Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Belated Bloom Day and Big, Big Plans

Freesia bulbs (flowering indoors)
I missed celebrating Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day ~ though I guess that didn't really matter. Seeing as how we've experienced one of the coldest, rainiest springs on record.

The meadow across the way has morphed into a deep lake. A still, quiet place with no wildlife sounds. Which is a little unnerving. I mean... if the frogs are depressed with the weather just imagine how us land lubbers must feel??

I'm grateful for some color, indoors, during this cold, wet spring.
We've been having big fun in spite of the cold...

My darling daughter is getting married! We just returned from Willamette Valley, Oregon, where we were scoping out wedding venues.

They found the perfect spot ~ this place:

Vista Hills Winery, Willamette Valley, Oregon
It may not look like much in the photo but the inside is designed to feel as if you're outside and it's about as perfect as it could be.

Here's where things became all kismet and spine-tingling...

Wine Country Farm, Willamette Valley, Oregon
This is MY favorite spot in Willamette Valley.

Freesia bulbs flowering indoors
It's where I'm gonna live just as soon as I win the lottery. (And, it won't be long, now, 'cause I bought a powerball ticket at the airport.)

I suggested we stay there because I'd always wanted to show daughter L this special place.

The following morning, when we visited the wedding venue (they hadn't told me which places they were looking at,) we discovered their most favorite spot is walking distance ~ right down the road ~ from my favorite spot.

Isn't that wild??

PS! This is a picture of me right after they suggested I pay for this extravaganza....

* Bloom Day: I do have a few stalwart flowers shaking off the rain, snow, sleet and misery of this tough, tough month. But I'm so delighted with the Freesias blooming indoors that I wanted them to take center stage...

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

To me, the photo makes the venue appear just gorgeous. I don't recognize it, but a lot has gotten past me since we moved to Colorado from NW Oregon ten years ago. (Just make sure you hold enough back on those lotto winnings so that you can make regular trips to sunshine. Yep, you'll have to travel to see the sun!)

Liam said...

If there is one thing I love about spring is when all flowers are blooming. They inspire me to create new things and take more care of my plants.

Nancy said...

I hope your daughter will have a very special day and live happily ever after!

Janie said...

How exciting that your daughter is getting married. She's chosen a lovely venue.

D said...

Wedding at a winery sounds delightful! and it looks like a wonderful selection. Congratulations, mom... I hope they are a match made in heaven.
PS: laughing about your lottery ticket... I'm pulling for ya!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

It looks like a beautiful place to be getting married. Your indoor blooms are life saving at this point no doubt. I can see that you hadn't had enough wine to agree to pay for the "extravaganza". tee hee. It will be fun anyway no doubt.

KC said...

It will be beautiful there. So glad they found just the right spot.

Anonymous said...

Looks like a beautiful spot to have a wedding, Kate. The winery in Oregon is so gorgeous as well. Some of my favorite places to see are in California's wine country.

jan said...

Best wishes to the bride and groom! What excitement! Good luck on the lottery. I am counting on it to, but I understand that the odds are about the same, whether you buy a ticket, or not. Which is good, because I never get to buy a ticket. Apparently, we don't countenance that kind of wagering in this state...

Rose said...

Congratulations, Kate! And what a beautiful place for a wedding! It's such an exciting time watching your child take this big step. Youngest Daughter lives in Portland right now, and I've visited a few times--such a beautiful place, and no matter what they say about the rainy weather, it's been sunny almost every day I've been there. I offered to pay a small part of older Daughter's wedding--maybe I should go buy a Powerball ticket, too:)

Oh yes, your indoor blooms are lovely, but I do hope you get some warm sunshine, too.

Marguerite said...

congratulations to your daughter! the venue actually looks really lovely from the outside, if the inside is that much better it must be really special.

Grace said...

Your pictures ae awesome. I also love blooming time!

Lona said...

Oh how wonderful Kate! Congrats to the couple. What a wonderful place for the wedding. It will be beautiful. This silly spring makes it difficult to even plan anything outdoors so this will be the next best thing. I can see your really please at footing the bill. LOL!

Snowcatcher said...

Congrats to your daughter, and that does look like a slice of heaven.

I love indoor blooms. Weather and bugs and bunnies can't get to 'em!

Unknown said...

