Posted on by Donna

In A Vase On Monday-Anniversary Flowers and A Giveaway

dewy rose

An anniversary is a time to celebrate the joys of today, the memories of yesterday, and the hopes of tomorrow. –Author Unknown

 

 

Four years ago this week, I started this blog.  The exact anniversary of my first post is September 13th.  And I am marking this 4th anniversary with the traditional gift of fruits and flowers, especially flowers.  And now as summer slips away, the flowers are spectacular.  So many still blooming and others just coming into bloom.

I am especially enjoying the asters that just started blooming along with the roses.  Roses were absent for most of the spring and there were blooms here and there for summer, but oh my the roses in late summer and fall are fabulous.  And in the language of flowers, asters and roses stand for love.  Lots of love for all the supporters of my blog over the last 4 years.

Also showing off now is all the goldenrod blooming in the meadow.  You can see it blazing like the sun here in the early morning DSCN4203light.  And blooming with yellow goldenrod are lots of sunflowers, both the perennial and annual Helianthus.  Dwarf sunflowers represent gratitude in the language of flowers, and I want to express my gratitude to everyone who reads, subscribes, comments and supports Gardens Eye View.  And to show my gratitude, I am having a giveaway that you can read about later in the post.

One of the things I really enjoy about blogging is meeting so many readers and other bloggers.  And I enjoy linking in with many other bloggers through memes.  This week, I am linking with Cathy@Rambling in the Garden for her meme, In a Vase on Monday, and Today’s Flowers hosted by Denise@An English Girl Rambles.   And since I am including some collages, I am also linking this post to Judith@Lavender Cottage who is now hosting Mosaic Monday. 

 

So let’s see those anniversary vases….

 

yellow purple vase

I decided not to cut any roses this week, because I just loved the yellows and purples in the garden.  Purple aster along with purple Agastache both looked wonderful in this vase of goldenrod, and perennial Helianthus and my volunteer annual sunflowers from the mailbox garden.  And the ‘oats’ from the Northern Sea Oats caught my eye as their color is shifting a bit. 

 

 

 

DSCN4265

  I also have lots of dill blooming in the veg garden and I cut some of the beautiful yellow flowers to put in the vase.

 

 

 

And the second vase was another fun one put together from lovely flowers that begged to be picked.

 

pink vaseThe sedums were in full bloom throughout the garden along with a mum named ‘Clara Curtis’.  I planted this flower in memory of my mother-in-law.  And the garlic chive flowers make a wonderful garland around the mouth of the purple vase.  The blooming grasses that I used in last week’s vase were perfect again in this vase.  I like them because they stay fresh for weeks in a vase.  I also saw Rumex acetosella or ‘Red Sorrel’, a weed in my garden, flowering and had to include the long draping flowers in the vase.  

So there you have my vases for this week.  With love from my garden to yours.

 

 

 And now for the giveaway….

This giveaway is for all readers and includes books purchased by me.  You can see the titles below with a brief description of each book.  Unless you say otherwise, all commenters will be entered in the giveaway.  And if you would like a specific book, please let me know your preference.  

I also have 3 DVDs from Horticulture magazine as part of the giveaway.  All were purchased by me as well:  Great Gardeners, Containers and Horticulture 2010.  

There will be four winners picked randomly.  A grand prize winner who will choose their book and also receive the 3 DVDs.  And three runners up who will each receive a book.  Winners will be chosen on Saturday, the 13th, on my blogging anniversary at noon EST and contacted by email.  All winners will be announced in next Monday’s post. 

 

giveaway

All New Square Foot Gardening: Grow More in Less Space!  Revised Edition (2006)

By:  Mel Bartholomew

Rapidly increasing in popularity, square foot gardening is the most practical, foolproof way to grow a home garden. That explains why author and gardening innovator Mel Bartholomew has sold more than two million books describing how to become a successful DIY square foot gardener.

 

Sugar Snaps and Strawberries: Simple Solutions for Creating Your Own Small-Space Edible Garden (2011)

By:  Andrea Bellamy

Andrea Bellamy, founder of the acclaimed blog Heavy Petal, gives you the dirt on growing gorgeous organic food with very little square footage.

 

Deer-Resistant Landscaping: Proven Advice and Strategies for Outwitting Deer and 20 Other Pesky Mammals (2009)

By:  Neil Soderstrom

Deer-Resistant Landscaping arms homeowners with the proven strategies they need to repel and combat deer and 21 other troubling pests, from armadillos, chipmunks, and gophers to rabbits, raccoons, skunks, and squirrels.

