Hi, Golden! I’m the Owner/Grower at Starry Sage Farm and Flowers in Golden. Originally from Chicago, I first fell in love with Colorado as a kid while visiting my uncle—and I knew instantly it was where I wanted to be. I’ve now called Colorado home for over 25 years, including 18 wonderful years in Golden. I love being outdoors, hiking and skiing, but I’m just as happy at home crafting, baking, creating art, or decorating. My husband and I love to travel and explore new places—usually with our two dogs in tow.
I graduated from CSU with a photography degree and worked in advertising photography and film in Chicago. It was an adventure, but I ultimately decided it wasn’t for me. For the majority of my career, I have worked in software, but more recently, I have started a flower farm right here in Golden, www.starrysage.com, @starrysagefields on Insta and FB. A friend got me hooked on growing flowers several years back, and my growing habit got a bit out of hand. I love the excitement of starting seeds when it’s still snowing and watching them turn into such beauty when the warm weather comes. I’m mostly a dahlia addict, but lisianthus are a close second for me. Flowers brighten everyone’s day, and the joy I get from growing and giving flowers just can’t be matched. It’s also a bit magical to be able to grow flowers in an already beautiful area. Getting outside, the fresh air, and seeing all the birds and pollinators as part of my growing environment make it even more rewarding.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants or breweries in our community?
My husband and I frequent GCB, The Buffalo Rose, The Brick Room, Cast Iron Tavern, and Goosetown Station.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I’ve lived in Golden 18 years. I’ve seen a lot of change, from a sleepy little town to a booming tourist destination. I love living here because of the small mountain-town feel but still having accessibility to all the amenities of a big city.
Q: What is one of your favorite hiking or biking trails?
There’s really too many to list. I frequent North and South Table trails, as well as many others in Jeffco.
Q: What advice would you give to yourself 10 years ago?
Say “yes”! You may not know how to go about doing something, but you’ll never learn if you don’t try. New things can seem overwhelming, but if you break them into bite-sized chunks, you’ll figure it out. I’ve never been someone who has known what they wanted to do with their life, but it’s allowed me to try and be successful at many different things.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
The Ace Hi. I know it sounds like a funny one, but that place has not changed in all the years I’ve been here, and I’m sure it was the same long before I came. It’s such a unique gathering place of locals, tourists, and Mines students, and you can bet that karaoke is always on the menu!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Golden has a great community, but I think the most unique thing is its location. Being sandwiched between the table mesas and the foothills creates a unique vibe. The history that goes along with the town and Clear Creek also is different from anywhere I have lived. This community celebrates its history, and that keeps the ‘howdy folks’ vibe alive!
Q: What is something interesting that most people don't know about you?
I have a difficult time sitting still. I always have some sort of project going on. Whether it’s a home improvement project, working on pottery, knitting, or other crafts, there’s always something in progress with me. That’s actually how I got into flower farming. It was kind of a hobby gone wild!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My family and my husband, who are always enablers of all my crazy ideas. They have always had more faith in me than I have had in myself.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Comfort, Warmth, Dogs