We are FoxGlove Gardening, INC !

FoxGlove Gardening Truck and Tools

FoxGlove Gardening Truck and Tools

Over lunch on Aspen Street on April 6, 2016 Joan Abbott of FoxGlove Gardening sold her beloved garden maintenance and landscaping business to Jason and I.  This is a start of a new chapter for us.  We are business owners in Flagstaff, Arizona doing what we are passionate about… gardens, plants, flowers, color, design, the outdoors, beautifying the community, stewarding the land!

Jason and I are co-owners of the company, but I have been trying to think of what my title is beyond that.  Jason is clearly the gardener! and I would like to not be thought of as the bookkeeper, as that will not be my focus this time around.  I am excited about creating the branding and marketing for our new business, providing fine customer service, and ensuring that the company continues to offer exceptional service and high aesthetic quality as it did under Joan.

I love the fleet of toyota trucks with painted tool handles, the FoxGlove name and what it stands for, the magical plant itself, and most importantly appreciate the beautiful gardens that FoxGlove tends around town that are uniquely verdant, vibrant, and thoughtfully designed.  I believe that FoxGlove will be a great launching pad for my creative services and pursuits in the months and years to come.

In the meantime, it is a great honor to work along side Joan Abbott (she will be sharing her knowledge and helping with the transition for the first year) as we learn everything there is to know about this special business that has enriched Flagstaff season to season over the past 37+ years!

Thank you Joan for believing in us and being so patient with the process…

…many thanks go out to our family members, friends & colleagues in Austin, and new found advisors and connections (and now friends!) in Flagstaff!!

FoxGlove in a Garden on Black

FoxGlove in a Garden on Black

‘Inch by inch, row by row, going make this garden grow, all it takes is a rake and how ’till the rain comes tumbin’ down…’

 

The Two Month Mark

Last day in Austin together

Last day in Austin together

Two months ago (01/29/2016) today, a Friday, Jason and I rolled down I-40 West in a 26′ long Penske pulling a U-Haul trailer, arriving in Flagstaff, Arizona at the Little America Truck Stop. Prior to that we packed for days while sharing tears with friends.  Then we bravely  pulled onto 290 West for the long 18 hour drive to Arizona. Leaving an amazing community of friends, a sweet house of 12 years, chickens, majestic Live Oak Trees, dear neighbors, and a spirited city.

Penske Heading to Arizona

Penske Heading to Arizona

Getting a fresh start, setting forth on a new adventure, changing it up… that was the catalyst and that is what we are doing in Northern Arizona.  I have been thinking about the last two months and how it feels a bit like the two month mark with a new baby.  Mama and baby are definitely out and about, feeling sturdy, a little less raw, ready to venture out in the world, reconnect with friends and dig in to resuming a normal life.  ‘Homesick tears’ come and go and there is still the lingering feeling if one will feel ever return to their normal selves.

Paperwhites & Skull on Clawson

Paperwhites & Skull on Clawson

Of course I had a real sense of urgency to create normalcy for the kids and the family  at large by creating a tidy and organized home, happy school situation, and revolving around our Flagstaff family, but it has taken some time and required patience and gentleness with all involved. My family (Dallas, Tucson, Flagstaff)  and friends’ (Austin & Flagstaff) support has been infused with such energy and love along the way it still brings me to spontaneous tears just thinking about all that they have done for us.

Hearth and Home on Terrace

Hearth and Home on Terrace

We now have  the amazing fortune to be embraced by the neat folks up at NACET and their extended network of Local First Arizona & Womens Innovation Network of Flagstaff.  I need to take this opportunity to thank Heather Malloy for being a guardian angel and connecting Jason and I to some key people that have really made our transition to Flagstaff in the  professional realm dynamic.  These folks have made a big difference in our confidence and sense of empowerment with the business ventures we are undertaking.

Library of Dreams & Ideas

Library of Dreams & Ideas

Annie’s Omnium has come home to roost!  Stay tuned for more posts and announcements about upcoming services (Fresh Configurations), events (Business grand openings), and daily observations (Instagram)!

Coming Together for the Elkhorn Ranch

Elkhorn Ranch, Tucson shirt design by Sarah Presson and Annie Taylor for Eye Like Design

Elkhorn Ranch 2015 shirt design.

I always think about the Elkhorn Ranch in Tucson  this time of year.  Growing up it was a family tradition to spend our Thanksgivings there and connect with relatives and dear friends.  It continues to be a place to be with family, as my sister and her husband Charley Miller own and operate the Elkhorn.

The above art work started a year ago, when Mary gave me a collection of brands that the ranch has been gathering for a few generations.  Families that have become part of the Elkhorn Ranch community are encouraged to create a brand of their own. Last year I re-drew the brands and  Jenna Foster, a talented artist and designer in Austin cleverly put all the brands (over a hundred I would say) into a repeat pattern for new table runners (printed by Spoon Flower).  My mom,  Nancy Taylor cut and hemmed them for new table runners just in time for last year’s holiday feast!  Fast forward 12 months and this time Sarah Presson of Eye Like Design selected a few brands to make this cheerful new t-shirt design that will be hitting the Elkhorn Shop shelves by Christmas!

Just another example of how fun and dynamic it is to collaborate with others.

 

Three Paintings by Ollie

PAINTING WITH CHILDREN by Brunhild Muller
has been an inspiring book.

YELLOW SUBMARINE
02/19/2010

ROCK AND ROLL
02/19/2010

untitled
02/19/2010
Ollie is painting with STOCKMAR paints. The pigments (liquid & water) are so pure and rich~ however they are mixed one gets a clear, vivid color~ which makes for beautiful results.
They are also a great introduction to color theory.

Welcome Oliver


Ollie just turned 3 a month ago. He has discovered the wonderful world of the dress up. What was once a elaborate wool Laplander in spirit skirt (packed in moth balls in the attic) made by Mom Nancy, has now become a cape from the castle. Ollie is comparing his costume with the costumes illustrated in his ALMOST EVERYTHING BOOK by Joelle Jolevit.