Saturday, September 08, 2007

Meeting Blog Friends!

This was a fun day!
Ross and I had the great pleasure of meeting 2 blog friends on this muggy Saturday, which promised rain, and gave only a little.

I've corresponded with "Apple" of "The Apple Doesn't Fall Far from the Tree" (on the left), for over a year through our blogs, and have just recently "met" her sister, "Country Girl", who shares a blog with Apple called "My Sister's Garden".

A remarkable phenomenon about blogging is the feeling of friendship without having actually met.....so that when finally meeting face to face, we felt like old friends. The four of us had a nice lunch, with lots of good conversation, and plenty of laughter (if you want a good chuckle read Apple's post about bathroom follies encountered on her recent vacation), after which we took a tour of the gardens.
I've been wanting to thin some perennials, and the girls were happy to take some off my hands, so we set about digging, and loaded up Apple's car. It's such a pleasure to find a home for the plants so they don't end up on the compost heap.

Riley and Max kept us company and got under our feet. Max of course, got stepped on a few times :)
At one point I stuck the spading fork into the lawn and it fell over (because the soil is so dry), narrowly missing one of the twins lying a little to my right. Apple said "That must be Riley" (because he didn't get clobbered), and sure enough, it was :)
Posted by Picasa
My dear husband likes to rib me about being such a chatterbox. He tells me I "overtalk"...and I have to admit (sheepishly), in this instance, he's right. Poor Apple and CG probably went home with sore ears (sorry girls!). However, we did enjoy each other's company, and hopefully we'll meet again in the not-too-distant future. They've invited us to see their homes and gardens and I'm sure we'll head their way one of these days.
Meanwhile they'll be busy planting for a day or two. We're supposed to get some decent rain tomorrow afternoon and that's something to look forward to. It's hard to establish new plants in such dry conditions.
Thanks so much for coming girls!! We thoroughly enjoyed the visit :)

The flowers behind us in the 2 top photos (which some of you remarked about in the "Bailey" post) are called Golden Glow (Rudbeckia Laciniata -"Hortensia"), AKA "Outhouse Plant". Isn't that a great name? :) Can't you just see them beside an old outhouse?

They began blooming in early August and are coming to the end of their bloom time now, which you can see in the top photos. They're perennials and are very easy care, except for the need to have a bit of support to keep from flopping over. Posted by Picasa

They've been gorgeous with the Gloriosa Daisies (Rudbeckia Hirta) in front. Here you can see our outdoor wood furnace and wood pile in the background. Posted by Picasa

The cats like to climb on the rustic fence that Ross built last year to keep them upright. This is pretty Miss Cleo.

Max likes to keep his feet on the ground, which is definitely a good stategy for him :) His leg has healed very well, by the way. The only way I can tell the twin brothers apart is to look at Max's leg where he still has faint signs of his 3 (yes, 3!) accidents.



The afternoon light makes the Golden Glow really live up to its name.

You can see particularly well how it glows in the late sunshine in this photo. Some of it always manages to escape the fence and flop, but that just adds to its charm. Posted by Picasa

I'm sneaking in a few more kitty pictures. Here's Max, or Riley (?) having an afternoon snack.


And just to break up all the yellow, here's young Miss Fiona, having a bit of fun.


Pretty Madelaine is Jasmine's sister, and shy Jasper is Fiona's brother. Posted by Picasa

I'll say goodnight with another picture of the afternoon light. I love this time of day when everything seems to glow. No wonder the Scots call it "The Gloaming" - an apt name indeed. Posted by Picasa
I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!

38 comments:

Anonymous said...[Reply]

What fun to meet blogging friends. It sounds like a good time was had by all.

And I'm just nuts about that Golden Glow at the corner of the red barn.

Terri said...[Reply]

Aren't you lucky to have met some of your on-line friends! I have met so many lovely people since I started my blog. I think it would be wonderful to have a "get together" at some point.

Everytime I see pictures of your barn I miss my farm. Now if only you had goats I might be tempted to move in with you! LOL I like this house in the suburbs quite a lot, but the farm....well, it sort of stole my heart. I'm sure you know what I mean.

Happy Sunday!
Love,
Terri

Charley "Apple" Grabowski said...[Reply]

Thank you Kerri and Ross for a scrumptious lunch and a wonderful day. It was so much more fun to talk and laugh in person! I'm not sure where all of my new plants are going to go. You were so generous! I'm itching to get outside but the much needed rain is finally here. I hope both you and Country Girl get a good dose today too.

I'm really glad Max wasn't hurt when I stepped on him. Every time I stood in one spot for more than a second he'd plop right down between my feet. I so wish I could have brought him home with me.

Jo's-D-Eyes said...[Reply]

Hi My dear Kerri,
You made again my day with your beautifulflowers AND the people on your blog! I also like the cat everything!
The few times we met by blogging I MUST say that I love your blog and photography very very much so:

I awarded YOU/Your blog with the 'excellent photography n inspirational blog" award, go and pick it up from my blog and paste it on yours.

