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Hello Friends! My daughter and I had a friend and her little son visit us last week. My daughter said she would cook the lunch if I would bring a craft! I’d been thinking about a way to use some of the many acorns to be found on our farm and since I love garlands of all kinds I decided we would make a Woodland Garland! This was such a fun project and I want to share it with you! So lets get started and you can make one too!
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Sometimes these blog posts just roll off my fingers. Other times I have something I’d like to share and I have it written in my mind… but I hesitate to blog about it because I hate talking about myself. And that’s what blogging can sometimes feel like. But the deadline is fast approaching and I STILL want to write the post that’s been in my head for two weeks. So here it is friends!
Cyndie Gray says: I love this post❣️❣️ And I love the power of Sisterhood ❤️ Right now most of my Sisterhood is long distance, but it’s still there & I am still here for them. Also I am making efforts to add to my Sisterhood in our new location. There are some wonderful gals around here, most 1.5+hours away from me but sisters of the heart for sure
Sabrena Orr says: My Sunflower girls mean the world to me. The six of us have been friends since elementary and high school ~ we’re talking 45+ years of friendship! Last year on our girls trip, we each had a “sunflower” tattooed on our forearm. (My first and I never thought I would get a tattoo — I LOVE IT!).
Sunflowers symbolize adoration, loyalty and longevity – this represents my sisterhood perfectly. Together we laugh (A LOT!), we cry, and we giggle like little girls and we treasure every minute we can carve out of our busy lives! We may live in different cities & states, lead different lives, have different careers and interests, but we are there for each other. We have each others’ backs. These ladies bring out the best version of me and I am ever so thankful, grateful and humble that I am able to share our special “sunflower” tattoo that is our permanent reminder of our adoration, loyalty and longevity.
Marlene Capelle says: I admire you. I’m almost 71 and just started my fitness routine a year ago when I broke my leg and said to myself “this is not going to happen’. I’m doing my first 5k this Saturday. I don’t let anything keep me from my workouts (well almost). It’s amazing how once you get started and have the right attitude fitness becomes the only way to start the day. I don’t know if I’ve lost any weight, that’s not the point. I mean I want to but that will come when it comes. It’s the strength and good health i want.
Dori Troutman says: Oh my goodness. This made my day so much. You are amazing!!! Good luck on that 5K… just enjoy it. I love “races” because they are so much fun. People cheering for you and the feeling of success at the finish. Keep it up and keep me posted!!!
Tightest of hugs,
Dori
alice gamble says: So inspired by Marlene Capelle’s post and the new October narrative by Dori. You can start at any time. I used to be a nurse and one time a patient who had been pretty much immobile, surprised everyone by opening her eyes and lifting a finger. Yes, just coming out of the fog, and someone in the room said….”it’s a small start, by God, it is a start.” You could feel the tension in the room just melt away. Always there is hope, it’s all relative to where you are in your life. So, I am encouraged to read this blog and be thankful for the sharing that takes place. It takes courage and effort to put heartfelt thoughts out there, I’m so glad this blog was started by someone extraordinarily compassionate towards others.
Pamela says: Dori, Have never followed a blog yet got interested in the one about the Vermont Quilting retreat. Originally from Massachusetts and now a rural Kansan, by choice,
it is so encouraging to follow your blog and others on Mary Jane’s Farmgirls! Wow-
You nailed it with your description of your sisterhood. Thanks for putting it into words.
Also, such encouragement on regular fitness. I am too sporadic, but you and the other
comments are pushing me to put that as a priority. It has taken me all year to lose 12
lbs that just came on when I had knee surgery-so discouraging. I am 69 and was very involved in Scouting/outdoor sports with my sons. So now my goal is to reactivate those
Joys but look for sisters to keep me going.
As for sisters I have a set here and next week going to Mass. for my annual visit with
girls that I started First Grade with and reunited at our 40th Reunion…..so cool!
We found out as you so wonderfully stated: We are SISTERS forever!
Barbara Richards says: Love to you Mary Jane for all the things you do through your fabulous publication. I just finished reading the Sisterhood Blog. What a fun bunch. Since I’m an old farm gal from Idaho it’s easy to relate to the whole thing and I grab it and read as soon as it comes in.I’m getting along in years (88 this year) but just have to get into the kitchen and do something. Lately my very best friend (husband) for short went to the store and bought up some of the last of the watermelons so I could make watermelon rind pickles. Are they ever good. At least we think so. Keep up the good and God bless you. -Barb-
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Sometimes these blog posts just roll off my fingers. Other times I have something I’d like to share and I have it written in my mind… but I hesitate to blog about it because I hate talking about myself. And that’s what blogging can sometimes feel like. But the deadline is fast approaching and I STILL want to write the post that’s been in my head for two weeks. So here it is friends!
Cyndie Gray says: I love this post❣️❣️ And I love the power of Sisterhood ❤️ Right now most of my Sisterhood is long distance, but it’s still there & I am still here for them. Also I am making efforts to add to my Sisterhood in our new location. There are some wonderful gals around here, most 1.5+hours away from me but sisters of the heart for sure
Sabrena Orr says: My Sunflower girls mean the world to me. The six of us have been friends since elementary and high school ~ we’re talking 45+ years of friendship! Last year on our girls trip, we each had a “sunflower” tattooed on our forearm. (My first and I never thought I would get a tattoo — I LOVE IT!).
Sunflowers symbolize adoration, loyalty and longevity – this represents my sisterhood perfectly. Together we laugh (A LOT!), we cry, and we giggle like little girls and we treasure every minute we can carve out of our busy lives! We may live in different cities & states, lead different lives, have different careers and interests, but we are there for each other. We have each others’ backs. These ladies bring out the best version of me and I am ever so thankful, grateful and humble that I am able to share our special “sunflower” tattoo that is our permanent reminder of our adoration, loyalty and longevity.
Marlene Capelle says: I admire you. I’m almost 71 and just started my fitness routine a year ago when I broke my leg and said to myself “this is not going to happen’. I’m doing my first 5k this Saturday. I don’t let anything keep me from my workouts (well almost). It’s amazing how once you get started and have the right attitude fitness becomes the only way to start the day. I don’t know if I’ve lost any weight, that’s not the point. I mean I want to but that will come when it comes. It’s the strength and good health i want.
Dori Troutman says: Oh my goodness. This made my day so much. You are amazing!!! Good luck on that 5K… just enjoy it. I love “races” because they are so much fun. People cheering for you and the feeling of success at the finish. Keep it up and keep me posted!!!
