spring

 

This was taken  3/22 last spring. These same narcissus are out in the field as wisps of green, most without buds yet. It's crazy how different each spring is, always unique and never certain.

This poor little blog has gotten the short end lately. Last year I made a personal goal of posting, 5x a week, no excuses and I did alright. But this year is different, I'm different and I still haven't found that magical, easy rhythm yet. Maybe waiting for it to find me rather than intentionally creating it is the problem. I do so like to be in the drivers seat ; )

I'm feeling really nervous this spring. My Mom reminds me that I'm nervous every spring. At the start of our season I am normally a puddle of self doubt, insecurity and nerves. I question my bravery, my ability, my strength. Once I'm into July I feel like steel and am able to roll with a whole lot of crazy, but in March and April my skin is still soft and deep down I'm terrified.Will I be able to navigate another wild season, will we be able to stay connected as a family, will Chris and I meet our personal and business goals, will I lose my touch, will I falter too horribly, will I blow all of these amazing opportunities that keep coming my way....will I fail? 

I know when we step out into life and risk, failure is a very real possibility. I fail a lot, all the time actually. For every thing that comes through or works out, nine others bite the dust. I wish it weren't this way but for me, failure makes up 90% of my success. When I'm swimming in insecurity, it's easy to forget that this is all a game, a risky one and that nothing is certain. My real goal is to stay true to myself and do MY best, not to be perfect, or cool or safe but to be true. True to myself.

So here I am, planting and planning for the season to come, trying out a million and one new things and failing a whole lot more than I'd like. But until I find a way to cheat the system I guess I'll have to wade through this terror to find my courage once again. I know it's on the other side, I just have to be brave enough to find it.

sweetness all around

a tiny flock of ducks was snagged from the feed store yesterday. last year, the year of the slug, we spent an insane amount of time battling the slimy creatures.not this season! these little darlings will be put to work straight away.

 while not usually a fan of bi-color flowers, these red and white anemone's are just too sweet!
thousands of baby stock went in yesterday. their sweet scent will fill our spring bouquets with the power to stop customers dead in their tracks : )

the sweetest guy around

quick update

Life is finally returning to the garden. Everywhere I look, things are pushing through the soil, leafing out and stretching to meet the sun.

 The anemone's are starting to flower their heads off. Such pretty, cheerful little spring jewels.

 Most mornings are still frosty and every surface looks coated in diamonds.

 The chickens are giving it all they've got. Yesterday I collected 2.5 dozen eggs from the coop!

 We moved their run over the weekend to a spot with fresh grass. This new salad bar has kept them quite busy and content.

The two new greenhouses are finally finished. A few freezing nights with headlamps after Chris got home from work did the trick. We are both so happy to be done with construction projects until fall!

 I've been a seed sowing fool and the heated greenhouse is already packed to the brim with babies.

 Everywhere I turn,  life is emerging. While beyond exciting, sometimes I notice I'm holding my breath in anticipation of the flower madness, just around the corner.

 The Narcissus are nearing their debut. One of my favorite early spring treats, our collection is filled with highly fragrant and fully double beauties. Just a week or two more and they'll be here!

Mr. Steven is finally free! He will likely always have a limp but thank goodness he's still with us! 

I'm taking everyones advice and keeping him an indoor kitty from here on out. With 5 cats, 3 being indoor creatures, mornings around the food bowl can be quite overwhelming!

We have a new driver in the house. Elora will be our official tiller this season :)

twelve years

Today is our twelve year anniversary and a huge milestone in so many ways.

We got out old pictures last night and had the kids in hysterics looking at how silly and awkward we were on our big day. Chris and I were just babies, going through the motions of being adults but our youth and insecurity certainly showed. 

I turn twenty just a month before this photo was taken and Elora arrived just two short months after. We went from being punk kids in baggy clothes to a family overnight. I'm amazed we made it through really, with so much against us. But miraculously here we are on the other side, living such an amazing and unusual life. So much richer and more wonderful than I could have ever imagined.

When I sit with new brides, planning out the details of their big day, I often want to lean across the table and whisper " Honey, forget all of this stuff, or at least don't waste your time stressing about it. You wont remember any of it anyway. If you can, just try and have fun, connect with your sweetie and soak in all of the love around you. It's that love that will stay with you, not all of the fleeting details you are suffering over right now."

monday

 

Today I am feeling the slightest bit lost without a massive project in the works or my partner in crime here to spur things forward. We made incredible strides over the weekend on two new low hoophouses, a 60 footer and a 140 footer.They are modeled after one we saw at Bare Mountain Flowers this October. A day or two more and they'll be all covered and ready to receive their first batch of baby plants. I got a little over zealous with the post hole digger, trying to work on my "guns" and now can barely move my arms. Ha,ha,what a dork! 

Elora learned to drive over the weekend. She took the pickup down the road and back a few times (with Dad in the passenger seat of course) and then tilled a whole bunch of ground for me with the tractor. Watching her fear and uncertainty slowly melt as confidence and pride came in was so very inspiring. Now maybe she can teach me how to run the tractor ;) 

So far the new greenhouse heater is cruising right along. The warm space is already bursting at the seams with thousands and thousands of baby seedlings. Spring has certainly sprung and planting season is just around the corner. Size 8 here I come!

Did I already share this incredibly inspiring TED talk (Stroke of Insight) with you guys ?! If not and you can spare 20 minutes, it will blow your mind and start your week off on a very good note!

Recently I discovered Downton Abbey and have greedily gobbled up both seasons. To my delight the lovely Ms. Amy Merrick is a fan as well and posted this stunning photo from a recent shoot. That girl has got some mad skillz, damn!

I'm thrashing around a bit, trying to figure out what next months Growing For Market column will be on. Flower farmers, any burning questions or topics you want me to dive into? I'm all ears!

Pinterest

 Just loaded up a couple of boards on Pinterest with more flowery goodness than should be allowed.

http://pinterest.com/floretflwrfarm/

rolling with the punches

What a champ! Smiling pretty much the whole time ; )

 Who needs reality t.v when you're a farmer! Life is just one big adventure.

 We bought a used g-house heater off craigslist this summer for a song, from a nursery going out of business. It sat in the garage for many months and just last week we finally got it, along with propane and electricity installed in the new propagation greenhouse. Well, first day in and the monster started smelling bad and make loud booming noises. I had the repair man out and three of the six burners are toast.The cost to repair was more than a new unit. Damn!

So, Chris took off work early and we zigzagged the freeway in search of an immediate replacement along with new all new piping since the old chimney was too large. While the experience was totally nerve wracking and expensive we both vowed to not get mad and just look at it as one huge joke, on us that is!

Into the night we worked, racing against below freezing temps outside. By 11 it was up and running and all of the babies were safe. Who needs diamonds when you can have a shiny new heater instead?!