Good morning friends, it is currently Friday evening and I am sitting under the shade of the apple trees drinking a rather nice Gin & Tonic (Hendricks Gin & always Fever Tree Tonic Water - it can never be anything else I am afraid). Summer is well and truly here in the PNW. The next 10 days of weather looks very hot indeed. We had a pretty cold spring, not much rain but the typical temperature was 10 degrees colder that normal in May so things have been off to a slow start in the flower world, so I am hoping that the flowers in the various stages that they are in now can cope with the heat.
At the beginning of June my flock of chickens grew considerably. My lovely friend Jess who has been behind the lens of the camera for me over the past couple of years is moving back to the East Coast - insert sad emoji’s here. Her husband is in the military and off to Rhode Island they go. However, they had 6 chickens that they could not take with them, so I happily adopted them. After one night of decided who was highest on the chicken chain of command they settled in well. At about the same time my husband brought home three baby chicks as a result of a school science project. My brood is now 16, I am back to getting lots of eggs and could not be happier. We have fenced in their area so they no longer have 5 acres and the lane to wonder up and down. This is for their own good, as there are trees and the old goat house to protect them from Eagles taking them for a mid morning snack. They still have ample room to strut around but I am hoping this increases their life expectancy.
A happy chicken in her nesting box
June was when the flowers started bursting into bloom. Peonies and roses were the first to steal the show. I grow David Austin roses, not for sale but just for my own pleasure. However, with all that I have had going on in the past on the farm I hate to admit that they have taken a back seat. This year we have been taken care of them and the difference is incredible. My sweet peas started to bloom mid June and they are loving life. They are getting a little more shade this year and I think that it is definitely benefiting them.
Photography by Jess Vallance
June saw the start of a very busy wedding season for me. Deciding to not work so much on the wholesale side of my business has opened up the opportunity for more weddings and creativity. Using flowers from my farm or supplementing from other local farmers it is a wonderful to be able to create locally grown beautiful wedding florals.
I have been working on my photography skills over the past couple of years with the help of Jess. During this time I have been looking for the place with the perfect light, because photography is really all about the light. I am excited to say I have at last found that space! I have been walking past it for years….unaware of its potential. It is my neighbors barn. On first look it is just a little grim to say the least. Full of tractor chains, spare parts and I think feral cats but oh the side light is glorious. My neighbor thinks I am a little nuts but is happy for me to take photos in there. It just goes to show that sometimes what you are looking for is right under your very nose.
Beautiful wedding bouquet in a grim but beautifully lit barn.
At the end of June I hosted a new workshop. I love hosting our tried and tested events but sometimes it is nice to try something new and again this shift in my business is enabling me to do that this year. This latest event was called Tea, Cake and Tablescapes. It truly was the loveliest afternoon and even the rain shower at the end of the event did not make the ladies leave the table. And really cake and tea makes everything wonderful.
Tea, Cakes & Tablescapes - Photography Jess Vallance
July is filled with weddings, weeding so many flowers including I hope the start of the dahlia season and a little travel at the end of the month to see my boys, it is truly hard to believe that we are half way though this year already.
Enjoy these warm summer evenings, pour yourself something lovely and sit and enjoy your surrounds, whatever they maybe.