Tightest of hugs,
Dori
alice gamble says: So inspired by Marlene Capelle’s post and the new October narrative by Dori. You can start at any time. I used to be a nurse and one time a patient who had been pretty much immobile, surprised everyone by opening her eyes and lifting a finger. Yes, just coming out of the fog, and someone in the room said….”it’s a small start, by God, it is a start.” You could feel the tension in the room just melt away. Always there is hope, it’s all relative to where you are in your life. So, I am encouraged to read this blog and be thankful for the sharing that takes place. It takes courage and effort to put heartfelt thoughts out there, I’m so glad this blog was started by someone extraordinarily compassionate towards others.
Pamela says: Dori, Have never followed a blog yet got interested in the one about the Vermont Quilting retreat. Originally from Massachusetts and now a rural Kansan, by choice,
it is so encouraging to follow your blog and others on Mary Jane’s Farmgirls! Wow-
You nailed it with your description of your sisterhood. Thanks for putting it into words.
Also, such encouragement on regular fitness. I am too sporadic, but you and the other
comments are pushing me to put that as a priority. It has taken me all year to lose 12
lbs that just came on when I had knee surgery-so discouraging. I am 69 and was very involved in Scouting/outdoor sports with my sons. So now my goal is to reactivate those
Joys but look for sisters to keep me going.
As for sisters I have a set here and next week going to Mass. for my annual visit with
girls that I started First Grade with and reunited at our 40th Reunion…..so cool!
We found out as you so wonderfully stated: We are SISTERS forever!
Barbara Richards says: Love to you Mary Jane for all the things you do through your fabulous publication. I just finished reading the Sisterhood Blog. What a fun bunch. Since I’m an old farm gal from Idaho it’s easy to relate to the whole thing and I grab it and read as soon as it comes in.I’m getting along in years (88 this year) but just have to get into the kitchen and do something. Lately my very best friend (husband) for short went to the store and bought up some of the last of the watermelons so I could make watermelon rind pickles. Are they ever good. At least we think so. Keep up the good and God bless you. -Barb-
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Hello friends! I’ve been pondering this thing that I seem to see every single August here in Tennessee: summer is over when school is back in session. I’m telling you what, that seems so strange to me. It’s 100 degrees outside, our flower garden is still producing like nobody’s business and everybody is talking Fall and Pumpkins. WHAT??? Of course for those of you that have been reading my blog here for any amount of time, you know that I never let go of summer until the frost really IS on the pumpkin!
Dirtduchess says: I’m going to make some of these! Beautiful. Thanks.
Laurel Pries says: Hi Dori, I always love to read your up-lifting inspiring blog, and your pumpkin idea is so sweet!! We live in the foothills of beautiful Mt Rainier in Washington State, and it has already begun the “leaf-turning process” that shows us fall is on it’s way. We are in the midst of gathering our first round of wild chanterelle mushrooms and getting them canned, which is a sure sign fall is nearing. Wishing you and your family the best and looking forward to reading your next post. Laurel
Cyndie Gray says: Your pumpkins are simply adorable!!
Love reading your blog posts…always!
Enjoy every little bit of Summer!
Fall will have its time in the limelight soon enough!
PAT H Mitchell says: Dori so cute!!!! Love them.
cute pumpkins and thanks for the instructions! I will definitely try to make some. I’m wearing my white pants for the last time today and getting ready for fall-ish weather or at least in my mind fall-ish weather!
Connie Hester says: Love this pumpkin craft! Like you, I go into Fall kicking and screaming. I love Fall, but love Summer more! Fall never lasts long enough for us here in South-Central IL. Always means frost and snow not too far away.
I will be making some of these in different sizes to tuck here and there among the bookshelves for this fall. 🙂
Sandi King says: Unlike you, Dori, I love Fall. I love the cooler temperatures, sitting outside in the evening with less bugs bugging me, (mosquitoes love me), and I love the idea of decorating for Fall, Thanksgiving and Winter, Christmas. I used to decorate for Halloween but gave all my decorations away one year. The Fall colors are something to see and take pictures of, pretty as a gift card. And then of course, Winter is next. I have heard we may have a pretty cold and snowy one this year and I love snow also. So I hope you will enjoy the beautiful Fall colors this year and the cooler temperatures too. Thanks for the pumpkin idea.
Marilyn says: Fall is my favorite season. I do not like Summer,too hot and too many bugs. The pumpkins you designed are lovely.
Marilyn
Sarah Griewahn says: I love hearing from the Farmgirls.
Carol Walker says: I am hanging on to summer too. I like fall, but I hate to let summer go…I may have to give these pumpkins a try. Looks like fun. Thank you for sharing.
Diane Loehr says: Hi Dori –
I loved your posting and the easy instructions for making Pumpkins. I would love to get started on this right away and fill my house with these. Thanks for the idea!
Happy Pumpkin Making! Diane
Karen says: Love this post. I love Fall…being a native of New England. However, I’ve been in FL far longer than I was in New England and, like you, I’m not seeing Fall in the near future!
Thanks for the tutorial!
Cindi J says: I’m with you, Dori! Our summer here in Mary Jane territory has been very cool this year, with few actual hot days. So when that temperature goes up and everybody cranks up their air conditioning, my windows are wide open while I cling to summer with all of my might. Cute fall decorations like this sneak up from behind and make me begin the transition, sigh. I have to admit though, except for the fact that it’s followed by October, September really is my favorite month ~ and a great time to start a cute project like this!
Peggy says: Love your blog post. I made some of these pumpkins last year, they are easy and fun to make. I also live in middle Tennessee and it is unseasonably hot right now.
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Blueberry Hill Inn, Goshen Vermont
I’m so excited to share with you about a recent trip I took that was so much out of my comfort zone – but was such a completely perfect experience – that I’m still amazed!
Cyndie Gray says: What a precious experience for you my dear friend! I am so happy that you were able to “brave up” and go to this retreat!! That is such an awesome feeling to have after an experience~true joy~ it happens too seldom in our lives. Much love to you my friend!!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Cyndie!
Stepping out of our comfort zone is HARD isn’t it???
~ Dori ~
Mary Rauch says: I was overcome with happiness for YOU. I’m very very impressed you overcame that thought of backing out. As you can see, looking back, it would have been a terrible mistake. Truly, you will NEVER forget this!….bless you and all of them.
Dori Troutman says: Hi Mary,
I have to be honest and say that if I hadn’t paid a deposit and bought a plane ticket I probably would’ve backed out! 🙂 SO thankful I didn’t!!
~ Dori ~
Pat says: I am.so glad you did not.back out. Looks.loke you had a wonderful time..
Dori Troutman says: Hi Pat!
Me too!!!
