Windward by Lost Acre

03/04/2024

Dear friends,

With weather this nice, it's time to get outdoors and start experiencing why we all live in this area. It's absolutely stunning outside!!!!! The birds are chirping, the foxes are calling, and the plants are starting to make their spring debut.

We've already noticed an uptick in people calling to ask about visiting the farm and if we are open for the public. The answer is, yes, we are open for our customers! Our farm shop is open to the public and available for self serve shopping. You can pay with Venmo (QR's available in the shop), cash (payment box and envelopes are available) or you can text us (posted phone number) your items and we will send you a credit card payment form. We even invite you to make an afternoon of your visit; come shop in the farm shop and then bring some lunch to enjoy in The Bin while taking in the scenery! The area around the farm shop, the parking area, and The Bin are open for meandering.

We only have a handful of rules:

#1`- Visitors must be customers. If you come, come to shop and enjoy (not just enjoy).
#2 - Absolutely NO dogs outside of vehicles, no exceptions. This is for your dog, and for our dogs and our animals.
#3 - We try our best to mark areas where we don't want people meandering, so please pay attention for signage and when in doubt, use your best judgment.

We love sharing the farm with you - thank you for being wonderful supporters, friends and customers!

02/29/2024

Channeling some classic romance design for an anniversary celebration special order ❤️

02/29/2024

Handmade for one of the installs that Peggy with Sundogs Bed and Breakfast, Shepherdstown, WV and I are working on in the spirit of conservation for the American Conservation Film Festival . Don't forget to purchase your tickets and review the schedule!!!

02/27/2024

That wedding glow though 😍

Now booking for 2024 and 2025 - Weddings, baby showers, and celebrations!

www.windwardblooms.com

02/26/2024

This year we're offering a brand new experience for you and your friends; we're bringing the flowers to you!

Grab a group and pick a location and we'll bring everything you need to create a gorgeous arrangement in the comfort of your own home. This is perfect for spring holidays, baby showers, bachelorette parties, birthday parties, and just because.

FAQ:
Is there a minimum?
Yes! We require a group (or minimum purchase) of five attendees.

How much does it cost?
The price per person depends on the design we build; when we book, we will be asking you a variety of questions to determine the perfect composition and type of arrangement for your tastes. We can make a recommendation based on your target budget.

Where will you travel to?
We will travel with our blooms and supplies anywhere in the region, including Maryland and Northern Virginia!

Can we come to you?
Yes! We can do a private party in the Windward estate home or in The Bin, weather permitting

How do I book?
Fill out the form on the below website or send us an email with your group size, desired date, and where you'll be hosting the party. We'll be in touch to discuss! Our email is [email protected]

More details here! 👇👇👇

https://windwardblooms.com/events/

02/24/2024

They're ready for you !!!!

Farm fresh eggs, $5/dozen, ready in the farm fridge

02/21/2024

THIS IS HUGE!!!!!!!

Our farm is gearing up to restart our goats milk herd share starting in May of this year; however, legalizing raw milk will remove so many barriers and allow us to sell directly to customers without requiring them to have a membership to our herd. This is a BIG DEAL in all sorts of scenarios, especially animal rescues that just need the occasional milk for their patients.

We'll be tracking this bill closely and crossing our fingers and toes that it gets reviewed and passed by the Senate. Until then....

We're opening our herd share for enrollments! What does this mean? Starting in May our herd share members will get weekly pickups of high quality, filtered raw goats milk right in our farm shop. Product is limited to members only and space is extremely limited; To learn more, please email us at [email protected] with the subject line "herd share".

A bill that would make it easier to buy raw milk in West Virginia passed in the House of Delegates on Monday.

02/19/2024

Winter temperatures getting on your nerves? Me too... But the end is in sight and before you know it, the grass will be turning green and we'll be in full on Spring mode!

A solution to your winter blues......

May I suggest a delicious farm fresh egg dish? I plan to make a big bowl of egg salad with homemade relish and serve it with some sliced Bolivar Bread sourdough. Our farm fridge is stocked in both chicken AND duck eggs!

After your done cooking, you can take a hot shower or bath (I like my temperature about the same degree as lava, ask Reed) and lather yourself in our farm made goats milk Bergamot lotion or Warm Vanilla hand salve. Both products are made using milk from our very own dairy girls 🐐, and I think you'll be impressed at how concise and straightforward our ingredient list is. No mile long list of chemicals here; just a few thoughtfully chosen ingredients to deliver a moisturizing barrier to your skin. We have samples open in the farm shop if your a try before you buy kinda person.

