SERENDIPITY. . . .

Serendipity is defined as unplanned moments bringing valuable or agreeable things not
planned on or sought after. . . . The phone rang on Thursday night and on the other end of the line was Amy Cox, inviting me to her outdoor garden event the next day.  She is so very talented and her mantra is teaching others how to slow down and appreciate what is on our plates, who grew it and who prepared it all under the umbrella of SLOW FOOD CHICAGO.   She is a great fan of farmer's markets, organic foods and home grown anything!! She believes that everyone should have a garden of full of vegetables.  Not having time or space for a vegetable garden is no excuse, she will even create a mini garden for you to attend to right in your own kitchen window or outside your back door. 

I left the house with great anticipation to finally see what Amy was all about.  She is in the same town as I am, but a mile or two away.   When I finally reached my destination, there stood Amy's home on a little bit of a hill with beautiful landscaping, flowers and garden elements of great character.  I had been invited early so I could be a part of the preparation and blog my heart away as all of her helpers were getting ready for her garden sale.

So inviting it was. . . . her front steps just seemed to beckon ~

The beautiful lavender lobelias, tubs of pansies and vines

A well established bed of Creeping Phlox ~

Healthy and sale ready. . . .

Much to my surprise stood a Master Gardener and an old friend, the Queen Bee

of sustainable foods, Trudi Temple and Amy.

Little herb gardens created by Amy.

A miniature garden of Endless Summer, some stones for texture,

and a collection of mosses.

Mixed greens and lettuces ready for the customer who says,

"but, I don't have time to plant vegetables"  GARDEN READY!

with directions to place mini garden in a sunny spot on back porch

and water when soil is dry! 

Zennias and Nasturtiums displayed with irresistability

 

    

Strawberry seedlings ready for sale comfortably sitting on

an old Jenny Lind bed turned bench!

Pots of bright Petunias tucked into the back garden~

As I looked around the yard, I spotted a Robins nest ~

Another miniature garden full of color and delight!

Salad ready and oh so green

Little bits of this and that. . .

Another path, another garden adventure....

More miniature gardens ready made for the condo dweller~

A kiss and a hug in the garden ~

While wondering this amazingly yummy garden, I asked

Trudi what this was. . . she picked a couple and handed a

leaf for me to taste. . . . it was delicious!  I had just eaten

French Sorrel.  Great for salads. . . . and now I am on

the search for French Sorrel.

Hostas, a birdhouse and a place to rest. . .

Amy's green house ~

AND  look what's for sale inside. . .

A true gardener owns a pair of these. . .

WELLIES

Handmade wrens nests. . . every garden should have one of

these placed in a tree.  Wrens eat the insects that could cause

problems in our gardens.  I wished I had bought one, but

plan to return and buy one for my garden.

It was time to go. . . Amy had asked Trudi for some of her books

to sell at the garden event.

As Trudi finished signing her book, I realized it was almost

time for Amy's garden event to begin ~

Amy thanked me for coming over and helping (all I did was clean

up a few things) was reunited with a dear friend, Trudi Temple,  and learned a little more about Amy and importance of creating sustainable gardens, no matter what the size.

 I had been filled with inspiration, friendship and joy. . . and I was able to

enjoy a beautiful Spring morning, enjoy the grounds of a sustainable gardener, photograph to my hearts content

AND

NOW TO SHARE IT WITH YOU!

MANY THANKS FOR THAT PHONE CALL AMY!