~ Dori ~
Beth says: What an incredibly wonderful experience — and in Vermont! Plus, the gift of 22 more sisters. The love and laughter had to be visible from space! Looking to find a way to make this happen here in OR. Thanks for sharing something so special!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Beth,
It felt like such a once in a lifetime experience for me but I sure hope its not! And you do need to make it happen in Oregon!
~ Dori ~
Robin Reichardt says: Wow that retreat sounds like so much fun! I will def put one on my bucket list!
Dori Troutman says: Hi Robin,
Yes; most definitely put one on your to-do list!!!
~ Dori ~
Sandi King says: Oh, Dori, what an experience, what a joy and what fun that was. I love it and I wasn’t even there except through your eyes and words and pictures. It was such a wonderful time reading and looking and being there in my imagination. You say you aren’t good with expressing yourself but you did such a wonderful job of it that I felt very much at home there and part of that friendship you developed. Thank you for going there and taking us with you. It was wonderful.
Dori Troutman says: Hi Sandi,
Thank you so much… writing is such a hard thing trying to really convey how it felt! So I appreciate you for getting it! 🙂
~ Dori ~
OH what fun!! makes me want to dig out some of my quilt projects and get back to working on them. 🙂
Dori Troutman says: Hi Denise,
Oh YES!!! You should!!!
~ Dori ~
Marilyn says: What a nice experiment for you. All of you ladies look like you had a lot of fun. You now have a trove of treasured moments and lasing friendships. The Quilt is beautiful. Thank You for sharing your time at Blueberry Hill.
Marilyn
Dori Troutman says: Hi Marilyn,
It really was the best trip!!! I hope I get to go again next year!
~ Dori ~
Donna B. says: Wonderful experiencing with you. I may have to get my UGOs out and start again. Thanks for the inspiration and smiles.
Joani says: What a wonderful trip away yu had. I felt I was right there with you. Retreats were going away is just the best. I’m so hoping you were refreshed and delighted and the memories are continuing. Blessings and thank you for sharing.
Peggy Black says: Sounds like a wonderful experience. I would love to
Do this.
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Hello Farmgirl Friends!
A few readers reminded me last month that they would really like to hear how our little flower farm is doing and if there is anything new going on! So my post today is all about flowers!
Mary Rauch says: Such an easy answer: Pansies.
I am totally entranced by those little “faces”. One of my pals recently reminded me that there are OTHER kinds of flowers, but I just smiled at her. Pansies are for ME. Thanks for asking.
I enjoyed the article and your 45-minute sell out story.
Lori Fresina says: My all time fave is Daisies! My mom used to have them planted along the whole side of our house. My mil has some too. We planted 2 plants this year and although I haven’t cut any to bring inside I look at them daily from inside or going to the mailbox. I wish they lined my house.
Marvene says: I love Columbine flowers, yellow especially. My mother loved, loved flowers. She was born in 1909, on her father’s Box Bar Ranch 37 miles from Globe, AZ. My memories of the flowers and fragrances from that yard are still in my heart today, especially the honeysuckle and columbine flowers. Walking under the arbor the smell was divine. You didn’t ask, but Dahlia’s are 2nd.
Ms
Kim Rice says: What a fun post Dori!! All your new additions to the flower stand are fantastic !
I’m loving my Farm Fresh T-shirt and have used all but one of my note cards! I have a couple questions, what (if any) pest control do you use? I have tried to grow Zinnias and man do the grasshoppers love the leaves!! And do you strip the leaves off them when you arrange them in your jars?
My favorite summer bloom has to be my roses
Looking forward to your July post!!
Kim
Dori Troutman says: Hi Kim!
We don’t use any pest control on our flowers… we try really hard to practice all organic. Mainly because of the bees we have on our farm. However, you can use Neem Oil; we have in the past when we’ve been desperate! It is considered Organic (but not necessarily bee safe). Mostly we just hope for the best. Every year our biggest pest battle are the Japanese beetles. We literally pick them off and squish them as we pick flowers! Seems to be the best way.
As for picking and arranging. Everything that is going to be in water, you want stripped to the stem. It will turn your water bad in just a few hours if you leave them on. Typically you want to change your water daily anyway; but soggy, wet leaves don’t look pretty in a clear jar! 🙂
~ Dori ~
Candace Segar says: Hi Dori,
My favorite summertime flower is the Sunflower. I am not sure if that is a summertime flower or not, but it’s my favorite.
I enjoy your posts so much! Thank you for sharing with all of us.
Candy
Teresa Papadimitriou says: You brightened my day with just the pictures of flowers, so thanks bunches! They are beautiful.
Teresa Papadimitriou says: My favorite summertime flower is Queen Anne’s lace, especially the chocolate Queen Anne’s lace. Mix in a little coreopsis and colorful zinnias, and that’s my favorite of favorites!
Emily says: I loved seeing the girls in the trough. The flowers are beautiful. Grampy likes the girls to have fun!
Emily says: And, my favorite summertime flower is Zinna’s!
Cyndie Gray says: My all time favorite summer flower is the Gerbera Daisy. I usually put them out in various spots in more than a half dozen pots & urns!! Next in line would be the Zinnias. Love your flower growing business, it’s such a special time for you, your daughter & your two precious, sweet grandgirls❣️
Marlene Capelle says: Favorite flower is Stargazer Lily. The fragrance is incredible and I could sit and study the intricacy of the petals all day. And they are long lasting. Hate Japanese beetles but they would make great jewelry. Thanks for the pics.
Susan Dutka says: I love black eyed Susans!
Amy Fry says: I love this!!! Just charming and so entrepreneurial!! I see how you keep your summertime flowers from wilting by keeping them in mason jars and allowing the customer to transport them that way. However, the spring ones you bought arranged..and wrapped in brown paper..how did the customer keep them from wilting?
Michelle says: Like you, Dori, my favorite summer flower has to be zinnias. This year I have some minis, under 1″ blooms, and State Fair Giants, the bigger the better. So many colors, so cheerful, they look like a PARTY! My daughter and I love to enter them in our County Fair every summer.
Em says: Sweet peas!
Andrea L Hall says: Poppy’s….so many colors and sizes.
They are “happy” flowers
Andrea L Hall says: Poppy’s…so many colors and sizes.
They are “Happy” flowers!
Gloria Smith says: I look forward to your posts. You always seem to make work fun!
Sunflowers and iris are my favorite flowers. How can I get one of your T-shirt’s?
Bonnie says: My favorite flower is not just one. I can’t decide which I like best, Heliotrope, forget-me-not or hydrangea.
Favorite Summer Flower is ANY TYPE OF DAISY! Love them all.
Also, you said in this post that you had “weeding & maintaining down to a fine art”, please share! This is my 4th year, I’m doing it alone, and I cannot control the weeds!
