Are you interested?

We are tossing the idea around of having a few workshops in November and December and would love your input! Here are the workshops we've been thinking about holding... 1.Christmas Table Centre and 2.Outdoor Winter Planter (these would be held separately) Would an evening or a Saturday be better for you? The cost would vary depending on the size of container/arrangement. Please leave us a comment, we'd love to hear from you. I'll keep you posted on our decision. Thanks!

Wow! It's been awhile since I've blogged. Sorry about that.

Today I wanted to show you how the poinsettias are "colouring up" as we say in greenhouse language. :) In approximately 3 weeks, the first poinsettias will be ready to ship. To date, we have orders for 34 fundraisers, all to be delivered between November 26th and Dec. 22. These fundraising groups include Kinette groups, schools, skating/sports clubs, youth groups and school bands. I would say the farthest delivery is to Toronto/Markham and the closest being Zurich. It's really nice to be able to help out these groups that are looking for a way to fund their programs. If you'd like more info on this fundraiser, it's on our website www.huronridge.ca

It was feeling a little like christmas here with the wet snow that's been falling off and on. Today our perennials got put to sleep. The pots were taken back to our outdoor area, placed on the ground and covered with a frost blanket. This blanket looks like a really thick piece of quilt batting. It protects the plants from the extreme temperatures but they still get the dormant, cold period that they need.

I've been dreaming of Christmas and ways to impress you when you come to our Poinsettia Festival. Mark November 28,29 and 30 on your calender. We are open Mon-Sat all the time but this particular weekend is a special one. It's the weekend that we display the poinsettias by candlelight in the evening. We are also open extra on that Sunday from 1-5. I will write more in detail later.

*Please note our change of hours for Saturdays. We're now open 10-3. (except for November 29th) If you can't make it during this time, just give us a call and we'll see if someone can be available at a different time.

565-2122 (Mon-Fri. is still 9-5)

Another week has gone by and now we are into our typical fall weather. It's not to late to plant tulips and daffodils, our promise of spring to come. They pop up when it's dreary out and give us colour in a brown world. Carol is putting together a email newsletter to send out approximately once a month to let our customers know about workshops, specials and other events happening. If you would like to be on this list, check out our website and you can send her your email address. www.huronridge.ca

Happy Thanksgiving!

We at Huron Ridge want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and a great weekend together with friends and family. Take advantage of the gorgeous weather by hiking on trails, walking on the beach or around town, enjoying the sights, sounds and smells that Autumn brings.

I'm thankful for my family, good health, my newly renovated, much larger kitchen, a job, wonderful friends and much more.

Count your blessings today and every day! :)

Remembering

This week we had a sad event....our "farm" dog Maggie passed away. She died peacefully in her sleep in one of her favourite spots. She was a wonderful dog, loved "her" kids, could worm her way into my heart with that pathetic look of hers. She loved our leftovers and would whine outside our door when she heard the plates being scraped.

She would yip exitedly when "her" kids came but would go crazy with panic during a thunderstorm. You could almost guess a storm was coming before it arrived because Maggie would act strange (frightened) and want to go into the house.

She would have her favourite spot on the front lawn sometimes waiting for the kids to get off the bus and would meet them partway. She was not allowed out the lane way in the morning and would be stopped halfway if she tried to sneak any further.

Maggie was happiest when the whole family was home and outside. If we'd go for a walk in the bush, her tail would be wagging happily, her nose to the ground searching for new smells. She was protective of the kids and I'm sure if someone would've tried to hurt them with her around, she wouldn't have allowed it. Grandpa Dave would talk to her in the morning like a human (Grandma says) when he headed out to work. I'm sure he will miss her company.

Maggie knew the sound of the Purolator truck when it came with a delivery and would run out to meet the driver, unashamedly begging for a treat. He's a smart guy that driver! He was here today but I couldn't tell him that Maggie wasn't around anymore for the lump in my throat.

Maggie, I found myself wondering where you were today, then would catch myself remembering. We miss you and will always have fond memories of you in our hearts.

Love

The Steckle Family

Perennial Sale

It sure feels like fall today! I began to notice last week how dark it is in the morning and how early in the evening the light begins to fade. I feel like pulling out the candles, crockpot and pot roasts! Fortunately there is still a bit of time in the evenings to work outside in our yards...I desparately need to weed my front flowerbed. We had hoped to have it dug up, built up and replanted by this time but have been busy with other things. There are still a few weeks left to be out digging and planting so hopefully we'll still get a chance. Our perennials are still Buy One, get one Free. We still have a good variety left...hostas, daylilies, ornamental grasses, astilbe, ground covers, yellow russian hollyhock, peony, anemones and much more. Fall is such a great time to plant perennials as it's cooler (for the plants and us) and they will be there in the spring, ready to grow all season. Planting now gives perennials a headstart. We have a special section of hardy garden mums that are 3 for $10. They are beautiful and in colour, perhaps just smaller, in bloom more or a little lopsided compared to our $6.99 mums. We also have gourds, cornstalks and bows, and pumpkins for decorating. It's hard to believe it's that time of year already...summer flew by! Enjoy your day :) Here's just a little quote for you. Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity. Lindley Karstens