Hellebore (aka: Lenten Rose) Season

 I've been a bit quiet on social media as I've been tackling a list of "to dos". Wedding client meetings, consultations, spring clean up, studio organization and the ongoing 1860 home remodel project... the word "bored" is not a part of our life!~ 

This morning I woke up thinking about the hellebores that I had planted 2 springs ago. I actually went out in the still moonlit darkness to see if they were blooming yet. They weren't. Not yet. 

Incorporating hellebores in floral arrangements, boutonnieres and corsages always makes me smile. The fact that they are only available in the early spring, often during Lent, makes them even so much more special and fun to work with. 

Last year, our winter was so mild that the hellebores were starting to bloom in February. These photos were taken February 11, 2024

By March 7, the blooms looked like this....

and at March 31, like this...

Ever since we moved to this property, my husband and I have been pruning, trimming, adding and sometimes eliminating plants, trees and shrubs. There was so much goodness to work with already, but the property was also quite over grown in areas. Adding in hellebore plants was one of the "musts" on my list. Being able to add the home grown blooms to arrangements so early in the season is a gift. Enjoying the blooms outside when so many other flowering plants are still dormant, is such a promise that spring is here and our Michigan world will be full of color and greenery soon!~

Side note: I began this post on Monday morning and am just able to return to it today, two mornings later. At the end of the day on Monday, I peeked at our hellebores again and there were a couple of new blooms that were just starting to peek out. 
 

Spring is here and these hellebores will be showing off their blooms very soon!~ 

Bridal Brunch - Celebrating your Special Day with Friends

Wedding Days are so very special, and spending time with your close friends leading up to the wedding makes for wonderful memories that can last a lifetime. 

When Sheila from Copper & Lace contacted me about being a part of this fun Bridal Brunch shoot, I said yes without hesitation. All the fun moments leading up to a wedding day should be cherished and documented. I loved this theme and was excited to work with all of the vendors involved. 

Frugthaven Farm was the perfect setting for a fun bridal brunch with all of the special touches that were added in with the Copper & Lace rentals and Forrester Farm flowers.

Having Happy Bar Services bring their Tickled Tin vintage camper bar on site was such a treat - and the mimosa that was poured and enjoyed was simply delicious!

  Whether you are planning for your wedding day or for the many fun celebrations with friends and family leading up to your special day, adding in the special touches with ambiance, food and drink will just add to the amazing memories that you will cherish for a lifetime.

A huge shout out to all of the vendors to participated to make this possible:

Venue: Frugthaven Farm  

Photographer: Haley Chicoine Photography

Design/Rentals: Copper & Lace Rental 

Florist: Forrester Farm

Food: Frugthaven Farm

Drinks: Happy Bar Services

Signage: Mulder Design + Co

Dresses: Hey Girlfriend LLC

Veil: Timeless Bridal Boutique

Hair: Erin Danielski  

Makeup: Veil of Grace Co

Models: Regan L., Kendal H., Emily C, Nicole V. & Ashlee T. 

It was an absolute pleasure working with all of you!~

Looking Back and Moving Forward

 Forrester Farm turned 20 in 2020. 

It seems odd to even say that. What started out as a desire to grow flowers to share with others has become a wonderful business filled with blooms and amazing clients.

As I looked through so many photos of weddings, events and social gatherings that we have been a part of thru the many years, I am just so thankful.

Seeing the smiles and photos full of joy is simply priceless!~

Whether we are creating flowers for big weddings and events or small bridal or baby showers, each event is special.  In the years that we delivered our bouquets to Whole Foods and Pulp & Stem and participated at local art fairs, farmer's markets and even our own Garden Room events, it was always so enjoyable. We have grown, changed and evolved though it all and I'm thankful for each of those experiences.  I'm especially thankful for the fabulous people (couples, clients & customers) who made it all so much sweeter. 

Cheers to 2021 and a new decade for Forrester Farm!~

(many more photos available to view on our Forrester Farm facebook page)

Sharing good things in April 2020, Part 3

It is my hope that the daily Forrester Farm floral posts (on facebook and instagram) and weekly (on blog) thru the month April have resulted in smiles in the midst of this challenging time in our world. 

On this Tuesday, April 14, may your day be filled with more energy & calm than apathy & stress. We will get past this crazy pandemic!~

We woke up to a snow covered spring wonderland today. On this Wednesday, April 15, may we all do our part to spread peace on earth and goodwill towards all!~

As the sun is peeking thru the clouds in Michigan, may your day be filled with smiles and bursts of laughter on this Thursday, April 16, 2020. 

Cheers to Friday!~  May your day be filled with unexpected fun and whimsy on this April 17, 2020!~

Happy Weekend!~  Minnow buckets used for flowers? Why not!~  I have to confess though, lake time is going to be even more precious this summer after going thru this Covid 19 ordeal!~Today, on this Saturday, April 18, may you start to feel the excitement of eventual lifted restrictions!~ (especially our Great Lakes Michigan peeps.)

The birds are singing and the sun is shining in our little neck of the woods!~  On this Sunday, April 19, may your day be filled with inspiration and peace!~

May your Monday be filled with sweet and memorable moments as you move thru your day on this April 20, 2020.

All photos are of arrangements created by Forrester Farm, unless stated otherwise. Thank you for following along.