Yesterday, our hearts grew a little fuller as we welcomed our fifth grandbaby into the world. Today we were able to drive to the hospital, hold her tiny frame, and congratulate our son and daughter-in-law. There’s something indescribable about cradling a newborn—like watching a miracle unfold right before your eyes. Baby and momma are both happy and healthy, and soon they’ll be heading home to begin this next beautiful chapter.

Guess what, friends? The dahlias have done their dazzling work in the fields, and now it’s our turn to dig in. Quite literally. Here at Flaming Acres, we’re rolling up our sleeves for one of the most exciting times of the year—tuber harvest! This is when we carefully dig up those magical clumps hiding beneath the soil and prepare them for next spring’s blooms. But here’s the twist: we can’t (and don’t want to) do it alone. We’re inviting YOU to join in the fun!

We are excited to announce that the winner of our September Subscriber Giveaway is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania! When we reached out, she shared that her favorite garden colors were purples and yellows—a cheerful palette that’s both elegant and playful. We can already imagine how her garden will glow with these blooms come spring 2026!

There’s something about a good rain that changes everything. Yesterday’s showers carried into the night, and this morning when I stepped outside, the farm felt brand new. The dahlia fields had perked up as if they’d all taken a deep, refreshing drink. Blooms that had been shy and slow to open finally unfurled, showing their true colors in glorious waves across the rows. I wandered the fields with my camera in hand, and today I have nine photographs to share with you. Some are

This morning I woke up to the gentle patter of rain against the windows. The cooler air and soft gray skies reminded me that autumn is truly here. There’s something about rainy mornings that slows everything down—encouraging us to breathe deeper, wrap our hands around a warm cup of coffee, and let the day unfold at a gentler pace.

Yesterday was one of those days that fills my heart to overflowing. Ashley brought the girls over for some farm time, and before long shoes were kicked off, clothes half shed, and the living room pantry had been “planted” with potatoes under the pillows. Their giggles echoed everywhere. By dinnertime, the spaghetti was flying as freely as the laughter—it was messy, chaotic, and absolutely perfect.

Today was one of those full and satisfying farm days—the kind where the list is long, the sun is warm, and the blooms keep surprising me. I’ve been out in the dahlia rows with my notebook, jotting down field notes, numbering plants, and making sure our photos and videos match what is actually growing. A few mystery blooms are keeping me guessing, but I love the detective work of tracking them down and cataloging them properly.

This morning I walked the rows at Flaming Acres Dahlias, checking in on the dahlias as they push out their late-September flush of blooms. Each plant seems to have its own rhythm this time of year—some still bursting with new buds, others stretching tall and proud with full blossoms catching the light just right.

In August, we launched our brand-new Flaming Acres Dahlias website and officially opened our online dahlia tuber shop on August 10th. What a joy this new season has already been! We’ve been humbled and delighted by the response—new subscribers are joining us daily, and orders keep rolling in. The outpouring of encouragement and support has truly blessed us, and we are so grateful for each one of you who has come alongside us on this journey.

If you’ve ever wondered how a dahlia farm in the heart of Idaho keeps all its wheels turning, you’ll enjoy this little behind-the-scenes tour with Dion. I made a video recently where he narrated some of the projects and equipment that keep Flaming Acres humming along, and today I thought I’d share the highlights with you.

As we move deeper into September, dahlias are still giving us their best — but they also need a little extra attention this time of year. Cooler nights, shorter days, and the hint of fall in the air signal a shift in how we care for them. Here are a few ways to keep your dahlias happy and blooming strong as the season winds down:

Today, as I watched the memorial service for Charlie Kirk, I was struck by the thread of hope that ran through the grief, and the central truth that forgiveness is the heartbeat of the Christian faith. Tucker Carlson reminded all of us that true change in a culture does not begin in governments, programs, or movements—it begins with the individual. Each of us must look honestly at our own lives, repent, and deal with our own offenses before God. Only then can forgiveness flow

Every farm has its piles. Some are neat stacks of hay bales or tidy rows of equipment. Ours? Well, let’s just say we’ve perfected the art of creative chaos. If you wander through Flaming Acres, you’ll see the evidence of years of “We might need this someday” thinking. Old wood from sheds we took down? Check. Fence posts? We’ve got plenty. Rolls of wire, buckets of nails, pallets, hop poles, old play structures, three lawnmowers...

Transforming Flaming Acres from an Ag-Tourism Destination to Dahlia Tuber Farm. If you had visited Flaming Acres a few years ago, your memories might include navigating a corn maze, sipping apple cider, or bouncing along on a hayride. Our farm was built on experiences—fall festivals, school tours, and family weekends celebrating the beauty of the harvest season. We loved those days. The laughter of children echoing across the fields, the smell of kettle corn drifting across t

Dahlias are the bridge between summer and fall—bursting in full color just as the garden begins to quiet. Where sunflowers, cosmos, and zinnias are fading, dahlias keep the party alive. Their fiery hues blend seamlessly with pumpkins on the porch, the glow of turning leaves, and the warmth of autumn light.

I love this project not only for the beauty it captures but also for the heart behind it. It’s another way of extending the life of our gardens, savoring the glory of dahlias beyond their season, and crafting heirlooms that remind us of sunshine and joy when winter comes.

If you’ve ever visited Flaming Acres Dahlias, you know our farm doesn’t just bloom with flowers—it struts with feathers too. Meet our feathered fan club: one majestic white peacock named Lightning (with a shimmer of blue and purple in his train) and his entourage of three peahens. This year, two of those peahens decided to raise families… and let’s just say the stork was generous. We now have at least 13 peachicks running underfoot. Yes, you read that right. Over a dozen!

This morning at church was unlike anything I’ve seen before. Dion and I attended the 8 a.m. service, and by the time we left, the parking lot was overflowing. Friends who came to the service following ours told us that cars were parked in every possible space—even the islands—as we left cars were pouring in to an already filled parking lot. It was a vivid picture of hunger for truth in a world that feels like it is spinning out of control, where evil is attempting to destroy

Saturday, September 13th, was a day full of color, creativity, and community as my daughter Ashley and I loaded up her bouquets and made the 30-mile trip from Caldwell to downtown Boise for the Southwest Idaho Dahlia Show at JUMP.

Today, September 13th, is a special day for flower lovers in Boise. My 12 dahlia photographs are on display at the Southwest Idaho Dahlia Show at JUMP, alongside many other breathtaking entries. The Boise Camera Club is also sharing their incredible work, so there is no shortage of beauty for visitors to enjoy.