Market days are here again!

This time of the year is so exciting! All of the veggies are coming in and the farmers market is bustling! Last week was our first week back at the Petersburg Farmers Market! Every green table was filled with amazing local products for your shopping pleasure!



You've heard me say before that the market is about more than just selling our flowers and soaps. Well, it's an opportunity to be a part of the community and get to know people. And, over the years we've met some AMAZING people. So many stories and ups and downs we've shared with them. Just like we've grown so have our customers!



I want you to meet my buddy, Joe, and his lovely parents, Patrick and Lia.

I first met Joe last year at the market. Even though he never said a word I felt like he was saying so very much to me. This little man is so special. Did you know he has a blog? Well, go check it out. And, most importantly, please take a moment to watch Lia's Mother's Day speech. It was the most touching thing I've ever watched. I couldn't stop crying the entire time! This family is amazing and just knowing them will transform you and how you look at things! I encourage you to sit quietly and listen to her words. Think about compassion, gentleness, and kindness! The things that this world needs more of.

We got a big smile from Joe when Charlie tried to mooch his dad!



Life is about people! Our friends from year to year like Meg!

She comes back with her "old" paper bag from my first year selling soaps! If the world had more recyclers like her we'd sure be a lean and clean place. It truly just takes one person to make a difference!



Shoppers come from all around to chat with their favorite vendors and support local! It's not just about buying veggies for most people. It's a social event!



I encourage you to swing by the market and say hi. Talk to the vendors! Find out about their farms. Be a part of the community!



Here are some of the great things you'll find at the market...

I still haven't mastered these yet!





And, Charlie was so out of practice "working" the market that this was him on Saturday night!



Thanks for all of the love you show our fur-child and us! We appreciate your continued support. See you Saturday! Under the bridge!

How do the flowers grow?

A few of you have asked about where we grow the flowers! Well, most of the flowers are grown in Waverly at Mom's!

Their house is in the middle of a field of 100 acres. The flowers are grown on about 1 acre behind and around their house.

The "patch" is tiny in comparison to the wheat field that surrounds it!

In the above pic you'll see lots of glads popping up.

Around most every tree and empty spot there are flowers...

Dynamo and I grow a few flowers in raised beds and around our house too! We grow zinnias, sunflowers, glads, and celosia!

Every week when it's time to get ready for the market we cut really early in the morning and then begin the process of assembling the bouquets!

My dad actually does most of the harvesting since the rest of us work full-time jobs! Yes, he works for free! And, Dynamo does too! We are so blessed to have them!

We pick the hydrangeas late after the sun goes down...

On Friday nights we come in after work to an air-conditioned garage full of flowers all separated in buckets according to their type! This makes it easier to assemble the bouquets.

After a few hours of work the bouquets are finished. They hang out in the garage cooling...

Early Saturday morning before leaving for the market, they are loaded up in the truck and off we go...



We take great care with our flowers. We deliver only the best to you, our customers. They are treated with love as we want to give you the best possible product that will last the longest.



We work hard to create a beautiful display!







You'll notice Mom's table cloths and of course we always wear matching aprons!



We like for our flowers to go straight home to you, our customers, as soon as possible. The market can be sunny and hot, so the earlier you come the better!



Market time is a fun time for everyone!



It's a time to gather as a community and see old friends and neighbors!



Yes, all of us get excited and ready for the market! Especially Charlie!





We are grateful for you, our customers, who come back week after week!



You even bring me special muffins!



And, last week an old friend of mine stopped by with her boys and her parents!



We hadn't seen each other in a long time!



Her son enjoyed the soaps!

And so did these beautiful girls...



Might I also say that those little girls would love for you to stop by and try their Dad's BBQ! Yes, their Dad is the owner of Saucy's BBQ in Petersburg! It's the best around!! At the corner of 5th and Bollingbrook Streets!



So, stop on by this week and see us at the Petersburg Farmers Market! We'd love to see you! And, thanks so much for your continued support of The Flower Patch and The Daily Scrub!

Have a safe and happy 4th!!!

Weekend Adventures...

Saturday was a cold day at the Petersburg Market. Charlie had to hang out in the car and people watch for most of the morning!



There were lots of yummy good veggies to be found!





Yes, it's strawberry time!



And...onions galore!



I was in a new spot at the market, so it threw the customers a bit, but they quickly found me!



Did you stop by the market? If not...it's open every Saturday from now through October! However, I won't be back until June sometime!



It was so nice to see all of our fellow vendors! Just like old times!



When you're a vendor at a market it's like a family! You really get to know each other and look forward to seeing everyone!



Charlie's friend, Carole, had a surprise for him, so we went to check up on him in the car. He gave her lots of moochies!



Even though it was chilly, we still had a great time!



After the market we caught up with Dynamo and headed to Richmond to World of Mirth! There, we planned to attend a meetup of the BTs in Richmond and meet Mirabelle.



She's a star you know! She and her dad, Mike, write children's books! Look, we got our picture with them!



Charlie made her gurrr a bit though. He wasn't quite sure what to do!



So, he refocused on other kids and getting love where he could.





Mirabelle's dad gave Charlie some love!



We got autographed books too! How special! If you want to follow Mirabelle, like her on Facebook.

Next, we headed to Arts in the Park! Such a lovely crafty event in Richmond! But..on our way out of the store we had to stop for more moochies.



And, while at the show Charlie just loved on all the dogs!





It was a perfect day for a stroll in the park.



We finished up the day with an ice cream cone and family pic!



Notice Charlie's eyes are focused on the ice cream!

Hope your weekend was lovely!