 

The Backyard Homestead: Produce all the food you need on just a quarter acre! (2009)

By:  Carleen Madigan

Grow the vegetables and fruits your family loves; keep bees; raise chickens, goats, or even a cow. The Backyard Homestead shows you how it’s done. And when the harvest is in, you’ll learn how to cook, preserve, cure, brew, or pickle the fruits of your labor.

 

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Seasonal Celebrations Meme 

I hope you will join me in celebrating the new season coming soon to your part of the world.  

Just write a post between now and September 21st.   Leave a link with your comment on the kick-off post of Seasonal Celebrations-Autumn’s Blessings.  I will include your link in my summary post on September 22nd.  

  

I am collaborating with Beth@Plant Postings and her Lessons Learned meme at this same time.  What lessons have you learned this past season of summer here in the North and winter in the South.  Write a separate post or combine your lessons with your celebrations in one post.

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Visit my new blog: 

new blog logo

I wanted to thank all the wonderful people who visited me last Thursday and this past Sunday as I continued to post at my new blog, Living From Happiness.  It is a blog to celebrate life, lessons, change, challenges and creativity.

I do hope you will join me there.  

There will be a new post again this Thursday.

 

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Next up on the blog:  

Monday I will have another Vase post with Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day.  And next Wednesday I will be reviewing another Garden Book.

sharetheloveI am also joining in I Heart Macro with Laura@Shine The Divine that happens every Saturday.  

I am linking in with Michelle@Rambling Woods for her Nature Notes meme.  It is a great way to see what is happening in nature around the world every Tuesday.

 

 

 

All original content is copyrighted and the sole property of Donna Donabella @ Gardens Eye View, 2010-2014.  Any reprints or use of content or photos is by permission only.

 

 

 

101 Replies to “In A Vase On Monday-Anniversary Flowers and A Giveaway”

  1. Your vases are lovely this week, I knew you’d be hooked once you joined the first time! I like the collage too, what system do you use as I think it is a really great way of showing different angles of the vases. Don’t enter me in the draw for the books; they aren’t books that would be useful to me and it would cost you a fortune to send them to me. Christina Congratulations on your anniversary.

    1. Thanks so much Christina for getting me hooked and all your support. I use an app for a Mac called Collage Creator. And I use Picmonkey.com. I look forward to seeing your vase this week.

        1. I haven’t tried those Diana…will have to investigate. Thanks for the congrats. You have known me since the beginning. It is going to be a good year.

  2. No need to include me Donna but just wanted to wish you many happy blog returns – glad to have you as a blogging buddy and have enjoyed many great posts from GEV.
    Yellow and purple make a lovely vase – especially with the oats.
    p.s don’t know how you captured the top shot but its heavenly
    Laura x

    And finally… one good quote deserves another:

    “Yesterday is but today’s memory, and tomorrow is today’s dream.”
    Khalil Gibran

    1. Laura I have enjoyed our blogging friendship. It has meant so much to me. Happy you enjoyed the vase and that quote is one of my favorites. Thanks for the reminder of its message.

      The rose was dewy in the early morning before the sun hit it. I stepped back, zoomed in and snapped. Miracle shot!

  3. Hi Donna, Congratulations on your blogging anniversary, I am too far away to enter your competition although your book choices all look very interesting. I am enjoying your language of flowers definitions too. My asters are stubbornly not open yet, how lovely that yours are in bloom.

    1. Oh thank you Julie. I adore the language of flowers. It is so interesting. I hope your asters open soon! Mine just started to open with all the heat of late.

  4. Congratulations, Donna, on your anniversary. It’s been so nice to meet you and follow your inspiring blog. Lovely vases ~ I like the goldenrod too. Thanks for sharing your journey and your support as well 🙂

    1. Loredana the pleasure has been all mine…such wonderful photos and poetry certainly inspires me. I am thrilled you have come along for the ride and follow my posts.

  5. Pretty colours in your vases this week Donna. I don’t need to be included in your draw as a have a couple of the books myself and oodles more on my bookshelf.
    Thanks for linking this post as well to MM.

  6. Love those flowers and your vases are lovely – especially the combination of golden rod and sunflowers. My asters are just about to open too. Congratulations on 4 years! That is quite an achievement! Keep up the good work Donna! (And no need to include me in the draw either as the postage would cost you a fortune!) Have a good week. 🙂

  7. Congratulations on your anniversary, Donna! Even though I haven’t been following you for that long, I’m so glad that we got connected.
    Your vases were very beautiful this week! I loved how the grasses showed up inn the pink one and the garlic chives looked so nice (I never would have thought of using those) and the dill in the first one. I just love the smell of fresh dill. Your mosaics were lovely as well.

    1. I am happy we finally connected Sue being so close in proximity. It is interesting what can go in a vase…it seems just about anything looks good. I agree dll is an intoxicating smell and thanks for the kind words.

