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Samantha Moore McCall

@avecfleurish

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Max & Molly’s mom🌸bespoke floral designer🌸 co-founder of @chesapeakeblooms 🌸 garden lover 🌸 world traveler 🌸 writer 🌸 sometimes silly

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Today's the day!!!

We are thrilled to be a part of this multi-maker's show and are excited to share some boho/terrain inspired wreaths, decorated pumpkins, bouquets of dried flowers and mini poseys to tickle your "scents-is."

Nearly all products are local, organic hand-crafted, and made with love. Most bits and pieces are from my very own pollinator-friendly, bay-friendly garden and floraging wherever I go!

Hope to see you there! Bring friends! Support our local makers! We'll be there from 10 to 2.

@themakersmagicshow @talbotcountyhistoricalsociety taken in Talbot Historical Society by @avecfleurish

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6 days ago

More goodies for my upcoming show this Saturday.

Don't you think these adorable pumpkins ringed with dried flowers and other botanical surprises would look terrific as a centerpiece? You could keep it on the table from now til the Thanksgiving holidays.

I'll have those and more goodies like dried flower bouquets, Japanese moss balls, autumnal wreaths and small decorated pumpkins. Just about all flowers and botanical treats are local, from my organic garden, from generous neighbors and floraging excursions with my sidekick Waffles.

The show is this Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm in the Talbot County Historical Society Gardens in Easton. Please swing by my table to say hello and support our artisans.

If you can't make it, please DM me to inquire about special orders.

Spread the word. It's free and will be magical.

@themakersmagicshow @talbothistoricalsociety @avecfleurish

#handmadefromtheheart #craftedwithlove #buylocal taken in Easton, Maryland by @avecfleurish

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8 days ago

Four more sleeps until @themakersmagicshow this coming Saturday in the Talbot County Historical Society Gardens.

I've been having so much fun gathering the season's intriguing supplies, floraging from my organic gardens as well as those of friends and the side of the roads. (With permission from friends, of course.)

Here are some "Lil' Boo" pumpkins I've been playing with. I'm liking the softer palette but I did do one scary one so far.

Why does everything have to be orange and black at Halloween?

Hope to see you Saturday between 10 and 2. It's free and will be lots of fun.

Heaps of talent, creativity in new ways and lots of young artists. Spread the word and bring your friends.

@themakersmagicshow @talbothistoricalsociety #botanicaldelights #fleurishing taken in Tunis Mills, Maryland by @avecfleurish

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10 days ago

Save the date for October 10th in the Talbot County Historical Society Gardens in Easton for the Maker's Magic Show..

Fleurish is thrilled to re-emerge, after years of healing in her cocoon, to participate in the upcoming Maker's Magic Market featuring artisans, ceramicists, crafts people, jugglers, jewelers, wordsmiths and other bright creatives.

I'm so honored to be included in this celebratory day of whimsy, fun and creative talent. My deep love of nature is so happy to feel and express that passion again through the beauty of the vast flower world.

Stepping back to my early roots, Fleurish is taking baby steps and will be offering kokodama moss balls, decorated pumpkins, wreaths, dried bouquets of locally sourced seasonal flowers, sage smudge wands and other botanical whimsies.

Stay tuned for more information! Please spread the word!!

@mudmagics @themakersmagicshow #fleurishreblooms taken in Talbot Historical Society by @avecfleurish

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16 days ago

Last week, Tom and I quietly celebrated 32 years of marriage. A rather big achievement these days! So much has changed in three decades, from taking off to travel and do meditation retreats around the world, having successful businesses, living in a fantastic community, having great friends and our personal favorite, raising two amazing kids who we love with all of our hearts and then some.

While contemplating our past, it occurred to me that when all is said and done, we are a great team which is no small miracle in the life of a marriage. Life's biggest challenges have been our greatest life lessons that propel us forward toward deeper healing, understanding, and love.

