May Event on Whidbey

Gwen, I will need directions to both Carole's and your places because I will probably get there around 11:30 - 12:30, depending on what time I manage to leave. I am coming!

Sharon and Julie, I so wished to meet the two of you, but family things are important, especially for your family right now.

Looking forward to it!

Carole and I are really looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday. We have a number of surprises planned. The first surprise will take place at Meerkerk and will require 3 small wearable/usable backpacks, which unfortunately we do not own. So we're hoping some of you coming may have some. Please let us know if you're able to bring a small backpack. (Not a fanny pack.)

I can bring a backpack.

Great! Thank you.

I have a backpack. Looking forward to meeting all.

Thanks, Spring!

We are so bummed that we are not going to be able to make this trip after all, especially since there are several people coming that we haven't had the chance to meet yet. Unfortunately, with holidays etc. this month, it was the only day that we could coordinate everyone in the family for Grandma's memorial ceremony.

Have a great time, and like I told Gwen when I e-mailed her about having to back out.... lots of pictures please!

Does anyone want to carpool it from the Mukilteo ferry or anywhere north of there? I'm in North Lakewood / Smokey Point.

Thistledown - I am coming from the Stanwood area, meeting up with Springcolor in Lake Stevens. I could swing by and pick you up on the way for a 3-some carpool. Would that work? I'll send you a d-mail to get directions, etc.

What is the weather supposed to be like up there tomorrow?

It's supposed to be gorgeous! But dress in layers.

Portland, what route are you taking? We could met up and carpool part of the way. I could meet you on I-5. You could even spend the night and go home Monday.

Lynn, that is so very sweet of you, but I am not sure about when I will be leaving, since I have to take my dog to my daughter's house. She has developed an infection of some sort, which the vet said may be related to the pit bull attack that happened a while ago. Though I don't understand that connection. She has been such a healthy happy dog. She is not feeling well and is sleeping a lot, and needs medication several times throughout the day. I need to be at the vet's office bright and early on Monday morning so I'm coming back to Portland on Sunday night. Thank you so much for the kind offer - maybe next time! I'm excited to meet everyone!

Anyone want some Darmera? Comfrey? Anemone, the tall pink one?

Bring them - I'm sure they'll find good homes!

Gwen, Best wishes your way for a great day tomorrow. Would love to meet all the new ones in your group.

Looking forward to coming tomorrow! I'm bringing a few seedlings in case they can find homes. I don't know if we'll be there in time for Meerkerk Gardens, but for sure we'll be there in time for Carole's house.

Gwen, thank you for hosting such a wonderful day. Your home is so warm and cozy and your garden is lovely. The lunch was delicious. I enjoyed meeting all of you so much! What a treat it was for a city dweller like me to spend the day in the country.

Gwen, thank you for all your organizing and keeping us as 'on track' as possible. Meerkek was fabulous, and it was lovely to visit both your home and Carole's. Best was meeting everyone and putting a face to the names. Wonderful day.

Thank you Gwen and Carole for a lovely day. It was so enjoyable, and such cute bathrooms!

Thank you everyone for the plants I brought home. I am going to try to get outside and plant them today or tomorrow.

Meeting new people was one of the many highlights of the day.
Rachie, you are just glowing with new life!

I will post pictures later tonight.

Glad it was a glorious day. I was thinking of you. Looking forward to pics later.

I'm still basking in the joy of having spent time with some of the DGers from the PNW!!! Wish more could have been involved - there WILL be other times! My daughter had a great time as well.

Gwen, you are definitely the ultimate hostess - your table was just beautiful and you were incredibly organized, especially considering all the prom corsages and bouts you'd been creating!! Thanks for doing everything.

Here we started the day with a sparkly surprise from Gwen at Meerkerk Gardens. Linda, Rachel, and her dad are looking on. No, Rachel did not imbibe, hers was straight OJ. Cheers!

Deb (Bonehead), Julia (Springcolor), Linda (Thistledownfarm), Rachel (Rachierabbit), and her Dad Gary (Barnbuilder).
Let's get this party started.

Our very knowledgeable (and chatty) tour guide with Linda looking on.
The rhodies are absolutely gorgeous.

Here is one of Carole's (Murmur) many lovely gardens.

Carole had so many birds at her feeders.

One of her feathered friends posing for us.

Pictures!!!! Yeah!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS RACHIE!!!!! You are looking great. When is the baby due? I am so sorry to have missed your baby shower, but I hope to stop by sometime to give you and baby my gift.

Million dollar view from Carole's deck.

Julia, Linda, Deb and Carole are yukking it up.

Strolling through Carole's gardens.

It is such a gorgeous day.
Carole's daughter and Rachel's mom, and Gwen.
Sorry, I forgot your names. I am embarrassed.

Rachel, Linda and Melissa sharing a few thoughts.

Here is the last picture of the night. This is the coolest mirror ever, Carole.
Hint: enlarge the picture to fully appreciate it. Enjoy.

Tomorrow night is the rest of the party at Gwen's picturesque home.

There's a little story to the mirror . . . my late husband, Steve, used to always say "nice a__" when I walked by. When he passed away, I told my cousin Susie (the incredible mosaic artist) that I was really going to miss that. So she made this for me - makes me smile every time I see it!

Thanks for the pictures, Lynn!

It did occur to me today that not one eagle, osprey, hawk, or heron flew over my house while you were all here! A day never goes by that I don't at last see a few eagles. Wish they had come around.

Carole, thanks for sharing your story with us. I didn't feel it was appropriate for me to share such a personal story with the whole world. But I did tell the group at the party when I showed them the picture of your mirror. It just makes the mirror more enchanting.

Not true, Carole!! I saw a beautiful red tailed hawk soaring above your house, crows on its tail. It was a glorious sight! I think you were busy with the group in the front yard and didn't notice.
I, too, loved the mirror. That's a great story!

I am very, very proud to say that I have every one of the plants I received planted in the garden. They never even made it to the pot ghetto. I am completely impressed with myself! LOL! Word to the group: Deb and Julia trade excellent plants. We're in trouble here. They came prepared!

Melissa, glad you at least saw a hawk!

And you got your plants in the ground???!!! Mine haven't even made it to the ghetto, however, I did at least water them!!!