Suddenly it’s Spring!  Daffodils are blooming down by the chicken coop and we’ve cut our first anemone in the hoop house. A few ranunculus are in bud, forsythia are coloring, pussy willow and curly willow are in full bloom, and 22 seed trays are full and overflowing.  So, while we still have a little time to breathe thought we’d share a bit of our farm and our early blooms with those who might like to visit. Sunday, March 20 we’ll gather at the Homeplace where each will create a  Bird’s Nest centerpiece that will keep through Easter Sunday and many Sundays after and then create a fresh arrangement as well. All materials, including moss from the old road bed, dried and fresh flowers, and an assortment of things found in our fields and woodlands will be provided. $55 fee must be prepaid. Please call or text Linda at 423-367-0361 to check availability. Click here for registration information. Minimum of 7 participants. SOLD OUT Thank you all!

Bird’s Nest  Farmer/Florist style

Daffodils, spring branches, and lenten roses

These warm temps should coax open the first of the ranunculus

My favorite window

lenten roses aptly named and beautiful

light refreshments of course

And, if you’re not in a hurry after the workshop we’d love to show you what’s happening around the farm in the hoop house, chicken coop, and fields.

My Ohio Snowbelt roots have been very happy lately. Thought I’d share what our century family farm looks like painted white :)

Homeplace built by Roy’s great grandfather in 1870 wears her winter coat well

This lonely girl is a devon/angus cross cow who doesn’t mind the winter

The old sheep barn

We had a name this cow contest on instagram. I’d like you to introduce you to Lady Cora! I do best at keeping up with pictures via instagram, so if you’re on it and would like to follow please do.

Queen Anne’s Lace reigning in the fields once again

old well house on the left and blacksmith shop on right

These girls like the camera and come round whenever I’m out

Even got to this fox squirrel to pause and enjoy the moment with me.

Stay warm!

Loretta and I have been friends since I moved to Tennessee 33 years ago. Her grandson Ian married Alexa December 29th and I was able to put together bouquets for this sweet couple with most material harvested from the farm.

feathers, fern, pussy willow, eucalyptus, dusty miller, cedar, purple anemone, and scabiosa all from field of hoop house. . .

Anemone blooming early and the scabiosa hanging on late. Who knows what April will bring but I’ll enjoy what I have.

fun little bout

a little smaller version for the maids. Pine is a nice soft touch

A final look at Alexa’s bouquet at Emmanuel Christian Seminary where their wedding took place. Wishing much happiness to Alexa and Ian and their families!

p.s. Anxious to see professional pictures from Anna Hedges Photography!

Un-wreath workshop

I so enjoyed our two Christmas Workshops this year! Many lovely ladies and even a gent, balmy weather, lots of Christmasy greens, and a few sweet treats combined for good times and good memories. I’m always amazed at the kindness and talent of our guests! There are many more pictures of the Centerpiece Workshop because Erin Dalton returned to East TN just in time to be photographer – thank you Erin!  So, here’s a glimpse into Christmas frolicking at the Doan Farm.

Centerpiece Workshop

So, thanks to each of you for sharing your day and your talents with us! A very special thanks to Katie and Kristin for helping in more ways than you can imagine!

 Finally, Roy and I  wish a blessed and Merry Christmas to all our flower friends!

Hope everyone had a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving. Posting tonight to let folk know I’ll be on Daytime TriCities tomorrow (Monday, Dec 7th) at 10:00 a.m.

Also, the Dec., 12, Centerpiece Workshop filled to overflowing quickly. Thank you all for supporting local!  It’s been a few years since we’ve done Christmas workshops and I’m excited to be back at it. There are still spots available in tomorrow’s (Monday’s) Un-Wreath Workshop at 1 p.m. if anyone’s free and interested. For more details click here, but since it’s so last minute, just send an e-mail to auntwillies@gmail.com  if you’re able to come.

And finally here’s a wreath I made today from and old iron wheel with wooden spokes. This wins the heaviest ever wreath award. I intended to take to DayTime but then realized it wasn’t going anywhere. At any rate, it’s always fun to make something out of the all the good “stuff” we have on the farm. I think it looks like it kinda belongs on the old woodshed.

We’ll have lots of cedar, fir, pine, berries, feathers, nuts, grasses, pine cones, dried flowers and whatever else might look festive joining your Christmas table at our second Christmas workshop.  Pepperminty refreshments, gentle guidance, and all materials complete with candles will be provided, but if you have something special you’d like to add please bring along. As time and materials permit participants can make a second festive something-or-other for wall or table.  Cost of the workshop is $55 that must be prepaid. Workshop limited to 12 participants and must have 5 to run.

E-mail Linda at auntwillies@gmail.com to check availability. For registration info click here

Come join us and create 2-3 non-traditional Christmas pieces as time allows. Katie and I began by foraging the farm and then settled in to make mobiles, swags, and wreaths with attitudes (pictured below). Weather permitting, we’ll begin foraging at 1 p.m. then after several demos the fun will begin. $45 fee include all supplies and pepperminty refreshments. No experience necessary. Fee must be prepaid. Class limited to 10 participants. Minimum of 5 for workshop to run.

E-mail Linda at auntwillies@gmail.com to check availability. For registration info click here

We will also have a centerpiece workshop Sat., Dec 12 that I will hopefully post later today.

Forage and Fa-la-la-la-la

“just like you picked them from the garden” for Breanna

Wedding season is over for us so thought I’d share the fun we had in October. Our brides this season were delightful young women (all 43 of them :) and it was an honor to be a part of their special days. Enjoy these pics!

And so many thanks to Katie Cachiaras, Casey Ross, Kristin Waite, and Beth Hill for being a part of our wedding team when they were able! Many hands make a bit lighter brighter work!

lots of suns for Lydia

cool blues for Victoria

bright and bold for Kelley

Amanda’s wild and free

flower crown love

blue thistle and flax for Meredith’s Scottish wedding

cafe au lait dahlias for Chelsea, our last October bride

Many blessings sent to our young couples beginning married life together!

One workshop note. We had to cancel our pumpkin workshop as half of our attendees were coming from North Carolina the same day as hurricane Joaquin :) Weren’t able to reschedule because of weddings. We may add a holiday workshop, not sure yet.

Well, here’s the link to the Daytime segment Monday.  This one was really fun for me. They’re good folk over there. Click on the link to view – I know there’s a better way to do this but couldn’t figure it out :)

http://wjhl.com/2015/09/22/aunt-willies-wildflowers-2/

The segment explained the workshop but here’s a few more pics of pumpkin workshops of the past. There are just 3 spots remaining, so e-mail auntwillies@gmail.com to check availability if you’re interested. You can also go to the website events page if you click here

nice and wild

homeplace stairway

another version

pretty pumpkins

in the field

Aunt Willie’s Cream Cheese Pumpkin Cookies

And finally, I never posted Teapot pictures so here’s one from our August workshop!

Fun creative ladies and a fun workshop!

Prairie bouquet for Kiki modeled by our own Erin Dalton

As usual, I haven’t done well posting weddings so thought I’d play a bit of catch up by posting just the September brides’ bouquets.  Busy month with very sweet brides!!  Also, I’m on Daytime TriCities this morning, Monday,  at 10:00 a.m.

Mindy’s Jewel tones

Sunflowers for Alayna

Cool purples for Jillian

soft pinks for Leigh Ann

and finally, wild whites for Kelly