And That's a Wrap!

Is it just me or does the sand escape faster

and faster through the hourglass as we get older?
Oh good...I'm not alone..ha!

2019 was filled with so many treasures for the photo album.
Hubby and I were lucky to enjoy not just one, but 2 major vacations!

February had us soaking up sun from the Big Island, Hawaii.
Days were filled with guided tours, luaus, and ocean front relaxation...it was heaven!

Then from late March to mid August, I was on auto pilot from sun-up to dusk,
seven days a week.  Down time was time behind the wheel...
driving from one field to the next...
planting, nurturing, weeding, harvesting.
And, yes, I do love it, but my body went on strike!

Weekly bouquets went out to CSA members, event designers,
two small grocery stores, not to mention the 3 farmers markets
I vended at each week.

It was a killer schedule.  One that I learned from and will be
making major changes this coming season.

There were new plants trialed and a few taken off the grow list.

These dahlias were grown by good friend and fellow farmer,
Katherine from  https://www.dahliatemptations.com/
Aren't they gorgeous!

 At peak bloom (in July), I was harvesting enough
stems for 120 bouquets a week...it was pretty crazy!

Hence the mid season burn out! 
It was time for a bit of R&R

We ended up here, in the historical district of Charleston, SC
what a quaint and beautiful place!  Such friendly people...and great BBQ!

 Then it was off to Hilton Head, SC.

 A sunset dolphin cruise is a must if you're ever in the area.

Last night of our stay, we had this view from our patio...sigh...
Thankfully, I was rejuvenated and ready to
tackle the last 2 months of hard labor.

With such a crazy growing and market schedule,
I did not have time to take on wedding designs except for one small
intimate party.  But I did get to free-lance with a few stellar local designers.
This was a wonderful learning day spent with
Deneise's team from https://botanicalbox.com/
Perfect backdrop to say "I do"

The growing season finished by the end of October and I was truly ready.
A few weeks of catching up on household chores, paperwork and SLEEEEP,
I was finally able to tackle bulb planting...

so we could start this flower-filled life all over again come April!

Happy Belated New Year, friends!

Reflections...

There's nothing like a year end post to make one pause, reflect and give thanks.  2017 certainly was a milestone...my first season as a 'flower farmer/designer' was AMAZING and I am beyond grateful for how wonderful it all turned out.
(Isabel March Photography)

The process of harvesting blooms at dawn became a zen-like ritual I could
hardly wait to get out of bed for.  Seriously!

(Seth David Photography)

Learning how and when to cut certain blooms, how to process them,
to provide the longest vase life, was truly a trial-and-error process.
And I am still learning!

(DHM Photography)

All those long hours of planting, pinching, weeding, watering really paid off as I was able to harvest enough stems to provide lush, healthy and colorful bouquets for the Farmer's market on Sundays from mid-April to mid-October.

10-14 hr. days were the norm, and quitting time came only when my legs and back gave up, in utter exhaustion.  I knew it would be hard work but...oh man!  Guess when I'm surrounded by beautiful flowers, breathing fresh air, how can I complain?!

 Especially when customers, like sweet Olivia,
love and appreciate my flowers like this?  So cute!

 

So with a full season of growing for market and a few wedding designs behind me,
I'm forging ahead and growing even more flowers!
Anyone have extra sunny space in their yard to rent me???

3 weddings already booked for 2018 and a second (mid-week) farmer's market
in the works, it's going to be an awesome year!
The garden is now in deep sleep under a cozy white blanket but I can't
wait for the explosion of color come spring.

Plantings this fall included many new varieties of tulips and hardy annuals...
already establishing their roots under the snow. 

And, of course, that coveted first handful of blooms
from my favorite vine, sweet peas!
I mean, who can resist their intoxicating fragrance?

As always, thank you, garden friends, for stopping by.


I wish you ALL a Healthy, Happy, Prosperous and Love filled New Year.
Catch you on the other side!
~Lynn

These Final Hours...

It's almost the final day of the year, friends.

The day when we look back o'er the year

and remember those truly special moments...

not just the happy ones that will forever
remain in our hearts,

but also the difficult and challenging ones,

 

for they not only taught us a lesson,

but made us stronger!

And it's a great day to remember that time is precious,

and not guaranteed.

So choose to be happy...

NOW!

 

Live in every moment...

 

with LOVE,

GRACE,

and GRATITUDE!

Happy New Year, Friends 
See ya in 2016!

A Belated Happy New Year!

So, here I am...4 days late with a Happy New Year's wish...sigh.

And a looong overdue garden post, too!
Well, it's no wonder with the craziness that surrounds me during late fall clean-up, but I'm happy to finally have this much needed reprieve from garden work.  Bet you are, too!

Old Man Winter snuck up early on us here in NJ, and melted just in time for a not-so-white Christmas. A week later, he's back with a vengeance, and the landscape is so crisp and clean.

 But, hey! these are NOT winter scenes of NJ!

Where are we...any guesses?
Japan?

China?

France, perhaps?

This next one is surely a giveaway!

Is there any landmark more telling than theTree of Life?
Or

Cinderella's Castle...

Yep! You're in sunny Orlando!

Happy New Year, friends!
Enjoy the fireworks...Disney style!

 

 Thanks for visiting...see you soon!