After Hurricane Irma, pretty much all of the South Florida region has needed a major make over and clean up session. Majority of landscaping and natural fauna was damaged and destroyed. I was amazed at how powerful the "not eye" of the storm was. I mean, thousands of pounds of giant palm trees and mangroves were completely uprooted. I have been wanting to take a walk over to the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens for quite some time now, and thought now would be a perfect time. Though, the gardens are not nearly as covered in green perfection as a month ago, the grounds have started undergoing the major clean up. Palm trees have been stilted and down trees, plants and branches have been cleared. The garden remains a wonderful city escape. The oasis is full of butterflies, the sounds of water fountains, and plenty of Florida sun peering through the many floral bushes and palmetto branches that survived the storm. It will only take a short while before new sprouts grow and the natural pruning of the storm will result in more beauty. #floridastrong xo RCN
Farm Fresh: Mullica Hill Edition
One of my favorite things to do, when visiting our family in Jersey, is to check out the latest and greatest at the local farm stands and markets. Near my parent's house, there are numerous flower stands, nurseries, honor wagons, and farm markets where you can select from freshly picked fruits, veggies, potted plants and/or homemade jams, cider donuts, etc. What a delight! New Jersey goes by the "Garden State" for a reason ;) Here are a few of my favorites spots in Mullica Hill, NJ. xo RCN
Mood's Farm Market: located at 901 Bridgeton Pike Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
In Fall time, it's the perfect place to take the kids on a hayride for apple or pumpkin picking. There's a corn maze, too! This charming farm market has a stocked pantry of jams, pickles, ciders, etc. The interesting selection of gourds, including Apple Gourds, is one of my favorite offerings. Almost any day of the week, make sure to get there early to score some fresh apple cider donuts - delish! Bring those home, and then order the peach slushy for there.
Bast Brother's Garden Center: located at 1214 Ellis Mill Rd Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
This garden center may have only opened in Spring 2015, but this dreamy floral haven is already a favorite of mine. The family run business is on a precious plot of land with a hand built barn gift shop and separate succulent/cacti house - where the pumpkin painting station is located in Fall (only $2, the price of your pumpkin). And, worth mentioning, the Bast Brothers have the most beautiful pumpkin offering I have seen in all of South Jersey. The ornamental pepper plants are pretty rad, too.
Rosie's Farm Market: located at 317 Swedesboro Rd Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
I go here for the fruits and vegetables, and I usually walk away with sunflowers, mums, and pumpkins, too. There's nothing better than buying farm fresh food from a hard working family run farm. Rosie's has been around since the 70's officially, but Rosie herself has been selling under an umbrella, roadside, since the 60's. If I am ever unsure of what veggies will be available when I pull up to the red barn, surrounded by colorfully painted signs by the grandchildren, I can always check the availability chart online before I hop in the car. Thanks Rosie!
Isaac Farms Nursery Is A Dream
One of my latest discoveries in the Miami area is the wonderful dream world Isaac Farms Nursery in Homestead, FL. I am well aware that the state of Florida is known for farming and agriculture, but my first visit to Homestead and Isaac's was my first venture into farmland that does not mainly consist of tomatoes or cranberries; what Jersey is well known for. My search to find a Florida placeholder for one of my favorite places to shop, Terrain (now part of the new Anthro & Co.) deemed sufficient. Very sufficient!
Cacti and succulents are some of my favorite things in the world. I couldn't be happier to have found this glory of acreage that holds thousands of succulents, pottery, desert roses, air orchids, the list goes on. Let's just say I had to apologize to Zach for the two hour roaming and gawking I did here last Sunday. Not only did Zach join on my venture, but if it were not for Z, I would not have been able to carry the super tall cactus up to our apartment upon our arrival home.
It is almost embarrassing to admit that in my first two visits my take aways included cacti and succulents for a large table centerpiece on the balcony, a few overbearingly sized pots, my first almost seven foot cactus, and multiple straggler pieces for my continued collection. I will be smiling all week. Click here to link over to my cacti centerpiece DIY! xo RCN
