April 5???

Black tulips are blooming

Weeds and woodland flowers

Onions

Garlic

New fence to protect the raspberries from the mini horses.

They reeeeeeaaalllyyy want to eat the raspberries :)

Spring!

Spring is here, in a major way!!! The crabapple tree started blooming today.

The peach trees are *bonkers* with blooms, and the baby pear trees have a few too :)

And we have a *field* of violets!! They're more beautiful than I can capture with a camera.

Donna has begun some weeding and mulching...here she has used some waste wool. Yep, it makes great mulch!! And today we planted kale, collards, Brussel sprouts, Swiss chard, and more strawberry plants. It's way, *way* before put frost free date, but those are all cold tolerant. Let's hope spring is here to stay!

Farm-fresh lunch

Fresh herb omelet!

82 degrees

The weather continues to be freakishly warm. Chives, St. Johns Wort, mint, thistles, motherwort, herbs and wild plants are exploding out of the ground.

We are taking advantage of the weather and optimistically planting some cold - tolerant crops. Lettuce, spinach, onions, peas, broccoli, broccoli raab, cabbage, potatoes.

I planted these potato towers, inspired by my friend Becky :)

The bees are gobbling down their food, and today we saw them carrying in LOADS of pollen!!

Catnappin'

Pete is catching a snooze on this 80 degree March day.

Organic haircare?

Senior farmdog Lexi sporting her own special version of an "all-natural organic" hairdo :)

Bees!

The weather here has been freakishly, ridiculously warm, so we checked on the bees yesterday.

They've been kept sheltered from
The winter winds by some toasty warm hay bales.

You can see where the "morgue bees" have been doing their job by taking out the dead bees over the winter. Cool, huh?

They seem to be doing ok! The weather is so warm they've been out and about... But there's no food sources, so we gave them some supplemental food just in case. It's supposed to be in the 60s and 70s for at least the next week!! Crazy stuff.

Lizzie and Izzy

Lizzie and Izzy are looking for a GREAT home together.

Izzy is a tiny cat with a BIG personality. She is a special needs cat (but don't tell her that!!). She is at least partially blind - we don't know how much. She sees movement and light and shadows, and gets along just fine, thank you.

She has a HUGE smile and a giant purr!

Lizzie is her friend, companion, and seeing eye...err....cat. When they're in a new situation Izzy "guides" off Lizzie, until Izzy is confident enough of her surroundings to go around on her own.

Lizzie is beautiful...

...friendly....

....and adores the company of other cats :)

She would love to live in a multiple-cat household :)

These girls were rescued from a hoarding situation. Over 80 cats were taken from one house. Many died due to health conditions. These girls were among the first, sickest dozen taken from that house. They were the only two that survived.

The lived in a literal hell.

Now they are healthy, happy, and ready to find a forever home.

This photo was taken right after they arrived at their current foster home, and shows how closely they walk/drink/eat together when Izzy is using Lizzie to find her way around.

Please contact us if you are interested in adopting these special girls!

snowed!

?

Who ordered the package on top?

Whip it...whip it real good.

(Shea butter, that is...)

Donna's mini horses do not mind the snow....they only come in to eat!

Snow!

We went from 60 degree temps to blizzard in two days!

Maggie is home - the snow is VERY heavy in Adel, but Donna will be at the shop if anyone ventures out. Age warns that the gravel road is NOT very nice though!

Helpful

Had some great help in the kitchen last Saturday :)

Monk says....

...you should come out to Sample Sunday today and check out his holiday costume :)

Violet approves

We had to buy a new printer yesterday. Fortunately, Violet approves. (The printer is her favorite hangout!)

Happy holidays!

Stocked up and ready!

Local author A. R. Miller dropped by a fresh new stack of signed books... A perfect holiday gift for your favorite reader. Sample sunday special price - only $10! (reg. $11.95)

We have loads of gorgeous silk scarves and handspun yarns...knitted scarves too. And today only some of our guest vendors will have handmade clothing and crocheted hats, gloves and more!

We are fully stocked on our popular essential oil wax melts...work great in any tart warmer, and at $5 they're a perfect hostess gift or stocking stuffer.

And we have plenty of pre-made gift sets.... Or we would be happy to help you custom-create one in any theme or price range!

Open 12-5 today!

The shelves are full, the gift-wrap table is set up, and the sample basket is full! We are ready and excited to help you with your holiday shopping needs!

We have gift sets in EVERY price range, gift certificates available, and we can even help you mail your gifts if you... like!


Angie of Recyks will have her creative, useful upcycled/recycled/repurposed crafts and home items - affordable, stylish, and one of a kind useful art made from JUNK! She does such fabulous work.


JAG photography will be displaying photographic artwork - prints and cards, all featuring local scenes! There IS time to order any of his prints in your desired size, so stop by and check out the available designs.



Girl With A Sword Productions has a fantastic collection of 100% naturally dyed silk scarves - each one a beautiful, wearable, one of a kind work of art! Afforable and very classy, these make fabulous gifts too - and are very light and easy to ship, if you are looking for gifts to send.


and Sally Kilkenny will be sampling her amazing handmade gourmet jams and jellies - these make stellar stocking stuffers, hostess gifts, or gift-basket additions. Choose old favorites such as apple butter, or try some of her exotic new favorites featuring herbs and wines!

Of course our neighbors at Picket Fence Creamery will be open as well, so you can stop by for some post-Thanksgiving taste treats!!!


Lynn of Herbal Bliss will be sampling tea, have ELDERBERRY TRUFFLES for sale, and will be doing ear candling!

Randi Stone of Lovin Oven will have handmade baked goods, yummy :)

Rebecca of Willow Avenue Pottery will have her beautiful handmade pottery for sale - it goes fast, so get there early!

Melodie of Mind and Body Massage Therapy will be doing warm bamboo chair massage - this was a bit hit last month, you gotta try it! Take a few minutes and pamper yourself :)

Dawn of Candy Hoops will be doing henna tattoos and tarot card readings!

Jenny will have her FABULOUS handmade clothing - her patchwork sweater coat was the HIT of the day last Sample Sunday, you must see her beautiful goods!

and Amanda has been busy crocheting and crafting, her hats, scarves, gloves and mittens will keep you warm and stylish!

and Danelle from Stamps Family Farm will be sampling and selling her pasture-raised pork sausage.

Comeon out and enjoy this family-friendly, relaxed event. Support your local farmers and artisans, you'll be glad you did! :)

Of course our neighbors at Picket Fence Creamery have an astounding array of vendors, gifts, samples and much more available too, so head across the road to see their goods as well!