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| Carefree Beauty |
Dressed in my gardening clothes (shorts that are a little too tight and too short, and a tank top that's a little too low cut (clothes that I would never, ever wear in public!), I watched out the window for him to leave so I could open my packages. But instead of ringing the doorbell and leaving like he usually does, he rang the doorbell and just stood there.
And stood there. And stood there. And stood there.
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| Buff Beauty |
Finally, I decided he must need my signature, so I opened the door and stepped out.
No signature needed. He wanted to talk roses! He and his wife were trying to put in a garden and wanted to grow roses. We talked about all things roses - rose types, rose names, disease resistance, planting, soil preparation, fragrance, etc.
I've never had a complete stranger tell me they admire my garden in person. I was quite flattered.
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| Julia Child |
Oh, yeah - I know you've been wondering all this time what was in the package! Some agastache because of Scott from Rhone Street Gardens. Some liatris (gayfeather) that I have admired in Bluestem's garden in Plano Prairie Garden. A cimicifuga that Stacy from Microcosm suggested for the winter garden. And of course, some other impulse purchases.
Now, back to compliments.
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| Pat Austin |
I was also complimented by Kevin of Nitty Gritty Dirt Man. He awarded my blog The Sunshine Award. How sweet! I am supposed to answer 10 questions, pass the award on to 10 other bloggers, and let them know in a comment and link to the post about this award.
I always worry that I will insult some bloggers by not awarding it to them. And if you ever feel that way, I am truly sorry. But even though it is always difficult to name just a few blogs out of the many I read and enjoy, I decided to accept it and continue to pass it along.
10 questions I am supposed to answer:
1. What is your favorite color?
Peach
2. What is your favorite animal?
Cat
3. What is your favorite number?
3
4. What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink?
Raspberry tea from Taco Bell, even though I hardly ever indulge.
5. Which is your favorite - Facebook or Twitter?
Well, I don't do either, so I can't answer this question!
6. What is your passion?
Uh - gardening. And since you probably knew that, I'll throw in another. Reading. You probably guessed that, too!
7. Do you prefer giving or receiving presents?
Both!
8. What is your favorite pattern?
Who came up with these questions? I have no favorite. I like a lot of different patterns, and love mixing them.
9. What is your favorite day of the week?
Friday. Who could not like Friday?
10. What is your favorite flower?
Must be roses!
And without further ado - drumroll please -
In no particular order, the 10 bloggers to which I would like to award The Sunshine Award:
1. Gardens Eye View
2. Garden Walk Garden Talk
3. Carolyn's Shade Gardens
4. Secrets of a Seed Scatterer
5. The Gardening Blog
6. Pam's English Cottage Garden
7. PlantPostings
8. Red House Garden
9. A Hocking Hill's Garden
10.The Sage Butterfly
Congratulations! Pass it along if you want. Like the Federal Express man's compliment to me, I hope it makes your day.
That truly is the best compliment! Loved reading a little more about you and learning that someone else has gardening clothes. Enjoy your new flowers.
ReplyDeleteNo matter what the label says, Agastache needs afternoon shade in Texas.
Good to know about the agastache. I went outside to check. It's protected from the west sun, so hopefully it won't get too much sun where it is. If it starts dying, though, I'll know to move it! Thanks for the information.
DeleteA well deserved award Holley. I will think about who I can pass it along to...I have a hard time with these questions because I have no real favorites..it all changes with my moods...perhaps I can find a few blogs you haven't mentioned that I can share this with...but none the less I am honored and of course will accept the award..thx so much!! Love Bluestone for plants too!
ReplyDeleteI had a hard time with the questions, although I felt like they should have been easy to answer! I'm glad you're honored. I never know about these things.
DeleteI laughed out loud reading this post. The same thing happened to me with the UPS truck driver the other day, I was dripping wet from a Leslie-athon and he just wouldn't leave so I had to go out. He looked at me so startled, poor guy. "Yes, I always sweat like this when I'm doing housework," I said. (He didn't compliment me on my garden, though, lol.)
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe no other perfect strangers have stopped and complimented you on your gorgeous gardens, are they blind!?
I've been caught in the most horrendous clothes so many times when I'm gardening, I guess I should take a look at my wardrobe, huh? Nah, what for, we have to be comfortable, we work so hard we deserve that much.
Congratulations on the award, you Deserve it!!
Happy Easter and Blessings to you and your family.
Happy Easter, Karen! The UPS driver must have wondered what kind of housework you were doing! Our driveway is fairly long, and our house is hidden from the road, so I usually have time to run inside and hide from anyone driving up!
DeleteYou do have a beautiful garden and I share you love of roses. Mine have come alive. One day last year a truck came down the street and stop at Carrels (my husbands house) ours in just next door they were at his, but mine has a little of everything they came to mine and they told me it was beautiful. During Iries time and I have a lot of them.
