For our May flower post, two-thirds of Sweet Root Village (Rachel and baby Mia!) took me out to LynnVale Studios in Gainesville, VA for an afternoon of exploring the farm and modern farmhouse (designed by the owners, Andrea and Lou), collecting ranunculus, and then twilight picnicking. The farm has been family owned for 8 generations, and is situated on the rolling Northern VA countryside. Andrea was a gracious host and I’m already scheming a way to spend the day on the farm again.

Springtime picnics are one of my favorite ways to celebrate and welcome the new season, and the evening with Rachel, Mia and Andrea was simply lovely. Bringing freshly cut flowers along for outdoor dining is a must for me, especially if I’ve just explored for my very own cluster. Ranunculus are the perfect flower with their vintage-like, intricate petals and wild [and sometimes quite willful] stems. My other favorite (and is readily available in fields and along the roadside throughout the summer) is queen anne’s lace!

Hope you’re inspired to go outside, enjoy the wonderful Spring weather and brighten up your next picnic with a cluster of freshly picked flowers. They can be wildflowers from a field, a bouquet purchased at your farmer’s market, or flowers picked from your local flower farm. Just bring along a mason jar or some sort of container (or you can just place them on the table or blanket, but they certainly won’t live as long).

A million thanks to Andrea and Lou, for welcoming us to LynnVale and sharing their beautiful land and flowers with us. Cannot wait to work with you all again!

Photography by Sweet Root Village for A Daily Something
Styling by Rebecca Gallop