What's Happening at the Farm
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END OF THE SEASON SALE
30% OFF EVERYTHING*!! *lapidary classes or items, stones and cabochons are NOT included Sale Hours Monday -Thursday 9-Noon |
New Directions On The Horizon
2022 thus far has been our annus horribilis. We experienced three deaths in our family in only four short months, the lavender bit the dust, health issues and the daily grind we all have been dealing with during these trying times. I think we are all spent, frustrated and wondering where this all is leading. Not that there isn’t still joy to be found and created in our world but sometimes we have to go deep and discover what WE want out of this life.
After a summer of reflection, attempting to plan for the future, Don and I have decided to change directions completely. As many of you know, we discovered lapidary and silversmithing during Covid and Don was smitten. We have been dabbling in doing several things in that direction. We’re still learning and feeling our way into what we want to do with that.
I have loved and will always love flowers and herbs, making things with them, doing talks and workshops. Always. However, after having such a sorrowful winter and spring, then losing most of the lavender, I asked myself what do I want to do? I’m getting older, my health isn’t the best, stress is killing me along with being overweight and diabetic. I am not going to lie, this summer has been hard, so, so hard not just physically but emotionally and I NEED to change it. I am choosing my hard. It’s hard to lug around this meat suit on bad knees, it’s hard to watch life go by only feeling stressed and unhappy and so on. It’s hard to choose yourself and I am. I am so incredibly fortunate that I am in a space that I can reinvent myself and I am very grateful to my husband and friends for their support on this journey. Going forward, I CHOOSE to put my health above all else, my passions and pursuits above stuff that has become route and uninspired. Doesn’t sound too hard but at least for me, it seemed insurmountable but I stand by that choice. I miss creating my art and being in the studio deep in the trenches of creativity. I have lived my entire life taking care of others and now, it’s time I took care of myself. Don had a major health scare a year ago and we almost lost him. He has put his energy into the lapidary and is a natural. As small business owners, you are always on the job. It’s part of the gig. We’re always around and doing stuff, why not do something we are discovering and enjoying? We’re going to take the next several months to make some firm plans and goals for going forward. We’re always reinventing ourselves and now seems to be a good time to tackle some new challenges. What does that look like in respect to the farm?
The lavender portion of what we do is winding down. Lavender is a mediterranean plant and she hates wet feet, we are pretty confident that’s what caused the winter kill. It didn’t matter the variety, where it was on the farm and we have excellent drainage: the lavender was done and that’s ok. We’ve had to replace the lavender before, just never farm wide at one time, that’s farming. It’s a risk and we’ve been very fortunate up until last year. Our climate isn’t improving for the better and trying to decide, do we take the risk again or do we move on to something else? The expense of ripping out all the dead plants, amending the soil, buying new plant starts, replanting is too costly for us right now. The gift shop wasn’t busy the summer, after having to call dozens of tour groups that the lavender was gone, they didn’t come. I don’t blame them. I am not complaining or looking for sympathy, simply stating facts. After weighing all the pros and cons, we have decided to close up the gift shop for the time being, reinvent that concept and forge into new directions. We will have a big end of the season sale in the gift shop and see what’s next. We are still ferreting out exactly what that is but it’s arty, creative and something inspiring. We’re getting excited and really looking forward to creating something new and fresh. Inspired By Nature, our pond and lake management business won’t change, in fact it will grow. We’ll be able to dedicate more time to expanding Inspired By Nature. We’ll still have honey, I’ll always make jam and herby goodies, we’ll still have classes & workshops, never fear! I know we have jam groupies that might “toast” me if I stop making wild flavored jams. We are grateful to our customers, friends and wonderful folks that have supported us and been part of the ride. YOU make it worthwhile and keeps us wanting to come up with new ideas. We’ll be back in due time and I think you will be excited about our new direction.
Late Summer/Fall Hours
Monday - Thursday 9 am till Noon
or just about anytime by appointment
Closed Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Please call for an appointment if can't come during office hours. We are more than likely working somewhere on the farm and are happy to help you.
