As some of you know, a couple of weeks ago, GrandmaT, generous lady that she is, offered my DH, Rock, one of her African Violets that he had fallen in love with, if we could figure out a way to get it.. Our discussions continued and evolved from that point, to include a small plant swap, if and when we could get together.
Last Saturday was the big day!!
DH and I drove down (109 miles one way) to visit Gran and her DH, LJ Russell, and spent a truly lovely afternoon. We chatted, and chatted, and had a lovely lunch, and chatted some more, and traded plants (I gave her a clump of my pink asiatic lily, one of my red asiatic lily, and a nice-sized one of that pretty lemony-yellow daylily), and we chatted some more.
She sent DH home with the blue and white violet that started it all, one of her teacup violets, and starts of her lovely iridescent white violet. He figured out a way to protect them from our “African-Salad” munching cats (they are in a 10 gallon aquarium). Lol.
She also sent me home with a nice piece of her Little Grapette daylily, one of her mini hollyhocks, and a nice-sized wild geranium, all of which are nicely settled into their new “nests” and are doing quite nicely, thanks to the rain which followed us home Saturday, and hung around off and on yesterday.
-- the day you quit learning is the day you quit living.
16 comments so far
GrandmaT
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3211 posts in 385 days
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posted 133 days ago
As you have read from above … Dini and her charming DH, Rock arrived at our home on Saturday afternoon!! Hubby and I were so anxious to meet them, we could hardly wait. When the doorbell rang, we hugged and it felt like we had been long-time friends!!!
I took Dini and Rock on a tour of my front yard garden, side of the house container bed and patio area. HAHAH!!, I am using the term “tour” loosely cuz our yard is so small. But I was soooooo pleased to share with Dini my little world. After that Russel showed Rock “his” world; his woodworking shop.
Then we settled down for a “chat festival”, some lunch which included Dini’s DELICIOUS home-made mint tea (I’m addicted now!!!) and of course some more wonderful chatting. I think Dini and I could talk forever!!!
The hours passed way too quickly and it was time for them to make their trip home. We traded pieces of our gardens … kissed, hugged and said our goodbyes.
It rained here that evening. I felt like God was giving my new “babies” from Dini and Rock’s gardens some extra loving care; as they h ave taken beautifully.
Now on my strolls around my front garden, I will, each morning think of Rock and Dini and our terrific afternoon. I know Russel and I have made some wonderful friends.
Beautiful Lemon Yellow Daylily … LOVE IT!!!
Not sure which is which; but they brought me a red and a pink “Easter” Lily. Can’t wait to see them bloom next year!!!
-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b
dini
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753 posts in 224 days
hardiness zone 5
posted 133 days ago
GranT and her Dh are truly lovely people. From the moment she answered the door, it felt as though we had known each other forever. And talk! We talked about anything and everything, and still haven’t run out of things to discuss! We were truly made welcome, and know that we have made lasting friends.
-- the day you quit learning is the day you quit living.
GrandmaT
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3211 posts in 385 days
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posted 133 days ago
Geez, I am gonna tear up here … as you all can see we have a “mutual admiration society” here. Hubby and I feel fortunte to have met Dini and her DH, cuz they are truly very good and kind folk. Nice to have them in our lives!! And yes, Dini and I do love to talk!!!! :-)
-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b
MsDebbieP
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3811 posts in 507 days
hardiness zone 5b
posted 133 days ago
oh wonderful.
All of my experiences at meeting someone from the 2-d world (as I call it) has been nothing but extraordinary.
I’m so glad you were able to meet, trade plants and of course – chat :)
-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)
Iris43
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182 posts in 137 days
hardiness zone 5a
posted 133 days ago
The flowers look great and what a wonderful story. Of course, I’m not surprised that you found ‘kindred spirits’ as we all know gardeners are the nicest people!
I had a similar experience just this morning. A lady from Colorado that I had been chatting with on another site was driving through my area and we made arrangements to meet. We spent a lovely 2 1/2 hours visiting. Then off she went to visit another lady in Indianna! There was no ‘silent moments’ during our visit.LOL
-- 'To plant a Garden is to believe in Tomorrow'
Bon
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1732 posts in 287 days
hardiness zone 5a
posted 132 days ago
Waaaah I want to trade tooo. ( sob )
Just kidding.So glad you ladies were able to make such a great trade and get to know each other.Wonderful story.Thanks for sharing. :-)
-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more
jroot
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1022 posts in 137 days
hardiness zone 5a
posted 131 days ago
What a wonderful experience for both of you. Maybe I should do the same for the few that live near me.
-- jroot
GrandmaT
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3211 posts in 385 days
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posted 131 days ago
Yes, it was a wonderful experience!!! Wish I lived closer to a few other folk as well, cuz I would love to meet them in person and actually be able to walk through their gardens. :-)
-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b
dini
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753 posts in 224 days
hardiness zone 5
posted 130 days ago
It was a wonderful day. I will definitely make a point of making time to meet other GardenTenders if and when I travel near them !
-- the day you quit learning is the day you quit living.
dini
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753 posts in 224 days
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posted 128 days ago
Well, I did it again, moved pix I had posted. Here they are again.
-- the day you quit learning is the day you quit living.
MsDebbieP
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3811 posts in 507 days
hardiness zone 5b
posted 128 days ago
thanks :)
-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)
dini
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753 posts in 224 days
hardiness zone 5
posted 127 days ago
Finally got the teacup violet GranT gave DH out of the terrarium. We found the ideal home for it at a yard sale for a whole 25 cents. vbg. Now we just need to pick up a plant bracket and knot up a hanger, and it’ll be perfect.
-- the day you quit learning is the day you quit living.
GrandmaT
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3211 posts in 385 days
hardiness zone 5
posted 127 days ago
WELL NOW … doesn’t she look purdy. That cage is PERFECT!!!! Just be patient for the Violet to form from that leaf … it will in time. These miniatures seem to grow slower than the larger violets.
-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b
MsDebbieP
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3811 posts in 507 days
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posted 127 days ago
aaaaaw nice
-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)
dini
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753 posts in 224 days
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posted 120 days ago
GranT, the Little Grapette you gave me finally opened her final bud yesterday :(
and the mini hollyhock you gave me has flower buds!
-- the day you quit learning is the day you quit living.
GrandmaT
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3211 posts in 385 days
hardiness zone 5
posted 120 days ago
Well your Grapette lasted longer than mine!!! hahaha!!!
And that is great that the Dwarf Hollyhock is blooming for you. Mine are about done, I think. I sure did enjoy them!!!
-- "A perfect garden is just a garden to be in-perfection. Mornings to work on it and evenings to pause and look at it." Southeast Michigan, Zone 5a/5b