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This time of year, we hear a lot about resolutions. Goals. Ambitions. Bucket lists filled with things to conquer, fix, or finally accomplish. While there is nothing wrong with dreaming or planning, I’ve found that lasting, meaningful change rarely comes from pressure alone. From a Christian perspective, true growth begins somewhere deeper.

January has a way of clearing the noise. After the rich colors of summer and the fullness of fall, the world seems to soften. The garden rests. The palette quiets. And in that simplicity, we begin to notice beauty differently. This week at Flaming Acres, we’re leaning into white—white dahlias that carry elegance, calm, and quiet strength. White is never empty. It reflects light. It creates space. It invites intention.

As 2025 comes to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on a season that was far more complex than any highlight reel could ever capture. From a distance, this year may look like success—beautiful blooms, a thriving online presence, and a growing community around Flaming Acres Dahlias. But as anyone who works the land knows, the true story of a season is always layered. Beauty and struggle grow side by side.

We are delighted to announce our December Silent Night Tuber Trio Giveaway winner:is from Chichester, New Hampshire.

There are certain moments during the Christmas season that quietly settle into the heart and refuse to leave. This year, one of those moments came through a song—Mary, Did You Know?—and through the voice of my granddaughter.

Tomorrow, December 26 at noon Pacific Time, a very special dahlia will be released into the world—one that carries far more meaning than its breathtaking beauty alone. The Kaylee Jade Dahlia was lovingly created in memory of Kaylee Jade Goncalves, a beloved young woman whose life was tragically taken in 2022. Kaylee was a student at the University of Idaho, a daughter, a sister, a friend—and someone remembered by many for her warmth, joy, and vibrant spirit.

Christmas Eve arrives quietly here at Flaming Acres. The fields are bare. The dahlias sleep beneath layers of winter care. The tools are laid down early tonight. There is a stillness that settles over the farm—one that feels almost sacred. It is in this quiet that we are reminded why this night matters so deeply. On Christmas Eve, we pause to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Not with grandeur or noise, but with reverence.

December settles in gently here at Flaming Acres, and while the fields rest under gray skies and winter rain, life is still quietly unfolding beneath the surface. This season, our dahlias are sleeping—not in the ground, but tucked safely away for winter in a carefully monitored storage space. Overwintering tubers is always a season of watchfulness, and this year feels especially significant as we are trying a new storage method for the very first time.

December 10th will always hold special meaning for us. This year, Dion and I quietly celebrated our 42nd wedding anniversary, and in many ways, it felt like a perfect reflection of the life we’ve built—simple, rich, full of laughter, conversation, and grace.

Tomorrow, Dion and I will celebrate our 42nd wedding anniversary—how is that even possible? As I look at our wedding photo from that snowy December afternoon in 1983, I can’t help but smile at the story God wrote long before we ever stood together at that altar. Today feels like the perfect day to reminisce about how it all began.

We just wrapped up our Thanksgiving/Christmas family weekend at Flaming Acres, and my heart feels wonderfully full. These gatherings always remind me what a precious gift it is to have a big, growing family—each one with their own stories, milestones, and personalities—and to bring them all under one roof for a few sweet days before the holiday season sweeps us along.

Today was Christmas decorating day here at the Flaming Acres farmhouse—a tradition that always seems to officially usher in the warmth and wonder of the season. As I moved from room to room, hanging boughs and placing wreaths just so, the house slowly transformed into a soft glow of lights and evergreen.

As November settled softly over the farm—bringing quiet mornings, silvered fence posts, and the first hints of winter’s hush—we found ourselves reflecting on the simple joys this season brings. Today, we’re delighted to share one of those joys with you: announcing our November Giveaway winner!

Sunday, November 30th, 2025 This morning, Flaming Acres woke up wrapped in white.Not a heavy snowstorm—just a quiet dusting, the kind that settles gently on fence rails, rests softly on the greenhouse roof, and whispers, “Ready or not… winter is here."

As November settles softly over Flaming Acres, I’m reminded why this month always feels a little extra tender. The fields are quiet now, the dahlias tucked away for their winter rest, and there’s a hush over the farm that invites reflection. It’s the perfect moment to gather our community close and share something special—and I’m thrilled to tell you that our November Subscriber Perks have been sent to our subscriber email inboxes.

The day after Thanksgiving has long been known as a busy one—sales, travel, leftovers stacked in the fridge. But today felt wonderfully simple, beautifully grounded, and full of the sweetest kind of noise: the sounds of my granddaughters filling our home.

Today feels different from the bustling holidays of years past, yet no less special. This year we’re keeping things quiet—just Dion and I heading to my parents’ home to share a simple Thanksgiving meal. For decades, they were the ones hosting our entire extended family, filling the house with laughter, cousins, stories, and the smell of roasting turkey. Now it’s our turn to bring the warmth to them. And honestly… this slower, gentler holiday feels like a sacred gift.

This afternoon, my daughter Ashley—my flower-loving, artistic ray of sunshine—came over with a mission. She had one goal: to help me finally begin the shadow boxes I’ve been planning for my daughters, daughters-in-law, and granddaughters. She knows me well enough to sense when I'm procrastinating, and today she gently but firmly nudged me out of “analysis paralysis.”

Today was a day wrapped in twinkle lights, peppermint air, and the joy of local creativity. Dion, Ashley, little Olivia, and I bundled up and made our way to the Christmas Fair—a beloved hometown tradition that somehow manages to feel both familiar and magical every single year.