  8. Happy anniversary and warm congrats! Lovely blooms in your lovely garden! (nb. do not include me for giveaway). Have a great week!

  9. How wonderful to reach this milestone, congratulations on your 4th anniversary. Your flowers always are a real treat and I love to see your arrangement of flowers you have picked out of your garden. Thank you also for linking with Today’s Flowers and so generous of you to do this Giveaway.

    1. Thanks Karen for your wonderful support and friendship…the feeling is mutual as my visits to your blog are always delicious!

  11. Four years! Congratulations – and exclude me from the draw too to avoid excess p&p. Beautiful vases both of them – and a wonderful rose to start with. Do you use the paid version of PicMonkey or just the free one? I need to look and see what else it can do as i just use their basic collages. I promise to pop over to your other blog sometime soon – sounds just up my street…

    1. Thanks so much Cathy. No I use the free Picmonkey. It does have some nice features to add text, frame pictures and palettes. I do hope you enjoy my new blog.

  12. Both vases are wonderful, Donna, but I particularly like the first one with the cheerful yellow sunflowers. I look forward to seeing more of your pretty roses in future vases. A hearty congratulations on your 4-year blogaversary too!

    1. Mary I do enjoy finding flowers that move me and then creating the vases. I hope we have several more weeks of flowers and foliage to keep the vases coming.

  15. Oh Donna, Your bouquets are just absolutely LOVELY! May favorite is the purple and yellow but I love the other too. Reading about and seeing the flowers you have chosen for the bouquets makes me want to go plant some Golden Rod and Northern Sea Oats! Also, I want more asters…need some pink ones! Glad to read that your garden is very pleasing this time of year… I would be interested in the SugarSnaps and Strawberries book but more than anything I want to wish you Happy Blogoversary! Four years is quite a stretch of time and you provide such quality writing and information on your blog. Thank you for the many things l’ve learned over the years!

  16. Many congratulations on your blog anniversary Donna – long may Gardens Eye View continue to flourish and bloom! Two oh so most attractive vases although I think the yellow and blue combo is my favourite. Please do not enter me for your draw as I’m sure the postage would cost a small fortune 🙂

  17. I love your picture of the rose at the top of the post! *Gorgeous*!!! Both arrangements are so lovely. It really is fun to gather from the garden for this meme! Congratulations on your anniversary! (I’m going to opt-out, too, for the high postage reason too! but thank you!) Dana

  18. Happy blogoversary! I have followed your blog from the beginning, and what a treat it has been with great information and beautiful thoughts and plants. Best wishes for many more postsin the blogosphere! Also, both arrangements are gorgeous, but I think I like the first the best. I love how you added dill.

  19. The bouquets are just lovely! My favourite is the blue and yellow- such a classic combination of colors! Happy 4th anniversary and best wishes going forward.

  20. Love your cut flowers, especially the yellows – they make a stunning collage! I won one of your previous giveaways, so I’ll not enter this time. Congrats on your blogoversary, Donna!

    1. One of these days Michelle we will visit and finally meet…we do have so much in common and it has been a treat getting to know you!!

  24. Congrats on your blogging anniversary Donna. Your blog is a pleasure to read. You’ve created two marvelous vases this week. I wouldn’t want to have to choose between them, each is special in the way it features the components. (Trying to thin my shelves so no book.)

  25. Happy Blog anniversary friend! How wonderful is that! And I so enjoyed your lovely bouquets this week! My goodness! You always pick the most unique combinations that look so fantastic!!! And what an awesome giveaway!!! Wishing you all good things this week! Nicole xo

    1. Hope your week has been grand Nicole and thank you for your wonderful sentiments. I really enjoy finding unique flowers in the garden to put in a vase.

  26. Love, love your bouquets! They are striking. The Goldenrod seems to be everywhere this Fall – fields and fields of yellow all in full bloom. My Helianthus has exploded this year, too – it’s double in size. I must figure out how to incorporate a patch of hyssop or agastache in my garden – I love the purple. Such beautiful blooms Donna! So glad you started this blog and to have “met” you!

    1. Kathy the pleasure is mine my friend. I have learned so much from you and I hope we can meet and see each other’s gardens one of these days. Agastache is easy…just a sunny somewhat dry spot and it will reward you! And I have loads to giveaway anytime… 🙂

  27. Wow Donna, you remind me now that i am always forgetting my anniversary! I think i should be back and celebrate too. Like yours i love blogging because of the friends i met around the world and i realized garden bloggers are really kind and generous people. I haven’t encountered yet one who is not like that, and love and kindness transcends beyond borders, culture and etc. I am glad to have been your blogger friend for years now, i might not be as prolific to post these days but i am still here, coming over your posts once-in-a while. I really treasure your friendship through the years and salute your diligence to posting. More power to you and your gardening. God bless.