Bergamot Lotion - $16
Warm Vanilla Hand Cream - $12
Chicken Eggs - $5
Duck Eggs -$6

As a friendly reminder, Windward is open to our customers and our personal guests. If you plan to visit the property on wheels, hoof or foot, you are welcome to do so as long as you are here doing business with the farm and/or purchasing from the farm shop. Dogs are not allowed on our property, for their safety and for the safety of our animals.

02/18/2024

We're working with our friends at Sundogs Bed and Breakfast, Shepherdstown, WV on a series of conservation themed installations for this year's American Conservation Film Festival starting March 7th.

What am I up to?.... Sneak peaks to follow but you'll have to visit the film festival to see for yourself! Schedule and tickets below 👇👇

https://conservationfilmfest.org/2024-festival-schedule/

This dream team is at work designing the grand entry way for ACFF 2024 at the Frank Center Shepherd University. Thanks to Peggy from Sundogs Bed and Breakfast and Misha from Windward Farm for sharing your creativity.

02/16/2024

The sweetest Valentine's note we put on an arrangement this year was from a lovely gentleman, who wrote to his beloved: "You keep springtime in my heart"

I mean... all the feels! Speaking of springtime, the daffodils are popping up all over the place and the winter aconite is showing off her gorgeous curves; They may be calling for snow tonight, but spring is on the way ladies and gentlemen!

Pictured here is a lovely coupling that I did for a lovely client who needed a springy assortment for a very special open house for a historic church in the region; Unfortunately the open house has been delayed to the weather, so we'll be revisiting and refreshing this later next week. There is also some fiber art from Snake Hill Farm, our farmer friends in Lovettsville VA. Anna specializes in fiber art (amongst other things) and makes the most darling creations!

02/13/2024

Oh my gosh this secret garden vibe is all the things !!!!!

02/13/2024

My kinda bare naked ladies!!!! There's something so adorable about freshly shorn sheep! No sheep were harmed in the process of removing their fleece, and in fact..... Annual or biannual shearing is a necessity for the welfare of these animals. Today's wool breeds have been bred to the point that they require animal shearing, or they'd become quite literally matted down and suffocated over time. Weird, huh?

Here's your plug to go and buy some REAL wool apparel for your wardrobe; it's good for the sheep, and good for the earth. And speaking of earth....

Wool is fantastic in the garden! I have a whole box of wool skirtings (the undesirable dirty parts) that I'll be using to deter these pesky voles around my delicious dahlia tubers and peony roots. For the rest of it, the fleeces are bagged by individual and will be going to the raw wool market so that they can be washed and spun or crafted into something fabulous.

Our breed of sheep, the lovely Cotswold, is on the Livestock Conservancy list of threatened breeds and we're proud to be part of the Shave Them To Save Them passport program.

02/12/2024

It's Valentine's Day week y'all! I'll be in the shop all day Tuesday and Wednesday whippin up bouquets for local delivery and our last minute shoppers... It's okay, we love you too and we're ready for ya!

Flowers not your thing? I get it. We have options! Take a peek at all of our goodies perfect for a sweet Valentine's day gift. Dried floral art, elegant busts, rose bath bombs, plants and witches balls, and our goats milk product.

Come and see us tomorrow and Wednesday for a last minute gift 🐽

02/12/2024

I had so much fun at our Galentines workshop this weekend at the one and only ! Gorgeous blooms, fun ladies, great wine, what's better ?!

Bloom parties for happy hours, baby showers, bridal parties, DIY brides and workshops.... We'd love to bring the blooms to you for your next private bloom party!

02/09/2024

Things have been busy in the floral department but we'd like to remind everyone..... We're still a farm, and the farm shop is stocked with goodies from our farm critters!

🐓 Chicken eggs are STOCKED - come pick some up for the weekend!!!!
🧼 All of our soaps and lotions are made with milk from our VERY OWN dairy goats! I milk the ladies, filter the milk, and freeze it for later use in our cold process soaps and lotions. Aside from our annual public and private goat yoga lessons, this is how our ladies pay their bills. I can't say this stuff is magical and will help your skin... But I can say, you should try it.
🐽 We sell pork! We have some Tamworth pork left for sale in the freezer, priced as marked. You can't go wrong with any cut you choose ... It's truly fantastic. Here are some of our chops with a fried sage and acorn squash fettuccini from the other night. Yum yum!

We accept cash (there's a drop box with envelopes to fill out), Venmo (QRs in the shop ), and you can text or email us (info on the chalkboard) your order for an easy payment link.

What's on the horizon for Windward produced farm goods? I'm so glad you asked...

🍅 Summer veggies
🌼Edible flower clamshells for our bakers, chefs and fellow creatives
🥛 We're bringing back our goats milk here share this summer!!!! Interested in weekly raw goats milk? Ask us how.
🐑Lamb, early 2025, whole half and cuts
🚜HAY baeeee! We're investing in the fields to bring even more hay to our fellow farmers. Square bales for days, and crossing fingers and toes for enough rain for a second and dare I say third cut this year.

