Today on Behind the Bloom- I’m joined with one of my Dearest Friends- Kim Carson and were creating a garland and wreath with Pee Gee Hydrangeas that I dried from the Garden! Kim and I have a long standing friendship-(BTW she’s the voice you hear on the opening of the show!) Today she joins me to ...

It’s time to go behind the bloom- with our friends Jill and Mary at Crane Dance Farm. I love the opportunity to show you what goes on behind the scenes- this footage would have been “on the cutting room floor”- as they say.

Behind the Bloom gives us the opportunity to share some special moments...

It’s time to go behind the bloom- with my AMAZING Niece Grace Boersma- I love her… can you tell??? We always have so much fun- and we really connect when it comes to Marimo Moss Balls…

We had so much learning and sharing about the Marimo Moss Balls – when Gracie visited me on Life in Bloom.

G...

Let’s go behind the bloom- with Ms. Margo- www.thebonereader.com – Ms. Margo came to visit with us- to provide pet communication for Episode 209 – Pets and Flowers- and she also shared with me- that she had a desire to do a reading with flowers. Wow!
Ms. Margo- asked that we have a ‘secret’ membe...

Let’s go behind the bloom- with Dusty Brown and his Bonsai Trees! Dusty brought so many great examples from his personal collection- and he had a lot more valuable information to share for those of us that may want to get started on our own Bonsai- Japanese Craft…

This is a great example of why...

Let’s go behind the Bloom with my Wonderful Funny Friend Jenn Pascua. I invited Jenn to visit Life in Bloom- to talk about Flower Fragrances! Jenn and I have a long history- she invited me on her LIVE Newcasts and Lifestyle show- on WZZM -here in Grand Rapids. Today she’s a media specialist and d...

Today on Behind the Bloom- I’m joined by one of my Dearest Friends- Jenn Pascua… She’s a Perennial on “Life in Bloom” as we’ve had her on the show every season… She’s my good luck Charm! Today we’re talking about flower meanings- and ‘speaking the language’ of Flowers… Jenn is so much fun- truly-...

Today on Behind the Bloom- we’re making Carnation Leis with my Wonderful Friend Jennifer Pascua. Jennifer’s Dad used to make leis for her family- and today Jenn and I get to visit- and share some tips about making leis with one of my Favorite Flowers- the Carnation. Of Course… I am making a Red C...

Let’s go behind the bloom- with the Goats at Leché and Lavender- and my friend Katie Kuipers. This visit was so much fun- and the Little Goats were so anxious to have breakfast- they were so Noisy (because they were hungry!!!) … and I love that this was so much Fun.

I admit- I have trouble reme...

It’s time to go behind the bloom- with my sweet friend Kristen Farmer at Hope Dahlias… I really truly love Kristen and her mom Barb Esch… I love seeing them at the Farmers Market- with their beautiful Dahlias.

Hope Dahlias truly provides hope for so many people- and Kristen was a little nervous...

Let’s go behind the Bloom with my Flower Friend and Famous Children’s Book Author- Laurie Keller. Laurie and discuss her books- including the Chapter Books for Arnie the Doughnut and The Scrambled States of America. Laurie shares some of the wonderful surprises coming up in her Chapter Books- and...

Let’s go behind the Bloom- with my friend – Native American Bonereader- Ms. Margo- and her wonderful Organic Goat Milk Soap. I’m a huge fan of her amazing soaps- that include flowers, herbs, organic goat’s milk and secret ingredients.

Ms. Margo joined me for an episode of Life in Bloom- #302- H...

Welcome to Behind the Bloom! A new series from our Life in Bloom Crew!

Challenges create Opportunities- and that can make us get creative. We’re challenged with Physical Distancing- Quarantine- Shelter in Place with this Global Pandemic… so we started looking in our video files- and low and beh...

Let’s go behind the bloom- with my fun friend Jenn Pascua- she’s so great! Jenn and I did Live TV for many years- and now she’s a media expert in Grand Rapids…

Jenn dropped by for a few laughs- and joined me in making flower arrangements in unexpected containers- re-purposing food containers… ...

Let’s go behind the bloom- with my friend Angela Cunningham- with ideas for Flowers to Wear! My friend Angela is a Newscaster for the Local ABC affiliate in Grand Rapids- and reports Early every morning…

Angela joined me in the studio to create unique flowers to wear… different from the typical...

Let’s go behind the Bloom- with my friends
from Eufloria Flowers and learn more about their Farmer’s Market Rose Bunches.

The Popularity of Farmers Markets is continuing to grow- and we are loving the opportunity to include more flowers in our lives- and why wouldn’t we want some of the Prettie...

Let’s go behind the Bloom- for some Bee-Roll with Jason Osbourn at Aberdeen Apiary- to find out more about him- the Bee keeping process… Local Honey Benefits and lots more about the Bees. Jason tells us more about himself- and his philosophy about beekeeping- and some sage advice about bees. To l...

Let’s go behind the Bloom with Kara Bolt from Cyclops Bake Shop – as she makes a surprise for J – “J Portrait” Cookies- and she brings a blank one… so I can design one too.

Kara recently sold Cyclops Bake Shop – to The Donut Garden- and they are doing an amazing job- keeping to her original tho...

Let’s go behind the Bloom with my Flower Friend Taryn Nance- she’s the owner and creator of Holistic Joy- and lots of amazing Elderberry Products- and Flower Infused healing lotions… You can see all of the products on her website at www.HolisticJoy.Net . Join Taryn and I as I share more about the...

Let’s go behind the Bloom with my Musical Friend- Ben Scott Brandt- who has composed and created the Music for “J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom” – Ben is extremely talented and his style and feel for music- completely embodies the tone I wanted for “Life in Bloom” – (he’s also responsible for my Uniqu...

We’re going Behind the Bloom for more with our Friend Farmer Nathan- and his son Christopher at Creswick Farms. I love visiting this farm- and even better- eating the amazing food that Farmer Nathan and his family raise- You can see their farm in Life in Bloom Episode 405- From the Earth! (Watch ...

We’re going Behind the Bloom for Hydrangea tips with my Flower Friend Trina Weller. Trina came to visit me and was featured in Episode 411 – Hooray for Hydrangeas! There is so much to talk about when we work with Hydrangeas- and we didn’t have time in the episode to include all the fun tips and t...

Today on Behind the Bloom- I’m joined by my long-time Friend and Sound Mixer- Jean-Yves Münch – who has been with me since I began filming- way back in 2006… nearly 20 years… He is a Frenchman- and thus was the perfect guest for our French Inspired “Life in Bloom” Episode- Fleur de la Vie…
Jean-...

Behind the Bloom- Chatting and Arranging Flowers with Aaron Ofseyer

J’s Lowdown: Today on Behind the Bloom- I’m sharing some more of the Fun Chat and Time I had with my Meteorlogist Friend Aaron Ofseyer- we had a wonderful time- and visted about our times at the TV Station, the states he’s li...