness

Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

TENNESSEE MENTAL WELLNESS, 1185 NASHVILLE PIKE | 11:00 AM

Join us as we celebrate the official grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of our new location in Gallatin! We are excited to share our new space with the community and be a place where all people can feel safe, comfortable and supported as they change their lives.

Delivery Blinds began its journey 15 years ago offering a full line of Motorized & Custom Window Treatments. We work with home improvement retailers across middle Tennessee and lower Kentucky while providing blinds for numerous commercial and residential housing developments. This includes everything from chain restaurants, to downtown hotspots, to construction projects. We offer a wide selection of products and styles of blinds, shades, and shutters. Motorized

Treatment options are

MAY 12TH & 13TH

82nd Annual Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival

DOWNTOWN PORTLAND

5:00 PM

Come for the strawberries and stay for the entertainment, vendors, food, kids activities, carnival, magic shows, parade, 5K and more! Friday night, May 12th enjoy the Strawberry Jam Concert and fireworks display from 5:00 p.m. - 10 p.m.

MAY 13TH

On Target Shooting Sports Open

House

4803 OLD HICKORY BLVD, HERMITAGE | 9:00 AM

Come and celebrate On Target Shooting Sports' newest location in Hermitage! We'll have food trucks, vendors, giveaways, shooting con tests and more!

MAY 13TH

Flare Free Picnic Dinner With Chef Laura Rodriguez

MULBERRY RIDGE FARM, PORTLAND TN | 5:00 PM

Join Chef Laura Rodriguez at Mul berry Ridge Farm from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. for a Flare Free Picnic Dinner. Enjoy live music, a mini photo shoot, outdoor fun and delicious food. Mulberry Ridge Farm is locat ed at 132 T G T Rd, Portland TN. RSVP at www.cheflaurarodriguez.com

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Gallatin

Memorable ways to celebrate the mother figure in your life

Make an Impact for Mom

The moms and the mother figures in our lives mean everything to us. They deserve the best every day, of course. But at least one day out of the year, we get to shower them with the same love and thoughtfulness they give to us so selflessly.

This year, we hope you’ll consider some memorable ways to make lasting memories with the mom or mother figure in your life. If you haven’t already planned something special, take a look at our list of ideas and circle your favorites. If you have kids, let them join in the fun too!

Whether you decide to spend a day at home or enjoy a day on the town, these innovative celebration ideas will include fun for the whole family and make Mom feel loved. Whatever activity or surprise you land on to show your mom, wife, sister or maternal figure your appreciation for all they do, the most important thing is that you all get to spend some quality time together.

Invite Her To High Tea

Whether you make the brews and treats yourself or head out to an official tea house, Mom will love sipping her beverage out of fancy china and snacking on tea sandwiches.

Pick Your Own Fruit

This activity is especially fun if you have a lot of kids who want to get in on the action. Then, when you all get home, you can whip up a treat for Mom with your selections. (Maybe give her a strawberry in a Champagne glass while she waits.)

Book Her a Weekend Away

There’s no day like Mother’s Day to be impulsive! Book a weekend trip for the two of you at a cute B&B in a city Mom has always wanted to visit.

Complete a Jigsaw Puzzle

Find a puzzle with an image you know your mom will love (or make a custom one using a photo of the two of you) and put it together over wine and snacks. You’ll be amazed at how much chatting you can get done while puzzling.

Take a Flower Arranging Class

Mother’s Day arrives just as spring is in full bloom. Take advantage of the season by going to a flower arranging class with mom.