Sunday, October 23

October: Big News, Little Blooms (GBBD)

Hard to believe that I took these photos more than a week ago already... and yet the garden looks so different now, just 7 days later. Cold weather and chilly evenings have started to take their toll, but all of what you see in these next few photos is still in bloom:

Blue caryopteris and 'Black & Blue' salvia provide a nice habitat for George the Giraffe

When backlit, the flower spikes of 'Hameln' pennisetum positively glow

Acapulco agastache is a reliable late-season bloomer for me... if only it still looked this vibrant!

A larger (re)bloom on my African daisy (Gazania) 

Cool-toned Russian sage flowers separate the self-sown 'Lady in Red' salvia, front, and 'Hopi Red Dye' amaranth

VERY late this year: First blooms on the pineapple sage

Cool+Wet=Reblooming 'Sweet Kate' spiderwort

A surprise rebloom on my (unnamed, but probably Jackmanii) clematis

Last but not least, the big news: Steve and I are engaged!  We had gone ring shopping together more than a month ago, but I was still very surprised.  I wasn't sure which ring he had ultimately chosen out of the 2 or 3 antique rings I liked best... and I definitely had no clue that he had already spoken to my parents to ask for their blessing.  I didn't quite comprehend when he dropped down on one knee on the beach and reached into his pocket during an afternoon walk at a beachfront park... but, luckily, I recovered in sufficient time to stammer out a "Yes!" and a huge smile.  Needless to say, we are both very excited!!!

Not nearly as excited is this old girl... can't you tell? Sister knows that once we get married and Steve moves in, she's going to have to endure his torture... but secretly, I think that they both enjoy running each other around the backyard, chasing the little yellow tennis ball and tugging at sticks. And, although he doth protest with a, "Really, dog?" here and there, Steve scratches Coco's belly readily enough when she rolls over at his feet and presents it. 
So I'm thinking that they will be just fine.  :)

12 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Oh Coco, you lucky dog. You will soon have a Daddy. Congrats Kim I can't wait to hear all the excitement leading up to big day. Your garden will be happy to have another human in its midst.

Unknown said...

Thanks, Lisa! We're both very excited... and as soon as we have the church and the reception place nailed down (hopefully this week) I'll feel a whole lot better. It's a little stressful planning a wedding for... oh... 9-10 months from now! (YIKES)

Craig @ Ellis Hollow said...

Congrats! 'Married off' my daughter this August. Exciting? Yes. A little stressful? Yes. Priceless? Yes. Great memories were made.

Sissy said...

Congratulations, Kim! How exciting!! I must admit I scrolled down to the end of the post, wondering what the big news is! You are a great gal and deserve a lifetime of happiness!
Oh, and Coco, too!

growingagardenindavis said...

Congratulations! I am finally catching up on some posts and am so happy to get such a great surprise. Your blooms are certainly nice...love that pennisetum...but your news is the best thing!

Gail said...

Congrats to you both~Maybe I should say to all three of you. What an exciting many moths this will be! Keep us up to date~gail

Unknown said...

Craig, I loved the photos you shared of your daughter's wedding this summer! We don't have such an awesome venue for ours, unfortunately... but I hope that we are able to make it as wonderful and personal in our own way. :)

Thanks, Sissy! (And Coco says thanks, too. Or at least, she says, "Wroo wroo!" which I pretty much take any way I see fit! ;)

Leslie, I agree that the news is the best thing in the post. :-D We're both so very excited... I wish it would hurry up and get here already so we could begin our married life! Ah well... in due time...

Thank you, Gail! It sure will be exciting... and frustrating... and stressful... and ridiculously happy. Probably all at once. lol. I will definitely be posting updates!

Stratoz said...

Congrats! May you have much fun planning out the big day. Just had breakfast with young folk who had their rehearsal dinner at a diner, because they "love the diner." We were in Oregon when we got married and ended up having a potluck reception. It was a hoot.

Layanee said...

Kim, while the garden looks beautiful even with a seven day spread, that news is eclipsed by your engagement. All the best to you.

joey said...

Congratulations, dear Kim. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness :)

kris at Blithewold said...

Congratulations!! All happiness to you and Steve and Coco!

Colleen Vanderlinden said...

Oh my gosh. How did I miss this post?? Huge congrats to you and Steve! I'm so happy for you (and for Coco, too!) :-)

Post a Comment

One of my favorite things about blogging is the interaction--posts are often simply the beginning of an interesting conversation! So thanks for taking the time to join the discussion, and please know that I enjoy reading each and every comment left here. I try to answer as many as I can.