From the Farm to Your Table & Beyond: A Shady Elm Farm Companion
More than just a cookbook, this is a season-by-season guide to living well from the land. Straight from Shady Elm Farm, you'll find wholesome recipes crafted with farm-fresh ingredients, tried-and-true garden tips (including permaculture techniques like Hügelkultur raised beds), creative quilt patterns inspired by the beauty of each season, and simple ideas for bringing a little more sustainability into your everyday life. Whether you're simmering a hearty soup, planning your spring garden beds, or piecing together your next quilt, this book is your invitation to slow down, get your hands busy, and savour the good things that grow when you work with nature, not against it.
Capture life's special moments with personalized photography sessions at Shady Elm Farm's beautiful natural setting. Whether celebrating a senior's milestone, preserving family memories, or documenting your children's growth, our sessions highlight your authentic personality.
Session Options:
- Standard Session — $325: A 60-minute shoot ideal for senior portraits, individual or couple groups photos. Explore various locations nearby the farm, change outfits, and capture different poses. 15 - 20 image files included.
- Extended Session — $525: Up to 2 hours of photography, perfect for small family groups, an outfit change, or incorporating hobbies and activities. Enjoy a relaxed, creative experience. 30 - 45 image files included.
- Special Events Session — starting at $1450: Up to 4 hours of photography with additional hours billed at $75/hour specially planned for reunions, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, extended families. 75 - 150 image files included.
-Mini Session - $195: Up to 30 minutes with one location. Best for 1 - 2 people or pets. 10-15 image files included.
Both packages feature the scenic backdrop of Shady Elm Farm and the surrounding natural areas. Dress in your favorite clothing and bring activities that reflect you for a personalized, comfortable photography experience.
Ready to book? Reach out to discuss your vision and reserve your session.
Tall Raised Garden Beds with Hügelkultur Fill
These sturdy tall raised beds (42"L x 24"W x 28"H) combine rustic charm with practical gardening excellence. Constructed from durable treated or cedar lumber with recycled steel roofing panels, they offer ample depth for productive growing whilst adding architectural interest to your garden space.
The impressive 28-inch height makes these beds ideal candidates for the Hügelkultur filling method—a traditional permaculture technique that transforms the beds into self-sustaining growing systems. Think of Hügelkultur as building a slow-release sponge cake for your plants: you layer rotting wood and organic matter that gradually breaks down over years, retaining moisture and releasing nutrients.
Filling with Hügelkultur:
The generous depth allows you to create distinct layers, much like the diagram shows:
Bottom layer: Large logs and branches (the foundation)
Middle layers: Smaller wood pieces, twigs, leaves, and compost
Top layer: Quality garden soil for immediate planting
As the wood decomposes, it creates air pockets for root growth, absorbs and stores water like a reservoir, and generates gentle warmth. Over time, you'll water less frequently whilst your plants thrive in the nutrient-rich environment. The beds essentially become self-fertilising and increasingly water-efficient—perfect for sustainable gardening at Shady Elm Farm.
The corrugated steel panels provide structural support for the heavy organic fill whilst the raised height means less bending for your back during planting and harvesting.
Wisdom Flower Quilt Pattern
Embrace the gentle beauty of nature with this elegant throw-size quilt featuring an oversized appliquéd flower design. The Wisdom Flower quilt showcases soft, organic petals in a sophisticated palette of dusty rose, terracotta, muted mauve, and charcoal grey against a serene cream background.
This 68"×68" throw-size quilt creates a stunning focal point for any room, combining modern appliqué techniques with timeless floral artistry. The curved petals flow gracefully across the quilt top, creating movement and visual interest, whilst the custom quilting design follows the gentle contours of each petal, adding gorgeous texture and dimension.
What You'll Create: A showstopping statement quilt featuring large-scale appliqué with beautifully curved petals that radiate from the centre. The carefully curated colour palette creates depth through subtle gradations of tone, from the softest blush to rich, earthy burgundy.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced This pattern requires confidence with curved appliqué techniques and precise placement. Ideal for quilters ready to expand their appliqué skills and create a truly artistic piece.
Perfect For:
Elegant throw for sofas or armchairs
Statement wall hanging for living spaces or bedrooms
Meaningful gift celebrating growth and wisdom
Showcase piece for demonstrating advanced appliqué skills
The pattern includes detailed instructions, full-size templates, fabric requirements, and guidance for both appliqué construction and complementary quilting designs.
Autumn Adventure Block Pattern
Capture the rich warmth of autumn with this striking quilt block featuring a bold geometric star design. The Autumn Adventure Block combines earthy terracotta, golden mustard, soft cream, and deep charcoal grey fabrics to create a stunning focal point that evokes the changing seasons.
This versatile pattern is available in two sizes — a generous 15"×15" block perfect for cushions, table runners, or as statement blocks in larger quilts, and a charming 9"×9" version ideal for smaller projects or intricate sampler quilts.
What You'll Create: A sophisticated block featuring precise piecing and multiple fabric values that create dimensional depth. The geometric star pattern radiates outward from the centre, with carefully placed light and dark fabrics creating movement and visual interest.
Skill Level: Intermediate The pattern requires accurate cutting and quarter-inch seam allowance precision, making it an excellent project for quilters looking to advance their piecing skills.
Perfect For:
Autumn-themed quilts and wall hangings
Harvest table runners and placemats
Cosy seasonal cushions
Sampler quilts with a warm colour palette
Each pattern includes detailed instructions, fabric requirements, and cutting guides to ensure your success.