Congratulations! I have no idea where the venue is, but I wonder if it's near Amity Vineyards? One of my friends from the University of Dayton is the vineyard manager there, and some of the photos I've seen of that area are absolutely amazing.

By the way, we're FINALLY supposed to get some sunshine this weekend, after having rain for 16 of the last 19 days! Hope that you get the same... :)

debsgarden said...

I live very far from the Willamette Valley, but I have a son in Portland. We spent part of a vacation touring the wine country of the Willamette Valley, one of the prettiest places in the country, I am sure! When you win the lottery, I will stay with you on my next visit to see my son!

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Hi, Patricia;
In 'normal' weather years, I'd always visit Oregon in September, when I couldn't stand the dry, desert heat of my area a moment longer. But after this rainy spring I realize I could never live there all year 'round... It's far too gloomy for this desert rat.

Thx, Janie;
It's a pretty cool place.

Diana!
I thought about you while I was out there! Oregon is a gardener's heaven. Next time we should coordinate a coffee clatch!

LOL, Lisa;
It's a terrible photo but it just made me laugh all the harder. We had tons of good giggles on this trip!

Thx, KC;
Joan got mad at me when I told her we'd chosen a place down the road for L's wedding. Good stories for you the next time we get together...

Thx, Ramona;
I love the Napa valley area, too. I think it would be so wonderful to live in such an easy climate.

Jan ~ My powerball ticket did not win! :( Shock o' the world... Maybe I'll come play slots in your town. :D

Thx, Rose;
Yes, I remembered you had a daughter in the Portland area. Lucky you! Good excuse to visit that amazing Japanese garden they have there!!

Hi, Marguerite!
How are those seeds doing? I hope growing well. I'm sooo jealous of how easy things grow in places other than my own... :D

Thx, Lona :))
Your rose photos were the bright spot in my otherwise grey rainy day. I just can't get my head around how far behind the garden is this year! We've haven't progressed past Daffodils!

Hi, Snowcatcher!
I don't know what I'd do without that window full of flowers. I have about 200 daffodils flowering outdoors. And, they're all laying face down in the mud. :(((

Kim!
Can we go help with the harvest at Amity??? Let's get on it!! How very blog worthy! I've been to that vineyard, about 15 miles from the wedding venue. IF we can believe the weather dude the sign just might shine tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

Hi, Deb;
Portland would be a great escape from the heat and humidity of the south. Have you visited their botanical gardens? Quite spectacular...

Anna said...

I really love the pictures you've chosen to illustrate this post. THey help to communicate your mood. I really enjoy your post.

joey said...

Congratulations, Kate. All sounds grand ... a beautiful spot. Enjoy!

Melanie J Watts said...

Kate, I love your collection of indoor blooming plants. I too am finding solace in indoor plants since spring is taking so long this year. Best wishes for your daughter in her new married life.

Rainy Day Gardener said...

Looks like I found your blog at just the right moment~ I live in Oregon, grew up in the heart of the Willamette Valley. You can grow anything here, really. But funny enough, many folks tire of the rain here and want to move to SUNNY UTAH! The wedding venue looks absolutely perfect! Cheers, Jenni

Anonymous said...

Hi !!! Good job!
Wuzzap?

Jennifer@threedogsinagarden said...

Hi Kate, A wedding is such an exciting event. The venue you have discovered looks perfect. The final picture of you laughing away was the perfect funny ending to the post. I am not sure I will laugh or cry when my son finally gets married and I am stuck with the bill. Have a great weekend!!

Wally said...

Congratulations and Best Wishes to your daughter and her fiance! The venue looks wonderful.
I love your beautiful window garden, and the freesia close-up.

sweetbay said...

Congratulations to your daughter on her upcoming wedding! The place she's chosen looks beautiful.

I'm sorry to hear about the craptastic weather you're having this spring. Hopefully this summer will be glorious and make up for it.

Your indoor flowers are gorgeous.

Gloria Bonde said...

Hi Kate - How exciting, your daughter is getting married! She will be a beautiful bride and you will be a beautiful mother of the bride!

Marcela said...

I love blooming time. It's renewing and inspiring.

scottweberpdx said...

Glad you got to visit the WV...hope you had a great time!

Alan said...

I love these flowers!! They are awesome!!