My congratulations !:)JoAnn

Susie said...[Reply]

Good morning Kerri!
How fun that you got to meet Apple and her sister! Someday I know that will happen and we'll meet in real life too!
Love all your pictures and your kitties are as cute as ever. I'm trying to get caught up after being away from blogging for a couple weeks. I'll email you when things get a bit more settled.
love and hugs!!
xoxo

Giddy said...[Reply]

How nice, to be able to meet some of your blogger friends face to face! Since I'm at the very northern end of the nation, I don't think I'll get to meet very many of them. But you never know! Your photos, as always are beautiful. I just love this golden time of year.

CountryGirl said...[Reply]

Thank you for such a nice day, the time flew! You and Ross are as fun in person as you are on the blog! It was wonderful to see your beautiful gardens and the kitties in person. I thought I was the one that stepped on Max but Apple too! Poor little guy. Max and Riley were so cute how they followed you everywhere and were never far from each other.

Chica, Cienna, and Cali said...[Reply]

I was expecting a post on the meet-up when i read your mail this morning :)
technology is really a great enabler....I am yet to meet up with any of my blogger friends but someday I'll love to. Hopefully once I am out of school and travel more ...:)

and i too love that part of the day the Scots call the gloaming.....nature seems to come alive during that time......and i love flowers with such beautiful names too....thankfully people used their imaginations when they named them :)

Have a great Sunday or whatever is left of it :)

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Very nice photography.

Diana LaMarre said...[Reply]

Kerri,

What fun to meet your blogging buddies! How far apart do you live?

Your Golden Glow flowers are just beautiful in that early evening light.

I bet your friends were very happy to be taking some of your flowers home with them.

Annie in Austin said...[Reply]

I just love the photo of the three of you together! What a wonderful post, Kerri, full of the golden glow of Outhouse plant and the golden glow of friends smiling together.

Some of we Austin garden bloggers have been lucky enough to meet in person, too, so we can imagine how giddy you all felt!

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

LostRoses said...[Reply]

Kerri, what fun for the three of you to meet! And it looks like you had lots of kitty company too. And everyone (kitties included) posed so nicely. That Golden Glow is fabulous, that photo should be framed!

Val said...[Reply]

Yes, that is exactly what I've felt when meeting blogger buddies. Just think: you've already learned so many things about the other person online, so face to face you can get into more interesting conversations with people straight away, rather than small talk. I'm so glad you've had that experience now too, Kerri. Just imagine, one day, if you came to Australia and we got together with Alice and a few others...

Anonymous said...[Reply]

How lucky you are to have been able to meet 'cyberspace' friends in person and to share plants! I have met one other blogger in person and it was a joy! There is a kinship felt that is just enhanced with the meeting! Love the 'Hortensia' and your 'gloaming' shot is gorgeous!

Alice said...[Reply]

What a thrill for you to finally meet your friends. As Val says, and you already realise, through blogging you've done all the introductions, etc. before you meet and then you can get straight down to the 'real stuff'. I know that when I eventually meet you I'll probably not even say "Hello" as we've done that a thousand times already.

Lovely photos. Yellow flowers are always so uplifting. That afternoon light has been well-captured. Sometimes I take dozens of photos trying to capture sunlight as I see it, but it's so elusive. Thank heavens for digital cameras.

Great photos of your 'other' family. Are you sure you and Ross weren't cats in another life and these are your extended family?

Jo's-D-Eyes said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri,
Thanks but no thanks, YOU made such a wonderfull blog, and great photography, so you deserve that award! You're very welcome.

You may copie/past the award on your blogside.

Great you met some blogfriends:)the good thing from blogging.

JoAnn:)

Cris said...[Reply]

Dear Kerri, you brighten my day with your flowers, I love the country life and coming here is so good. The Golden glow picture is wonderful! What a thrill to meet your blogger friends! Maybe one day it will be you and me! :-)

Christy Woolum said...[Reply]

How fun to meet some online friends. The photos of the cats,kittens,and flowers are outstanding! I hope you are ready for fall... it is right around the corner.

JunieRose2005 said...[Reply]

How wonderful you got together with 2 blogging friends! And it sounds as if you all had a great time >

I enjoyed this post very much...all your beautiful flowers and your cute kitties!


Take care,


Junie Rose

Tammy said...[Reply]

Must be the day for meeting bloggers as I've just came from Pea's and she met Nature Girl!
Happy days all around!!

As for the outhouse flowers, I had always heard that lilacs were planted round to cover the "ahem" stench...lol!

Love all the kitty and flower pictures and the last one of the autumn shadows was glorious!
:)

Unknown said...[Reply]

I love love LOVE that golden glow at the corner of the barn in the fading daylight. That has to make you smile every time you see it, no?

Madelaine is very pretty... I love Max's Mom's coloring, though.

Mountain Mama said...[Reply]

you got some really nice pictures. The yellow flowers behind the wooden fence is beautiful.
It looks like your kittie's actually posed for you. I hope you are saving your photos. They are keepers.

