Yesterday our neighbors at Marty’s Body Shop were doing some maintenance in their storage lot that’s next to our property in back.

Dad called me and said I had to come see what they had found–

In the cleaning the opossum home must have been rattled and sent these guys scurrying!

This one was trying to be brave in the face of danger…he definitely did not like me cooing at him, but doesn’t he have the cutest toes?

This one was the scaredy-cat!  He just wanted to go back home and rest under his blankie. Poor little guy!

What an incredible day to be outside raking, putting away the lawn furniture, or at our house tuning up the snow blower!

It’s also perfect weather for planting hardy mums, and lucky you–they’re on sale!  All of our beautiful hardy mums are 50% off while they last!!

Just take them home, dig a hole about the same width and depth as their pots, take them out of their pots, loosen up the soil ball, and nestle them in their hole surrounding them with the loose dirt. Let them die back naturally after a few hard freezes, but give them a bit of insulation with some of your final leaf clippings or mulched leaves.

Towards the beginning of May gently rake away the leaf clippinga and look for your mums reappearance. Keep them pinched back 3″-4″ high until the 4th of July. This will give you lush, full plants in the fall, rather than scraggly, leggy ones.

Shouldn’t your garden be “floral and haRDY

Kar-Fre has a fun, new way to stay in touch–we’re on Facebook!  Lots of pictures, some Facebook only secrets, learn about our upcoming events, and much more!!

Click below and please become one of our fans!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Sycamore/Kar-Fre-Flowers-and-Gifts/164078438561?ref=ts

We’re moving the holiday goodies into the shop from the Conservatory today. And just like when you undertake this at home, it’s a lot of putting some of our other pretties away, dusting, and it seems we have some dust bunnies that are reproducing like crazy!!  

Sounds like we may get to see the sun again next week! Remember our hardy mums are on sale now–50% off!! You can still plant them, let them die back naturally, mulch them to give them some protection, and enjoy them next year!

We’re off to the Spartan game at Kaneland tonight! While it would have been more fun to play at home, Kaneland serves world famous Ream’s brats at their concession stand so dinner will be delish!  Go Spartans!

Couldn’t let Halloween pass without adding this–Trick or Treat!!

Last night was the first of our two extravaganza of design shows–TWIST ON TRADITION!

We had a great group, oodles of fun, and all kinds of pretties!  Kathy Hammes and her Tastefully Simple goodies were a nice addition, and Kathy even left us the leftover dips, chips, and crackers to enjoy today-Yum!

Notice the person working in this picture, and those just trying to be adorable–no wonder one of us has had knee replacement!

So many pretties, so little time!

Our shows would not be the success they are without the amazing help we get from our entire Kar-fre crew–Linda Carlson, Julie Brazeau, Rod Berg, Dan Maurer, our delivery drivers: Jim Mandery, Bert Fredrick, and Jamie Swiney, and even our adorable kids: Lucy and Maddie Wrenn, Kyle and Maggie Schulz!

Creating the magic!

We do it all again tonight, and would love to have you!! Doors open at 6:30, show starts at 7:00pm!!

This past Sunday morning was the annual Sycamore Pumpkin Run a 10k fun run sponsored by the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce. After several years not doing it, I decided a year ago that this year I would be in the race again–walking.   I love the Pumpkin Run: the cheering folks along the streets, the other runners and walkers that you get to meet along the way, and the awesome feeling when you cross that finish line.

When I found out I was having my knee replaced I thought for sure that would ruin all of my plans. With lots of work, patience and tolerance from Denny Kolkebeck at Northern Rehab, and Chris Weiss at Custom Fit teaching me that I can do anything I put my mind to I was able to be in the race Sunday.

It was all that I had hoped for and much more!!  What an incredible morning–brilliant blue skies, lots of fans cheering, great music mix on my Ipod, and not an ounce of pain!   While I knew I wasn’t going to set any speed records, my goal was to finish under 90 minutes. The final results were posted on the Sycamore Chamber website yesterday and I finished in 88 minutes–under my goal!!!

Best of all I feel great–my knees are happy-apparently all of that pushing, coercing, and nagging by Denny and Chris were worth it–not that I’ll ever tell them that!

A big smile at the finish line!

Tomorrow, Friday, October 16th, is Boss’s Day and we have a fantastic idea for your boss!  Our fresh from the patch Pumpkin Bouquet!!  We take a fresh locally grown pumpkin, hollow it out, and fill it with an incredible assortment of fall flowers and colors.  Wondering how long it lasts? The pumpkin lasts just as long as the flowers do!  Scott and I were given a pumpkin bouquet a week ago and are still enjoying it. It sits on the counter just above our kitchen sink, and makes doing the dishes such a pleasure.

I might also add that Sweetest Day is Saturday, October 17th–maybe our Pumpkin Bouquet for your sweet punkin???