Is it possible, can it really be that a year has passed since my plane touched down in Austin, Texas, late on a Friday afternoon? When I realized that my delayed flight was going to make me late for dinner, I called Garden Bloggers' Spring Fling organizer Pam on her cell phone. She told me not to worry and assured me that everyone would still be at the restaurant. When I walked into the room, I was surprised at how it appeared that everyone already knew each other. The truth is, that they didn't, and from the moment I joined the group of bloggers assembled for the first Garden Bloggers' Spring Fling, it was fun times and continuous conversations, making strangers into instant friends. Melissa of Zanthan Gardens was my ride and de facto guide for most of the day Saturday. Touring the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center with so many other gardeners was awesome.
Even better was sitting in the shade on the back porch in a private garden, just hanging out with my new pals.
But the highlight of Spring Fling was the gathering at Pam's house. It is such a treat to see in person a garden one has read about and come to know. Pam's garden was quite a surprise, as it was much smaller than it appeared. Then there were the discussions of blogging that were so fascinating and touching. Connecting with other bloggers was such a special thing. I was so moved, I actually agreed to have Chicago host this year's Spring Fling.
Even better was sitting in the shade on the back porch in a private garden, just hanging out with my new pals.
But the highlight of Spring Fling was the gathering at Pam's house. It is such a treat to see in person a garden one has read about and come to know. Pam's garden was quite a surprise, as it was much smaller than it appeared. Then there were the discussions of blogging that were so fascinating and touching. Connecting with other bloggers was such a special thing. I was so moved, I actually agreed to have Chicago host this year's Spring Fling.For those of you planning to attend this year's Spring Fling in Chicago, I have a word of advice: please learn from my mistake last year and be sure to bring an extra picture card for your camera. I ran out of room on mine and had to miss out on some great photo opportunities. I've already got my spare card in my camera bag. I'm looking forward to being reunited with friends from last year's Spring Fling, and to meeting friends for the first time. If any of you want to visit my garden, Squirrelhaven, please contact me and we'll make arrangements. And for those of you not coming to Spring Fling, if you are ever in the Chicago area with time to spare, you are always welcome to come visit me at Squirrelhaven.
26 comments:
I can't wait to get to Chicago and meet everyone that attends this year. You bet I want to see your garden MrMcD.
Sweet post, but you didn't mention that Bill from Prairie Point and I were your car buddies. Sheesh! I'm just kiddin'. Hope you know that.~~Dee
Remember you and I were car buddies late on Saturday? Good times!
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
It would be so great to come to a spring fling, but it's not in the cards this year. Maybe next ~ I hope you have a wonderful time at this year's spring fling!
I'm looking forward to seeing you again and to touring Squirrelhaven! I know it will be another Fling to remember!!!!!
Sounds like fond memories of a wonderful time together MMD.
Hope Chicago and future Flings can do justice to the tradition begun in Austin last year.
I'm very much looking forward to meeting everyone and as I emailed you earlier, would like to visit your garden! Cheers!
It was a great time. I'm glad I went and got to meet you.
Hi MMD, fond memories of a year gone by so quickly. We do look forward to seeing you and your garden and all the other garden bloggers who are attending in Chicago. Don't forget extra batteries too!
Frances
What a wonderful weekend it was!Thanks for the memories. (Sorry, no lyrics intended).
MMD, Sign me up! I can't wait to see your wildflowers...we have to compare Phlox pilosas! Then there is that green fence you painted...it must be seen! Battery chargers for those with rechargeable batters! I can't wait to see you! I remember when you arrived...suitcase in tow!
Gail
I'm pea green with envy! Perhaps another year I'll be able to join you. :) I can't wait to see all your photos.
MMD your retrospective was great. I hope to see your garden! I am so looking forward to Chicago and a group encounter!
It was great in Austin, but it was all too short for me. I'm glad I have alloted for time in Chicago. I hope a lot of it will be spent getting to know my fellow gardeners and bloggers better.
It was wonderful last year, and I'm looking forward to seeing you and so many others this year in Chicago. I'd love to see your garden if we can manage it.
