Posted on by Donna

A Gardener, a Blog Anniversary and a Giveaway

” Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them but I can look up and see their beauty believe in them and try to follow where they lead. “

~Louisa May Alcott

 

My goodness it has been awhile since I last wrote a blog post…..2 months to be exact.  I had intended to post again in September, but life has a way of taking us by the hand and leading us where we must go.  At least it has been that way for me of late.  I even missed my Blog Anniversary.  It was 8 years ago, September 13th, that I started this blog.  I cannot believe it myself.  And I do fully intend to keep blogging. In fact I have missed it greatly.  And thank you to all who left comments on my last post.  I was unable to reply, but fully intend to soon.

 

 

I only started back in my garden about 2 weeks ago and have weeded the front beds which are greatly overgrown  We also took down the veg gardens as we had our first frost and freeze.  And we planted garlic and mulched the veg beds.  Once I finish up the front gardens, I will work slowly through the 2 side gardens.

As I said in my last post, I have too much garden and not enough me to take care of them anymore.  But before winter hits, I need to get some order and control of the beds that can be easily seen from the road.  The tangled mess of the back gardens will wait.

I am not sure how much time I have left before winter will start (we saw our first snow flakes yesterday).  And we can see significant accumulating snow as early as late October.  I am holding out for winter to start in December to give me another month to work outside.  And yes I am taking it easy as my body will revolt if I don’t. 

In upcoming posts, I promise to show you what happened in the garden this past summer and my progress this fall.  I will have more blogger interviews too….look for one next Monday.  And as I figure them out, I will show you my plans for reducing the gardens to make them more manageable for this aging gardener. 

 

 

One thing I did do all summer and fall was to continue making vases.  I have joined in with Cathy@Rambling in the Garden for her wonderful meme, In A Vase on Monday, for several years.  It is a great way for me to stay connected to my garden even when I cannot work in it.  

 

 

I love cutting fresh flowers and bringing them indoors.  This sweet vase is simply zinnia, marigolds and a morning glory I had growing from seed in my containers and beds.

 

 

A perfect vase for a simple fall display.  As always, the pictures shared here were created with my iPod Touch camera and two free apps, Pixlr and Prisma.

 

Now let’s get to the giveaway……

 

As I wrote in my last blog post,  I was contacted by the Four Roses Bourbon Company to help get the word out about their new anniversary rose, developed by Jackson Perkins, and appropriately named, Four Roses® Anniversary Rose. They are celebrating their 130th Anniversary which is quite a legacy, and quite a story. You can read more about the rose here. 

 

 

I received my complimentary rose a couple of weeks ago, and have it heeled in waiting for spring and a very special place in my garden.  I needed more time for garden clean up, and finding just the right spot for the rose as it will grow to 4 feet by 4 feet.   I think I may be able to put it in a prominent place in my front garden once I remove a few more overgrown plants/bushes.  

The Four Roses Bourbon Company has also allowed me to giveaway one rose to a lucky winner drawn at random.  The rose is hardy to zones 4-10.  All you have to do is leave a comment here on the blog….or leave a reply on my Facebook or Instagram page about this giveaway.  Unfortunately this giveaway is only open to US residents (except Hawaii because of restrictions).  I will announce the winner on this post, FB and IG.  Once I have your contact info, Jackson and Perkins will be contacted to send you the free rose at the proper time for planting in your zone, which is likely to be next spring.

Good Luck!!  The giveaway closes Thursday October 25th at 5pm EST.

 

All original content is copyrighted and the sole property of Donna Donabella @ Gardens Eye View, 2010-2018.  Any reprints or use of content or photos is by permission only.

50 Replies to “A Gardener, a Blog Anniversary and a Giveaway”

  1. I can sympathize with being sidetracked despite all the best intentions. Love your vase pictures.

  2. Good to have you back, Donna! I certainly understand how easy it is to get away from blogging for awhile. I’m glad you are back in the garden again, and good luck on getting all your projects finished before winter sets in. I’m hoping, too, for good weather to hold for awhile, especially since my bulb order was late, and I have way too many to plant in a few days! The rose looks beautiful; good luck to all the entrants!