    1. Andrea it has been wonderful knowing you for all these years and I adore both your blogs….you should do some anniversary posts as you deserve to celebrate!

  28. Your mosaics are lovely! happy blogiversary! I hope you have a wonderful upcoming year! Have fun and thanks for the sweet giveaway! I shouldn’t enter…I’ve won a couple lately and I don’t garden any more. But thank you so much for the fun! Sweet hugs, Diane

  31. Love all your cut flowers. My sedum is ripening – I know have it growing in several places in my yard, just from throwing pieces elsewhere from my plant in the front.

    Happy blogging anniversary – it’s a great way to connect. I read the original Square Foot book a few years back.

  32. I am so glad that you visited my Garden Spot. I, too, started my blog in 2010, August. It has been a wonderful meeting new bloggers and becoming friends. Your collages have so much color and interest. I think I am going to enjoy your blog.

  34. Aren’t anniversaries so much fun, Donna! Congratulations on your 4th. Every milestone is to be commemorated. I love your give-away…so sweet of you (but please do not enter my name because of living overseas and having no garden). This is one of the joys of the internet!

  35. Hi Donna,

    So nice to meet you!

    Happy 4th anniversary for your beautiful blog, may you compose many, many more pretty posts as this! Enjoy your gorgeous bouquets!

    Poppy

  39. Congratulations on four years of blogging Donna… I always learn something new when I stop by. That rose is absolutely gorgeous at the top of the page, wow! Thanks for sharing the love up-close with I Heart Macro:-)

  40. Well congrats on your 4 year Blogiversary! I think each and every one is kind of special. I used to really observe mine and thanks for reminding me as I am coming on the 7th. Wow! Almost forgot! I too like meeting others through the blog but it seems I’ve not met so many recently but that’s okay. I’ve slowed down quite a bit. I am very excited for your giveaway. I’d love even one of those DVDs. The books look great too!

    Your flower arrangements are really special. You have a real talent!

    1. Absolutely you must celebrate yours Tina…7 years is special! So glad you enjoyed the bouquets. I have really enjoyed playing in this creative arena with vases.

  41. Very pretty! I love the use of the Northern Sea Oats. They have such a pretty, graceful shape. Congratulations on four years! That’s pretty awesome!

  42. Huge congratulations on your anniversary Donna! And what a lovely way to celebrate it. I love both your vases, but the first is my favourite, yellow and purple is one of my favourite colour combinations. Huge hugs xxx

    1. Thanks so much Janet…although it was my favorite too, the other vase lasted longer.

      I do appreciate all your support over the last few years!

  43. Hi Donna,

    Lovely vases, and I really must give Agastache a go some time…. I’ve had my eye on it for years but I always hear it isn’t fully hardy in the UK… Am I willing to try it anyway? After all, neither is Verbena Bonariensis, but it always seems to survive unless it’s really, extremely hard winter and even then I can guarantee seedlings will pop up in various spots for me to replace any losses.

    I’m surprised your sea oats are still green? I thought they would’ve begun to brown by now? Interesting, and definitely welcome at this time of the year.

    Congrats on your blogaversary! Time really does fly by – I’ve no idea how long mine has been running…

    1. Thanks Liz…Interesting that this particular agastache may not be quite cold hardy for you…we have very cold winters and it comes through splendidly…it is a native plant for me too. Definitely try it.

      Yes even with the cool down recently we have little foliage change…everything is green too with all our rain.

  45. Your bouquets are just glorious. I think they’re your best yet. :o) Don’t include me in the give away. I have loads of garden books and none of those work for me. I’d rather someone else have them.

  47. Congratulations on four years. I remember when I started in November 2010 that you were one of the established bloggers, that’s how new blogging was. Beautiful flower arrangements, I never get around to cutting my flowers. I think the drawing is over but please don’t enter me. Here’s to another four.

    1. Wow Carolyn that brings back memories. I appreciate all the support you have given my blog and me over these last 4 years…here’s to many more!

  48. Wow, those purples and yellows are stunning and your collage with them just satisfied every need for color I have! I loved them. What fun colors. My garden is waning in the flower department, but yours seems to be putting on a show!

  49. Pingback: Last of Summer’s Blooms | Gardens Eye View

  50. Donna, I am behind, so please accept these belated blogaversary wishes. I love all those yellow flowers of late summer, perfect for a celebration.

    1. Oh thank you Jean. It is amazing how busy we are once we retire. So glad you could stop by and glad you enjoyed the blooms and vases.

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