I am so enjoying these anniversary posts about Spring Fling in Austin! Thanks for the memories, MMD, and for helping to bring Spring Fling to Chicago this year. I was so excited when you said yes, even if it was under the influence of Texas martinis. ;-)
Sounds like it was a memorable trip for all of you. Wish I could attend this year, but unfortunately due to family obligations I'll have to enjoy it from the many posts afterwards. If I'm ever in the Chicago area I would love to visit your beautiful garden. :)
Lisa - I'm looking forward to meeting you & Thelma & Louise, I mean Rose & Beckie. It's going to be great fun.
Dee - I hope I never forget the lively discussion in the car among 4 of us about misguided American attempts at topiary.
Carol - we were? ;^D We really rocked Austin!
Kate - I hope you can make Spring Fling next year then. It's a great way to spend a weekend.
Cindy - I'm sure it will be.
Garden Girl - me too!
Monica - I can't wait to meet you too.
Kathy - I feel the same. It's too bad you are not able to make it this year. Hopefully we can both attend next year.
Frances - extra batteries, right! I can just see running out in the middle of something. Thanks for that reminder. See you soon!
MA - song lyrics are fine with me. It was a fabulous time.
Gail - I sure hope PPPP 'Eco Little Traveler' will be putting a show then.
Nancy Bond - I hope you can go next year. It would be great to meet you.
Layanee - it will be so great to finally meet you! Let's all keep our fingers crossed for good weather so your flight is not delayed.
EAL - I'm looking forward to having more time to hang out with everybody.
Nancy - I'm looking forward to seeing you & your husband too!
Pam - thanks for coming up with Spring Fling & being such a great host!
PG - just let me know if you're ever in town. I'll make a frantic effort to get all the balls, bats, golfclubs, etc. off the lawn.
Very nice of you to offer! I am not planning to come to Spring Fling, but if I get up there you can bet I'll be emailing you. I think you and the other Chicago bloggers have done a great job of organizing this event and it will be great fun for everyone.
Hard to believe it has already been a year. Spring Fling exceeded all my expectations. All the bloggers were just wonderful people. Not to mention the gardens! I'll bet this year's will be fantastic too.
Hi MMD,
I'm oh so close, yet oh so far and really wish I could make it to the big event. Unfortunately, I can't get time off from work and general finances just won't allow it this year. *waahhh* (I'm not even going to tell Hanna about this because I'm sure she'd want to go too!)
I'd love to meet all these wonderful bloggers who I don't know yet and trade stories ... so guess I'll just have to go vicariously through the posts.
Good advice about the memory cards for cameras ... you might want to check Amazon because they have become ridiculously cheap these days. I got a 2 GB card a year ago for less than $10, and last I checked some were even cheaper now! Just a thought in case you have one of the smaller capacity ones... and yes, by all means, chargers and lots of rechargeable batteries! The only way to go ....
Oh I love your name! I loved reading Pete Rabbit stories to my reception class some years ago.
Tina - I have a vision of Tennessee hosting Spring Fling in a couple of years...
Bill - I don't think I had any expectations last year to exceed, but it was a great time.
IVG - thanks for the tip, I'll have a look. I'm sorry you can't make it, but like I said, if you're ever in Chicago, come on by. (You can even bring Hanna, the girl thinks she's very cute.)
Hi, Mrs. Nesbitt, thanks for visiting! I think "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" was the first gardening book I ever read.
I really enjoyed meeting you and having you as a passenger in my car while driving around Austin. I loved how organized you were--I gravitate toward people who have plans and back-up plans.
I was really looking forward to seeing you again on your home turf at this year's Chicago Spring Fling. Unfortunately it is the same week as another travel commitment and I'm so disappointed that I won't be able to go. I feel left out of all of this year's garden blogger hubbub.
I hope there will be a lot of blog posts to share what I'll miss.
MMD, I might also add one more piece of advice: carry an extra battery for the camera as well! Experience talking. I'm not sure I'm registered to be a part of Spring Fling... perhaps I can yet make it? If not, I thank you for your invitation to visit you personally. :-)
MSS - I wish you were coming to Chicago too! Wait til next year.
Shady - whenever you can make it here, come on by.
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