Bouquet Bar all set up for the weekend at Th Flower Shack.

A Little Breather—and a Big Reminder

This week looked a little different—I took a much-needed short vacation with my family. We spent a few restful days on the shores of Lake Erie, soaking up the sun, digging our toes into the sand, and letting life slow down. It was simple, sweet, and exactly what I needed.

For the first time in a long while, I let go of the daily farm duties and just… breathed.

Whenever I step away, I find myself wondering: Is this what life feels like for people who don’t farm? No early-morning greenhouse checks. No feeding animals before your own breakfast. No constant mental checklist running through your head—water lines, transplanting, harvest timing. Farming really is a different kind of life. We live by the seasons, we plan years in advance, and we carry a quiet weight every day—knowing that if we drop the ball, living things suffer.

And while I’m proud to carry that weight, it felt really good to set it down for just a bit. Just me, my husband, and our girls—being together with no to-do list in sight.

The Farm Kept Rolling

Here’s the best part: everything back at the farm ran smoothly without me. That’s a testament to our incredible team and the support system we’ve built over the years. It’s always been one of my biggest goals—to build a farm that doesn’t fall apart if I step away for a few days. This week, that vision came to life.

And a huge thank you goes to my amazing parents for holding down the fort—and caring for the animals, especially our two big dogs. Sable is easygoing, but Claire (our Great Pyrenees) wasn’t thrilled about our absence. She waited by my parents’ bedroom door every morning. Let’s just say, my mom was very happy to hand her back when we returned!

The Flowers Keep Blooming

Even while I was gone, the flowers didn’t stop—and neither did our team. They harvested, made grocery store bouquets, watered the greenhouses, and kept everything thriving.

This week, the first of the zinnias and lisianthus began to bloom. These bold, vibrant flowers are the beginning of our summer bouquet season—and I’m here for it. There’s something about midsummer color that makes all the hard work and long days worth it.

Deer Drama, Yet Again

Unfortunately, it wasn’t all sunshine.

While out walking the field after our return, I spotted something that made my stomach drop. Our newly planted sunflowers and cascading amaranth had been snacked on—by deer. Again.

It’s absolutely heartbreaking. Weeks of work… gone in a single night.

I always say deer are like rats on stilts. They sneak in under the cover of darkness and can wipe out whole rows. We’re now looking into Red Tags (agricultural tags for wildlife management) to help us deal with this ongoing issue. It’s not a decision we take lightly—but when it comes to protecting our crops and livelihood, the farm has to come first.

Join Us for the Open House

We’re so excited for this Saturday’s Open House (July 26)! The response has been amazing—our 10 AM tour is nearly full, so if you haven’t RSVP’d yet, we’d love for you to join us at the 2 PM session.

It’s a joy to share the farm, the flowers, and the story behind it all with you—face to face. We’re looking forward to welcoming both familiar faces and new friends!

Thank You for Being Here

Whether you’ve been following our journey for years or just discovered us last week—thank you for being here. Your support makes this farm life possible. We’re grateful for your kind words, your encouragement, and the community we’ve built together.

Wishing you a weekend filled with rest, sunshine, and maybe a bold summer bouquet 🌻

Rest, Resilience, and a Farm That Keeps Blooming