Posted on by Donna

Grow Your Blog

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“The World is so empty if one thinks only of the mountains, rivers, and cities; but to know someone who thinks and feels with us, and who, though distant is close to us in spirit, this makes the earth for us an inhabited garden.”  ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

I am joining  Vicki@2 Bags Full for the “Grow Your Blog” Party.  This a bit of a different post with a wonderful giveaway for all my readers.

 

Welcome to Gardens Eye View.

 

My name is Donna, and it has been 2 years and 4 months since I started this blog where I have posted at least weekly.  For those of you who have been here since the beginning, thank you.  Those who are recent and new readers, welcome as I give you a bit of an introduction.

This is a blog of my ramblings as I have been discovering the life and soul of the garden (and me).  I am 55 years young, and as I turn 56 this year I will be retiring from public education (I hope) to find a new path and direction in my life.

I have been told by readers that I write about the soul of gardening, and express the words of the soul of the gardener.  While I write many posts about such things as garden books, wildflowers and their folklore and what is going on monthly in my garden, the posts about ‘the soul of the garden’ (or what I call reflective posts) still describes many of my blog posts.  One of my favorite things to share is my poetry which I do monthly.

I am now connecting with readers in 109 countries and all 50 United States.  I think the best part of blogging is the people I have met virtually.  Such incredible people with so much to say.

 

The following is an excerpt from my first post that describes how I became a gardener at an early age:

I remember always loving digging in the dirt from my earliest memories between 2 and 5 years old.  I loved it so much so that my nickname as a child was “digger”.  I was always carrying a stick and digging holes in the small patch of grass and dirt behind our row house in Philadelphia.

When we moved to Northern Indiana in the early 60s, I remember my mother planting cherry tomatoes, mint and strawberries in our small yard.  A huge sweet scented honeysuckle vine greeted me every time I left the house by the lower basement door.  Mom was always tending her roses and planting a swath of colorful annuals.  I would watch, pick and weed. I was hooked but never really knew it.   The lure of the dirt-the feel and smell of it.  The smell and colors of the flowers.  Whatever it was I looked forward to spring, then summer and then the colors of fall.

 

You can read more about my journey into gardening by reading that first post.

Those early experiences and my wonderful ancestors who gardened made me who I am.  I write from their hearts and souls as well because they have all influenced my life greatly.  And my life with my husband has been an enormous gift.  Sometimes I don’t think I would have any sanity left it it wasn’t for his unconditional love and acceptance of me-all of me with no judgements…how is that possible.

We live in a house we built 8 years ago where I have created my garden oasis from scratch.  Of course it is still a work in progress as I have been replacing many non-native plants with natives for the wildlife that visits.  I love to write about native plants and my encounters with wildlife once a month at Beautiful Wildlife Gardens (as part of a group of wonderful bloggers).

So I continue now on my journey with this blog, this life as I look forward to my new journey in August with retirement.  This life continues to take me in directions that are unknown.  Each new fork in the road an adventure, a new lesson or an old one doomed to be repeated until I learn it more fully.  And as I listen to my inner guide, I seem to be taking the right path that is bringing me closer to where I am supposed to be.  How do I know?  I just do…it is something you just feel with your whole being.  I hope you continue to join me on this wonderful journey of life towards a new beginning once again….IMG_8383

 

A life without love is like a year without summer.  

Swedish Proverb

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GrowYourBlog2013I hope you enjoyed this little retrospective as I connect with hundreds of others around the world for this blog party.   I think this is a wonderful opportunity to continue to meet new people from all walks of life and who write blogs of every description.  I love new readers so feel free to follow me through the Network Blogs icon or via email subscription both on the sidebar.  You also enter my blog address in your Google or WordPress reader.

If you want to see a picture of me or read a bit more about me, check out my About page located at the top of the sidebar.  Also to see a description of these lovely photos of my garden, just run your cursor over the picture and a description will pop up.

I reply to all comments and you will receive notice of my reply in an email.  Feel free to contact me via my email.  There is a trick to replying…you have to make sure you click on the title of the post first so the comments section comes up.  There are no letters or numbers to type to publish your comment, but if you have never visited before, I will receive a notice to approve your comment.  I monitor that several times during the day so your comment will become live soon after you write it.  Then you can comment after the initial comment without any waiting.

