Afternoon with Miss Effie

Last weekend I had the honor of meeting, IN PERSON, THE Miss Effie. Perhaps you've heard of her? She's been in Midwest Living, makes HER OWN cheese, and raises the most beautiful flowers you've ever seen. If you're ever passing through Eastern Iowa you must stop....and tell her Jen sent you. ;-)

We met the cats.

Petted the chickens. (And promptly purchased 4 dozen farm fresh eggs to take home). She uses no weirdo chemicals on her farm....so mommy feels great feeding these eggs to the kiddos!)

Miss Eff just has a way with people....my kids thought she was really neat. (and so did I)

I picked flowers.

Drooled over her "Cornzebo". (I NEED one of these honey....Miss Eff knows how to take them apart and put them back together;-)

Had lessons on which flowers to choose and why. Miss Eff wants you to take home her freshest, most beautiful flowers. This isn't like the grocery store where they shove the old milk to the front....she wants you to take the new milk.

Aren't these lovely? Miss Eff encouraged me to squeeze as many flowers as I could into my milkjug. Isn't she generous?

And here she is....the Goddess of Gardening, the Queen of Rural America, MISS EFFIE! (I just got out of an air conditioned car and she had been working in the garden all day....and I think she looks amazing! Me, on the other hand, not so much.)

I let my flowers rest at home, per Miss Eff's instructions, then divided into three HUGE bouquets.

The porch dining table got one......

The "mantel" got one.....

And beautiful Euphona got one.....so pretty.

For a slice of Iowa visit Miss Eff today!! The flowers are blooming, the chickens are laying and her "honey" is building the MOST amazing summer kitchen ever....you must check it out.