Love your flower cart!
Karen Morris says: Dori, Love the flowers. You have some wonderful ideas!! I typically just plant some Zinnia’s in my garden every year. Who do you purchase your seeds from? I want to order mine this time for next year.
My favorite flowers were my purple petunias. They were beautiful and smelled so nice. But suddenly they dried up. Don’t know what I did wrong. But I loved them.
Sue says: I love them all! The summer time in the South is a riot of color and fragrance.
My favorite flowers were my purple petunias. They were beautiful and smelled so nice.
Judy says: Gotta say, my favorite summer flower is the peony.
Idamarie Settlemyer says: My favorite summer flowers are the Showy Milkweed. The pretty and smell good
and the hummingbirds love them. They usually are the first to bloom, so i really
hope the Monarchs get here soon! They feed on and need these plants to lay
their eggs.
Marilyn says: Gladiolas are my favorite summer flower. My late father always gave my twin sister and me a bouquet for our birthday.
Marilyn
Reba says: My favorite flower is the “Stella” Day lily…so easy to grow, and it is perennial! I really love the fact that we are so blessed by the beauty of all flowers; they are the simple things in life! Reba
Deb says: My favorite summer flower is Indian Paintbrush. It grows wild in our fields along with many other wildflowers. It is so pretty and such a bright orange.
Sharlene r Burton says: Peonies are my very favorite. I don’t think there is a flower that doesn’t make me smile.
Charlene says: Dori, love your darling flower stand and all the flowers. My favorite summer flower has to be love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena)
Sandy says: Irises!
Sweet peas! When I lived in California sweet peas were winter/ spring flowers but now we live in Wyoming, so they are summer flowers. Always puts a smile on my face.
Gail Summerlin says: It’s too hard to pick one favorite but if I can have one chose it would be the sunflower. I love your flower stand. It makes me happy just looking at it.
Beverly says: Too many choices and they are all beautiful!
Beverly says: Too many choices, they are so beautiful!
Tomi Mathew says: Peonies. Just love how full they are and colors.
Tomi Mathew says: Peonies. Just love how full they are and colors. How can I buy one of your tshirts
CARLEEN SISLER says: IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN ZINNIAS.I LOVE TO PLANT SEEDS AND THEN WAIT IMPATIENTLY TO SEE THE COLORS..
Julia Anthony says: Hi Dori,
I love gardenias!
julie
Judy from Maine says: Daisy’s are my favorite for the pureness they seem to represent, but I love zinnias too, they are my happy flower.
Your post was very much appreciated on this cool rainy Maine morning, thank you.
sharon butera says: Congratulations on helping our troubled spirits refresh with your botanical bundles of joy. Though I cannot visit your hearts easing flower stand in person, I delight in visiting via your blog. So wonderful to have this be a multigenerational endeavor. Love those little girl giggles at the end of your post.
Not sure if I could choose just one favorite summer flower. Each reaches the heart in its own way. Annuals especially eager to please without pause. I live among a large community of Amish and eagerly anticipate spring when I can visit as many Amish greenhouses as I have time for to fill my little red RAV4 with amazingly well grown potted plants to fill among the mainstays of my gardens, the perennials. With so much available, I still grow some of my own annuals from seed. My favorite are the the tall variety snapdragons. When my children were small they delighted in gently squeezing the flowers open between chubby finger and thumb to get the “dragon mouths” to open and close. Guess these, along with my memories of them, would be close to the top of my list of summer flowers I wouldn’t want to be without.
Bless you, your girls, and your flowers. thanks
sarah says: I love the fragrance of peionies, and the long lasting color of rocket larkspur.
Theresa says: Hands down Zinnias !
Colorado Cowgirl says: Sweet Peas. There fragrance is intoxicating!
I love each season’s flowers….especially the ones that are blooming on any given day!
Spring- Iris and Peony. Summer-Roses, Lilies, Larkspur and Zinnias.
Continued success to you!!
Robin Reichardt says: I love sunflowers and want to try growing them close to the house to provide shade for a west facing picture window in my living room.
I’ll have to agree with you on the zinnia’s, I just love them. I am growing them along with milkweed, 4 o’clocks a mystery flower that came from my Grandmother’s flower garden. No one seems to know what they are called. I enjoy your flower posts!!
Rebecca says: My fav summer flower is Sunflower
Marci Dodd says: Sunflowers are my favorite summer flower.
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Hello Farmgirl Friends!
A few readers reminded me last month that they would really like to hear how our little flower farm is doing and if there is anything new going on! So my post today is all about flowers!
Mary Rauch says: Such an easy answer: Pansies.
I am totally entranced by those little “faces”. One of my pals recently reminded me that there are OTHER kinds of flowers, but I just smiled at her. Pansies are for ME. Thanks for asking.
I enjoyed the article and your 45-minute sell out story.
Lori Fresina says: My all time fave is Daisies! My mom used to have them planted along the whole side of our house. My mil has some too. We planted 2 plants this year and although I haven’t cut any to bring inside I look at them daily from inside or going to the mailbox. I wish they lined my house.
Marvene says: I love Columbine flowers, yellow especially. My mother loved, loved flowers. She was born in 1909, on her father’s Box Bar Ranch 37 miles from Globe, AZ. My memories of the flowers and fragrances from that yard are still in my heart today, especially the honeysuckle and columbine flowers. Walking under the arbor the smell was divine. You didn’t ask, but Dahlia’s are 2nd.
Ms
Kim Rice says: What a fun post Dori!! All your new additions to the flower stand are fantastic !
I’m loving my Farm Fresh T-shirt and have used all but one of my note cards! I have a couple questions, what (if any) pest control do you use? I have tried to grow Zinnias and man do the grasshoppers love the leaves!! And do you strip the leaves off them when you arrange them in your jars?
My favorite summer bloom has to be my roses
Looking forward to your July post!!
Kim
Dori Troutman says: Hi Kim!
We don’t use any pest control on our flowers… we try really hard to practice all organic. Mainly because of the bees we have on our farm. However, you can use Neem Oil; we have in the past when we’ve been desperate! It is considered Organic (but not necessarily bee safe). Mostly we just hope for the best. Every year our biggest pest battle are the Japanese beetles. We literally pick them off and squish them as we pick flowers! Seems to be the best way.
As for picking and arranging. Everything that is going to be in water, you want stripped to the stem. It will turn your water bad in just a few hours if you leave them on. Typically you want to change your water daily anyway; but soggy, wet leaves don’t look pretty in a clear jar! 🙂
~ Dori ~
Candace Segar says: Hi Dori,
My favorite summertime flower is the Sunflower. I am not sure if that is a summertime flower or not, but it’s my favorite.