2022 thus far has been our annus horribilis. We experienced three deaths in our family in only four short months, the lavender bit the dust, health issues and the daily grind we all have been dealing with during these trying times. I think we are all spent, frustrated and wondering where this all is leading. Not that there isn’t still joy to be found and created in our world but sometimes we have to go deep and discover what WE want out of this life.
After a summer of reflection, attempting to plan for the future, Don and I have decided to change directions completely. As many of you know, we discovered lapidary and silversmithing during Covid and Don was smitten. We have been dabbling in doing several things in that direction. We’re still learning and feeling our way into what we want to do with that.
I have loved and will always love flowers and herbs, making things with them, doing talks and workshops. Always. However, after having such a sorrowful winter and spring, then losing most of the lavender, I asked myself what do I want to do? I’m getting older, my health isn’t the best, stress is killing me along with being overweight and diabetic. I am not going to lie, this summer has been hard, so, so hard not just physically but emotionally and I NEED to change it. I am choosing my hard. It’s hard to lug around this meat suit on bad knees, it’s hard to watch life go by only feeling stressed and unhappy and so on. It’s hard to choose yourself and I am. I am so incredibly fortunate that I am in a space that I can reinvent myself and I am very grateful to my husband and friends for their support on this journey. Going forward, I CHOOSE to put my health above all else, my passions and pursuits above stuff that has become route and uninspired. Doesn’t sound too hard but at least for me, it seemed insurmountable but I stand by that choice. I miss creating my art and being in the studio deep in the trenches of creativity. I have lived my entire life taking care of others and now, it’s time I took care of myself. Don had a major health scare a year ago and we almost lost him. He has put his energy into the lapidary and is a natural. As small business owners, you are always on the job. It’s part of the gig. We’re always around and doing stuff, why not do something we are discovering and enjoying? We’re going to take the next several months to make some firm plans and goals for going forward. We’re always reinventing ourselves and now seems to be a good time to tackle some new challenges. What does that look like in respect to the farm?
The lavender portion of what we do is winding down. Lavender is a mediterranean plant and she hates wet feet, we are pretty confident that’s what caused the winter kill. It didn’t matter the variety, where it was on the farm and we have excellent drainage: the lavender was done and that’s ok. We’ve had to replace the lavender before, just never farm wide at one time, that’s farming. It’s a risk and we’ve been very fortunate up until last year. Our climate isn’t improving for the better and trying to decide, do we take the risk again or do we move on to something else? The expense of ripping out all the dead plants, amending the soil, buying new plant starts, replanting is too costly for us right now. The gift shop wasn’t busy the summer, after having to call dozens of tour groups that the lavender was gone, they didn’t come. I don’t blame them. I am not complaining or looking for sympathy, simply stating facts. After weighing all the pros and cons, we have decided to close up the gift shop for the time being, reinvent that concept and forge into new directions. We will have a big end of the season sale in the gift shop and see what’s next. We are still ferreting out exactly what that is but it’s arty, creative and something inspiring. We’re getting excited and really looking forward to creating something new and fresh. Inspired By Nature, our pond and lake management business won’t change, in fact it will grow. We’ll be able to dedicate more time to expanding Inspired By Nature. We’ll still have honey, I’ll always make jam and herby goodies, we’ll still have classes & workshops, never fear! I know we have jam groupies that might “toast” me if I stop making wild flavored jams. We are grateful to our customers, friends and wonderful folks that have supported us and been part of the ride. YOU make it worthwhile and keeps us wanting to come up with new ideas. We’ll be back in due time and I think you will be excited about our new direction.
Late Summer/Fall Hours
Monday - Thursday 9 am till Noon
or just about anytime by appointment
Closed Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Please call for an appointment if can't come during office hours. We are more than likely working somewhere on the farm and are happy to help you.
If you are looking for the pond & lake management part of what we do - please visit www.ibnature.com or call 419-669-4084
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