I HUGGED CHRIS OLSEN AT THE FLOWER SHOW IN LITTLE ROCK!!!

OMG, I'm in heaven!! I got to hug Arkansas famous landscaper, Chris Olsen, owner of Horticare in Little Rock. He stars on a Little Rock TV station, THV, giving advice on how to pick plants, how to grow plants, when to prune, etc. I've been watching him for years, wishing to get closer. And today I DID!!! I got proof even! My friend Gail took a picture of us!

The flower show was awesome! We spent all day in Little Rock, arriving about 8 a.m. and leaving about 6 p.m. We heard guest speakers talk on various subjects, but the Chris Olsen segment was the absolute best. While other speakers were somewhat stilted, boring, etc., Chris was his usual charming, comical self. He talked about container planting and was often seen breaking off pieces of plants and tossing them to the audience. It is obvious he LOVES plants. Like me, he believes if you can see mulch, you don't have enough plants in there. Also like me, he's not a big fan of white. He believes if you're going to plant something, you should plant something with color (and white isn't a color. LOL). Like me, he wants bold, zesty, unusual plants with lots various leaf patterns and colors, various sizes and textures. In essence, he wants a little of everything in his gardens. And did I mention, I got to hug Chris Olsen?

They had some beautiful flowers on exhibits and many had won various places in the flower contest. They had beautiful artwork, hand painted canvases, ironwork, and crafts. We saw fabulous birdhouses, windchimes, garden art, and landscaping as well. I'll post pictures later. We were so busy trying to see everything on the three floors of the building, and we were both worn out by the end of the day. But did I mention that I got to hug Mr. Chris Olsen??

We also bought a few things--couldn't help ourselves. I got 5 cast iron butterflies for $1 each. And I got a new variegated (gold and green) lamium (forgot the name) and from Chris Olsen, I bought some Nerine Lilies, something I've been searching for, as well as a red penstemon I'd been wanting. And as it turns out, Chris doesn't have the Husker Red penstemon or a purple Penstemon which I have, so I'll soon surprise him with a division of each, which one his employees told me he'd been wanting. It's the least I can do since I'm still tingling from that wonderful hug!

Another highlight of the day was a trip to Olive Garden. Don't know if y'all have one where you are, but it's a delightful upscale Italian restaurant. Gail was given a gift card to the place, so she treated me to lunch. OMG, I'd never been before, but I'll certainly be begging to go back. The salad alone was fantastic. The dressing they make themselves (and sell at the restaurant) is some sort of zesty italian and so divine!! They brought out this huge bowl of salad and I told Gail that the two of us could not possibly eat all that! But guess what, we DID!!!

Then the lasagna was awesome with the garlic breadsticks. We were so stuffed!!! And there was that dessert menu and who can resist a Chocolate Lasagna Cake or a Chocolate Tie Pie? Not us!!! Ladies, we were both members of the "clean plate society." Then we were so stuffed we could barely move! I know I weighed a good 10 or 15 pounds more when I hugged Chris Olsen!

I'd never been to a flower show before and now I see what I've been missing. Today was one of the best days I've had in quite some time. It was just awesome!! So much to see and do. And I'll never wash my left side again, as that's the side that was pressed up against my idol and plant hero, Chris Olsen! The man is even more impressive (at over 6 ft tall) and vivacious in person than he is on TV.

Next month, my other idol, P. Allen Smith, will be in Little Rock and Gail and I have discussed attending. Gail gave me a beautiful picket fence picture frame that will hold two pictures--one with Chris and me, and hopefully the other side will hold one of Allen and me. We'll see....

Hope y'all enjoyed yourselves today. But I know you didn't have as much fun as I did because I hugged Chris Olsen today, did I tell ya?

NancyAnn

that is so much fun to see up close people we think highly of for years, up close .
sounds like a day I would have enjoyed.

So, did you have any luck getting any where close to Chris Olsen today, NancyAnn? *giggle*

Sounds like an absolutely fantastic day!!!

Donna, who's grinning from ear-to-ear

This message was edited Feb 26, 2005 9:43 PM

It was sooooo cool, y'all!! Chris has a magnetic charm. People just flocked to him after his discussion.

Next on the agenda is to see P. Allen Smith. Do y'all watch him on TV? He'll be in Little Rock next month and Gail and I plan to go if I'm feeling up to it. Gotta get a hug from that man too, ya know!

Hey Donna, did I tell ya? I hugged Chris Olsen!!! LOL

NancyAnn