Speaking of hay..... Have a child, husband, wife or family member that "never spent summers making hay and it shows" and youd like to change that? We're gonna need some extra hands around the farm and we'll be looking for strong backs and willing spirits to help us collect the bales. It'll be hot, it'll be scratchy, but it'll be FUN and then you can say you worked hay over the summer. Keep your eyes peeled for future details as we get closer to warmer weather and grass fixin for a cuttin'.

TTFN, tata for now!

02/08/2024

When your favorite customers tell you they want a restaurant install that is forest meets Mardi Gras meets Valentine's day.... You turn on the funk and sink your teeth in!!!!!

decor meets golden ; I can't decide if it makes me want to fall in love, roll under the stars or toss back drinks and drape some beads around my neck!!!!

We're honored to be part of the fun filled weekend at Alma Bea and we have some friends to thank.... Thanks to dear Kristen for the lovely locally sourced peacock feathers (they were lovingly collected), the fabulous Westvirjeni for the moss when mine was late for delivery, Peggy with Sundogs Bed and Breakfast, Shepherdstown, WV for the dogwood, and to MaryEllen and Margaret of Alma Bea for giving us this opportunity.

If you need some plans this weekend, the Windward crew will be at Alma Saturday night stompin with the rest of Shepherdstown; come play!

02/07/2024

Some crafty stuff going on here ....

Prepping for a local restaurant install 🐓

02/02/2024

Gettin funky over here. We're ready for hot colors and warm weather!

This is one of our Heirloom Bloom arrangements featuring a vintage locally sourced vessel. We love scouting the local antique shops looking for treasures, and this allows us to help our customers gift something truly unique! The $65 price tag is also pretty hard to beat.

Our customer feedback on this one:

"Absolutely stunning arraignment! 10 stars. Thank you so much!! I don't think it could possibly been any more beautiful. Thank you again. I'll be back!!!!!"

And we hope you do come back good sir.

See you tomorrow for our sip and shop from 2-6 pm! Our fridge is stocked with farm fresh eggs and we'll be running a special on our heritage pork.

01/31/2024

There's something so magical about these witches balls hanging in the shop window!

We have a limited inventory and we expect these works of art to go fast; come check them out yourself this Saturday at our Windward Blooms Valentine's Day Sip & Shop . Well be talking Valentines Day flowers and helping you shop while enjoying some tasty refreshments!

01/29/2024

I'm going to let you in on a little secret .....

The title "farmer florist" tends to invoke scoffs and eye rolls in both the flower farming and the florist community. Florists get frustrated with the way that flower farmers price their product; because they grow and source their product directly they tend to price lower than what a florist can sell it for. Flower farmers can be a bit shall we say, home grown proud, and feel very strongly about locally grown options. We're no less a farmer because we purchase flowers from our wholesale friends, and no less a florist because we grow our own during the growing season.

Here at Windward, our goal is simple; grow the best product we can during our limited growing season, with a target goal of at least 70% Windward or other locally sourced blooms in our farmers choice arrangements and bouquets... While supplementing the rest from our preferred wholesalers. Pricing is always fair to the customer, and fair to us; a dear friend of ours even said, the most expensive flower is the one you grow yourself from seed, and we couldn't agree more!

Baby snaps and strawflower in our grow room for your viewing pleasure 💚

01/26/2024

Oh my gosh this weather! Such a dream! I'm going to have to control myself because it makes me want to get in the garden and we all know it's just too early for outdoor gardening.... Except for spreading mulch. Lots of that to do!

It won't be too long before we have spring beds poppin with local blooms and baby animals bouncing around.

Grab and go bouquets through the weekend in the farm shop cooler and we're stocked on eggs for the weekend ahead. Don't forget to support your local farms!

01/25/2024

Love is in the air and we're showing our loyal followers some customer appreciation this Valentine's Day - Use code "LOVEFIVE" at checkout today through February 1st for $5 off any Valentine's Day flower order.

We deliver to Shepherdstown and all surrounding areas, including Loudoun County this Valentine's Day! Shepherdstown delivery is always free (choose pick-up at checkout) and most other addresses are $12 per delivery. If you are outside of our standard delivery radius, we'll be in touch to coordinate an additional shipping charge and delivery ETA.

Happy shopping!

01/23/2024

Flashback on this snowy morning to this gorgeous couple and their adorable little pup! We absolutely love the mountain mint and how it adds just a subtle touch of variety to Sarah's traditional hand tied bridal bouquet.

