The Freckled Bluebird

Finally got this fella uploaded to the shop as a print (available in three sizes). 🎣I couldn’t help myself from make some adjustments and final touches first! https://freckledbluebird.etsy.com/listing/1787571762

New to the shop! I hand painted this wooden sign and it’s a stylish yet playful addition to a kids bathroom. Just this one and only sign is now available for purchase through the Etsy shop: https://freckledbluebird.etsy.com/listing/1801322079

Hi Friends! I had fun making this simple watercolor print inspired by my very own fisherman. Coming to the shop soon! Check bio for links. 🎣🌅🛶

It’s an office day and I can hardly stand it. Had to place these beauties on my desk to keep me company. 🌿

Double fi***ng to control these wild fall blooms 🌿🍄🌻

Oooo, I like this. Feeling introspective and seeing reminders that September is the season to do just that as we transition from one season to another. 🍄

Sun-kissed September evenings are magic. ✨ A time for gathering summer lessons and planning for fall surprises. Any guesses as to what’s going in the ground before our first frost?

Pretty dahlias and roses!

It was a gorgeous weekend in Iowa! This evening I walked to the garden with a saddened anticipation. It’s been a few (several) days since I went through the garden gate and I knew what I would find. Such beauty amongst the inevitable end of a season. I forced away some tears and felt the overwhelming swirl of both grief and gratitude. The constant change of seasons is a reminder of growth, lessons, and second (and third, etc.) chances.

It might be game day but I still couldn’t help but wander through the gardens. Goodness, where were these beauties on Valentine’s Day?! This is the first summer I planted dahlia tubers so seeing gorgeous blooms is so gratifying! We still have a lot to learn and I’m already excited for next year’s dahlia plot. 🍄🌸

Isn’t she lovely? Isn’t she, though?! Our first Break Out Dahlia bloom!

Guys, the good news is that the sunflowers are in full bloom. The not so good news is that…I can’t reach them. -> 🙋🏻‍♀️🌻😆

She sure is showing off tonight.

Well, it’s an itty bitty baby dahlia! 🍄🤩

I thought I’d give a quick update on the garden. The garden is just a fraction of The Freckled Bluebird but it holds a large piece of my heart. The garden is where time is lost and peace is gained.

This past spring we extended last year’s footprint for the vegetable garden to create space for more experimentation. If you’ve visited our website you know this isn’t yet my full time job and we’re taking small steps each year to learn and adapt.

We laid garden fabric in May to naturally kill the grass while the pallet fence (slowly but ever so surely) went up. Seeds were sown directly in the soil since I was curious what yield we’d get when skipping the indoor starter process (we don’t have a formal greenhouse yet).

Sunflowers and zinnias are easy peasy but the other seeds were not as easy going. However, we have been rather lucky to not have a pest issue yet. I’d like to say the garden is 100% organic but we live in rural Iowa and our property is surrounded by crop that gets sprayed.

We’ve been gifting flowers this summer simply because life has had a few curve balls and we’re not prepared for selling retail. Another summer of trial and error - what a gift, right?! 🌸

Ps: check out our bio for a link to the website and Etsy shop! 🍄

Here’s a few pictures of the past week’s harvest.

Sunday’s harvest 🌸🌻

First time planting a mix of calendula seeds and they’re just starting to bloom. Such a cute addition to a wildflower bouquet!

Breathing in the opportunities of a new day with some freshly cut sage and lemon balm. 🤩🌿🌼🍄

It’s zinnia season at The Freckled Bluebird and there’s nothing better than bringing a little bit of garden joy indoors.

Them: what’s your favorite color?
Me: all of them.

Just a few moments from around the homestead. Today was cool and drizzly and just plain perfection.

Breathe in, head back, eyes closed….exhale 🌼🌿🍄🌸

I wish you could smell these 🌸🌹. What’s your favorite rose?

What’s cuter - a puppy garden assistant or tiny lavender plants? 🌱 🐶

Hi friends! Spring prep in the garden isn’t glamorous but it sure is rewarding. 👩🏻‍🌾 Here’s a few unglamorous photos of new projects we’ve been working on over the past few weeks between the excessive rain and severe weather. 🍄

So far the zinnia, sunflower, and coneflower seeds are in the ground and actively sprouting. 🌱 Tonight I prepped a small section of the test plot with peat moss and planted our new dahlia tubers. Fingers crossed! 🤞🏻