A Sprig of Lavender

Craving a Little Camper Time....

2012-02-22T13:34:00.000-05:00

It's time to pay for our yearly stay at a little get away... up north!

A place where we gather, regardless of weather,

with family and friends for a week every year.

Soaking in sun while finding rock treasures,

sharing a meal that everyone pleasures.

Reading and often responding to teases,

later lulled to sleep by the Lake Michigan waves and breezes.

Laughing by lakeside, exploring the town,

this time with my family is priceless, I've found.

Miniature Garden Inspiration

2012-02-01T14:49:00.001-05:00

Miniature gardens are a wonderful way to bring the outdoors in or to enjoy a fun, whimsical mini space outdoors.
Let your imagination fly:
1. find a container that you really like (a planter, wagon, vintage roasting pot, wooden box or drawer, etc).
2. add soil and plants (herbs or low growing ground covers work fabulously. Moss can be a great accent too).
3. add your miniature garden accessories, perhaps even a pea gravel walk.
4. water and enjoy!

I've loved using miniature gardens for wedding and event centerpieces. They make a wonderful gift to give or receive. Simply a great garden idea for urban dwellers, home chefs, beginning or master gardeners, children... really anyone who would like to enjoy a beautiful, easy to maintain, portable garden.

See our Etsy shop for the garden miniature accessories that are available through Forrester Farm. Let the inspiration begin!

Brides

2012-01-14T11:49:00.000-05:00

I love working with brides. Through the years there have been so many brides from all walks of life. Some live right here in West Michigan, others have planned their weddings with me from as far away as California. I've seen marriages bloom and families grow as babies enter the picture. From coffee barristras, teachers to future brain surgeons, the brides and their styles have varied immensely and I've loved working with them all!

Currently, I'm working with a sweet bride who is from the Ukraine. She lives in Washington D.C., her fiance lives in Canada. With family in West Michigan, their wedding and reception will take place in Holland, Michigan. Drawn to locally grown flowers and a vintage rustic theme, the couple have shared a couple ideas:

Bridal Bouquets:

Boutonniere:

Bridesmaids Bouquets:

Centerpieces:

A couple additional ideas incorporating books and blue mason jars:

As we are enjoying the freshly fallen pure white snow in Michigan, I'm also enjoying the planning of colorful spring planting - incorporating what this couple and many others are requesting this year.

Tick tock, it's a clock!

2012-01-03T15:58:00.000-05:00

Clocks. I don't know what it is about them that just draws my attention. I counted. We have 16 in our house. That does not include watches, but does include cell phones. Having 16 clocks in the house does not necessarily mean that we are on time to all of our commitments either (I do hear some of you laughing).

I think it all started when my husband worked in engineering for Hekman Furniture and decided that he would like to use his "sister company discount" to purchase a Howard Miller wall clock that caught our attention. It has graced the walls of two of our homes now.

When we were moving from one home to the next, my husband decided that he would build a huge clock. Yet to be finished, this one is 5 feet in diameter. Though unfinished, it makes quite a statement behind the loveseat in our office.

I found this little bargain at the Allegan Antique Market with friends this past summer. I call it "grandma's clock" because based on my memory, it looks exactly like the alarm clock that sat in my grandma's bedroom for all of the years that I'd known her. There might have been a few sibling fights over who got to "wind it" next! It makes me think of my sweet grandma every time I see it (in my kitchen).

Knowing our affinity for clocks, my sister bought this tree ornament for us years ago. It hangs on our Christmas tree every year.

The Howard Miller clock shown at a different angle. Paint colors have changed in the house, but the clock remains the same. (A few flowers were on display after we participated in a local bridal show).

At the same time that my husband designed the 5 ft. clock, he had made faces for 3 ft clocks. Our cousins loved the supplies and finished the project - sending us a photo of the finished project. Love it!

The other day, my husband mentioned wanting to finish this one. He designed the hands at the time that he designed the clock. I can't wait to have it finished, but in the meantime, curling up right here with a book when I don't have to pay attention to the real time is just a gift!

Gathering Eggs in Style....

