Everlasting Flora

08/16/2024

There’s no picture of me, but I was there! These flowers were grown and dried by me, and tonight was the first of hopefully many more dried flower art workshops. This workshop is available for private events as well, just ask!

08/15/2024

There are still a few spots available for tonight’s Make and Take wall art workshop. It will be in Sergeant Bluff at Growing Up Lulu Fiber Arts, next door to Hawks Coffee Shop, 116 Gaul Drive, at 6:30 pm. If interested, sign up online, in person, or message, text or call me at 712-253-5598 and we’ll get you registered. Each person will complete one hoop art and will have enough flowers afterwards to arrange in a bud vase or use in other crafts.

07/30/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/bTRTxA91ADeXtKZf/?mibextid=WC7FNe

The first of several hands-on floral experiences to come! Thanks to Amber with Growing Up Lulu Fiber Arts in Sergeant Bluff for hosting this Make and Take. Sign up is limited so if you’re interested, quick register online or through Amber. I’ll be bringing several samples (one is pictured), including a sample of hoop art converted into a table centerpiece. All flowers were grown and dried by me (Dorene) at A Bloom and a Prayer, LLC.

07/03/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/M5qyWEjjobWB3KKs/?mibextid=WC7FNe

05/08/2024

Getting ready for the 2024 Season! Planting is underway and things are looking good. I added a 2024 Season One-Time Special Offer available through May 21. Take a peak by clicking on the link below.
I’ll be adding Flower Share Member Experiences, AlaCart items, d.i.y. bulk flower buckets, workshops (both on-site and in the community), and flower bar services (flower arranging “recipes” with flowers to make your own arrangements) starting in July. I’m also hoping to partner with a few local businesses to offer market bouquets throughout the summer and fall. It’ll be a busy season!

05/03/2024

This past year has been a huge learning curve with technology for my 62-year-old brain. Had to learn social media (still learning), how to make a reel (my first was so bad 😂), how to build a website (still figuring it out), how to set up an online store, how to process shipping labels… and so much more, with lots still to learn! I love that my web host provider sends me stats of where the online sales are coming from, average sales, etc. I’ve shared a few screenshots here for fun. I have worked so hard to try and make a go of my flower farming business. I’m thrilled it is starting to take off. Every day I struggle with yet another thing that’s hard to do, that I can’t do, and that seem impossible. So I’m constantly praying, constantly seeking God, constantly thanking God. Honestly, I truly believe with all my heart I couldn’t do any of this without God, and without all you guys, and without the people He puts in my path to help me, encourage me, and support me.
I have another website I’ll be launching in the fall to handle all my dried flower sales and D.I.Y. Kits, and that will be my late fall and winter income. So this is the beginning of so many exciting things. Celebrating successful baby steps today!

04/30/2024

Dahlia Tuber Restock Sale! Pictured are what’s available. To view or order click on link.
ABloomandaPrayer.com

04/26/2024

Worked on garden bed prep today, and it was such a blessing that my friend Lynda Wing Lowin, was visiting from out of town and helped me. It was a huge project! Together we used shovels to dig up a bunch of nasty weeds in an existing garden bed area, and then we cut rolls of landscape fabric and a roll of construction grade kraft paper to make the rows. It was a challenge as we battled high winds the entire time.
Today is National Volunteer Recognition Day, and I want to thank Lynda Wing Lowin, who volunteered to help me, and I also want to thank others who have volunteered their time helping me at my flower farm land. Last year Deb Carson tilled the heavily compacted area shown in the pictures, (from heavy machinery when the well was drilled) that was turned into new garden beds today. Also, Debs husband mowed my land last year when I didn’t have a working lawnmower… thank you! My daughter Katie Taylor, and my grandchildren, Noah Reynolds, Charlie Reynolds, Jade Reynolds and Oliver Taylor, as well as neighbors, have also stepped in at times to help. This flower farming venture is a lot of work, so help, no matter how small is much appreciated. Thank you!
I’m so excited to start planting in this new area!
In case anyone wonders, I use the Kraft paper to help suppress the weeds. I will put several inches of compost and soil amenities on top before planting, (got a start tonight), but had to quit because it got too dark. The landscape fabric is just for the aisles.

03/27/2024

Exciting things happening at the flower farm land! This will be the future Flower Barn and Workshop Space! Praise God! Just paid half down using money I got from selling dahlia tubers. Thank you everyone who shared my posts and purchased the tubers. You are a huge part in helping me to make this flower farming venture happen!
The gazebo is 18 feet tall and 18 feet around, and has electricity outlets already. Its purpose was a corn grain drying bin. I will use the upper half to hang bunches of flowers to dry. It will be a good place to work and host events and will also be a great workspace for potting up stuff and making flower bouquets out of the sun.
The challenge now is trying to figure out how to move it from its destination 30 minutes away. If anyone has any ideas PLEASE help me!!! I’m told it probably cannot be moved in one piece and may have to have to be disassembled and put back together.

03/05/2024

I sold dahlia tubers to my first 10 customers on my new (yet to be finished) website! And one customer paid for hers as a donation. She said to keep the money or share the tubers with someone else. I am so touched by her act of generosity and kindness. Thank you to everyone who shared my post.
My dahlia tubers will be mailed all over the U.S!! How exciting! Packaging and mailing them out next month will be yet another learning curve in my flower farming journey. Dahlia tubers are just the beginning. Next it will be dried flowers, but we’ll see how this goes first!
Abloomandaprayer.com

02/21/2024

Yeah!! Day 1 & 2 of the hardening off process… getting plants acclimated to outdoor conditions. The day 1 plants are in complete shade. Day 2 plants are in dappled shade. It’s a perfect day for them to be out. Ranunculous and Sweet Peas have been moved to full sun as they have been out for a few weeks now.

12/16/2023

A half hour to go as a vendor at the Small Business Marketplace (former Antiques on Fourth building downtown). If anyone wants dried flower wreaths, arrangements or gifts, wants a gift certificate for yourself or a special someone, and/or wants to be on my email list for upcoming workshops, let me know. Message/Call/Text 712-353-5598.

12/08/2023

12/02/2023

I’ll be set up, along with other vendors, for the next 2 Saturdays 10-4 at the former Antiques on Fourth building in Sioux City. Shop local and support small businesses. I’m also offering gift certificates. For questions, call/text me at 712-253-5598.

12/02/2023

Come see us all tomorrow for your holiday decorating and gifting needs!

11/25/2023

Where I am today. 😊 Come see us all and get a start on your holiday decorating and shopping by supporting small businesses!

11/25/2023

Play Small Business Bingo. I’ve circled where I am today, and will be every Saturday through Christmas 10 am- 4 pm. What a fun event! Here’s me with Sioux City celebrity Mayor Bob Scott.