 

 

Giveaway

Around this time I do a garden book review post, and since this is a garden themed blog I thought what better giveaway than to give my readers garden books….10 garden books to be exact.  Some are like new or new, and others are gently used (only the Wildlife Meadow Book is a bit more used and an older much loved book).

You only need leave a comment to be in the random drawing.  Let me know if you have a preference for any book, but all who comment are eligible unless you say otherwise.  You can only win one book.  Winners will be announced February 1st.  Check back to this post for a list of winners.  I will also be emailing winners on Feb. 1st so I can get your mailing address.

 

Wildflower Meadow Book
Botany for Gardeners
I Garden Urban Style
High Impact, Low Carbon Gardening
Small Space Gardening
Step-by-Step Successful Gardening
Edible Landscaping
Garden Ideas
Seeing Trees

 

Here are the books with links so you can check them out on Amazon and get a good description:

UPDATED-WINNERS: 

Vegetable Gardening for the Average Person—Susan Troccolo

The Wildflower Meadow:  A Gardener’s Guide—Di@Cottage Wishes

Botany for Gardeners (3rd edition)—Carolyn@Carolyns Shade Gardens

I Garden:  Urban Style—Carolyn@This Grandmother’s Garden

High-Impact Low-Carbon Gardening—Janet, The Queen of Seaford

Small Space Gardening—Beth@Elizard Breath Speaks

Step-By-Step Successful Gardening—Janet@Plantalicious

Edible Landscaping—Pam@Pam’s English Garden

Garden Ideas:  Creative Design Solutions—Beth@Beyond the Garden Gate

Seeing Trees—Jocelyn@Just A Little Southern Hospitality

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Next up on the blog:     Monday brings another Garden Book Review.  On Wednesday, I will have the first in a new series called Wildflower Tales.  Later in the month I will have another post in the Simply the Best series which will be all about Herbs this year.

I hope you will join me for my posts once a month at Beautiful Wildlife Garden. See my current post now.

Please remember, to comment click on the title of the post and the page will reload with the comments section.

All original content is copyrighted and the sole property of Donna Donabella @ Gardens Eye View, 2010-2012.  Any reprints or use of content or photos is by permission only.

 

 

 

 

 

52 Replies to “Grow Your Blog”

  1. How nice to have this glimpse into your beginnings with gardening, Donna. This is a neat post, and I always enjoy your heartfelt thoughts about life and gardening. Cheers!

    1. Thank you my sweet friend. Maybe a gardening memoir is in the cards for me as I do enjoy writing about fond memories!!

  2. What a lovely post! It’s so nice to read about your beginnings and your journey so far. And best part? I’ve never seen a photo of you before 🙂 It’s so nice to have a face to put with your gentle spirit!

    1. Carole your comment brought such a smile to my face…I do hope we meet in the near future. Your inspiration for me has been profound!

  4. I love that you started gardening so young. My son used to pull weeds as a very little boy when he needed time to “think”. I think he’s a future gardener but he won’t admit it!

    1. It gets in your blood the feel of dirt and smell of green growth. I love to see children interested in playing in nature…they are the future gardeners. It will be fun to see if your son grows up to enjoy gardening.

    1. I did not know she had a blog and will check it out…the natives have given me so much joy…they just show up and bring friends with them 🙂

  6. You always manage to find a fitting quote (or two), Donna! I read your “About” page, and it sounds like this year could be quite exciting…

    1. I was bracing for something I was unsure of but now am living each day as it unfolds…who knows what may happen but I plan to enjoy it…I love finding quotes and it means a lot when readers like them too!!

  8. Hi Donna
    We’re definitely kindred spirits with our passion for gardening. I know I’ve visited your blog before but can’t find a way to follow so I’ve book marked it and plan to visit more often.
    Such a generous giveaway, please enter my name.
    Judith

    1. Oh dear Judith you can enter your email at the top of the sidebar and my new posts will come to you in an email. My template is older so it does not support a Google reader widget…if you use a google reader you can enter my url into your reader and it will pick up my blog…I am so happy to have you visiting again my dear kindred spirit!

  10. Well hello Donna! I’ve enjoyed getting to know you all these years (only two-it seems more). I had never seen a picture of you before now-so glad to put a face with the words! If I win I’d love the Seeing Trees book. I am stuck on trees lately. But really I need no giveaway to come and say hello. Good luck with retirement!

