Posted on by Donna

Celebrating With An Anniversary Vase

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”

~Oprah Winfrey

 

As Labor Day came and went, I was trying to process how I felt about retirement, and what I wanted to write about for my next post.  After all I worked for over 30 years, and every Tuesday after Labor Day it was back to work, to a job, a vocation that took up so much of my life.

And then as September 11th approached, I contemplated again about what to write.  Would the topic I chose be appropriate on such a solemn day that is still raw for me and so many of us.  But I decided to just go with my heart.  

 

 

So I am simply celebrating the anniversary of my blog with this little vase.  A special sunflower…one bloom so colorful.  And prominently placed on my altar next to a picture of my husband and me taken about 25 years ago.

It has been 7 years of blogging (or will be on the 13th)….hard to believe I am still longing to write.  I think it is more about connecting with all of you.  So here’s to year 8.  A very abundant number I am told.

I am joining Cathy@Rambling in the Garden for her wonderful In A Vase on Monday meme. The pictures shared here were created with my iPod Touch camera and two free apps, Pixlr and Prisma. 

 

A Couple of New Pages

Even though I have not written any posts in a couple of weeks, I have worked on a couple of new pages.  You can see these pages listed at the top of the blog or on the side bar.  I hope you will check them out.

I finally put together a Favorite Native Plants page listing native plants that I have profiled that grow in my garden.  I will continue to add to the list as I profile more native plants growing in my garden.  And there is the Blogger Interviews page.  You can read my interviews with bloggers whose work I enjoy.

 

I am posting poetry, almost weekly on Sundays, on my other blog, Living From Happiness.  You can read my latest poem here.

 

All original content is copyrighted and the sole property of Donna Donabella @ Gardens Eye View, 2010-2017.  Any reprints or use of content or photos is by permission only.

30 Replies to “Celebrating With An Anniversary Vase”

  1. only right to celebrate as you have moved on from work to retirement after some recovery from injury and a very deep grief for your aunt. I only ‘met you’ through Blotanical so it was a pleasure to check out some more interviews on that page as these were others I came across there – and two or three still keep in touch via the blog. By the way, love the photo of you and your husband – sunny picture to match the flower – so happy anniversary Donna and keep blogging

    1. How lovely that we can keep in touch with blogger friends we met through Blotanical….I hope to interview many more. And thank you for the good wishes my friend.

  2. Well done on your 7 years, Donna – I agree it is important to nurture new bloggers and help them along because it can be a confusing place out there and and not everyone can brave it on their own. Your solo sunflower is just perfect, and using one of your special effects makes it, well, special, and deservedly so!

  4. Happy blog anniversary, Donna! With the flurry of news events and other issues, it’s hard to strike the right balance on garden blog posts but sharing a beautiful image is never in poor taste. Best wishes as you re-focus post-retirement on what’s most important to you.

  6. Congratulations on your blogaversary! As someone who has been retired now for 10 years, take your time to find what you love and how you want to spend your time. I’ve found it’s easy to commit to too many things, especially volunteering because “I’m retired; I have time.” I plan to cut back on some activities this year so I can focus on what I really want to do.

    1. Thanks Rose for the advice….I have been retired for 3 years wondering what direction to take. But I think the direction I am going in is just fine. I was too busy when I worked so I promised myself I would slow down for a while. I haven’t volunteered for anything yet as I am taking my time now to enjoy each moment.

  7. Sunflowers shout joy. Happy anniversary on your blogging career. I’ve found retirement takes a lot of careful navigation, but a wonderful opportunity.

    1. I agree they do shout joy. Thanks for the advice about retirement Susie! I am finding that out about navigation and opportunity.

  11. Happy Anniversary Donna! Eight years! Time certainly goes by quickly (unless you’re working ha ha). I am glad you chose to go with your heart. It’s always the best choice. Beautiful sunny vase! I haven’t had much success growing sunflowers due to my growing ant population – they chew around the base of the stems and topple them like trees! I keep waiting for the beautiful Flickers to show up but so far no show. I hope you continue to write as I so enjoy reading your words, and those cool pictures you’ve been creating. I don’t write nearly as much as I used to but I feel something percolating soon. And painting IS something I wanted to devote more time to. I am glad you have more time for you, too!

    1. Oh thank you Kathy for such wonderful wishes and words. The mini sunflower in pots were all that grew due to weather and varmints stealing the seeds. I have Flickers but they can’t keep up with all the ants here. I am pleased you are painting so much as it inspires my creative soul to keep going. Keep following your heart!

  13. Oh many congratulations on those seven years of blogging Donna. It has been a pleasure to come across your blog and share some of those years with you. Lovely to see the smiles on your faces beaming out from behind that sunflower.

  14. Dear Donna: Happy Blogaversary! Wow, that’s wonderful! For some reason, your posts haven’t been showing up in my reading list, but maybe it’s just a matter of timing. So, I apologize for being late in stopping over. Your vases and images are so beautiful and creative! Going with the heart–always a good idea. 🙂

    1. Thanks Diana…it may take a while for the next one with everything happening in the next few months, but you never know!

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