Growing..... 2024

I’m reckoning that 2024 is going to be that year for new growth or at least I am yearning for it. It has been a while since settling in from the post COVID chaos, our new home and personal losses with the loss of my mother and father-in-law last year. Starting with this blog, I’m working to try and begin to finally document the last few years of lessons learned, best kept practices, recipes and of course flowers along-side any other shareables or requests that are valued by my friends, customers and family. I’m learning that each day is more and more precious, something I previously took for granted, and now I’m working to live life with a bit more adventure and purpose instead of the rat race we seem to get lost in.

We’re now going on about 5 years since I started this dream of voluminous flower fields and buzzing bees, and it has been a journey alongside many weeds. One of my favorite quotes I just came across is so spot on—, “The difference between school and life? In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test and that teaches you a lesson.” This journey over the past few years has been just that, the lessons in life during a very transformable time of mine. Change is good.

Many have asked me how I got started, and how I have the time and well there’s three answers I generally give; one of which being that I learned from some of the greenest thumbs I’ve ever known, my Grandmother and my Poppy but I also began with some additional support from a masterclass that had just opened up that year. Props to Erin Benzekein @Floret Flower for such a monumental course on Flower Farming and a multitude of beautiful reads. Who knew it was actually a thing? I always knew someone had to grow them, but this course was so relatable, and inspiring which I have so much gratitude for. Cut Flower Garden was my first to read of the bunch and her books are really are a true pieces of art, not just to learn from, but the photography captured by her Nat. Geo. husband are masterpieces. The 3rd answer of which is simple. You must make the time for self growth regardless of what life throws at you.

Over the course of this new journaling journey, my hopes are to highlight all those things that have inspired and taught me how to grow. In many cases, there may have been losses or new lessons to be learned through this path of life but I have ultimately gained such new perspectives that I hold on to, not just for myself, but in hopes to inspire, teach and create new paths forward.

So in my New Year’s resolution to begin documenting and sharing; if you are looking for a beautiful book to snuggle up to on one of these chilly wintery days, consider any of Erin’s alongside a few others I have toured through here in my amazon store. Alternatively, take the time to have that cup of tea, do the project or just relax. Enjoy the snow while it lasts and let us know your favorite gardening or any books, for that matter, in our comments section below. Thank you for sharing! Xoxo Kate

P.S. anyone who has lessons, recipes and must haves hit me up and email me at kate@frescheflowers.com.