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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

The Road Led North

Perhaps you remember that the former plant mobile was hit by another car in early November. The car was declared a total loss.  Fortunately, no one was hurt.   It was the other driver's fault but unfortunately the driver was uninsured.  Fortunately, my insurance covers being hit by an uninsured driver but doesn't cover the cost of a rental car which is the responsibility of the other driver.  Fortunately, we have the twenty-year old truck that I was able to use for a time.  I'm not a vehicle person and only once was attracted to a car, the former plant-mobile, a model no longer made.  Early last week, I got a new car, a useful vehicle but not something with which I have an emotional connection.  The weekend past was the first opportunity to take the new car on a nursery field trip.

This summer, when I visited the stunning home and garden of garden blogging pal, Emily, she gave me a wad of Swanson's Nursery Holiday Dollars, earned during certain times of the year but redeemable only during November and December.  Emily said that she'd never remember to redeem them. What a kind and generous gift!
Let's see, a car in need of a first nursery field trip and money to burn at a Seattle nursery.  The road led north!

This summer, I'd admired some cool dinosaur planters at Swanson's but thought them a bit too pricey.
However, at half price, they wouldn't be bad at all.  I wondered if they might still be there. 

Swanson's was in the midst of their "Reindeer Festival" and was crowded with jolly families selecting cut trees and ornaments of all sorts.


Some seaons, the ornaments speak to me but this year, I was more interested in seeing what was outside.

This nursery always has beautifully done potted arrangements.

This huge mossy dinosaur was the indoor centerpiece of the display this summer.  He's moved outside to make way for the holiday displays.  Aren't you glad you didn't have to move him?



I'm sorry/grateful that I didn't pick up this lovely Lavendula allardii 'Meerlo'.  Sorry that I don't have it but grateful not to have another pot ghetto inhabitant looking for a place in my garden.

Anthuriums  have beautiful color but have never really appealed to me except as cut flowers in certain arrangements.

Hey, look what I found, the dinosaurs and a head planter to boot.  These will be the basis of  my holiday table this year.
Next stop: Sky Nursery.

24 comments:

  1. Had I known you were at Swanson's I would have stopped by to say hello, buy you a cup of coffee... Love that dinosaur. I wish all that moss came out of my lawn :-)
    I can't wait to see your themed holiday decorations this year!

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    1. I thought of you as I passed your garden and wondered if you'd be there. It would be lovely to see you again and I promise to call next time I go to Swanson's!

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  2. What, no photo of the new plantmobile? I know you said you don't have an emotional connection, but your readers are curious. I'm so jealous of your Emily windfall. I have a few Watson's holiday dollars that I need to get over there and spend. I like that variegated lavender, I wonder how robust it is. I never made it to Swanson's at all this year and I'm kind of bummed.

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    1. Must remember to take a picture. It's a Hyundai (like the old plant mobile) but a different model, an Elantra which needs a name. I'm thinking of Edna, Ellie May, Ethel, Elaine, Elijah... something like that.

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  3. "dinosaurs and a head planter to boot...these will be the basis of my holiday table this year"...Words only you could say and be serious. Congrats on having wheels again, I'm so sorry you lost the original plantmobile.

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    1. Some years are all out, decorations a go-go and others are smaller scale affairs. There are a couple of live poinsettias sitting around and my glass tree collection that stays out all year but that's about it for decorations this year (so far.) It's nice to have dependable wheels again and since this was the third accident that the former plant mobile protected me from, it was time to let it rest. Still, I'll see one in traffic and feel drawn to it. Do you ever miss your Beetle?

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  4. Those dino planters are pretty fab -- just remember to plant something feathery in them for authenticity!

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    1. Was that an interesting story or what? (The piece of amber with the fossil in it.)

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  5. That will be some pretty cool holiday decor at your place. We will need photos of course.

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    1. I will certainly post photos as soon as I throw something together!

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  6. Wow, lucky you to have such a nice friend. Love this place and your choices have to be one of a kind for a holiday present.

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    1. It was very kind and quite a surprise for Emily to give me such a gift!

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  7. I agree with Loree! That sentence stopped me in my tracks. Can't wait to see what you do.

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  8. I love the dinosaur planters! I'm sorry you and your replacement vehicle haven't bonded but it's nice to know that you're still able to get to all your favorite haunts without the Plantmobile taking control.

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    1. Oh, I think that Elaine (trying out that name) has a mind of her own when it comes to nursery auto-pilot but, since we're in a new relationship, we're both on our best behavior.

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  9. I've decided your former plantmobile was an Element, and your new plantmobile perhaps a more mundane CRV. I will never forget my one and only visit to Swansons-the only garden center I've ever been to that requires parking lot logistic staff. Mr Swanson(or his progeny) must be laughing all the way to the bank. And they have actual customer service too !

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    1. The old plant mobile was a 2005 Hyundai Sonata. For some reason, I liked the way that car looked and sought one out. Because of my musical background, the name was also appealing. The new vehicle is also a Hyundai because the last one served me so well, but is an Elantra which I liked better than the newer Sonatas. Swanson's is pretty special.

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  10. I will be very curious to see that dinosaur holiday table.
    We skipped Swanson's on out holiday field trip this year, but we did get to Sky.

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  11. You bought the coolest stuff. Good finds!

    I am wondering--how ever did they get that moss dinosaur outside--fork lift?

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    1. Glad you liked the planters! Next time I'm at Swanson's I'll ask about how they moved that huge beast.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.