FLORALPALOOZA

📅 Friday, June 12, 2026
⏰ 8:00–9:00 AM
📍 Middlebrook Mercantile

Event Description:

This month we’ll come together making flower arrangements with flowers from Bellflower Florist & Gifts. 

We’ll enjoy coffee, conversation, and a creative morning connecting with other women in our community while creating something beautiful to take home. Whether you come with a friend or attend on your own, this is a wonderful opportunity to slow down, connect, and start your morning with intention and creativity.

We can’t wait to spend the morning with you.

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Introducing our first pop-up event with Middlebrook Farm in Cumming, IA.

Empeiria (em-pir-ee-uh) is a mobile, wood-fired sauna and cold plunge experience designed to be equal parts restorative and social.
Book a 60-minute contrast therapy session and cycle between a traditional wood-fired sauna (up to 200 degrees F), cold plunge (as low as 40 degrees F), and intentional rest.
Wellness should feel alive and should encompass the whole person and their community.

Reservations are now available for opening day at: https://empeiriasauna.com

Guests are encouraged to arrive 10 minutes early with their swimwear, towel and sandals. On-site amenities also include changing tents, lockers, a pull cord shower, and places to reset between rounds. Hosts will be available to guide guests through the process and ensure their experience is memorable

Join us for "Cut and Create", beginner floral design workshop with The Budding Optimist! Learn to design a bouquet “in hand”, in the garden!

Let your creativity bloom with this beginner floral design workshop! Learn to create a simple floral arrangement in hand, cut directly from the flower field at Middlebrook Farm.

Sarah will walk you through how to choose and design cut flowers "in hand", a technique you are sure to reach for again and again. Learn to balance different flower shapes, textures and color while building your own bouquet. Best practices for harvest and stem care will also be discussed.

Each month will bring a unique in season experience and flowers will vary.

Cost of this workshop is $30.00* and includes a variety of flowers and mason jar. Snips will be available for use. Registration is required through eventbrite and a ticket is required for each participant.

*Cost is reduced thanks to generous support from Middlebrook Farm. We appreciate their partnership and use of the farm space. Be sure to stop by the farm stand to see what’s in season, and visit our booth at Fridays at the Farm (dates on our website calendar: www.buddingoptimism.com/calendar).

Saturday, July 25: Perennial Plants

Perennial plant growing is a great way to ensure a beautiful blooms year after year! Mosa will guide you through the different types of perennials, choosing the right perennials for your space, and utilizing native perennials for a more sustainable bloom.