Happy "Plant A Flower Day"

It's "Plant a flower day" and planting a flower or appreciating one seems like the perfect thing to do on this toasty Monday. Below is a collection of vintage seed packets we fancy. They feel royal, untouchable. We imagine in 1866 to get your hands on one of these packets was like magic. Although, we imagine that's exactly how we would feel if someone handed us them today. Plant a flower. It doesn't have to be today or tomorrow - but sometime this spring. Plant it, water it and soon you will be the guardian of something delicate and beautiful.

Winter on the Farm

In the winter months the farm lays dormant. Mother nature likes to makes sure we don't take sunny summer days and rainy spring ones for granted. The peacefulness of Fresh & Fancy Farms in the winter is beautiful.  From a distance, life looks sparse but it's happening everywhere from the greenhouse to the potting shed. Here are some of our favorite details about winter on the farm...

3 Things to Enjoy Before the Leaves Begin to Change

Summer is winding down and we are headed straight for fall. But before we get ourselves too excited about crisp pumpkins and colorful mums we are going to enjoy what’s left of the world’s warmest season. Here are three things we are going to hold onto before the leaves begin to change. 1. Fresh herbs  One of our favorite things is to grow fresh herbs. Sage, rosemary, basil, oregano, you name it we grow it. If you have enough space indoors for colder months, bring your herbs indoors. If not, dry them and use them for your fall and winter cooking. Later this month we will have an herb drying “how to” so stay tuned.

2. Homegrown vegetables It’s about that time when your vegetables are in their prime! Six cucumbers here, 12 tomatoes there, you have an over abundance and soon it will be winding down so enjoy them! There is nothing more exciting than harvesting homegrown vegetables so don’t let anything go to waste, jar some salsa or pickle those cucumbers!

3. Final blooms Currently at the farm we are offering our hanging baskets for $10. Yes, we said it, $10 buckaroos! The flowers are still blooming and are sure to brighten any yard. Don’t take those final annual blooms for granted. Sit back, relax and enjoy the flowers!

Brighten your desk and possibly your day

Adventure: Florisity on 19th Street near 5th Avenue. As I walk into this fancy florist, I suddenly feel underdressed. Like a tourist in a gothic church, all I was missing was a fanny pack and a family of four.

The room quiet and open with slate colored walls stretched into the cathedral ceilings. Unique vases, pots, statues and scattered flowers filled the room. I want to see more flowers, because you can never have enough flowers, but the flowers here are hand picked, specially selected with a vision in mind. I walked in to find something springy and fun for Elana and walked out with a mini family of flowers in a square vase guaranteed to cheer up any desk on a dreary day.

"Operated by the very same creative and artistic team as the legendary Takashimaya Floral, Floristy has gained the reputation as New York's premier floral atelier, specializing in exceptional daily flowers, weddings and corporate events. Floristry's renowned 2000 square foot gallery is also used to house private events, exhibitions and floral arranging classes. The floral artistry behind the gallery's peerless talent lies with its international staff that create a combination of tastes varying from modern and classic to avant-garde." - Florisity

ps I even took a post card...total tourist

A trip to the Union Square Farmers Market

Adventure: Union Square Farmers Market - New York, NY The Union Square Farmers market is one of my favorite places to roam around on a sunny afternoon. It can melt most of the work day stress and inspire you to cook up something new and delicious for dinner. I always seem to discover a new way to use something, from dried lavender to purple fingerling potatoes.

One of my favorite stops is Andrew's Local Honey, he may just have the most delicious whipped honey I have ever tasted. I also really dig his bluberry honey on my oatmeal in the morning.

Sunshine Oatmeal:

• 1/2 cup dried oatmeal
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup skim milk
• 2 tsp honey
• 2 tbsp dried cranberries
• 5-6 cashews crushed

Boil water, add oatmeal, stir together for about 4-5minutes until the oatmeal looks moist and creamy. Place in your favorite bowl add milk and honey, stir. Top with dried cranberries and walnuts. Enjoy! [Serves 1]

Note: Research shows that beginning the day with a nutritious, fiber-rich diet can help you maintain a healthy weight. -101 Foods that could save your life

A Fresh Look at Klinger's Farm

FRESH: Well here it is. The start to a new adventure in modern farming. Modern "Family" Farming that is! After all this is a family adventure - a one for all, all for one, kind of deal. After recently purchasing a farm in New Jersey, we are excited about the endless possibilities the land has to offer. This blog is also a new adventure where we will post our whereabouts, ideas, dreams and plans. We look forward to getting your feedback as we bring Klinger's Farm into its 98th year in New Milford, NJ.

FANCY: i can imagine green grass and scattered wild flowers dancing in a warm breeze along a toasty greenhouse overflowing with flowers, fruits and veggies.

the crisp red barn will be smoothed and lathered with a fresh coat of red paint. a waterwheel will rest along its side dipping into the stream again and again to stay cool.

music from another era is echoing in the background bringing back distant memories for all who visit and making new ones for the young puddle jumpers and pumpkin carvers.