2011-11-30T14:39:00.001-05:00

If you had told me years ago that we would be chicken owners, I would have laughed the comment away! No way could I ever imagine such a thing! Horses - YES, I've dreamed of owning horses since I was 5. Chickens - NEVER! Ha, as it turns out, we have been blessed by both horses and chickens - and ducks! And I wouldn't trade it for anything, especially if you can gather eggs with such fine accessories.....

The most rewarding part of owning chickens? Sharing the colorful delicious eggs with neighbors, family and friends!

Fall Wedding Extravaganza

2011-10-25T15:20:00.000-04:00

The 2011 wedding season is winding down for Forrester Farm. (Although 2012 wedding planning is in full swing!). There is still always so much to do at this time of the year, and I always look forward to seeing photographer shots for the season. For today, enjoy some previous year's wedding photos.

First 3 photos by Studio 6.23

Following 3 photos by John R Ziemann Photography

Following 4 photos provided by Single Moments Photography

I look forward to sharing this season's fall wedding photos with you soon! Enjoy the season and all of the color that it brings!

Happy Friday!

2011-10-07T16:37:00.000-04:00

Enjoy your weekend~

(bridesmaid's bouquet)

(2 photos of the Bride's bouquet)

It is going to be a BEAUTIFUL October weekend in Michigan, and I can't wait to see my bride's face when she sees her flowers tomorrow. Months of planning coming together and absolutely fabulous weather! Blessings Lauren and Mike!

Distinguished, Dashing, Darling Dahlias

2011-09-09T17:20:00.000-04:00

It is the time of year that dahlias are in full bloom in Michigan - and many fall brides love the look of them in their floral arrangements. I recently provided flowers for a very sweet couple, and dahlias were on the list of flowers to have. Because I didn't have enough white dahlias growing in my own garden, I had the pleasure of going to the Hamilton Dahlia Farm in Hamilton, Michigan to hand pick the blooms that would grace my bride's day. I'm looking forward to seeing the professional wedding photos, but in the meantime, here is some of the fun that we had leading up to the special day:

Rows and rows of colorful dahlias:

Close up shots:

Farm helpers had been busy cutting for market day:

Paige, age 12, was thrilled that while mom was cutting white dahlias, she was allowed to pick up the colorful and perfectly beautiful "dead heads" that were on the ground. Armed with a bucket full, she immediately started using her creativity when we returned home:

Wedding flower delivery day:

I'll share more wedding day photos as soon as I see them. In the meantime, you might see some of my wedding day snapshots show up on the Forrester Farm Facebook Page - or here on the blog :)!

Flowers...

2011-09-07T13:41:00.000-04:00

...from my garden to you. Happy Wednesday!

The Summer of the French Chicken....

2011-09-06T16:13:00.001-04:00

It happened the summer of 2010. We had a sweet girl from France come to intern with Forrester Farm for 10 weeks. Alize and 64 other agricultural students from Esipta, needed to secure 8 weeks of internship experience in an English speaking country. Alize found us through Local Harvest, and I'm so glad that she did. We worked, played, camped and worked some more. The internship was as much about helping with Forrester Farm weddings and flowers as it was about experiencing the culture of the area. We learned from Alize and she learned from us. She even changed her opinion about camping being only for "old people"!

While Alize was with us, we needed to construct a chicken coop for our little flock that we had purchased in the spring. Inspired by a friend who mentioned turning a corn crib into a gazebo, my husband and I decided to use that idea for a chicken coop. We tend to optimistically jump into a project, only to realize later just how long that project might take. It really became the whole summer project - between my husband's work, Forrester Farm weddings, farmer's market vending days, camping and some other fun excursions like ice cream runs, trips to the beach and outdoor concerts. By the end of the summer, I had decided that the summer of 2010 would always be remembered in my mind as the Summer of the French Chicken.

Here is the completed coop. We do just want to paint the roof yet. I love that we can gather eggs from the little doors on the outside - they open into the nesting boxes for easy gathering.

Cooped up and ready to be set free:

Our favorite rooster of all time - Henry. He would actually run to us if we called his name. Alize loved picking him up.

If Alize were with us this summer, I know that she would be smiling at the new flock additions.

At the end of the summer 2010, our coop was completed, Alize returned to France, and ever since, she refers to me as her American mum. I gained a "French daughter", a friend, and so many memories.

