
| News Update |
| Another growing season is upon us and it is truly a springtime to celebrate new life – especially the welcome addition of our first grandchild, Clara Jane, who was born in late February. This little miracle is our reminder that life is so very precious and each day is, indeed, a blessing. As parents, we were perhaps too busy working, keeping house, managing schedules, and supervising budgets. But there is something about being “grand” that allows us to see the world with new eyes! As we jump back into gardening, we are much more in tune to the new life in everything around us – the first push of the lawn mower and that fresh fragrance of newly cut grass, swelling buds on the trees, and the endless melody of the songbirds merrily building nests for their new broods. Springtime stirs the emotion of gardeners like no other time of the year. We are optimistic, energized and enthused once more. A new tree will be planted at the garden this spring in honor or Clara’s birth and we have plans for a new theme garden we’ll call ‘Sugar and Spice’, featuring a menagerie of pink and ruffled blooms mingled among a sea of baby’s breath. |
| Proud Partners with the Sac County Barn Quilt project: Sac County Barn Quilts established in 2005 with a spirit of community cooperation and rural pride. As a county-wide approach to tourism, it combines a desire to promote tourism while preserving Iowa¹s agricultural architecture with the homespun charm of quilting. Fifty-five barn quilts now cover the county and we are proud to have the Double Aster pattern on the south end of our Sears and Roebuck barn. For more information about the SacCounty Barn Quilt project, go to: http://www.barnquilts.com. |

| Odebolt, our local community, has it's own website. Here you will find local news as well as other interesting places to visit, lodging recommendations and dining opportunities. If you are considering a visit to the area, let this be your guide: http://www.odebolt.net/visit.html |

We continue our association with FOUR ALL SEASONS Bio-Source Natural Fertilizer. Jack has enjoyed his work in sales with the company and finds it is easy to promote a product that we know from experience works so well. It’s made in NW Iowa and 100% bio-based, great for lawns, vegetable gardens, and flower beds. Best of all, it's Kid Safe and Pet Safe – guaranteed GREEN for a safe, clean environment! Our flower gardens and grassy expanses have benefited from a spring and fall application for several years and the lush results tell the story. Go to: http://www.fourallseasons.net for additional information. |

| Iowa Gardener’s Travel Guide The Iowa Gardener’s Travel Guide is a cumulative directory to Iowa’s gardening establishments, including retail garden centers, nurseries, greenhouses and public gardens. The first of its kind, the guide assembles contact information and unbiased commentary for 106 of Iowa¹s retail horticultural establishments (including our garden). The cover shot will look familiar – it’s a photograph of the Prairie Pedlar! We are happy to be part of Kelly’s publication and encourage you to get a copy for yourself. We have them at the shop, or review the book at: http://www.lulu.com/content/3325086 |
