I live very near to a wonderful family built and grown business. . . Farrand Farms. Not only do they sell amazing annuals and perennials, but they also have this wonderful PINK windmill.
It was a snowy, cold day in March of 2010 when I decided to pull into their parking lot to snap a photo.
Then, in June of 2011, I took the next three pictures.
There is a plaque at the base of the windmill. . .entitled: Pink is Good! I thought I'd taken a photo of the text on the plaque, but evidently, I didn't. The windmill is dedicated to family members and friends who have fought the breast cancer battle. There is also a little pool near by where visitors can toss coins and that money will be matched by the business and donated to charity.
I love this sweet sun etched into their sidewalk!
Their business is such an asset to our community. Not only is it a beautiful place to walk around and "dream" about your summer plantings or landscaping additions, but it's also a location where you are guaranteed great products and service.
I've always felt welcomed when browsing or shopping at Farrand Farms. They spend time with you helping you make your selections, teaching you about the various plants. That's right, I said THEY SPEND TIME WITH YOU!! What a selling point! It's no wonder they operate a successful business!! :)
Farrand Farms is currently run by Keith Farrand and his family. . . the fourth generation to do so! Their operation is certainly a testament to the importance of small, successful businesses to our communities. Not only does Farrand Farms bring beauty to our area, but it provides incomes to their families and to their numerous employees and vendors. Thank you to those at Farrand Farms for working so hard at building such a great organization!!
On last week's Pink Saturday, I shared that I would be running the 5K portion of the Kansas City Marathon with my niece and her step mom, who made the trip from Arkansas. . .and was dealing with a leg injury!
Here we are, gathered for our "pre-run" photo.
Left to right: Mary, me, Carrie (my beautiful niece).
My phone camera must've been cold early that morning because the photos I took were pretty blurry. We are in line . . .making our way to the "start".
I made it!! That's me near the end of the run. I know I look like I have a squirrel on my head! :) I have to wear a visor because if I don't, the sweat will be rolling down into my eyes! I have an array of visor colors, but obviously, this PINK one is my favorite!!
They changed the course this year. . .and I'm glad I didn't realize it until I was actually running or I would freaked out.
The first mile was basically flat, but most of the second mile. . .UP HILL!! What a challenge that was. I was really glad that I'd been including a lot of hill work in my runs around our neighborhood. . .but NONE of those hills are as steep and long as the one last Saturday! :)
I was very happy that morning! I didn't have to walk any of the course. . .even on that dreadful hill. My time was slower than last year, but I'm blaming it on THE HILL and not on my "advanced age"!! Anyway, it felt great to be a part of that day with so many other runners and walkers!
Here are Carrie and Mary! They were nearly finished, too!
And here we are with our post-run photo!
Yay! That was such good time!
This was the third time I've run this event. . . and now I'm thinking "we" need to bump things up! I "suggested" to them that we should train to do the half-marathon next year. . .not running it, but to run/walk it.
Mary said she wasn't interested. . .my niece didn't exactly say "no", so maybe. . . . :)
Jeanne, of Backyard Neighbors, was celebrating her birthday on the day I did that run. I told her I would be singing Happy Birthday to her as I ran along that morning, but in the excitement of the run, I FORGOT. . .until afterwards and then I did!! I hope it was a great day, Jeanne!
THE STONE RABBIT told me he didn't forget to sing to you bright and early that morning! He's so sweet!!
I hope you had a great week!
Please be sure to visit Beverly, at HOW SWEET THE SOUND, so you can see the long list of bloggers who will be ready with their PINKS!
Happy Pink Saturday!
DANA
Happy Pink Saturday, Dana. You are our "Pinkie" champion. But, you made me laugh aloud about the squirrel on your head.
Love the pink windmill and that this family is so supportive. The cause needs all the help it can get.
Posted by: Beverly | October 26, 2012 at 01:03 PM
Hi Dana, Laughing here thinking of you singing happy birthday to no one. HA! You are a dear to think of it all. Especially while running. Thank you so much.
The business with the Pink windmill is awesome. I too love the sun in the cement. It is a great feeling to go to a business and feel special. Nice!!!
Your marathon photos are awesome. You all look energetic and excited and I don't wonder. If I ever tried to run at all I would be so proud of myself. Not going to happen. HA! So...you are thinking of running longer. I am sure you can Dana. Keep working on you co-runners. Your niece is adorable.
We are at Christina's and dinner is ready. I made Penny's chili. Smells good.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Love you bunches,
Jeanne
Posted by: jeanne, backyard neighbor | October 26, 2012 at 02:31 PM
Happy Pink Saturday. Congratulations on your run you are awesome! What a cute Pink and the sun in the walkwas was adorable. Grace xoox
Posted by: Grace | October 26, 2012 at 03:10 PM
Bless you far running and making it to the end. I cannot run or jog. My body does not like it. Walking is fine tho.
Posted by: LaVoicce | October 26, 2012 at 04:34 PM
I never thought I'd live to see a pink windmill. How neat! My wife is a breast cancer survivor, so I can really appreciate your post. Oh. I love the squirrel on your head. :O)
Posted by: William Charlebois | October 26, 2012 at 07:30 PM
{{{{ DANA }}}}....THIS is wonderful. I am proud of you, girlfriend.
I love that pink windmill, too, and if I HAD a windmill, I would paint mine pink, too. I think more PINK around will heighten awareness of this terrible disease.
Have a great weekend...
xo bj
Posted by: bj | October 27, 2012 at 05:12 AM
Congratulations! I'm always so impressed and proud of those who run (as I walk and cheer you on). And yes, what an asset to the community is that Pink windmill and nursery.
Posted by: Sandy B | October 27, 2012 at 05:32 AM
Love the story about the family business and their pink windmill. Love how you continue to inspire me and LOVE the squirrel :)
Posted by: Francie Thornton | October 27, 2012 at 06:47 AM
You know what - I read an article about that very hill - Al Gore said global warming caused a shift in the earth increasing the steepness of it by 4 degrees! No wonder your time was a bit longer!!!
My gosh - your niece looks more like your daughter than your daughter does. I think it's such a great tribute to your sister that you two run together. How did the graveyard run go today. Burrrr. I hope you got warmed up. Don't you think it's great that cemeteries are hosting events like these? There is always something going on at Greenlawn in Columbus.
I love the Pink windmill! I don't ever remember seeing pictures of it before - how have you not posted it before or did I just miss it?
Going to FB now to see if you have any pictures. xoxo Nancy
PS - I did finally do a PS post.
Posted by: Nancy | October 27, 2012 at 09:04 AM
Hi Dana -- Couldn't walk this year; foot is in a boot after a bad fall, but doing fine -- Love, love the pink windmill -- Please join us in our giveaway to support BCAM -- I'm No. 55 over at PS, meet Posey Hope and read her story. thanks Terri
Posted by: Terri | October 27, 2012 at 09:33 AM
That pink windmill is so dang fun !!! It must feel very rewarding to you to be able to do these runs. YOU GO GIRL
Posted by: wendy | October 28, 2012 at 05:45 PM