Always Amazing - Allegan in August

2011-08-31T09:19:00.001-04:00

The last Sunday of every month, April through September, the fabulous Allegan Antique Market takes place at the fairgrounds in Allegan. Vendors and buyers come from far and near to enjoy the show, find new treasures and be inspired by what they see.

A couple of booths caught my attention this time around...
Heaven's Walk was a new booth this August. The booth featured great items from Heaven's Walk, Lakehouse and Seashells & Lavender. Three friends joining together to have fun and share their creativity with others.

Another fun booth is Butter Beans Antiques, a regular vendor. I'm always drawn into their booth when I'm there. The displays are just a breath of fresh air after visually taking in so much as you happily meander through the whole show.

If I had the farmhouse that my husband and I had put an offer in on this past spring, this might have been the table set that would have graced the dining room. We still might get the house, but I'm sure that the table is gone. Allegan is a great place to go when it comes to furnishing and decorating homes.

I would be remiss if I didn't tell you about a couple other fabulous booths. Truth is, by the time I reached them, my arms were full, I was in desperate need of a coffee and some food, and I didn't want to take the time to pull out the camera. Lame, I know, but I also knew that I had contact information and a photo of this cute camper from before the time my great friend Karla bought it. Karla's Place is a great fun store in Holland that my friend owns. If you look for this camper at Allegan, you will find Karla's friends from Rebel Reclaimed set up with all of their fun finds and creations.

Another great booth: When I first met the couple who own Rivich Antiques, they had an adorable sweet little camper that they were selling at Allegan. I knew it would go, and within a couple of hours of the show opening, the camper had a new owner. Aside from the camper, they always have an amazing fun display. Though they drive in from Chicago, IL, if you miss them at Allegan, you can probably find some of their treasures in Holland, MI at Karla's Place!

There are so many quality vendors who are a part of the Allegan Market. Several of them will be participating in the upcoming Country Living Fair in Columbus, OH which takes place Sept. 16-18, 2011. I'm bummed that I can't attend this year - I promised a great bride Forrester Farm wedding flowers for that weekend :)!

If you enjoyed this post on Allegan, you might also enjoy a former post featuring photos from our sweet French intern who lived with us last summer: Allegan Antique Market, Sept. 2010.

Enjoy your day! I'm off to move a son into his college dorm - though I cared about having his bedding, towels and accessories color coordinated - he could care less :)!

A "Stop and Smell the Flowers" kind of day.....

2011-08-23T08:42:00.000-04:00

I don't know if it is true for you, but our summer has flown by fast! For the one week that I wasn't working on wedding flowers or was out of town, we hosted family from out of state and threw a graduation & birthday party for my son. It has been one busy summer - and this week, I'm catching up. Reclaiming the jungle of a yard, organizing bedrooms, shopping for school clothes and college dorm supplies and.... remembering to stop to smell the flowers :)! Today, we'll even relax and take in a fabulous floral scene while enjoying music at the local botanical gardens: Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.

A wonderful perk to all the summer weddings I've worked on -

the "left-over" flowers that call for a vase in my home.

Enjoy your day and remember to stop and smell the flowers!

(Maybe even up close!)

Our (egg) basket overfloweth.....

2011-08-18T08:11:00.000-04:00

...with chicken, duck and Easter eggs. Spring of 2010 was our first attempt at owning chickens. It has been an interesting and foundational learning experience. I'm not sure why chickens are so fascinating to watch. One in particular likes to join me in the garden and eat found bugs and slugs off my trowel.

This spring, inspired by my daughters' "30 things to do before we are 30" list, we added "owning ducks" to the mix. Cute, messy and altogether a different experience, we have enjoyed their company on our little flower farm. Last week, one of the ducks starting laying eggs. Yesterday, one of our Araucana chickens left a surprise for us.

Baby Ducks, Spring 2011

Baby Chicks, Spring 2011

Gathered from the coop, Aug.17, 2011

An Abundant Harvest - even after having a neighbor gather eggs for a week while we were out of town

Our Best Garage Sale Find Ever....