Thank you Mary @chesapeakeblooms for the gorgeous flowers. Great colors and fun! by @avecfleurish

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25 days ago

Every morning, I walk out on our back deck to check on the eastern swallowtail caterpillar factory that has perennially set up shop in the bronze fennel. We've been observing this remarkable magical process of metamorphosis for years and it has brought so much entertainment to our family and visitors. It's all managed by nature, on nature's schedule and is a hands-off process. I just observe*.

I'm merely a citizen scientist. I monitor the number of caterpillars, sizes, cocoons, growth habits, phases, and potential predators lurking in the foliage. It's amazing how big the caterpillars grow in just one day.

Anyway, I found this fleeting moment (pictured) the other day and was confused. Are these butterflies twins? Siamese twins? What a curious way to be connected. How would they go through the day like that stuck together? Can two butterflies emerge from one chrysalis? Was I witnessing a rare moment in scientific phenomena?

These and other questions were running through my head when it finally dawned on me. "Ohhhhhh! They're mating!!!"

I was almost embarrassed, but not really, walking into a private moment. Watching them fly 25 yards from the fennel to the peony bed, fully connected and engaged, left me speechless. I was honored and humbled to have witnessed such a primal dance. I had wished I had another human being to share this glorious sight with and now I share it with you.

Long live the butterflies! I bow to all the work they do to keep our natural world alive!

Photo by Samantha McCall

PS *Poetic license and confession. The only time I've interfered with the life cycle of the caterpillars is when I see praying mantises moving in on the bright green chrysalises. The praying mantis is carefully removed and transferred to the back 40 where I'm sure it finds its way back to the fennel. taken in Easton, Maryland by @avecfleurish

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a month ago

Happy BIRTH day to Mademoiselle Butterfly. An Eastern Swallowtail, she crawled out of her chrysalis this morning. I was sad to miss the actual emergence but knew it was imminent when I went to bed last night.

Photo #2 showed signs of her metamorphosis yesterday afternoon. The once bright green chrysalis almost turned black. If you look closely enough, you can seen the yellow and blue dots starting to show through.

I never get tired of watching the lifecycles of the swallowtail butterflies who bless my garden every summer. The miracle and magic never gets old. taken in Easton, Maryland by @avecfleurish

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a month ago

This morning's pollinator conundrum.

While admiring the dozens of eastern swallowtail tiger caterpillars on my bronze fennel this morning, my eyes immediately went to the creation of yet another chrysalis hanging in the fronds. Fascinating, colorful and photogenic these creations are.

I was captivated. That is, until my eyes wandered several inches below and I noticed that I wasn't the only being observing it.

Can you see the praying mantis planning its attack?

Whaaat??? Not in my garden, thank you very much. The last time I pulled a praying mantis off of the fennel, it fell out of my grasp and Waffles almost ate it.

I didn't invite the buggers but I certainly didn't want to kill them. I save mosquitos for that.

Should I let nature take its course and stay out of the natural progression of things? I tried that earlier this summer when I found a handful of days-old baby bunnies in my lawn. After much thought and consultations, I left the bunnies alone, hoping their mother would come back to feed them. But she didn't and the babies died from the cold overnight. I'm still torn up about it.

Anyway, as I was shooting the praying mantis licking its lips, I saw it leap up to the cocoon and wrap its filthy antennae on it. Next thing I knew, I gently bopped the predator on the head with my phone and down it fell.

I picked it up, and its friend camouflaged in a neighboring stalk, put them both in a box and released them at the very furthest edge of our quarter-acre yard.

They'll probably come back but at least for this morning, peace reigned on the fennel and I don't think I interrupted the cycle of life too much.

What do you think? What would you have done?

Photo by Samantha McCall taken in Tunis Mills, Maryland by @avecfleurish

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2 months ago

I bought these fabulous flowers a week ago from my new favorite place to go, @bumblebee_togo. I love everything they have available, whether it's a chicken salad for lunch or a rotisserie chicken with gravy for last minute dinner inspo. I never walk out empty-handed.