Carole Burant said...[Reply]

Hello dear Kerri:-) Why am I always late visiting you? lol Seems I'm always behind these day! Having just met a blogging friend for the first time yesterday, I can understand what a pleasure it was to meet up with Apple and her sister. I so enjoyed seeing the picture of you three together...isn't this world of blogging so much fun?!!! Now that I've met Nature Girl, I want to meet all my other blogging friends too! lol Loved the pictures of your flowers and kitties too, always wonderful to see:-) xoxo

Midlife Mom said...[Reply]

What a nice surprise to open your blog and see that you have met up with some of your blogging friends! It is amazing how so many of us feel like friends even though we've never met in person. Pea just met one of her blogging friends this week too.

As always your flowers are beautiful. We used to have Golden Glow on the farm. It used to get so tall and then the rain would make the blossoms fall over. You're right they need to be tied up and supported.

Love your cats, how many do you have? We have three and my Mom has one here. They are my next favorite animal next to horses. One of my cats Noodles thinks he is a dog and follows me out to the barn some days and rides in the Gator with me to empty the horse poop. He loves the horses and lets them sniff him all over but I worry that he might get stepped on so I shoo him away.

Reflection Through The Seasons said...[Reply]

Hello Kerri.....
Lucky you! how wonderful to actually meet up with your blogging friends, I know exactly what you mean about the feeling of friendship that exists. So pleased you all had a great day and you were able to share some of your plants, just like friendships, they will grow and flourish and be a constant reminder of your precious time together.

I always love to see pictures of your kitty cats. Max & Riley are so adorable, beautiful colouring. I do wish I could have another cat, but I just know that George would up and leave home. However, I am soon to become ‘Aunty’ to a new kitten that my brother and his wife are having next month. They are having a ‘Rag Doll’ kitten, I adore them, but that breed is quite unsuitable for us, like you, we have to have country cats. Have a great day - Marion

Rose said...[Reply]

I enjoyed the tour of your country garden too. I live in the South, where it has been especially hot and humid this year, and the garden has sort of went astray. When I look at your garden, it gives me hope!

Rose
http://gardeningforhealth.blogspot.com

Naturegirl said...[Reply]

Thaese photos were so excting to view!! Your autumn does glow in that one photo taken late afternoon!!
I adore seeing all your kitties don't know which is my fav. they all are I guess!

Now to meet a blogging friend in person a true JoY! I see it written all over your faces!! I recently met Pea and as you said we instantly felt at ease with one another. Her home was familiar to me and we had much to talk about!
Our meeting was short but we look forward to her visiting me as her son lives nearby!
hugs NG

Judypatooote said...[Reply]

I always thought it would be so neat to meet some of my blogging friends....you do feel as though you know them a little bit through blogging...Lucky You.....

Anita said...[Reply]

Your afternoon light pictures are wonderful, Kerri and I so much enjoy looking at your kittens when I pass by your blog!

Now nice that you have been able to meet a blogging friend!

I finally posted a photo of my white marigolds!

Have a wonderful Friday, Kerri!

Best wishes from Germany,
Anita

Jo's-D-Eyes said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri,
Your post is stil there so I might just say that its indeed very nice to meet blogfriends, I met GINNIE from Atlanta (see link on my blog) last week and that was very nice.

So I can say out of my own experience that meeting (though blogging) people is very great, we do already meet by our blogs right Kerrie? And we have enough in common. Bye enjoy.

Have a great weekend:)

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...[Reply]

That was great that you got to meet two bloggers (in person). And how lucky they were to get to thin out your garden of some of the excess plants...I'm sure they went home VERY HAPPY.

The kitties all look so content and happy. I always enjoy seeing all of your kittens.

If that outhouse flower is planted next to an outhouse, it probably grows to six or eight feet tall.hehehe

Robin's Nesting Place said...[Reply]

Sounds like you girls had fun! I love the pictures of the golden glow against the red. It is a lovely color combination.

Memories Catcher said...[Reply]

Beautiful cats.I like the photos a lot.Well done!

Linda said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri, I've been catching up on your posts and everything looks just glorious. This is the time of year I miss upstate NY - the fall. After that I am quite content to be here in Texas:)
How nice it was you got to meet some blogging friends.
Enjoy your beautiful weather. The kitties all look like they are having a wonderful time!

Marlene Depler said...[Reply]

It is so wonderful that you could meet some of your blogger friends! I would love to meet some of mine as well.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Helloo..Kerri..nice to meet you...I've put a link of your blog to mine..is it Ok..?

Vincent Baxter said...[Reply]

I love your photos, and couldn't help but notice the wood boiler in one of the picture. Do you use it often? My cousin has an outdoor wood furnace that he swears by, but I'm looking for more impressions before I get one for the winter.

Kerri said...[Reply]

@Vincent Baxter
Hi Vincent,
Thanks for visiting my blog. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos.
We use our outdoor wood furnace as our sole source of heat, so yes, we use it all winter, as well as spring and fall.
We've had our Taylor for 20 years now and have been extremely satisfied with it.
We heat our water with it as well, so we've saved quite a lot on electricity costs over the years.
If you'd like to ask more questions about it, please feel free to e-mail (you can find my e-mail address in my profile) so that I have a more direct way to get back to you.