2011-07-31T13:42:00.001-04:00

...was a sweet little camper that I just gave a nod to when I first saw it. My in-laws were visiting from Pennsylvania and when we traveled a ways to a flea market that closed earlier than we anticipated, we agreed to garage sale hop all the way home. One of the sales had a camper for sale that I thought was interesting. I walked through it and didn't think much of it - except that it was kind of cute and was a great price for what it was. Two days later, after my in-laws had returned home, I told my husband about it. I'd come across some cute photos of re-done trailers on the MaryJanesFarm and Sisters on the fly websites and was showing them to my husband. To my surprise, Tony responded, "I've always thought it would be great to own one of those". It was 4th of July weekend, 3 years ago now, and decided to venture out to the garage sale the very next day. We were so excited to see the camper still in the driveway of the sale, but the sign was gone. Long story made shorter, we were there as the new owner showed up to tow the camper away. My husband offered $50 more than the original sale price and it became ours :)! A little bit of work and a whole lot of camping fun later, it has been one of our best purchases ever.

When we bought it, it looked like this:

The interior was like this:

Our children were grossed out that once upon a time, a guy named "Bug" used to live in it.

With some wood refinishing, new curtains and cushions, it has a whole new look:

A different angle:

Now we just have to find the perfect awning!

Pure camping fun!

Wedding Season is in Full Swing....

2011-07-16T21:35:00.000-04:00

and I've hardly taken a moment to post photos - though we did take time to have a great California get away :)! More about that at another time.

For now - enjoy some shots of a long awaited wedding...
Mandy and Ken are both in the military. Though their date had been set for this summer, they thought they would have to post-pone the wedding due to new military assignments. As it turned out, they were able to go forward with their planned date, and they couldn't be happier.

I'm looking forward to getting photos from the wedding photographer, but in the meantime, am posting the photos that I took during set up. The family was a joy to work with - and so were the flowers :)~

A typical delivery day look for the car...

One style of centerpiece...

Another style of centerpiece...

The almost completed look. Windows were yet to be decorated...

The bridal bouquet....

Bridal bouquet with 2 of the 4 bridesmaids bouquets...

Another shot, different angle...

Lanterns used at the church and later for the reception...

There were 4 lanterns total, 2 on each side of the front of the church...

Just loved Ken and Mandy's color combination....

Ken and Mandy, it was a joy to provide flowers for your wedding.

Thank you for all that you do to serve our country! God Bless!

Peonies

2011-06-10T12:41:00.000-04:00

If you happen to have peony plants in your yard, you might be missing out if you don't cut a few blooms to enjoy inside!

Oh, the pure joy of flowers!

Blues and Yellows - Spring Wedding Flowers

2011-05-19T09:46:00.001-04:00

Following are my "potting shed shots" of the first sweet and simple Forrester Farm wedding this spring. I'm looking forward to seeing the photographer photos. Elizabeth and Luke's wedding featured soft yellow, hydrangea blue, and crisp white colors. To save money, they chose DIY table arrangements and also decided to pick the wedding party flowers up from my location so as to save the delivery expense. They were going to forgo the flower girl bouquet - but, because the flower girl was a good friend's daughter - I couldn't let that happen :)!. Sweet Naomi W. still got to carry roses, and I can't wait to see the pictures.

Summer Wedding at The Felt Estate Mansion, Saugatuck, Michigan

2011-04-05T21:21:00.000-04:00

This past summer, Forrester Farm hosted an agricultural student intern from France. Alize hopped off the plane in Chicago and jumped right into our busy wedding season as my assistant with both wedding flowers and farmer's market fun. The first wedding that Alize assisted with was at the gorgeous Felt Estate Mansion in Saugatuck, Michigan. The setting was beautiful, the staff was very helpful, and the rain stopped just long enough for Elly & Alex to enjoy their outside ceremony. The following photos were snapshots taken by myself and Alize. Enjoy!

Always a Student....

2011-03-24T16:30:00.000-04:00

I hope that I am always learning, looking at things in a new way and not becoming stagnant in what has always been. Today, I took a corsage class at one of my favorite floral wholesale locations. As the weather would have it, I had the instructor all to myself, and it was wonderful. There are always new products entering the floral market, and today I got to play with many of them.

While creating, I was thinking of another learning day while at my wholesaler's. In the spring of 2010, 3 designers were brought in for a Wedding Show to display some new products and techniques. I hope that you enjoy the photos of the fun evening out.

The class that I took today was very inspiring. I'm even more excited for the busy wedding season to be in full swing!