As a long time floral designer I was awed and surprised by this impeccable bouquet of sumptuous hydrangea and protea stems for sale last Friday. I just could not resist buying them. My only regret is I didn't buy two bouquets!

You could just tell each stem was hand-picked for perfection and extremely well-conditioned. The unique natural coloring of each head was captivating, unlike some flower wholesalers who are known to spray paint the mop heads occasionally.

A week later, the flowers still look great and are blooming with vibrancy in a tortoise shell glass cylinder vase on the sideboard. I can't wait to see what @joanneeffinger puts together this week. She is a flower fairy with great vision and design sense.

In a fun marital challenge, Tom and I both shot the flowers. Without saying who shot what frame, I ask you to take a guess.

@tommccallphoto @bluepointhospitality @bumblebee_togo taken in Easton, Maryland by @avecfleurish

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2 months ago

She's fledged! Our baby bird has flown out of the nest and started college as a freshman at Washington College yesterday.

We are beyond proud, excited and thrilled for Molly as she dives into a brave new world of enjoying the copious benefits of higher education in a small liberal arts college.

I know in my head that we've been raising her for this very moment all her life but 19 years goes by so fast. Wanting to hold on and let go at the same time is quite the emotional exercise.

So I've promised myself to be kind and gentle to my self for a week. Letting the emotions come in to my guest house, as Rumi says, and then letting them go. "Hi! I see you grief. Come in. Okay now you can go."

But if letting go is so good for everyone, why does it ache so bad?

Present moment, Samantha. Present moment. You too have trained for this new leg.

You've got the wind your sails, Molly. We are so proud of you and this exciting opportunity.

It's quite something that every single time I drive away from campus, I'm excited about the school and all its potential and I'm aware of that inner knowing that this is going to be a great experience, a great match for her displined mind. Washington College is an ideal spot to nest for the next four years.

From the school president to the cafeteria workers and everyone in between has been so supportive, helpful and friendly. It feels like a big hug which is a great comfort for this parent.

Thank you @washcoll! Thank you to everyone and @countryschoolmd and @wyeriverupperschool1 who helped Molly reach this goal.

Thank you to my sister @suzymoore for always showing up when it matters the most. It was so much fun to spend Molly's first day at school with you and it meant the world to us to have you there.

#emptynest @washington_college_2030 taken in Washington College by @avecfleurish

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2 months ago

Heading home after two glorious weeks on the island.

Awesome weather, a shark siting at Chocomount, catching up with great old friends, picnic, mahjong, art class, best summer tomato sandwiches, fresh from the ocean tuna steaks, nature bathing, family time, soulful connections and Waffles' dog training 101, with a crash course in "Socialization with others on the beach." Any beach.

Thank you Fishers for a fabulous visit! I can't wait til we meet again!

Next up: Molly starts her freshman year at Washington College on Tuesday!!! First foot out the door.

@beachplumfiny #fishersisland @peggyelliott6882 @elizabsandals taken in Fishers Island, New York by @avecfleurish

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2 months ago

My first ever shark siting at Chocomount Beach about 20 minutes ago. We saw the dorsal fin and tail fin slicing through the water near the surf break and black rocks. Molly, Tom and I saw it at the same time.

It surfaced for about two minutes and then disappeared into the blue. No time for photos but pretty cool.

Oceanologists we are not but if we had to guess, we'd say 6-8 feet long and probably a brown shark bc that is what others are reporting locally.

We've seen lots of sharks before, scuba diving in a cage in the Coral Sea, diving with leopard sharks in the Andaman Sea and masses of them in the Galapagos but never at Fishers. Oh wait. That's not true. Sand sharks in Hay Harbor.

Swim safe. My husband and daughter are swimming in the water as I type. taken in Chocomount Beach by @avecfleurish

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2 months ago