The mornings have been quiet and peaceful at the Degraff Road farm of Jack and Wendy Rawls. The snow brought countless birds to dine on berries from the holly trees that fill their seven-acre farm. The snow brought solace and peace. But with the opening of the couple’s botanical and gift shop, A Knot in Thyme, the Rawls can soon expect company.

A Knot in Thyme opened the day after Thanksgiving and right now Wendy Rawlses said she’s simply trying to get the word out about the shop.

“People just don’t know we’re here yet,” she said.

A Knot in Thyme is a botanical and gift shop located on a lavender and holly farm.

“You have to really like holly to live here because that’s all you see from every window in the house,” Rawls said.

But what a view it is. Rawls said she’s enjoyed watching all the birds that come to feast on all the holly berries.

“Especially with all the snow the trees were just covered in birds looking for food,” she said.

The holly and berries can be purchased by the wreath, bulk or wholesale, or by the sleeve for arrangements.

The wreaths can be variegated, Old English or a mix of both. They can have greens accents and all come with elaborate bows designed by one of the Rawls’ daughters. The wreaths can come premade or made to order.

“They are gorgeous and we let the customers choose which bow they want to adorn their wreath,” she said.

The wreaths are created based on 10-inch and 20-inch metal rings, but the Rawls’ children have become such great artists that the wreaths often surpass that size — by almost double.

The Rawlses moved to the Degraff Road property a year ago. They live on island part-time as they are also caretakers on Shaw Island.

The couple has farmed all of their 35 years of marriage, so when they saw the farm they knew it’d be perfect for their family that includes eight kids — four of whom still live at home.

They sold their home in Lewis County where they had lived for 20 years and bought the farm from the Henderson family. Most recently, Holly Henderson used the farm for her business Lavender Heart which she successfully relocated to Seattle.

Wendy, along with shop manager Tressa Green, keep the shop running.

The holly and lavender in the shop is grown on the property. Also available is an assortment of dried botanical arrangements that are created by Green from imported dried florals.

The arrangements she creates are artistic and grand. They range in size from the dainty to the sizable centerpieces.

“She really has a talent and great eye for design and color,” Rawls said.

In addition to the dried florals and holly, the botanical shop has a wide variety of gift items ranging from quilts to honey baskets, Pelindaba lavender products to a full line of goat milk soaps, from home decor items to gorgeous jewelry.

“Its all very welcoming and Wendy was very thoughtful in selecting items for the shop,” Green said. “There are many things here you wouldn’t find other places on the island.”

An annex next door they like to call “The Front Porch” will feature patio furniture made by the Amish, wiggle cars, candelariums, wind chimes and garden art including crafted wooden lighthouses.

A Knot in Thyme is definitely a family affair, with the kids helping tend the farm and create wreaths and other items for the gift shop. Thursday morning 14-year-old Linnea walked in with a freshly brewed pot of coffee and cookies she baked for customers who will visit the shop.

“It’s peaceful here with a good spirit,” Wendy said.

Jack has years of logging experience and working with draft horses, so by next holiday season Wendy hopes to have draft horses on the property.

“It’ll be nice. People can come buy a wreath and take a ride around the farm,” she said.

There will be A Knot in Thyme Web site some time later this winter.

Expect A Knot in Thyme to be open year-round. “We’ll be here changing with the seasons,” Wendy said.