I enjoy your posts so much! Thank you for sharing with all of us.
Candy
Teresa Papadimitriou says: You brightened my day with just the pictures of flowers, so thanks bunches! They are beautiful.
Teresa Papadimitriou says: My favorite summertime flower is Queen Anne’s lace, especially the chocolate Queen Anne’s lace. Mix in a little coreopsis and colorful zinnias, and that’s my favorite of favorites!
Emily says: I loved seeing the girls in the trough. The flowers are beautiful. Grampy likes the girls to have fun!
Emily says: And, my favorite summertime flower is Zinna’s!
Cyndie Gray says: My all time favorite summer flower is the Gerbera Daisy. I usually put them out in various spots in more than a half dozen pots & urns!! Next in line would be the Zinnias. Love your flower growing business, it’s such a special time for you, your daughter & your two precious, sweet grandgirls❣️
Marlene Capelle says: Favorite flower is Stargazer Lily. The fragrance is incredible and I could sit and study the intricacy of the petals all day. And they are long lasting. Hate Japanese beetles but they would make great jewelry. Thanks for the pics.
Susan Dutka says: I love black eyed Susans!
Amy Fry says: I love this!!! Just charming and so entrepreneurial!! I see how you keep your summertime flowers from wilting by keeping them in mason jars and allowing the customer to transport them that way. However, the spring ones you bought arranged..and wrapped in brown paper..how did the customer keep them from wilting?
Michelle says: Like you, Dori, my favorite summer flower has to be zinnias. This year I have some minis, under 1″ blooms, and State Fair Giants, the bigger the better. So many colors, so cheerful, they look like a PARTY! My daughter and I love to enter them in our County Fair every summer.
Em says: Sweet peas!
Andrea L Hall says: Poppy’s….so many colors and sizes.
They are “happy” flowers
Andrea L Hall says: Poppy’s…so many colors and sizes.
They are “Happy” flowers!
Gloria Smith says: I look forward to your posts. You always seem to make work fun!
Sunflowers and iris are my favorite flowers. How can I get one of your T-shirt’s?
Bonnie says: My favorite flower is not just one. I can’t decide which I like best, Heliotrope, forget-me-not or hydrangea.
Favorite Summer Flower is ANY TYPE OF DAISY! Love them all.
Also, you said in this post that you had “weeding & maintaining down to a fine art”, please share! This is my 4th year, I’m doing it alone, and I cannot control the weeds!
Love your flower cart!
Karen Morris says: Dori, Love the flowers. You have some wonderful ideas!! I typically just plant some Zinnia’s in my garden every year. Who do you purchase your seeds from? I want to order mine this time for next year.
My favorite flowers were my purple petunias. They were beautiful and smelled so nice. But suddenly they dried up. Don’t know what I did wrong. But I loved them.
Sue says: I love them all! The summer time in the South is a riot of color and fragrance.
My favorite flowers were my purple petunias. They were beautiful and smelled so nice.
Judy says: Gotta say, my favorite summer flower is the peony.
Idamarie Settlemyer says: My favorite summer flowers are the Showy Milkweed. The pretty and smell good
and the hummingbirds love them. They usually are the first to bloom, so i really
hope the Monarchs get here soon! They feed on and need these plants to lay
their eggs.
Marilyn says: Gladiolas are my favorite summer flower. My late father always gave my twin sister and me a bouquet for our birthday.
Marilyn
Reba says: My favorite flower is the “Stella” Day lily…so easy to grow, and it is perennial! I really love the fact that we are so blessed by the beauty of all flowers; they are the simple things in life! Reba
Deb says: My favorite summer flower is Indian Paintbrush. It grows wild in our fields along with many other wildflowers. It is so pretty and such a bright orange.
Sharlene r Burton says: Peonies are my very favorite. I don’t think there is a flower that doesn’t make me smile.
Charlene says: Dori, love your darling flower stand and all the flowers. My favorite summer flower has to be love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena)
Sandy says: Irises!
Sweet peas! When I lived in California sweet peas were winter/ spring flowers but now we live in Wyoming, so they are summer flowers. Always puts a smile on my face.
Gail Summerlin says: It’s too hard to pick one favorite but if I can have one chose it would be the sunflower. I love your flower stand. It makes me happy just looking at it.
Beverly says: Too many choices and they are all beautiful!
Beverly says: Too many choices, they are so beautiful!
Tomi Mathew says: Peonies. Just love how full they are and colors.
Tomi Mathew says: Peonies. Just love how full they are and colors. How can I buy one of your tshirts
CARLEEN SISLER says: IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN ZINNIAS.I LOVE TO PLANT SEEDS AND THEN WAIT IMPATIENTLY TO SEE THE COLORS..
Julia Anthony says: Hi Dori,
I love gardenias!
julie
Judy from Maine says: Daisy’s are my favorite for the pureness they seem to represent, but I love zinnias too, they are my happy flower.
Your post was very much appreciated on this cool rainy Maine morning, thank you.
sharon butera says: Congratulations on helping our troubled spirits refresh with your botanical bundles of joy. Though I cannot visit your hearts easing flower stand in person, I delight in visiting via your blog. So wonderful to have this be a multigenerational endeavor. Love those little girl giggles at the end of your post.
Not sure if I could choose just one favorite summer flower. Each reaches the heart in its own way. Annuals especially eager to please without pause. I live among a large community of Amish and eagerly anticipate spring when I can visit as many Amish greenhouses as I have time for to fill my little red RAV4 with amazingly well grown potted plants to fill among the mainstays of my gardens, the perennials. With so much available, I still grow some of my own annuals from seed. My favorite are the the tall variety snapdragons. When my children were small they delighted in gently squeezing the flowers open between chubby finger and thumb to get the “dragon mouths” to open and close. Guess these, along with my memories of them, would be close to the top of my list of summer flowers I wouldn’t want to be without.
Bless you, your girls, and your flowers. thanks
sarah says: I love the fragrance of peionies, and the long lasting color of rocket larkspur.
Theresa says: Hands down Zinnias !
Colorado Cowgirl says: Sweet Peas. There fragrance is intoxicating!
I love each season’s flowers….especially the ones that are blooming on any given day!
Spring- Iris and Peony. Summer-Roses, Lilies, Larkspur and Zinnias.
Continued success to you!!
Robin Reichardt says: I love sunflowers and want to try growing them close to the house to provide shade for a west facing picture window in my living room.
I’ll have to agree with you on the zinnia’s, I just love them. I am growing them along with milkweed, 4 o’clocks a mystery flower that came from my Grandmother’s flower garden. No one seems to know what they are called. I enjoy your flower posts!!
