Inspirations

There is nothing more precious than time spent alone with the Lord in prayer, praise, and in His Word. Not because it is a duty or a box to check off, but because of a grateful heart toward the One who gives us the very air we breathe. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:6).

The air has shifted—mornings are cooler, evenings arrive earlier, and the fields are bursting with late-season color. After the long stretch of summer heat, the dahlias are lifting their faces again, renewed by the crispness of fall. Creation itself seems to breathe a sigh of relief, as if reminding us that every season carries its own refreshment.

Our Grandkids Every time I look into the eyes of my grandchildren, I see God’s handiwork—each one crafted with a personality, passion,...

The calendar has turned, and September has arrived—a new month, a new season, and for us here at Flaming Acres Dahlias, a brand-new chapter. Yesterday we officially opened the doors of our online tuber shop, and already we’re overflowing with gratitude. Every order, every note of encouragement, every new subscriber feels like a seed planted in faith—one that will bloom in time.

There’s a certain magic that happens when you walk through a dahlia field with scissors in hand and creativity on your heart. This week, that magic belonged to my daughter Ashley—our family’s bouquet artist—and my niece Nikki, who captured every moment in photos, video, and gentle questions as the arrangement came to life.

Every great farm has its own security detail. Ours just happen to weigh under 50 pounds, have floppy ears, and look like they’re grinning even when they’re napping. Meet Cooper and Gus, our self-appointed Farm Security Officers (FSOs)—two mini Australian shepherds who take their jobs very seriously… unless there’s thunder, fireworks, or a fairy princess in a yellow tutu involved.

Every marriage, no matter how strong, will encounter seasons of disappointment, misunderstanding, or hurt. Words spoken too quickly, unmet expectations, or even simple oversights can leave wounds that feel deep. Left unchecked, those hurts can harden into resentment—but God has provided a better way.

The Power of Prayer Every morning, before the sun peeks over the horizon, my 84-year-old mother does something extraordinary. She opens a...

“In a world where gardeners dream of pest-free dahlias, one flock dares to take matters into their own claws. Meet the unlikely heroes—21 hens on patrol—and their fearless, feather-flashing leader, Cock of the Walk. They scratch. They peck. They conquer. But beware: with every bug they banish, a crater is born…”

There’s a special kind of joy that comes with the first flush of blooms. After months of tending, watering, and waiting, the garden...

This summer I have spent countless hours in my flower garden—the one brimming with sunflowers, zinnias, cosmos, lavender, and all the...

Several years ago, Steve and Cathy came to our farm for the first time, simply to enjoy the flowers. Dion and I had no idea what absolute treasures these two would become in our lives. We tend to be loners—hermit-like personalities who like to do things ourselves—and yet Steve and Cathy pursued a friendship with us with relentless kindness. Honestly, sometimes I have no idea why.

There’s something quietly sacred about working side by side with the one you love before the rest of the world has even stirred.

Some days on the farm are peaceful—sunrise over the dahlias, the hum of bees, cows grazing contentedly in the pasture.And then there was yesterday. It started with a phone call:“The cows are out.” Not just a few cows. All of them.

We’ve often joked that the sunshine is part of our “farmer’s prescription”—daily medicine for the body and the soul. But as it turns out, science agrees.

(Faith Reflections from Flaming Acres Dahlias) There’s a peach tree in our orchard that has always been my favorite. Not because it’s the...

If you visit Flaming Acres in the early morning, you’ll often find the dahlias stretching toward the sky—leaves glistening, petals just beginning to open, and the rhythmic hum of overhead sprinklers sending gentle arcs of water across the rows.

So if you find yourself in a season of preparation, waiting, or letting go—take heart. The same God who brings flowers from the dirt is working in you, too. And friend, He knows exactly when it's time to bloom.

We never set out to become dahlia farmers. In fact, if you had visited Flaming Acres a few years ago, you might’ve found yourself...

Before a single dahlia blooms at Flaming Acres, something far more important is already at work beneath the surface: faith. Our farm was...