Happy Halloween!

Our tiniest pumpkin waits....
For very spooky (but, oh so cute!) visitors!
Happy Halloween!!

A Fresh Start!

A fresh, new look after four days of remodeling and renovating in the shop! Here's your first peek at what's new!!

Halloween Hysterical!

Every once in awhile a girl just has to ride her broom....

(From left) Charlene, Cindy and me having fun at Park Avenue Antiques during Halloween Hysteria on Thursday night.

Keeping Watch

Our Garden Angel....

keeping watch over the fall harvest!

Winter Wonderland In October

There was more than frost on our pumpkins this morning!
Five inches of snow fell softly in the night....

and gave us an early winter wonderland!

Getting Ready For A Freeze

The weather forecast spells doom for our tender annuals. Now is the time to bring in the plants that we want to save. Inspect plants carefully for signs of pests and disease. Some plants are not going to be happy in an indoor environment. Plants such as Mandovillia are going to defoliate. There is NOTHING you can do to stop it....it's just going to happen. They just need a bit of a winter break....like me!! Soon tender new leaves will begin to appear.

It's easy to save that favorite geranium plant. Remove it from the pot, shake off the dirt, remove the leaves, place upside down in a box and place in a cool, dark environment. Check occasionally for signs of mold and mildew and remove infected branches. Pot the plant in February or March and place in a sunny window. Your geranium will be ready to enjoy for another growing season!

Just because we are going to have a freeze doesn't mean we have to stop gardening! Beautiful fall mums, flowering kale and pansies are resilient and add lots of late fall color! You will notice that some other plants like snapdragons will withstand those first few freezing mornings!

If you are not sure how to over winter a special plant just send me an email or leave a comment and I will try to find an answer for you!

Now it's time to start bringing that wonderful summer feeling into our homes! Start watching the blog for more decorating ideas for the inside of your home! There will be lots of new ideas coming your way!

Thanks for all the prayers for Emily!!

Blessings and Prayers

I know it's been a little quiet on the blog this week but get ready because I will make up for it right now!!

We have enjoyed lots of visitors to the shop and gardens this week. The growing season is coming to an end and that makes our time in the gardens even more precious, but many beautiful blooms were harvested this week and will appear in beautiful designs in the shop! As we left for grocery shopping early this morning (yes Ken, I know- a guys gotta eat) the temperature was at 32 degrees and the yard was blanketed in white. I just knew I would come home to a black, wilted mess in the gardens. Thankfully I was wrong and even had to water some container gardens on this crisp October day. A local meteorologist actually used the four-letter "s" word in his forecast for next weekend so our groups scheduled for this week are in luck for some late season treats!!

We have also taken time to remember our little friend Emily Koesters and her family in thought and prayer. Emily is only 6 years old and suffers from a genetic disorder called Schimkes. The number of people diagnosed with Schimkes in the WORLD numbers only in the 40's. Emily and her family are the most courageous and inspirational people we have the honor of knowing. Emily has had a really, really rough week. If you could take a minute and say a prayer for her and her family we know it would be appreciated. You can leave a message for Emily and her family at her Caring Bridge website. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/emilykoesters