Rebecca says: My fav summer flower is Sunflower
Marci Dodd says: Sunflowers are my favorite summer flower.
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I think it’s time to write about Buddy. Sometimes I find it hard to write about our cows and our little farm because it is such a small scale farm and despite the fact that I grew up with generations of cattle ranching in my blood, I still feel that I really don’t know anything about cows! And sometimes writing about things on the farm are emotionally hard. But what I do know is what my heart tells me! And so I’d like to introduce you to Buddy!
Cyndie Gray says: Sweet thoughts to go with your sweet precious grands!!
Diann says: I have had Baaaaell since she was less than eight hours old. Her mama and her twin died in delivering. Every hour and a half around the clock I fed my little lamb and she follows me everywhere. It has been interesting. However my other three ewes were also orphan, so, I guess I’m just a sucker for orphans. The same day I got Baaaell, I took three two week old puppies who’s mama died….see what I mean…sucker.♀️
We had a cow that had twins as well and we lost the male. I tried my best to keep him alive, but could not. I have also had bottle calves recently and let me say they are so cute but so pushy when it comes to their milk. My almost 4 year old granddoll knows the purpose as well.
Brenda Cervantes says: This is a sweet story. Honest with the reality of farm life. I understand the bittersweetness of Buddy’s life. But you are enjoying the sweetness and sharing that with the young.
Thank you
My Dad and a neighbor raised pigs for a year and I was the one to nurse the ones that got hurt by the mamma. there were two over the course of that summer, one lived and one didn’t make it. the one that made it we named Arnold, very original! but he was a big pet and then he grew and grew. My Dad wouldn’t let us get in his fence but he was still a big baby only REALLY big and could hurt us at that point because of his size. so when Arnold topped 400 lbs he had to go off like all piggies do and it was hard but yet we knew that’s what had to happen. but it is fun to be able to raise an animal like that and see it thrive no matter what happens later on. enjoyed your story!
Julie says: This is an amazing story!!!! You are a fabulous writer and you captured my attention! While I know you have very hard work daily, I can’t help but wish I worked on the farm with you!
Thank you for sharing!
Kathleen Rinta says: Oh my how your story hit home! I raise grassfed beef in western Washington just 30 miles south of Mt.St. Helens (the view we have, fantastic!) and had a Hereford cow who had twins 3 yrs. in a row, by different bulls. The first set the heifer was dead, the second set were heifers(score!), the 3rd set, a bull and heifer. Friends raised the heifer and returned her the following year, knowing that being a freemartin her purpose in life was to feed us. They’re lots of work but also so rewarding. Thanks for sharing!
We raised 3 girls on our farm with 4-H FFA and it was hard to sell them and through no fault of their own at times a tragic end to an animal. But I feel very strong about the facts of life. I couldn’t protect them from hardship. They now r parents and all have pets and continue on loving and caring for their animals. I think it’s made them appreciate how precious it is to care for another “fur being” Made them better human beings
Mary Rauch says: How difficult it must have been to find the words (which you did beautifully) to tell this sensitive story of nature and love and being a good steward of your knowledge and experience to the children.. The lessons learned from you will follow them forever. You are a GOOD WOMAN!
Nancy says: Hi I love reading about your crafts and flower garden but I am so sad reading this post. Poor buddy thinks he’s a beloved pet only to be sold and butchered. That is a part of farm life that I can do without..
Dori Troutman says: Awww Nancy,
I’m sorry to make you sad. It is a very hard, real part of farm life. And even amongst all the hard things, I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
I promise a crafty, sewing, flower garden post next month! 🙂
~ Dori ~
Marilyn says: This is a sweet story. The bond and caring your granddaughters have for Buddy is precious. It is sad how one twin can be ignored.
Marilyn
Meredith Williams says: Hi Dori!! I have another trick to add to your arsenal of tricks to get bottle calves sucking! With a tough calf, I have found that using a lamb nipple/bottle (with the hole on the end of the nipple made a bit bigger) can sometimes be just the ticket! A small calf ( which as you know, twins can be) sometimes just finds the normal calf nipple a little too big at the beginning. I love your posts and know just how you feel about writing about your farm. Even though we farm full time here in Virginia and have a beef herd of about 170 head, we look like nothing compared to the ranches out west! But even if we are small, we have many of the same kind of experiences with our animals, right?
Sandi King says: Hi Dori; Crying, emotional sap, that’s me. All animal’s I have loved and lost, tear my heart out, but I keep having more and more. Two dogs and 5 cats now. I have always from the time I was a small child had pets, from chickens to calves, to dogs and cats, fish and birds. I loved them, doctored them, protected them, some I killed with my doctoring (mom said it was the birds and fish), and I buried them and gave them a funeral. I teared up over Buddy, though I understand the reasoning of his purpose, and I am glad you know how to raise your grandkids to understand about life and death. Enjoying what you can when you can, feeling sad, and going on from there to the next event in life. The circle and cycle, for every joy there is sadness and for every sadness there is joy. Thanks for writing about farm life. We all need that perspective on how things are in life. Until next time, God Bless you and your family.
Cindi J says: I LOVE your stories ~ crafty, flowery, full of friends and fun, or emotional real life like this one. Yes, it is sad knowing that a beloved farm animal has a purpose other than being cute and loving to us, but your story is and unpretentious look at what all rancher and farm families experience each and every day. It is good for all of us to remember the cycle of life and respect the teachings that it offers. You are blessed with a very good and full life 🙂
Kim D. says: Hey, I’m that friend!….and he eventually got it! I’m so proud of how he’s doing. You not only saved him, but got him thriving and are also teaching a very valuable lesson to two precious girls.
Melisse Christine Mossy says: We had a calf named Buddy too, as a 4H project for our daughter. She eventually moved on to other things and our Buddy now lives with a Vegan in Placerville. We now own 50 acres outside San Diego but the woman who took our steer is very bonded and doesn’t want to give him up. I’m looking for a pasture mower, and would be willing to buy your Buddy if we could get him to So Cal. Let me know . Melisse@me.com
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I think it’s time to write about Buddy. Sometimes I find it hard to write about our cows and our little farm because it is such a small scale farm and despite the fact that I grew up with generations of cattle ranching in my blood, I still feel that I really don’t know anything about cows! And sometimes writing about things on the farm are emotionally hard. But what I do know is what my heart tells me! And so I’d like to introduce you to Buddy!
Cyndie Gray says: Sweet thoughts to go with your sweet precious grands!!
