As I am typing this out, I am in disbelief that we are already 6 months deep into 2024! I constantly find myself questioning “What year is it?!” with our family and friends because this past year (past few really) has gone by in a blur.

Time flies when having fun but does time even exist when you're living your dreams? Doens’t feel like it because if time exists, where has it gone?!

But let’s take it back a bit.

Each year as people around the world are setting into their new selves for the new year, our family is focusing our energy to honoring the Spirit of the Winter Season by resting our bodies and reflecting on the lessons and experiences from the past year. It’s an opportunity to bring awareness to where we experienced our most enchanting moments, and dream up new possibilities be charmed by life in the future.

As always - Joy, Love, Beauty, Wonder and Magic - were the qualities that took center stage when deciding the theme for our next Act.

We set those intentions, took action, and embodied those qualities as often as possible and the results - ENCHANTING!

Enchantments we’ve experienced these past few months

• Right after the new year, we were able to attend our FIRST hockey game. Having grown up on the Mighty Ducks, this was a dream come true! The speed, the skills, and just the entire atmosphere was amazing! The kids were completely enthralled! And what’s more Idaho than cheering on The Spudkings?! Already excited to attend our next game this next Winter Season.

• Andy is a manifesting KING and through a drawing with our local radio station - SHOUT OUT to Idaho’s only real rock station KBEAR 101! - he won tickets for us to see the one and only Dethklok in concert! Such a surreal experience having been a fan of Metalocalypse for over a decade. Incredible Talent! Awesome experience!

• Each year, our family supports our local semi-pro team with a visit to the ballpark. This year we planned our visit as a pre-emptive kickoff to Summer, (or the “Season of Dreams” for our family…because it really be like that for us and we are cheesy.) We were originally concerned with the early date that we may get rained out but, with luck, we were provided a beautiful Spring evening, perfect weather, and seats right behind home plate.

• Completing our Bedroom - We knew going into our remodel to expect things to take more t.ime than we anticipated, but we didn’t expect 18 months later to still be putting the house back together. HOWEVER, we did it! New everything from carpet, to paint, to the beddings, and this DOPE sunburst headboard I picked up from Facebook Marketplace for just $25! We still have art to for the walls and an amazing set of curtains to tie it all together, so stay tuned for a break down of our Celestial Bedroom Makeover once everything is COMPLETE COMPLETE.

The Gardens

• Starting our Flower Farm - Since I was a teenager, my dream career has been to grow and share flowers with the world. My family, especially my daughter and I, constantly talk about our future family business together. (We have an entire pinterest board of inspo!) And instead of accepting the reasons we could NOT start, we began asking ourselves HOW we could. Did the research. Made a plan. Took action. And together we have grown that dream into reality! And thus, Gothic Gardens has come to be.

• We installed a large flower bed 53’X2.5’ and began planting aver 30 new varieties of flowers between it and our existing flowerbeds.

• RIP Yarrow - both red and purple varieties. In spite of being established members of our flower community, they did not survive this past Winter. Aaaand we’re going to turn this frown upside down by planting some Snapdragons and Calendula on their graves.

• Our poppies have been the first of our perennials to bloom putting on a spectacular display - 73 Blooms and counting!

Reading + Watching + Loving

• “Everything is Figureoutable” by Marie Foleo - Since 2018 I have been planted firmly into the realm of personal development. Loaded with relatable stories and practical actions steps, this book has something to offer anyone looking to be more productive, successful and happy. Highly Recommend!

• “Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden” by Erin Benzakein with Julie Chai - As an aspiring floriculturist, I absolutely devoured this book. Educational! Empowering! And the illustrations are absolutely stunning.

• The Three Body Problem - As someone who has been genuinely curious about the workings of the Universe, this show has blown my mind. I can only imagine what is in the books! Thought provoking, perspective shaking, and incredible imagery. (Netflix)

• Rebel Moon - This might just be the next “epic” movie series taking on the likes of Star Wars and LOTR. Zach Snyder and team have done amazing job building a world that incorporates all the things we love from both the Sci- Fi and Fantasy genres. Definitely a must watch even to just glimpse the best griffon to ever grace a television screen. (Netflix)

• The Dirt on Flowers Podcast - It feels as if Shannon and Lindsey, the hosts of TDOF, have become members of our family who come over for coffee every Friday morning. Fun, Relatable and planted full of valuable information - listening to their experience has taught me more about the Flower Farming industry than years of working in the green industry.

• I’m in my long skirt era, so in preparation to the summer season and approaching vaca, I purchased this dark pink renaissance skirt! This skirt paired with a simply black crop is A VIBE!