Peonies on Parade

2011-03-16T16:35:00.000-04:00

Bridal planning meetings are in full swing at Forrester Farm. Spring always brings discussion of one of my absolute favorite flowers - peonies...

(Photos property of Forrester Farm)

Praying for and giving to Japan

2011-03-15T11:36:00.001-04:00

I can't even imagine what the citizens of Japan are going through right now. The video and news that we are getting give a vivid idea, but really, we are not walking in their shoes. For those who are asked to stay in their homes due to the radiation levels - my heart is just going out to them, praying for protection.

My cousin Pam, who is a grant writer, just shared the following quote and links with her readers. I wanted to pass it along here as well.

“Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: That we are here for the sake of others...for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day, I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received.”
Albert Einstein

Here are some links to organizations who are involved with the relief efforts in Japan. If you are able to give, please help the victims of the earthquake in Japan.

Network for Good

Mercy Corps

World Vision

Blessings!

Exploring Venice, Italy

2011-03-12T11:20:00.000-05:00

Charming and filled with history, Venice was everything that I had pictured and more. While meandering through the cobblestone walks there were breath taking moments at Piazza San Marco and Saint Mark's Campanile and Basilica. So much to see and explore, the sights and sounds were amazing. As I mentioned in the previous two posts, Wikipedia offers a wealth of information on different parts of Italy. If you are interested in more details, click here : Venice.

I was so thankful to be able to join my husband on his work trip. Taking the little jaunt from Bergamo to Venice was a wonderful perk. We made a day of it, returning to Bergamo in the evening.

Enjoy the photos and hanno un grande giorno (have a great day)!

In all, we took over 750 photos during our short trip. I hope that you have enjoyed the small sampling that I've shared in the past 3 posts. Buona giornata!

Exploring Italy - Women's Day Festival & Bergamo Città alta (upper city)

2011-03-08T12:11:00.000-05:00

I happened to be in Italy with my husband on March 8. As we were getting ready for a great day of exploring, I looked out of the windows of The Papa, where we were staying. I noticed amazing yellow flowers being displayed on the sidewalks in front of almost every store - not just at the floral shop across the street. I also noticed that men and women alike seemed to be drawn to the flowers, and were purchasing and carrying little bouquets as they walked. I was drawn to the bright yellow display, and naturally, had to get a closer look right after a fabulous breakfast. Much to my surprise, the tables at The Papa had been transformed with fragrant little bouquets of yellow flowers, which I learned was called mimosa. I'd never seen this flower before in America. When Gorgio, the proprietor of The Papa greeted us at the table, it was with a warm, "Buon giorno della donna". Happy Women's Day!

La Festa Della Donna, women's day festival, is celebrated March 8 all over Italy. On this day, men bring flowers, usually yellow Mimosa, to the women in their lives. Restaurants have special Festa della Donna meals and there are often small local festivals or concerts. You can read more about this festival by clicking on Life in Italy.

Captured by the culture and festivities of the day, we explored the Città alta of Bergamo. The "upper city" is surrounded by a stone wall that was built during the 17th century to protect it's inhabitants from outsiders. I mentioned this link in my previous post, but you can read more about Bergamo and the history at Wikipedia.

Enjoy the photos and Festa della Donna Felice!

Exploring Italy

2011-03-03T10:38:00.000-05:00

My husband works for an Italian company. Occasionally, he must travel there. Once, I was able to join him.

The company that my husband works for is located in Bergamo Italy . Wikipedia offers some wonderful history of the area, that you can read about if you click on the highlighted name.

The photos that I'm showing for now are of the "Città bassa" (lower city) where we stayed in a wonderful hotel called "The Papa". It was the beginning of March when we were there. The weather was a bit warmer than it was in Michigan at the time, but it was still just the beginning of spring and winter coats were still in season. I was just taken by the history, architecture and landscape.

Spring Table Inspiration

2011-02-25T08:06:00.000-05:00

I have a very talented cousin who works in a law office by day, is a busy mom and wife, and dreams of creative ideas full time. For a couple of years now, she has participated in the Portland, MI Festival of Tables. A fund raiser of which the Lansing State Journal reported the following....