    1. Thanks Rose…..good luck on your planting. That is a hard job as it gets colder. Keeping my fingers crossed for both of us!

  3. I’ve missed your posts and am delighted that you’re back! Hope all is well in your world. Happy 8th blog anniversary! Fingers crossed that winter will hold off so that you can play in the garden through December!

  4. I don’t have enough light to grow roses so leave me out of the drawing. But I love your vase (art as well) and the way that morning glory just glows. Wasn’t that snow a nasty surprise. I am hoping for another month as well to get the garden to bed and to rake and chop weeds for some winter mulch.

  5. So great to hear from you again Donna! Please listen to your body and let the garden go if you have to. I know what too much garden is like and rather than reduce mine, I sold it. I’m starting a new one here in FL with all the lessons I’ve learned in mind. Funny, you are working against the threat of snow and I am waiting for things to cool down! I am excited to hear about your garden and future plans.

    1. I am definitely listening to my body Kathy…..can’t wait to make some new gardens out of old ones here. Enjoy your new gardens.

  7. While I was pleased to discover you on Instagram when I finally broke down and created an account, I’m glad to see you pop up again with your blog, Donna. A belated happy blogging anniversary! Best wishes in reining in your garden before winter arrives too.

  8. Lovely to see you posting again.
    I hear you on too much garden and not enough me as well. I tend to work myself to a (painful) standstill. My most recent post shows some of the extent of the garden. Which badly needs weeding. And pruning. And mulching. And…
    A different approach is needed.
    Love your vase, and what a lucky recipient the winner of the giveaway will be.

  9. For some reason the pictures were not visible when I visited but I will try again later. Sorry I can’t join in your giveaway 😉 Good to hear from you again and know that ou are still doing what you can to balance your life both in and out of your garden

  11. Hi Donna, welcome back! Glad to hear you’re feeling better and back in the garden and blogging. Love all the vases and artwork featured here. Happy Blog Anniversary! And thanks for the giveaway. I’m feeling lucky!

  12. Congratulations on the 8th blogaversary!

    I am tidying back winter’s exuberance – as we lurch straight into extreme summer heat wave. The hottest day of the year today but it’s not quite summer yet.

  13. Happy blog anniversary and welcome back! i am glad to hear you are feeling at least a bit better. I do love your art and seeing your vases. Do you know if the rose would grow in a container ok? if so, I would like to enter the drawing and if not please do no include me as i am in an apartment.

    Wishes for continued healing

  18. I always love your photos, Donna. You do a nice job with those apps.
    I, too, have to cut back because of health issues (and age). I’ve already eliminated my Iris bed (it wasn’t getting enough sun anyway). Now I just need to try to keep my existing beds cleaned out. It doesn’t look like I’ll be finishing them up this fall because its already gotten cold and wet, and we know the snows will follow. Oh, well, there’s always next spring.

    1. I do love playing with those apps Sue and am happy you enjoy the results. I am just trying to finish one front bed but it rained all week pretty much so hoping for this coming week. Then it will be just a few things here and there until the white stuff flies….there is always next spring. Take care of yourself!

  20. I am so glad to have found your blog. Your flowers have such beautiful, rich colors, I can hardly tell if they are real or art. Would love to enjoy this rose in my backyard where I plan to do some “sprucing up” next year.

  21. I haven’t posted for a while either so I very much relate to life happening. Glad you are back to sharing your garden and thoughts. I had a garden club tour Southern Meadows so I had to get out and do some serious weeding and tidying up neglected areas. Love the fall inspired vase. I prefer simply arrangements where one can really appreciate the individual flowers.

    1. Do you ever get a break Karin….with your weather it seems your garden is always growing. Glad you enjoyed the vases.

  24. Oh many congratulations on those eight years of blogging Donna and here’s to many more! I look forward to reading more about your plans as I too have too much garden and not as much as energy as I once had.I will keep my fingers crossed for you that winter is late arriving.

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