    1. Oh thank you Tina…I am not fond of my photo but learning to like putting one out there…I have you in the drawing for the Trees book.

  11. Donna, To answer your question about an email link on my blog — Blogger doesn’t seem to supply that service. However, it does allow ME to add emails, so that you are notified when I post. If you will send me your email address to pamsgardenATmac.com, I’ll take care of it. Thanks for wanting to keep up with my blog. I am honored. P. x

    1. I have you in the drawing for the Botany book Carolyn. Your comment humbles me and i am so happy to hear how much you like the blog…enjoy your well deserved vacation!!

    1. Michelle you are too kind…your blog inspires me in so many ways and I am looking forward to having some fun in the garden and with readers…I am also looking forward to the Earth Day Book meme you do!!

    1. Thank you Janet…it is a constant evolution and one I love. Wishing you a wonderful garden year with your new gardens!

    1. Thank you Di and I enjoyed your blog too. I entered you into the giveaway. Stop by anytime or email me if you have any questions about your garden I can help with…love to share.

  18. Finding out about the road you travelled to your present garden was a pleasure. Honeysuckle around the door must have been magical.
    I am lusting after the Wildflower Meadow book.

    1. Susan I have you entered to win the Wildflower Book…so glad you enjoyed the post and that honeysuckle was magical 🙂

  19. please enter me into your giveaway. what a great one at that. i enjoy your blog so – will be looking around more. please stop by my blog for a bit. have a great weekend. take care. ( :

    1. Beth I am glad you stopped by and looked around. I hope you enjoy future posts and I have you entered in the giveaway. Love your blog and blog name 🙂

    1. Jocelyn how nice of you to stop by my blog and I am glad you enjoyed the visit. I hope you will stop by again from time to time.

  21. I love the photo of your pond at the top! Such a pretty reminder of summer. How fun that you have a few snowdrops too this month 🙂

    That is a wonderful list of books! That is so very generous of you. I already have several of them and am currently reading Botany for Gardeners and loving it.

    Hope you & your plants survive this weeks cold temps!
    ~Julie

    1. Thank you Julie. We just got a foot of snow overnight so my garden is well insulated now. Is there any one book you would like?

      1. We have hardly any snow here and temps reaching 0. I hope my newer plants make it!

        Hmmm…. that is like trying to chose from a cookie buffet! I think the Wildflower Meadow book… if I am picked that is! Thanks Donna.

        1. Oh no Julie. It is hard when the insulation of snow isn’t there…I am grateful for the 2 feet we have now as the garden will be happier. I will add you to the list for the Wildflower book.

  22. Hi Donna! It is nice to meet you and thanks for dropping by today at my blog.
    Gardening….when we moved here 21 years ago it was a lawn in front and a lawn in back. I am not partial to lawns and proceeded to plant a variety of species. I did everything that a gardener shouldn’t do…..I wanted to find out what worked here along the Eastern shore of Nova Scotia. And I learned. I love gardening and it now mainly ‘maintenance’ work we do and replacing the odd thing here and there. After 20+ years there is no more room for new additions. We learned a lot through trial and error, books (tons of them) and a willingness to try something to see if it would work. Japanese Maples have loved it here and still do, Rhododenron/Azaleas love it too, as do Beech trees, Birch trees and of course Maples. We have lost a ton of things over the years but that was part of our journey.
    I think our gardens are an extension of ourselves and each has it’s beauty and purpose. My garden would not be another persons garden and vice-versa.
    If I was to win a book, I think I’d like ‘Seeing Trees’ as I LOVE trees. Thanks so much for listening and see you soon.
    Jim

    1. Jim how wonderful to hear your story and your gardens story…I will enter you into the drawing for the Trees book. I hope you can visit again. I look forward to following your blog!!

  24. Hi, Donna, I don’t always get to your posts in as timely a fashion as I would like but I do always read them! As I’ve mentioned before, I simply love all the research you do for your writing…and I can always feel that you put a lot of heart and thought into it. Wonderful and inspiring work, and I look forward to many more posts! 🙂

    1. Sheryl thank you…it means so much to know that folks do appreciate the effort I do put into my posts and that you enjoy each and every post! You made my week!!!

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