ReplyDeleteI bet your irises were putting on quite a beautiful show, too! It's so nice to get a compliment every now and then!
DeleteIt is always exciting to get new plants in the mail and especially if they are added with some compliments. I think that is wonderful that he was wanting some answers because he admired your garden. I am with him on that. I drool over your roses all the time. I even got a Music Box shrub rose because of you. LOL! Now I have my eye on a Buff Beauty. I cannot wait to see it bloom now. Thank you so much for thinking of me and the award. I am honored. Have a wonderful Easter weekend.
ReplyDeleteWell, I hope your Music Box rose blooms beautifully! I love Buff Beauty. Such an easy rose, too - just give it lots of room to spread out!
DeleteJulia Child -- one of my favs!
ReplyDeleteAs close as it comes a compliment was when my neighbor next house sent word by her Mother that I was to stop spending so much time on my gardens because it made hers look bad. (Not really, she has a yard man and spends lots of money on hers; I just play.)
All the people to whom I want to send this fun award have those little badges on their blog about not participating in memes.
I bet your neighbor is secretly jealous. I know I would be! Isn't it funny that we think of gardening as play when it's really hard work to most people! :)
DeleteThank you so much Holley for including GWGT. It is quite an honor when you have to narrow it down to ten blogs. I read so many and have such varied interests that for me, the task would be almost impossible. Funny on the 10 questions. I would find picking favorites there hard as well, but although I have two cat roommates, cats would not even make my top ten.
ReplyDeletehaha - Well, I'm afraid my cats would be very insulted if I didn't name them. They think they're the kings and queens around here - and just let us servants live here so we can feed them! :)
DeleteI'm truly honored, Holley. I appreciate you, too, and you definitely deserve the award! I will have to think about the answers. It's soooo difficult to choose bloggers to pass on these awards, but you have helped me narrow the list because all your choices are some of my favorites, too. I try to choose people who haven't received them yet. I can see why the Fed Ex guy would want to tour your garden. It's incredible!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to choose bloggers. I try to mix it up, but the 10 that I named here have been very supportive of me for some time, and I appreciate each of you.
DeleteFrom the title of your post I thought you just received a new delivery of plants. Even better though that the delivery guy wanted to browse your lovely garden and learn from your experience of growing Roses. Must have been a wonderful experience :)
ReplyDeleteThe new plants were exciting, but I was so happy to have someone unrelated and in person actually compliment me on my garden! I might have a new gardening buddy!
DeleteHAHA! Are you sure the Fed Ex' man was really interested in your roses or your rather alluring outfit? Gorgeous images of your blooms and congrats on your Sunny award xxx
ReplyDeletehahaha - Jane!!!! My outfit, trust me, was not alluring! Maybe if I was 25 years younger! :O
DeleteCute story about your "tiny" outfit and the Fed Ex man who loves roses. Your purchases sound fabulous, and now I will visit one or two of the blogs you list.
ReplyDeleteI hope you will visit each one. I was surprised when I realized almost everything I ordered was because of another blogger! I love learning about new plants and getting inspired by other blogs.
DeleteVery pretty Roses. Really like Julia Child. And it's a compliment to have him be so persistent to talk with you. Hope you are getting everything new planted out.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Everything's planted now, and hopefully everything will like their new home! I love Julia Child rose, too. A good yellow rose is not so easy to find, and she's a great one!
DeleteI'm surprized the FedEx man stopped for conversation..usually these delivery co. time their employees pretty closely. I know UPS does.. That was nice of him to compliment you on your roses though.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised, too. He did check his watch several times. We didn't talk toooo long. Maybe he had a break coming!
DeleteIt's so exciting to get a delivery from FedEx or UPS! I know the sound of the UPS truck! :-) Anyway, that's so funny about the delivery guy just standing there and standing there while you were in your gardening getup (we all have one) wishing he'd just leave the package. What a compliment that he wanted to ask you about roses though. Hope you're enjoying your new plants. Also, congratulations on your nomination for The Sunshine Award! :-)
ReplyDeleteMy dog gets excited about the delivery trucks, too! :) I've always had a fear that someone would catch me in my gardening getup. I just didn't realize I wouldn't yet be out in the garden when it happened!
DeleteI have a package coming from Bluestone on Monday and I can hardly wait!! I have a lot of agastache and liatris. I think you'll love them. My gardening clothes are hideous, too. I finally had to get rid of my favorite gardening jeans when I realized I couldn't bend over in them without my butt hanging out because of a big hole. :o)
ReplyDeleteHave fun with your new plants! haha - I think jeans are only comfortable after they get holes in them! :)
DeleteI had to laugh about you not wanting to go to the door. How cool that the delivery guy wanted to visit about growing roses! I have no privacy, gardening on a corner lot. It is cool when people make comments about the flowers. This evening, some neighbors I hadn't seen out and about awhile were walking their dog. One of them had had surgery, and was in the hospital for 2 weeks! They said it cheered them up walking past our flowers. That made me feel good.
