Wild-Hearted Summer Self-Care
Farming is so much work and with the added the stress of making wedding flower designs, one can drown in the endless sea of tasks. We have found a way to thrive is to create space to experience the joy of what we are creating. We want to introduce you to this amazing crew of people who keep the flowers growing and our hearts full.
The white board to-do list beckons with tasks undone
Image by Kristen Caldon-O’Neill
Kate, founder
“Swimming is a way I treat myself, especially in the Verde Valley where we have so many creeks nearby, including a swimming hole across the street. On vacation in Vermont and Montana I swam in every body of water I encountered. The sensation of my body entering the cold water feels freeing. A second treat is ice cream, a comfort food that is loaded with nostalgia from my Vermont childhood when we made ice cream by hand stirring and added fresh strawberries from the garden. This summer in Vermont, the whole family went to Siloway Maple for creamies made with their 4th generation maple syrup from the farm. You sit on a hill and look out over the fields and beyond to the mountains. It is heavenly!”
Swimming in Beaver Creek as often as possible is a way to treat ourselves right
Terri, lead floral designer
“Self care to me is oh so many things! In my 44 years of living I have found there are two non-negotiables. First, have fun! I try to find ways to have fun every single day! This can be as simple as giggling at the hummingbirds buzzing about my kitchen window, blowing bubbles with friends, or putting a little skip in my gait. Life is so much more beautiful when you can infuse a little fun throughout the day. Yes, I am still a child full of wonder in many ways, thank the stars! Second, stay connected to mother nature. I love to heel-toe barefoot, slowly through the dewy morning grass, hug trees, play in the mud, jump in cool creeks, meditate in the granite dells, sip on some spring water while falling in love with the latest sunrise, and, most importantly, thank Mama Earth for her infinite blessings every single day. She holds us, provides for us and for me, recharges my whole mind, body and spirit in ways nothing or no one else can. With love in my heart and a smile on my face, I encourage you to seek solace in the natural world and just have as much fun as possible in your own unique ways!
‘Every day may not be good...
but there's something good in every day.’ Alice Morse Earle”
Terri, a true nature spirit, picking our wild Sacaton grass for bouquets on the farm
Dani, floral designer
“I take long baths with salts, dips on our neighbors pond and read books in the shade!!”
Dani is wearing a cute smock and big smile after taking a family vacation
Image by Kristen Caldon-O’Neill
Kelly, right hand woman
“The self care activities I need are regular dog walks to the river, cooking and preparing food for the week, listening to music, taking a bath, getting a massage and doing yoga.”
Kelly gathered flowers and decorated her birthday cake made by Lexi of Sugar Mamas
Image by Kristen Caldon-O’Neill
Sarah, farm apprentice
I try to root as self-care. Life under capitalism can make me feel over extended and under appreciated rather quickly. I try to come back inward to intentionally spend time doing something that I appreciate and does not overstimulate and agrees with me. On days I create space for self care things look different. I have given myself time to feel into a natural rhythm of of life. I allow myself to wake up to the opportunity of water, harvest and communing with my plants and garden ecosystem. I can strip leaves and feel soil temperatures and snip flowers I have been waiting for all season. I can stand in gratitude and dream of how colorful my soon to be breakfast will be with these inspiration from past me. I can mourn the loss of the cherry tree that never went to fruit and shriveled up instead. It’s not a comfortable beat but its a necessary pause in life I don’t often “have time” to honor. When I give time for self care, my cat follows me around just happy to have me there and I can nuzzle her anytime I need to, which is often. I get to use my craft of cooking to create beauty and nutritional abundance for myself. I have a hard time doing this on the day-to-day as I feel a tendency to serve others first and leave little time for myself. This small act of making a balanced meal is truly uplifting and wholesome for me from me.
When my intention is self care I don't involve anyone in my plans and pack light. I head for the trail or the canyon or the creek spot I've had my eye on during my morning chug-along. I don't need to wait for anyone or bring extra water for someone or pick anyone up on the way. I just do what I want with purest intent. I hit the trail and peer through bushes to spot their ripest berries. I trudge along a powdery trail with promises of a finale of crawdads and rock pools, and slip and laugh only to myself. Not out of embarrassment but out of amusement. Whatever happens, I have the time to allow it. That's sacred for myself. To remember I don't know where I'm going but I could enjoy being there. I can breathe and recognize I'm breathing. I can feel and try to get through the feelings. I can just be with myself in a slower, more natural and authentic way than I can be on my way to a job or standing in a line. All this is my way of Self Caring. Going slow and having time to take in natural patterns and occurrences.
Sarah, center, enjoying the fruits of her efforts on the farm with her mom on her left and best friend Sarah on her right
Image by Kristen Caldon-O’Neill
Mike, partner and medicine maker
“I find the ritual of watching the summer sunsets relaxing and inspiring. With monsoon clouds, the vast array of light shows invite awe. It is a daily reminder from nature of how quickly things change and a reflection: Can I enjoy all this beauty and watch it go?”
Mike takes in the Rimrock monsoonal sunset as a daily dose of self-care.