Perfect Timing??

I've spent the afternoon picking tulips like crazy!  I should have been out there this morning before the heat of the day, but I was feeling the effects of being almost 32 weeks pregnant with a little baby who likes to throw dance parties in my belly all night long!  Many of the gorgeous double & parrot tulips are beginning to burst open from all of our crazy, warm weather.  I'm bummed because quite a few of them are pretty short...also an effect of the weather.  I think they'll be fine, though...as long as I can come up with some creative and clever arrangements for market this weekend!

As I was feeling bummed about everything bursting open so early {when I was *really* wanting these for early-mid May weddings}, I couldn't help but think about how maybe timing has been perfect in a strange sort of way.

For instance...

...when Travis brought home our small hoophouse from the auction last fall, the plan was to get it up as soon as possible so that I could get things planted in it.  Well, because I was in my first trimester of pregnancy & not feeling so hot, many things were pushed to the back burner...including the hoophouse.  Just imagine how sad I would be if I had planted all of these bulbs in the hoophouse where I'm sure they would have all blown open weeks ago & probably within a single day!  Since we were forced to plant them outside, we'll at least get some use out of them...and there is still some space within bloom times so I'm not completely losing my mind!

...we hadn't intended on having a baby due at the end of May, but had things gone as planned with being due in late fall, I'm sure I would have been a complete failure this season.  As I was just out harvesting {slowly...and wishing that my arms were longer}, I realized how much worse this season would be if I would have been pregnant all the way through.  Thank goodness this little baby snuck up on us like she did!  May initially seemed like such a horrible time, but I'm thinking that Baby C. knew what she was doing.  Thank you, Baby!

...I had contemplated staying at John Deere full-time a few weeks longer.  Had I done that, there is no way I would have ever been able to get all of these tulips picked & all of my seeding done.

...things may be blooming WAY ahead of schedule, but in the grand scheme of things, maybe that's best for me right now?  Baby will be here at the very end of May so my June sales opportunities at market will most likely be very limited.  Should I say that this weather is a blessing because June will maybe {maybe} give me a little down time with blooms?  It's probably too early to say for sure, but I'm going to be optimistic and say that for now.  If I end up being wrong on this one, at least I know that Travis is a fantastic help & will always chip in on his own if I'm not able to make it in to market for a few weeks!

So, for now, I'm going to say that things have been timed perfectly...whether on purpose or not.  Now, enough of a break for this pregnant lady...back to work! 

Local Bouquets from West to East!

I adore flowers.  I can't remember a time in my life when I wasn't captivated by a new bloom.  Dandelion bouquets for my mom, clover chain necklaces for friends at recess, ditch bouquets for my grandma...from those childhood flower interactions, I've developed a deep love for flowers and floral design.  

It's always so much fun to find people who share that same love and to see how they put that love to use in their floral careers.  Through searching the internet & through the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, I have found some amazingly talented flower fanatics.  Here are a couple of them that I love and that are great inspiration!  

One of my absolute favorite flower farmers is Erin Benzakein of Floret Flower Farm near Seattle, Washington.  I am always sending Travis and my friend, Kelly, links to Erin's blog and telling them that *this* is what I aspire to be someday...with my own little spin on it, of course, but just wait until you see it!  You'll understand.  Warning: Be prepared to be sucked in for hours!...she does such amazing things on her less than 3 acre farm!  Here are a few of her awesome photos & creations:

Amazing, right?!

Okay...one more favorite...Jennie Love of Love 'n Fresh Flowers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.   Like most of us wacky flower farmers, she seems to just go & go & go!  She does oodles of weddings each season, has a flower CSA and offers some pretty fun workshops.  I love her creativity and her use of anything and everything in her designs.  Travis often gives me interesting looks when I venture out into the woods and come back with branches, berries & anything else that I think has a great look or texture.  I'm pretty certain Jennie would understand my madness.  Check out some of her awesomeness:

See even more of Jennie's photos on her Facebook page!

Such talent, such beauty...and all with locally grown flowers!  

Don't you think these are far more beautiful and unique than the typical cookie-cutter type wedding floral pieces?!  I do...and it's why I *love* this business! 

Catching Up!

I'm a bit behind, AGAIN.  As usual, things have been busy & exciting around our neck of the woods!  During the first week of November, my mom & I (Travis couldn't get away from work) made the trip to Reston, Virginia for the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers' National Conference.  We had a great time & I came home with many great ideas!  Here are some photos from the trip!

Lynnvale Studios is gorgeous!

I'm in love with dahlias...as I'm sure you'll figure out with the coming season!  :)

Yes, those are ALL lilies!!

Gorgeous callas!

I would LOVE to have this many growing houses!

My arrangement for the conference...a little sad by the end of the week...loved those orange dahlias, though!

A great winter foliage for wreaths!  Loved Bob Wollam of Wollam Gardens!...what a neat guy!

It's so much fun getting to meet and learn from so many people who share the same passion & enthusiasm for locally-grown flowers!  I left the conference with such a feeling of excitement to get jumping into the 2012 season! 

Thankful.

Travis & I have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.  We have accomplished a lot (A LOT!) within the past year! 

We...

...went to Houston, TX in January as my {warm!} surprise 30th birthday present from Travis!

...made the trip to Seattle with my mom for Cut Flower Growers' School {& to visit our friend, Lacey!}!

...participated in an awesome event, The Handmade City Spring Art & Craft Fair!

...ran the Boston Marathon!



...got married!

...bought a house with 10 acres of land!

...had a very successful season at The Freight House Farmers' Market thanks to our wonderful customers!

...had a very successful season of wedding work!

...bought our first tractor & tiller!

...got chickens!

...and Travis built them a coop!  

...planted rows of perennials!

...made an appearnace on Paula Sands Live!



...planted 1,000's of spring bulbs!

...planted 50+ flowering shrubs!

...planted about 100 peony roots!

...brought home a new rescue puppy, Kevin!

...still have a very happy, healthy little Olive!  ;)



...bought our first little hoophouse!

                                          Okay...no photo yet...

we still have to get it put together!  :)

...made the trip to Reston, Virginia for the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers' National Conference! (sorry...better photos to come soon!!).

...have many wonderful weddings booked for next season!

...are expecting our first baby this spring!!!

As you can see, we have so much to be thankful for!...and I'm sure there is so much more that I have left out!  In between all of this busyness, we found time to hangout with friends & family...for which we are always thankful!

 

Wishing all of our friends & family a very Happy & Safe Thanksgiving!