Windward Blooms provides flowers and floral design for all occasions; weddings, celebrations, baby showers, bridal parties, engagements and more! Our quoting process is straightforward and simple :

🖋️ Reach out to us with your date and what you are looking for. You can message us here, email us at [email protected] , or send an inquiry on windwardblooms.com
☎️ We'll reach out to schedule a quick call to learn more about your needs!
📋 Yours truly will create an easy to understand proposal with inspiration photos and target flowers and design
💲Sign our contract and make your deposit and you'll be put on our calendar!
🍾Celebrate knocking one more thing off your to-do list; your in the best hands with us!

No celebration is too big or too small; 2024 is our year to blow out our floral portfolio and I look forward to every project we can get our hands on!

www.windwardblooms.com

01/22/2024

Snow got you discombobulated? Here's a photo of our new flower cooler space to remind you that we're just over three weeks away from Valentine's Day and if you plan to order your sweetheart, your friends, or even yourself some blooms, you don't want to be waiting until the last minute and picking over what's left.

I mean... you can. But I don't recommend it. Let's work together now to start planning your Valentine's Day order so that we can make something customized JUST FOR YOU! Flowers not your thing? Let's talk plants and dried floral busts - they're GORGEOUS! You can message us here, email me at [email protected], fill out the inquiry form at www.windward.farm/windwardblooms , or my personal favorite.... pick up that phone and give me a call!

Side note, I'll love my husband forever and ever for getting me this heated vest for Christmas (and for renovating the shop and building this cooler and making the pig shack and it goes on and on and on.......) It's been a total game changer for farm chores AND flower arranging; I still freeze my little hands off but it keeps my torso nice and toasty. If you don't have one, seriously... get one. Guess who's getting flowers from me for Valentine's Day?!?!??!

Last tip of the day - if you haven't grabbed one of these $4.99 TSC beanies, they are my absolute favorite winter go-to! They're warm, cheap, and come in a variety of colors.... you won't be sorry! And no, I won't be picking the hay out of my scarf (such a futile act).

Okay, that's it. Carry on with your Monday you mighty fine people!!! May it be swift, painless, and over before you know it.

01/19/2024

It's treacherous out there, but we wouldn't let the weather stop us from getting two very important arrangements to St.Agnes this morning. Our hearts are with the family and our community.

01/15/2024

Aaaaand we're off to the races! Haha not really, I don't run, it's a different type of race... more like a sprint. Valentine's Day ordering has officially begun! This year Valentine's Day falls on a Wednesday so if flowers are on your gameplan for the holiday, be sure to get those orders in well in advance.

We're taking famers choice orders for delivery on Tuesday the 13th and Wednesday the 14th through Sunday February 11th; After that, we're cutting off delivery orders and hope to have some grab and go options for our last minute shoppers. It's okay, we'd never judge you; We're just going to feel bad when we're sold out, so call early and don't make me feel bad for you!

For those of you that have a S.O. who needs a specific color, specific type, specific design, anniversary recreation, you know what I'm talkin about... Custom order deadline is the end of the day on February 8th. As a reminder, we can do ANYTHING you request; nothing is too wild, and inspiration photos help us make the dream happen!

Last but not least, don't forget about our Windward Blooms Valentine's Day Sip & Shop at the newly redecorated farm shop. We have some new goodies including our Witch's Balls, new spice mixes, a brand new beverage syrup company (and is it good!), and a few more tricks up our sleeves. We're also going to be taking orders for Valentine's Day delivery, and can walk you through some options in person.

To get ordering, visit www.windwardblooms.com and click on the link for Valentine's Day ordering! You can message us here with your custom requests, or email [email protected] .

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

01/12/2024

Whatcha got cooking this weekend? Farm fresh eggs and Warrior Blend spices should be on your list!!!! On the topic of food....

I've had several conversations with friends and family who have started to appreciate the power of food, and the reality of our food system in the United States. It's sad that in an effort to "protect" the general public through sanitation control and high efficiency mass production facilities, we've lost touch with the quality of what we're consuming. Purchasing from local farms, farmers markets and coops isn't convenient; even for myself it's not convenient! As a full time corporate employee, mom, farmer, and wife, the last thing I want to do is make three stops to fill my car with groceries for my family... It's so much easier to go to Martins or Weiss and do it there in one fell swoop.

But you know what?

When I make my rounds to Crestview Meat Market, and Bushel and Peck, and the Community Garden Market, and Bolivar Bread, and work backwards so that my last stop is a big chain where I can complete the rest of my shop.... My family benefits. We eat better, we fill our bodies with healthier products that are better for us and better for the environment. And you know what? I feel incredible knowing that I'm supporting other small local businesses that feel my purchase way more than that chain.

So this weekend, I challenge you to go buy something for your fridge or freezer that's inconvenient. Check out a new market; take that drive to the farm stand you've seen popping up all over your news feed. The business will thank you, and so will your body.

End rant y'all. Happy Friday!