On December 6, the Feast of St. Nicholas, I will celebrate my Fourth Blogaverary! It wasn’t an ideal time to start a garden blog, but I had just learned about blogs and ‘met’ Kathy at Cold Climate Gardening, Carol at May Dreams Gardens and all the Ranters at Garden Rant. I was lucky to meet such stars early on because they have taught me so much and continue to inspiremme. I even got to meet them all at at the last two Garden Blogger Flings.
And of course the greatest gift I gave to myself that December 6th, was the opportunity to meet so many knowledgeable gardeners from all over the country. They all have something to teach me, new ideas, new perspectives and new resources. I thank the entire community of garden bloggers for their generosity in sharing with me – and with all their readers.
This year Timber Press and I are celebrating by offering a Giveaway – Debra Lee Baldwin’s new and fabulous book, Succulent Container Gardens: Design Eye Catching Displays with 350 Easy Care Plants. Debra opened up a whole new world of succulents to me – which is wonderful because these easy care plants may be the only houseplants I can keep going for more than a year or two. While I have a large jade tree, orchid cactus and Christmas cactus, I am now ready to create what people in my area call a ‘dish garden’, a container planted with a variety of succulents. I never knew there were so many, and that you could fit so many into a beautifully photographed book. Plant porn!
Besides design ideas, and ways of thinking about design, Debra gives information about some of the most interesting and unusual succulents, and basic care information. This informative and inspiring book could be yours. Just leave a comment on this post by December 6 at midnight. On December 7 I will draw a name at random and will announce the winner. If you wanted to leave a sentence or two about your experience with a succulent that would be wonderful, but all you have to do is leave a comment saying you want this book.
IN ADDITION I will include a copy of my own book, The Roses at the End of the Road which was only the barest seed of an idea when I began my blog. These essays are not about How To grow roses, but how I live among the roses in my rural community. My husband provided the charming illustrations.
I have been having a wonderful time signing my book at local events, and will be reading and signing at Boswell’s Books in Shelburne Falls on December 4 at 2 pm, and signing at Tower Square in Springfield right next to the festival of Trees on December 6 – my blogoversary! I even got to show off many of my roses when I gave a talk at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, focusing on disease resistant roses.
Leave a comment and enter the Giveaway!
Congratulations on your Four Years!
My Mother had a green thumb and could grow just anything! But for me to grow stuff, I have to read books and magazines, frequently visit the County Extension Service office, seek help from other garden bloggers, and dredge up her advice from my memory.
I would love to win these books!
Lea
Happy Blogoversary, Pat! It seems a lot of us started in 2007. Congratulations on creating a great space here.
Happy Blogoversary! And many more to come. Congratulations on your book’s success. I would dearly love to have either of the books so generously gifted, should my name be drawn. Both roses and succulents are at the top of my most favored list. (Most of my succulent gardens are in pots so I can move them to cooler locations in the harsh summer heat.)
Happy December!
Lea – I learn so much from the people around me, but books are vital to my education and pleasure.
Mary – You are such a good friend to me and my blog. And the book. Thank you!
Sandy – You’ve already got succulents in pots so you will love this book.
debra lee baldwin really put the cool in succulent growing with her books, didn’t she? they are so gorgeous and inspiring. congratulations on your blog anniversary — may you have many more!
Happy blogiversary, Pat! I’m happy to have met you at the Garden Bloggers Flings, and like you, I’ve learned so much from other bloggers and enjoyed new friendships made through blogging.
Daricia – You are right. Debra lee Baldwin’s books are totally cool.
Pam – Blogging brought me much more than I ever imagined.
Dear Pat, Happy blog anniversary! Hasn’t it been fun? I have some succulents in the house and they would tell you I could use a book on how to care for them especially Amy’s variegated Jade. I would also love to know more about your book! I had to do a little searching to find you since the link from your comment to your profile doesn’t list your blog address but I found it just the same.
Adding to the chorus of happy blogoversary greetings, with extra thanks for helping me learn the mysteries of the rose. As for succulent arranging… I’ll never be on D.L. Baldwin’s level, but that doesn’t stop me from trying.
I think this is great subject matter for a book. Containers probably hold water a little more than regular soil(not clay soil). It’s the opposite of what succulents want. The container in the cover photo is gorgeous!
Happy Blogoversary and i hope for more blog years to come. I started 1 yr later than you, but you are right, the people in gardening blogs are the best, most generous and helpful people.