ReplyDeleteEven though you don't have privacy, your garden must cheer up so many people - most you will probably never realize. What a wonderful thing to give to your neighborhood.
DeleteHolly, my congratulations! You deserve this award.
ReplyDeleteI've read with smile about your gardening clothes, like me, some is too short, some is too long.
By definition, gardening clothes must look awful. After all, if they didn't, they wouldn't be gardening clothes!
DeleteCute that the ups man wanted to chat roses
ReplyDeleteIt was a complete surprise to me! I've never had even women drivers so much as glance at my gardens! Which never bothers me - if I drove by some place that had tons of say - boats out, I wouldn't look at those either as that's not what I'm interested in. I guess I just never think about the delivery people being interested in gardening!
DeleteYour readers are like virtual UPS drivers - we cant wait to see what you are going to plant out there in your garden next! I went crazy for agastache last year - there was one in particular that the hummingbirds LOVED!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear that the hummingbirds like this plant. I need to plant more for my hummers. They bring such joy to me.
DeleteCongratulations Holley - on your new plants and your award! Your story cracked me up. And those gratuitous rose photos you tossed in are stunning too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliment on the photos. I've broken my camera, and am getting to use my husband's. His is much more fun than my little cheap one was!
DeleteDoesn't it feel like Christmas when that truck arrives? Beautiful post. Happy Easter to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter! Yes, I do so look forward to the plant boxes being delivered. I check the tracking quite often! :)
DeleteAnd? I really wanted to hear about the guy's reaction to your clothes, Holley. Did his eyes drift as you were chatting? Did you keep tugging down your top? Or did you just throw on an old gardening kaftan? Dave
ReplyDeletehaha - I felt a little uncomfortable, but he was very professional. I do have an old windbreaker I sometimes throw on, but it was a hot day, so I didn't even do that. He only had eyes for my roses!
Delete"shorts a little too tight and shirt a little too low" I'm laughing myself silly over this description as I could be accused of just the same on many occasions. I never expect to see people when I'm working in the yard. How wonderful though that someone was so inspired by your garden that they came to chat about creating their own. The ultimate compliment I think.
ReplyDeleteI never expect to see people when I'm gardening, either. And I was very thrilled that he thought me worthy of asking for advice!
DeleteHow exciting, a package of plants and garden complements from a stranger! And of course it would happen when you are wearing the not-so-appropriate gardening clothes - I just had to laugh!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the sunshine award - it is well deserved. I am honored that you like my blog enough to pass it on to me!
It was a double thrill -compliments and plants, too! The day just couldn't have gotten any better!
DeleteHolley, FedEx guys are always on such a tight time schedule that they usually just fling the package at the doorstep and run! He REALLY wanted to talk to you about your roses!! What a great compliment. I squealed a little bit when you said you'd gotten the cimicifuga--I hope it creates the look that you wanted inside the boxwood...boxes.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see the cimicifuga growing up, and then blooming! It's very little right now, but I can already imagine that one corner filled with its beauty. So glad you suggested it.
DeleteI love receiving my plants by delivery...so exciting! And I enjoy talking to others about my garden. I am always touched when others compliment my garden. I really do it for me, so when others enjoy it as well, I feel honored. And I feel honored that you have nominated me for the Sunshine Award. Thank you, Holley. I, too, have such a hard time narrowing my list. You work so hard on your blog and deliver so many interesting posts. You are very deserving of any and all awards.
ReplyDeleteI think it surprised me a bit because like you say, I do it for me, and never really thought about someone else admiring it. It was nice, though, to know that my efforts were being appreciated in some way. Thanks for your sweet words.
DeleteHolley, I am sorry that I am so delinquent in thanking you for the Sunshine Award. It is a great compliment to my blog. I am so overwhelmed with work at my nursery that I haven't been able to read blogs much less comment etc. However, I didn't want you to think I was ungrateful. Carolyn
ReplyDeleteNo problem, Carolyn. I completely understand! I know we are all busy - it's amazing to me that we have the time to blog! And you have a nursery to run!!! I'm glad you were complimented.
DeleteSo nice that you got compliments and got to talk roses! My favorite UPS man was a "plant nut" who I think had memorized the catalogue of Plant Delights. lol He was fun to talk to.
ReplyDeleteI bet he loved delivering packages to your house! How fun to meet a fellow gardener!
DeleteWow! wonderful roses! I just can't wait for my garden to flourish and brag to all my friends with it!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get the rose garden of your dreams!
Delete