The fourth annual Festival of Tables was held on Feb. 5 at the Portland Nazarene Church. A record-breaking 265 women attended the event, which raised $2,700 for the Portland Ministerial Association. The guest speaker was Sheri Jones, news anchor for WLNS-TV in Lansing, and music was provided by Andrea Gleason.

Working with her sweet mother in law and combining the ideas of two different perspectives, Lynette wowed the crowd with the following display. What I love is all the extra details that Lynette incorporated in her design. Enjoy and be inspired...

Great job Lynette!

Snowy Winter Wonderland

2011-02-23T11:19:00.001-05:00

We are so ready for spring - even the critters at our house can't wait for the thaw. Before the snow all melts away into warmth and new growth, I thought I'd share some of the photos that I took one cold winter morning while feeding Goldie and Dakota (the miniature horses) and Carl, Norman and George (the chicks).

Spring will come. In the meantime, I'm trying to enjoy the snowy winter wonderland! Happy Wednesday!

Sweet Summer Brides

2011-02-17T17:00:00.000-05:00

I just had the pleasure of meeting with a sweet May bride, her sister and mother. As we munched on pumpkin muffins and sipped coffee, we firmed up some of the details that we had already been discussing via phone and e-mail. I was looking forward to meeting Alison in person, not just because of the rapport that we had already established on the phone, but because I had the pleasure of creating flowers for her brother and sister in law's wedding last summer. I promised Alison that it wouldn't take me as long to post photos from her wedding on my site and blog.

Andrea and Brian's July 2010 wedding was wonderful to work on for a couple of reasons...
1. Andrea was my daughter's 5th grade teacher at the time that we were planning the wedding flowers. She is a fabulous teacher, fun and organized, and really helped my daughter to be prepared for entering 6th grade.
2. Andrea and Brian's wedding reception was scheduled at one of my favorite venues in Grand Rapids - in part because it is where my sweet husband proposed to me there when it was formerly Gibsons. Mangiamo boasts a stunning location with a talented and professional staff. I've had the pleasure of providing flowers for several brides and grooms that have celebrated their special day there.

Most of the following photos were taken by Alize, our summer intern from France. The first 5 photos were taken by Andrea and Brian's photographer, Larissa Chirstine. Enjoy....

Cake by Marie Catribs
Table runners by Events by Icandy
Favorite jeweler - JPatrick Jewelers

Learning to Create

2011-02-09T16:52:00.000-05:00

It sounds silly, but I seem to freeze when I'm about to start a new project. I first noticed this tendency of mine when I was in college. It would be time to study for a huge exam or write an important essay, and I'd start to feel funny inside, almost paralyzed, and then find other things to do, like clean the bathroom, refold laundry, anything really just to avoid the task at hand. I know that it stems from me wanting to have everything perfect and not always knowing just how to get there. My husband sweetly refers to me as being "perfectly flawed", knowing how I can be driven at times. Eventually, with all projects, I wrap my mind around it, press forward, and just do my best.

Today, despite the fact that I've not touched a sewing machine in over a year, I tackled a project that has been calling my name. Using a white chenille bedspread and a sweet floral duvet cover (both discovered at a thrift store), I sewed a reversible purse. Tempted to cave into chocolate and wine in the midst of the project, I took the higher road and continued to press on through basting stitches and reloading a bobbin. I'm so glad that I did and my girls and I are pleased with the result.

Simply Romantic Flowers

2011-01-17T16:08:00.000-05:00

Last January, I was asked to provide table arrangements for the Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs Annual Conference in Grand Rapids, MI. I was given complete freedom to create anything I cared to within a certain budget. Using a collection of vintage milk glass vases, seeded eucalyptus, white hydrangeas, white carnations, flowering quince, pink spray roses and salal, the arrangements were a hit. I really liked how they looked in my home too! Enjoy!

Spring Wedding Part 2

2011-01-05T16:40:00.002-05:00

Spring Wedding

2010-12-30T09:02:00.000-05:00

It was such a pleasure working with Lauren, her now husband, Greg, and her very fun mother, Margo for this fun May 2010 wedding.

All photography was done by Kelly Braman.

Working with Aletha from Pearls Events is always a joy!

Holiday Decor

2010-12-19T07:14:00.000-05:00

I have a wonderful friend and client who I met years ago when I had a booth, selling fresh cut flowers at the Rockford, MI farmers market. Annie loves a house full of flowers and she would not only purchase, enjoy and rave about the flowers that I grew, but she would also share stories, smiles and sweetness every time she visited us at the market.

