A story in bloom

My journey

As a former print journalist, I loved words and crafting stories—other people’s stories. I worked long hours inside an office cubicle, and lived inside my head. A lot. To escape, I first rented a tiny plot of cow-pasture-turned-community-garden, and spent off-hours blissfully turning soil with a pitchfork. Thirty years later, the yearning to be outdoors, to grow plants and to work with my hands still tugs at my heartstrings.

Today, my story involves Waltzing Matilda’s Farm. First and foremost, Waltzing Matilda’s is a thriving urban farm with a crew overseen by farm manager Ryan Donnelly.

We raise chickens for eggs in Lincoln and Stoneham (my hometown), and grow vegetables and flowers in my parents’ big open field. Seedlings often start in our Lincoln greenhouse, and are later transplanted to Stoneham’s hoop house or garden.

As someone who has been creating with flowers for years, I recently honed my craft by studying at Cass School of Floral Design in Watertown, and completing their professional florist training program. I'm excited to share that Waltzing Matilda’s now offers a home-based floral design service in Lincoln. It’s my latest chapter. 

I'd love to create something beautiful for you. 

My days

When I’m not gardening or crafting floral arrangements, you might find me delivering library books to housebound neighbors, volunteering as a hospice companion, dropping off our farm-fresh eggs at the local food pantry, or rescuing leftover restaurant food to share with our community through FoodLink. 

I live in Lincoln with my husband, our dog Natty Dreadlocks, a flock of chickens, and two cats.  Of all the hats I wear, the one I’m proudest of is being Mom to our three amazing, college-aged kids.

Ever the late bloomer,

Heather Anderson