Oh how i love to have the books, however, maybe you only give them to those in your country. How i wish i can attend your shows to get also a signed book! Thank you so much.
Happy Blogiversary, Pat! I feel very fortunate to count you as a friend and hope someday to see those roses at the end of the road for myself!
Happy Blogoversary, Pat. So glad I found Commonweeder. It is always delightful!
Congrats, Pat, on 4 years blogging and on your great book!
Happy Blogoversary Pat! Best wishes for happy blogging! I always enjoy reading your blogs.
Congratulations and thanks for providing us the enjoyment of your blog and your book!
Oooh “Plant Porn?” That alone would make me run out and buy this book!
Happy 4th Blo-give-rsary, Pat. You are the glue that keeps the gardeners in these parts together. Keep up the good work!
Congrats on your blogaversary. I have the container book already and I have asked my DB for your book for Christmas. I am so happy I came upon your blog some time ago. I enjoy all you write about. You always are entertaining and/or give me something to think about.
What a neat blog! We are loving our garden, of course not now at 38 degrees!
Congratulations on yur giveaway.
Patti
I was about to say I would far rather win your book – then I carried on reading and saw I could win both!
Congrats on 4 years of Garden Blogging! Wishing you many more happy years of blogging.
Dear Pat,
Thank you for visiting my blog, Points of the Rose. My garden would be better characterized as “Weeds, Acorns and Leaves” right now. I am so glad you left a comment….. I am faving you as this is a terrific place!
Congratulations on the anniversary of your gardening blog. Please include me in the list of “possible recipients” of your book and/or the succulents book. Even if I don’t win I will put your book on my wish list.
Jeanette
Congratulations on four years, Pat. Thank you for letting me know to pop on over. I am so glad you did because I have not been visiting too many blogs lately due to a seven day work schedule. The books are a wonderful gift and whomever the winner will be one lucky blogger. I think you were lucky to start blogging when you did. You did get to ‘meet’ some of the best bloggers around. I think I have only had two of your group ever stop in on my blog, so I can tell you had great help, since those blogs that you mentioned, I too was reading before I was blogging. The Fling in Buffalo was the reason I started blogging. I did meet some bloggers and they got me hooked. I wish I would have tried to meet more of the bloggers when they came to Buffalo, it really is a nice group of people.
Congratulations on 4 years of blogging! It’s wonderful to have folks like you with whom I can rejoice or commiserate re: gardens.
Happy Anniversary for your blog Pat! Thank you for all of your kind words of support over the years. Congratulations on four years and many many more to grow.
Hi, Pat — How wonderful that you’re giving away my book to celebrate, and my publisher is donating it!
I just ordered your book to be sent to my dear friend, ace gardener, fellow writer and former neighbor Maureen Moore, who moved to Shelburne Falls a few years ago. Her roses were amazing, and I know she’ll enjoy reading about yours!
Congratulations! Now that is an accomplishment! Those books both sound wonderful–whoever wins will be very fortunate. Cheers!
Did I miss the drawing? Thanks for this informative, inspiring and entertaining blog-place!
I would love to win a copy of your book. I enjoy your blog so much. I loved the blog about Harvard Forest.
Pat Congratulations on 4 years. I have really enjoyed reading your blog since I met you at Kates and I learned about your blog. Kate Gifted me with you book and I loved it!
Congratulations!
Hard to believe it’s been four years. I open your blog first thing each day when I go on the computer. It’s a joy to share your gardening world.
Congratulations on your blogaversary, Pat! I am so happy to have met you here–your posts are always fascinating, whether you’re discussing gardening or happenings in your community. Maybe one day we’ll get a chance to meet in person–I’m planning on going to Asheville, how about you? I’d love to have a copy of your book; a great way to celebrate four years!
Subscribing to your blog is one the the best things I’ve done this year. Thanks for offering a giveaway. Looks great!
Congratulations on four years, Pat! That is definitely an accomplishment! I’ve only been blogging for 4 months, and it has been so fun. Both the books look so interesting and great reads!
I am happy to join the celebration of your 4th Blogaversary, Pat, & wish you many more. Your blog is always interesting, informative & varied – & much appreciated.
Every day when I receive Commonweeder, it is like a Zen moment. The photos offer peace and beauty, helping to take away the stress of the day. Beauty for both eye and heart. Thank you!
Congratulations on your blogaversary!
Your flowers are awesome and the succulents are pretty too!I would love to win a free book!Judy