As the years rambled by, I was able to decorate for her daughter's wedding at the family lake home, enjoy occasional coffee dates and shopping excursions, and hear of the emotions that accompany empty nest syndrome (which I can relate to more now that my oldest child is a senior in High School).

I also have the gift of being able to decorate the lake home at Christmas time, in anticipation of the annual company Christmas party that is held at Annie's home. As Annie and I work together placing some new and some well loved decorations throughout the home, stories still fly, laughter rings out, and both Annie and I come to the end of the process feeling richer for the friendship that continues to evolve.

These first 3 photos were taken at my house, before I took flowers to Annie's...

Outside photos...

Corner of kitchen...

Downstairs family room...

Newly painted bedroom...

Newly remodeled great room...

Annie hired Gallery Interiors of Rockford, MI to begin transforming the home. Phase One included the foyer, great room, staircase, and master bedroom. Their work is beautiful and they added their finishing touches to the mantle and staircase decor. I can't wait to see what Phase Two will include.

Works in Progress

2010-12-02T15:18:00.000-05:00

I'm guilty of not updating my website quite enough. Partially due to the delay in getting professional photographs from the photographers, and partially due to me. Every so often, I'll post works in progress floral photos. There are so many weddings that I've done, taken my own snapshots, and just haven't added to my site. This will just be the fun, check it out area of some of the weddings (flowers and settings) that have taken place. The following photos feature flowers from 3 weddings that took place in September, 2010. Enjoy!

Forrester Farm Garden Room Events

2010-10-30T08:51:00.000-04:00

It has been a great season! This year we hosted 7 Garden Room Sales at our location. Actually, the final sale for the season is coming up this Thurs., Fri, & Sat., Nov. 4 - 6 (details below). I've loved meeting so many wonderful people, hearing so many great stories, and seeing smiling faces leaving our sunroom. I know that many furniture pieces and home and garden decor items have been given as loving gifts and placed in great homes. The artists who participate in the sales have loved having an outlet for their creativity and so many guests have told me that they have left our location feeling inspired. What a gift!

The following photos were taken this summer by our intern who was with us from France, Alize Marine-Perez.

Forrester Farm Garden Room Sale

Thursday, Nov. 4 from 9am to 6pm
Friday, Nov. 5 from 9am to 6pm
Saturday, Nov. 6 from 9am to 3pm

Featuring unique new and re-purposed items for home and garden decor, containers, antiques, handcrafted products by local artisans and much more!

Invite your friends and visit us and the other great sales that are happening this weekend - fliers available for Luann's Tender Transformations, Miss Jane's Repurposed Goods.

Location: 4554 Pettis NE - Belmont, MI 49306 - between Cannonsburg and 5 Mile road. See more at: www.forresterfarm.com .

2010-10-02T17:22:00.000-04:00

Happy Anniversary Liz and Don!

It was an absolute pleasure to work with Liz and Don last October.
Not only are they a great, fun couple, but Liz is also the niece of my wonderful neighbor and is a great team player in our neighborhood men vs. women games of pictionary.

All above photos copyright Lisa Kae Photography
http://lisakaephotography.com/

Aletha at Pearls Events did a fabulous job of coordinating Liz and Don's wedding. She is always a pleasure to work with.

Press on Liz and Don's wedding appeared not only in the Grand Rapids Press, but also in the Brides Michigan Magazine.

Happy Anniversary Liz and Don!

Allegan Antique Market

2010-09-03T08:13:00.001-04:00

One of my favorite things to do in the summer is visit the Allegan Antique Market which is held at the Allegan Fair Grounds the last Sunday of every month, April through September. This year, I was able to take Alize, our French intern, along 2 different times. The following photos are of the market through Alize's eyes. Enjoy!

Profitez de la vie! Enjoy life!

'Jump for Joy - It's the July Garden Room Event at Forrester Farm'

2010-07-07T08:18:00.000-04:00

'Jump for Joy - It's the July Garden Room Event at Forrester Farm'

Happy Anniversary Frank and Heather

2010-05-17T08:46:00.000-04:00

Frank and Heather's wedding, May 16, 2009

It was such a pleasure to provide flowers for
Frank and Heather's Wedding last May.

