It feels soooo marvy to get OFF of an airplane. To grab my bag from the noisy carousel. Turn my back on the rest of the sardines who were squished into the same plane as me...
Then, slide back into the familiar life I so gleefully abandoned two short weeks ago.
This time around, I vacationed with two of my best buds: Week one I traveled with my happy little horse. Week two I scooted off to Oregon with a Master Gardener who is simply gaga over Dahlias.
I'm particularly giddy over these perfect, little Poms:
For everything you've ever wanted to know about Dahlias, including how not to kill 'em, click here.
32 comments:
I tried Dahlias this year and yes they are fussy. Only three of the nine I planted came up. Planted them to deep or the cutworm had a meal. But they are very beautiful when they do flower. Love the pink pompom.
Welcome home! Love that first quote. Love, love, love it! And I wish I could quilt the dahlia pattern as perfectly as that final picture. Boy, those are some absolutely perfect petals!!!
Too hot and dry for me here in Central Texas but I know a man in Houston who has quite the garden full of dahlias. He brought a bouquet to work and I told him his wife must have a lovely garden. He quickly told me they were "his" dahlias. He was quite proud of them and rightfully so.
I think a garden tour vacation would be fabulous! Once, Dear Sis and I found ourselves with a half-day in London and decided to spend it at Kew Gardens. That was the highlight of the entire 9 days and 6 countries!
The dahlias are gorgeous!
I've never had much luck with dahlias, but these are spectacular! Maybe I ought to check out that link:)
Welcome back, Kate! I love traveling, but it's always nice to get home--it seems like everything looks fresh and new again when you return. And I'm not sure, but don't you think they're making seats on airplanes smaller and smaller?:)
I'm with ya, Garden of Threads;
Bored in the car, I read the do's and don'ts of Dahlia care and it looked like it's a full-time job keeping them pretty.
Thx, Snowcatcher!
It was a fun time + I found you a new and exciting single track biking trail. Which, my horse, the new mountain bike, seemed to thoroughly enjoy. :)
Hi, Tufa!
That's cute. I was surprised to see so many men at this Dahlia Festival with pen and paper in hand taking copious notes re: next season's tubers. For the 65+ crowd that might be better than eHarmony! :))
Hi, Jan!
Oooh, I'm jealous. I've always wanted to do a proper British garden tour!
Hi, Rose;
You HAVE TO GO to this festival next year, since it's only an hour from Portland! Make your daughter drive you! :))
PS: Yes, I'm quite certain those airplane seats get smaller every time I fly!
Hi Kate - so glad you had a great vacation! Beautiful blooms. We are feeling the cool hint of fall and I am thinking of changes in the garden. So many ideas so little time and muscle power :)
I am another who has never had any luck with dahlias...which is a shame since they are so pretty.
Hi Kate. Glad you were able to go on vacation and unwind. I love dahlias but have mixed results with some of them in different years of growing them. Those PomPoms are so pretty though!
Welcome back Kate! We've missed your cheery presence.
Like you, dahlias are too fussy for me but I sure do enjoy them in other people's gardens. We're also just a bit too cool in my garden to have them flower in a timely manner.
My Dad is obsessed with Dahlias and he gave me some that I promptly proceeded to kill.
I am hoping for a few more blooms from the remaining Dahlias I have before the frost does it's job on them.
Hope you had a good break.
Nice to have you back.
p.s. I will see what seeds I can come up with. If if freezes hard then probably not many this Fall. I still am crossing my fingers.
I don't grow dahlias or anything else I have to dig up to save. I do like looking at dahlias. I would grow them if I could leave them in the ground year round. I think the ones with those dinner plate sized blooms are amazing.
You can't beat them for dramatic color, but I don't like to bother with digging anything up to store over the winter! Fantastic photos! gail
wow those are super sonic! yes, i think that is exactly what a vacation should do...make us want to stay home all year.
Hey, Gloria!
Now that I'm back I must get the skinny on your Wall Street Journal debut. You rock star! :))
Hi, Caite;
Join the club. :D I think they're best viewed from afar... as in my neighbor's garden who has time to deal with their high maintenance ways.
Hi, Lona;
If I take the plunge it will be with the cute little poms. They are so darling!
Thank you, Jodi! Very sweet of you to say. :)
Hi, Rosey;
I'll send you some seeds later in the year, if interested. I always have tons. :)
I'm with you, Lisa. The idea of having to dig them out every year, strategically timed after the first killing frost, sounds like a pain in the you know where.
Hi, Shelle;
Home is where my heart is... at least for now anyway. :D
Oh my..how gorgeous ans dazzling! I used to plant them..they are pretty stunning..but havent in a few years..!Gorgeous post..welcome home..yay! Enjoy!
Thanks for always stopping by and adding sparkles to my day..! Cool about the new rocks you got..cant wait to see what you create with them!
yay!
Kiki~
Hi, Kiki!
You are always an inspiration. :)) I don't know what I'll do with them but I'm very excited to try something wild.
Welcome home ... stunning photos! September ((hugs))
I swear those dahlias in the last were beaming at me!And asking me, why the hell aren't you growing me? Time to rectify that.
Hi, Joey!
Happy September (am I allowed to say that? So sad to say bye-bye to summer.)
Sunita ~ I am green with envy over the passion fruits. You lucky gal...
A friend gave me some red pom pom dahlias several years ago. I overwinter them in vermiculite and plant them out when it is warm. Every now and again I throw water at them. On the whole I find them boring, not marvy at all :)
Hi, Melanie;
I'll bet that's because they aren't pink. :D
YAY dahlias and welcome home!
Thx, Monica! :)))
Oh, I think I may need to try growing Dahlias. Your pictures are what I needed to see to try. I hope you had a great vacation :-)
They are truly tempting, Noelle.
PS: I will now, and forever, giggle when I visit your blog. With visions of you and that chainsaw! :)
I have never tried Dahlias... and since this yard is wild & free, I think a dahlia would croak! I have tried in vain roses and no matter where I attempt to grow them, they never grow back, no matter how hard I baby them, ect. sigh..
I do love your photos tho! Faythe @GMT
Welcome Back!
Kate, Even though I've never been a big fan of dahlias, your photos prove that its a flower to be reckoned with. That first bicolor number is psychedelic (when was the last time I typed that word?).
I'm with you on returning home from a trip. It's the best feeling to know you're in your own nest again.
Where were those red rocks you ventured to, pray tell?
wow, FIELDS of dahlias! How pretty.
Hi Kate! I started growing dahlias after getting them from my friends. Couldn't resist a free stuff. They were doing great til the last winter, mild and wet. Many rhizoms which I left in the ground got rotten. So, I have just several dahlias this season. They are very short, but their blooms are still pretty! Your pictures are awesome!
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