Diann says: I have had Baaaaell since she was less than eight hours old. Her mama and her twin died in delivering. Every hour and a half around the clock I fed my little lamb and she follows me everywhere. It has been interesting. However my other three ewes were also orphan, so, I guess I’m just a sucker for orphans. The same day I got Baaaell, I took three two week old puppies who’s mama died….see what I mean…sucker.♀️
We had a cow that had twins as well and we lost the male. I tried my best to keep him alive, but could not. I have also had bottle calves recently and let me say they are so cute but so pushy when it comes to their milk. My almost 4 year old granddoll knows the purpose as well.
Brenda Cervantes says: This is a sweet story. Honest with the reality of farm life. I understand the bittersweetness of Buddy’s life. But you are enjoying the sweetness and sharing that with the young.
Thank you
My Dad and a neighbor raised pigs for a year and I was the one to nurse the ones that got hurt by the mamma. there were two over the course of that summer, one lived and one didn’t make it. the one that made it we named Arnold, very original! but he was a big pet and then he grew and grew. My Dad wouldn’t let us get in his fence but he was still a big baby only REALLY big and could hurt us at that point because of his size. so when Arnold topped 400 lbs he had to go off like all piggies do and it was hard but yet we knew that’s what had to happen. but it is fun to be able to raise an animal like that and see it thrive no matter what happens later on. enjoyed your story!
Julie says: This is an amazing story!!!! You are a fabulous writer and you captured my attention! While I know you have very hard work daily, I can’t help but wish I worked on the farm with you!
Thank you for sharing!
Kathleen Rinta says: Oh my how your story hit home! I raise grassfed beef in western Washington just 30 miles south of Mt.St. Helens (the view we have, fantastic!) and had a Hereford cow who had twins 3 yrs. in a row, by different bulls. The first set the heifer was dead, the second set were heifers(score!), the 3rd set, a bull and heifer. Friends raised the heifer and returned her the following year, knowing that being a freemartin her purpose in life was to feed us. They’re lots of work but also so rewarding. Thanks for sharing!
We raised 3 girls on our farm with 4-H FFA and it was hard to sell them and through no fault of their own at times a tragic end to an animal. But I feel very strong about the facts of life. I couldn’t protect them from hardship. They now r parents and all have pets and continue on loving and caring for their animals. I think it’s made them appreciate how precious it is to care for another “fur being” Made them better human beings
Mary Rauch says: How difficult it must have been to find the words (which you did beautifully) to tell this sensitive story of nature and love and being a good steward of your knowledge and experience to the children.. The lessons learned from you will follow them forever. You are a GOOD WOMAN!
Nancy says: Hi I love reading about your crafts and flower garden but I am so sad reading this post. Poor buddy thinks he’s a beloved pet only to be sold and butchered. That is a part of farm life that I can do without..
Dori Troutman says: Awww Nancy,
I’m sorry to make you sad. It is a very hard, real part of farm life. And even amongst all the hard things, I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
I promise a crafty, sewing, flower garden post next month! 🙂
~ Dori ~
Marilyn says: This is a sweet story. The bond and caring your granddaughters have for Buddy is precious. It is sad how one twin can be ignored.
Marilyn
Meredith Williams says: Hi Dori!! I have another trick to add to your arsenal of tricks to get bottle calves sucking! With a tough calf, I have found that using a lamb nipple/bottle (with the hole on the end of the nipple made a bit bigger) can sometimes be just the ticket! A small calf ( which as you know, twins can be) sometimes just finds the normal calf nipple a little too big at the beginning. I love your posts and know just how you feel about writing about your farm. Even though we farm full time here in Virginia and have a beef herd of about 170 head, we look like nothing compared to the ranches out west! But even if we are small, we have many of the same kind of experiences with our animals, right?
Sandi King says: Hi Dori; Crying, emotional sap, that’s me. All animal’s I have loved and lost, tear my heart out, but I keep having more and more. Two dogs and 5 cats now. I have always from the time I was a small child had pets, from chickens to calves, to dogs and cats, fish and birds. I loved them, doctored them, protected them, some I killed with my doctoring (mom said it was the birds and fish), and I buried them and gave them a funeral. I teared up over Buddy, though I understand the reasoning of his purpose, and I am glad you know how to raise your grandkids to understand about life and death. Enjoying what you can when you can, feeling sad, and going on from there to the next event in life. The circle and cycle, for every joy there is sadness and for every sadness there is joy. Thanks for writing about farm life. We all need that perspective on how things are in life. Until next time, God Bless you and your family.
Cindi J says: I LOVE your stories ~ crafty, flowery, full of friends and fun, or emotional real life like this one. Yes, it is sad knowing that a beloved farm animal has a purpose other than being cute and loving to us, but your story is and unpretentious look at what all rancher and farm families experience each and every day. It is good for all of us to remember the cycle of life and respect the teachings that it offers. You are blessed with a very good and full life 🙂
Kim D. says: Hey, I’m that friend!….and he eventually got it! I’m so proud of how he’s doing. You not only saved him, but got him thriving and are also teaching a very valuable lesson to two precious girls.
Melisse Christine Mossy says: We had a calf named Buddy too, as a 4H project for our daughter. She eventually moved on to other things and our Buddy now lives with a Vegan in Placerville. We now own 50 acres outside San Diego but the woman who took our steer is very bonded and doesn’t want to give him up. I’m looking for a pasture mower, and would be willing to buy your Buddy if we could get him to So Cal. Let me know . Melisse@me.com
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Hello Farmgirl Friends! The first Saturday in April… I’ve written about this day before here. And made mention of it here and here. And honestly, I wasn’t going to write about it this year. But you know… tradition! And a few deep thoughts.
Kim Rice says: OMGOSH! So proud of you!! You are definitely such a force of positivity! I would have started running (if it weren’t for injury) today! You have worked so hard to get where you are . Keep on inspiring those who cross your path ❤️
“There goes my friend the RUNNER!”
Hugs,
Kim
Laurel Pries says: Congratulations, Dori I love reading your blogs. They are always so uplifting and happy!
Thank you for sharing~~
Marlene Capelle says: good for you.
Cyndie Gray says: You are an encouragement to so many❣️ Love your purpose & your “I’ve got this attitude!”.
Way to go my friend
Marilyn says: Congratulations. You were terrific. Wishing you and yours a Blessed Holy Week and a Joyous Happy Easter.
Marilyn and Family
Sandi King says: Congratulations, Dori! You are an inspiration. So happy that you accomplished another milestone and you realize you are a runner and a winner. Wonderful that your family joined you in this event; that makes it even better.