Photographs compliments of Summer Jean Photography - www.summerjeanphotography.com

Blessings!

Herbs and Flowers this Spring

2010-03-22T09:19:00.000-04:00

Spring is in the air and my girls helped me begin to start seeds over the weekend. Every year I begin 16 flats of flowers indoors and also order flowers and herbs from a couple local growers in our area. For years we had enjoyed providing cut flower bouquets and potted herbs to the shoppers at the Rockford Farmer's Market. Last year we were excited to provide weekly Michigan grown bouquets to two Whole Foods Market stores on the east side of the state. Between that account and many, many weddings, we were very busy and having fun.

The spring line up for this year is:

Herbs:
Basil, Bee Balm, Catnip, Cilantro, Cumin, Dill, Fennel, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Mesclun Mix, Oregano, Parsley, Patchouli, Rosemary, Sage and Thyme.

Flowers:
Aster, Bachelor Buttons, Bells of Ireland, Celosia, Cosmos, Daisy, Delphinium, Flowering Kale, Larkspur, Marigold, Rudbeckia, Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sunflower, Veronica, Zinnia and much, much more!

We are not participating in the Rockford Farmer's Market this year - mixing a Saturday morning market with a full wedding schedule got to be a bit unbalanced for our family. We are considering having a booth at the Belmont Farmer's Market. They are adding a Tuesday date and that just might work out perfectly. We will update our Local Harvest Listing regarding this once we decide for sure. (http://www.localharvest.org/farms/M25616)

We also have product available at our Garden Room Sales at the Farm. Featuring unique new and repurposed items for home and garden decor, potted herbs and containers, antiques, handcrafted products by local artisans and many great finds and treasures!

Save the dates:

May 6,7,8
June 10,11,12
July 8,9,10
August 5,6,7
September 9,10,11
October 7,8,9
November 4,5,6

Looking forward to seeing you in the Garden Room!

Forrester Farm
4554 Pettis NE
Belmont, MI 49306
616-874-3453
www.forresterfarm.com
Regular hours by appointment only

GRunveiled Wedding Show, March 11, 2010

2010-03-15T13:36:00.000-04:00

Forrester Farm
www.forresterfarm.com

Here are some photos of our booth set up at the GRunveiled show held on
March 11, 2010 at St. Cecelia's in Grand Rapids, MI
For more details about the show see www.grunveiled.com

I'm looking forward to seeing the photographer's shots and will share them once I get copies. In the meantime, I took a few of my own shots.
Enjoy.

The bridal show was so much fun to be a part of. There were so many wonderful and creative vendors that participated, and it was a pleasure to meet so many of the show guests who were enjoying this new event. It was truly an evening enjoyed by all who were there.

Just a note, I absolutely love working with flowers and have enjoyed expanding what is offered by Forrester Farm by adding several of the prop items that are displayed in these photos.

Spring Blooms

2010-03-08T09:54:00.000-05:00

Missouri Botanical Gardens, April 2009

Beauty is altogether in the eyes of the beholder.
-Margaret Wolfe Hungerford

We were fortunate to be able to visit the Missouri Botanical Gardens over spring break last year. While thinking about spring planting, looking over these photos give me inspiration - not to replicate what I see, but to take parts of what I see and to incorporate the ideas and color schemes into a flower bed by the driveway, a window box or a planter. What photos inspire you? Ideas can come from anywhere and can be replicated in large or small ways in your garden design or home decor. Enjoy the beauty that surrounds you today.

New Adventures in the Spring!

2010-03-05T15:50:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Forrester Farm blog. I'm trying something new this year - it seems as though every year I add something new to our list of adventures! I've been thinking about this for some time now, not quite knowing how to begin or where to start. As with almost everything that I do though, if I wait for the perfect time, I'll just keep waiting. So here goes.....

My hope is to provide sweet, pure and simple inspiration -
whether found or created
whether original or borrowed

Touching on the subjects of flowers, gardening, weddings, vintage finds, Forrester Farm garden room events, great photos, sweet kid inspiration, horses, barns, churches, vintage campers, shabby chic flair, flea market treasures, herbs and oh so much more.

I hope that you will enjoy what you see and be simply inspired!