Rebecca says: I’ve signed up to run the Marshall University in November…a first for me. My mantra has always been “I’m not a runner” but I like your way of looking at it, so I need to re-think that.
is a certified farmgirl at heart. She’s happily married to her beach bum Yankee husband of 20 years. She went from career gal to being a creative homeschooling mom for two of her biggest blessings and hasn’t looked back since. Debbie left her lifelong home in the high desert of Northern Nevada 10 years ago and washed up on the shore of America’s hometown, Plymouth, MA, where she and her family are now firmly planted. They spend part of each summer in a tiny, off–grid beach cottage named “The Sea Horse.”
“I found a piece of my farmgirl heart when I discovered MaryJanesFarm. Suddenly, everything I loved just made more sense! I enjoy unwinding at the beach, writing, gardening, and turning yard-sale furniture into ‘Painted Ladies’ I’m passionate about living a creative life and encouraging others to ‘make each day their masterpiece.’”
is a “MaryJane Farmgirl” who lives in a large metropolitan area. She is a lawyer who has worked in both criminal defense and prosecution. She has been a judge, a business woman and a stay-at-home mom. In addition to her law degree, she has a Masters of Theological Studies.
“Mustering up the courage to do the things you dream about,” she says, “is the essence of being a MaryJane Farmgirl.” Learning to live more organically and closer to nature is Rebekah’s current pursuit. She finds strength and encouragement through MaryJane’s writings, life, and products. And MaryJane’s Farmgirl Connection provides her a wealth of knowledge from true-blue farmgirls.
an old-fashioned farmgirl with a pioneer spirit, lives in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. As a “lifelong learner” in the “Live-Free-or-Die” state, she fiercely values self-reliance, independence, freedom, and fresh mountain air. Married to her childhood sweetheart of 40+ years (a few of them “uphill climbs”), she’s had plenty of time to reinvent herself. From museum curator, restaurant owner, homeschool mom/conference speaker, to post-and-beam house builder and entrepreneur, she’s also a multi-media artist, with an obsession for off-grid living and alternative housing. Cathi owns and operates a 32-room mountain lodge. Her specialty has evolved to include “hermit hospitality” at her rustic cabin in the mountains, where she offers weekend workshops of special interest to women.
“Mountains speak to my soul, and farming is an important part of my heritage. I want to pass on my love of these things to others through my writing. Living in the mountains has its own particular challenges, but I delight in turning them into opportunities from which we can all learn and grow.”
Dori Troutman is the daughter of second generation cattle ranchers in New Mexico. She grew up working and playing on the ranch that her grandparents homesteaded in 1928. That ranch, with the old adobe home, is still in the family today. Dori and her husband always yearned for a ranch of their own. That dream came true when they retired to the beautiful green rolling hills of Tennessee. Truly a cattleman’s paradise!
Dori loves all things farmgirl and actually has known no other life but that. She loves to cook, craft, garden, and help with any and all things on their cattle farm.
describes herself as a goat charmer, chicken whisperer, bee maven, and farmers’ market baker renovating an 1864 farmhouse on an Ohio farm. With a degree in Design, Mary says small-town auctions and country road barn sales "always make my heart skip a beat thinking about what I could create or design out of what I’ve seen.”
Rooted in the countryside, she likes simple things and old ways … gardening, preserving the harvest, cooking, baking, and all things home. While you might find her selling baked goods from the farm’s milkhouse, teaching herself to play the fiddle, or sprucing up a vintage camper named Maizy, you will always find her in an apron!
Mary says, “I’m happiest with the simple country pleasures … an old farmhouse, too many animals, a crackling fire, books to read, and the sound of laughter … these make life just perfect.”
is a budding rural farmgirl living in Palmer, the agricultural seat of Alaska. Alex is a graduate student at Alaska Pacific University pursuing an M.S. in Outdoor and Environmental Education. She lives and works on the university’s 700 acre environmental education center, Spring Creek Farm. When Alex has time outside of school, she loves to rock climb, repurpose found objects, cross-country ski on the hay fields, travel, practice yoga, and cook with new-fangled ingredients.
Alex grew up near the Twin Cities and went to college in Madison, Wisconsin—both places where perfectly painted barns and rolling green farmland are just a short drive away. After college, she taught at a rural middle school in South Korea where she biked past verdant rice paddies and old women selling home-grown produce from sidewalk stoops. She was introduced to MaryJanesFarm after returning, and found in it what she’d been searching for—a group of incredible women living their lives in ways that benefit their families, their communities, and the greater environment. What an amazing group of farmgirls to be a part of!
Suburban Farmgirl Nicole Christensen calls herself a “vintage enthusiast”. Born and raised in Texas, she has lived most of her life in the picturesque New England suburbs of Connecticut, just a stone’s throw from New York State. An Advanced Master Gardener, she has gardened since childhood, in several states and across numerous planting zones. In addition, she teaches knitting classes, loves to preserve, and raises backyard chickens.
Married over thirty years to her Danish-born sweetheart, Nicole has worked in various fields, been a world-traveler, an entrepreneur and a homemaker, but considers being mom to her now-adult daughter her greatest accomplishment. Loving all things creative, Nicole considers her life’s motto to be “Bloom where you are planted”.
Simply lovely Dori!!!
We don’t have acorns in this neck of the woods, but we could even do this with the pinecones and greenery!
Beautiful idea for the up coming family gatherings!!
Xo,
Kim
Simply marvelous Dori, thank you for the great tutorial.
What an adorable craft idea! I just love it! Thanks much for sharing
Such a sweet garland! Thank you for sharing this idea!
Thank you for sharing .I love this idea!
The natural, woodland theme is so magical! I love this idea! Thank you for the tutorial.
Love this look! Raining outside right now in E. TN, or I’d be out there gathering! Having Thanksgiving with the sister of a friend and think I’ll make a garland to take to her as a hostess gift! This is organic enough to be on display for autumn, winter, or the holidays!! Thank you for such an enjoyable craft!!
I always pick up acorns and pinecones and always will what a sweet idea
So sweet.
I love this idea. I will have to get my grandchildren and head to the woods for some hemlock cones and small acorns, they will love it.
Oh! The possibilities! Thanks Dori!
Love it! Will have to make some of these. 🙂
Adorable and so pretty!
What a fun idea. We have larger pine cones, so I may try this on a larger scale for our front porch. Thank you for sharing!
Sincerely,
Joei Gifford
I love it. !!! Will try to make one for a fall decoration. THANKS for sharing
So simple and fun and easy to make. I love the spareness of the garland. Making asap! Thank you.
So lovely, thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Dori, this is just what I needed. I am the hunter/gatherer who needs ideas of what to do with what I have collected. I love all things natural, in their natural state. Maybe after the season, these could make mini feeders for the animals and birds. We had a good crop of gourds, which are drying in the greenhouse, so put your thinking (acorn) cap on.