Forced To Face My Fear

Yes, you read that right. This past weekend, I was forced to face a fear. This is a story with a happy ending…at least so far! ha-ha

We all have something in this world that intimidates us. Go on…admit it. I have. In fact I have openly admitted to you all several times this particular fear. It is an irrational fear…not based on anything except pure uneducated assumptions.

What am I afraid of?

Let me ask you how much you remember about me….

What is the ONLY plant in the whole list of tropicals that I have mentioned again and again that I find intimidating? I have said I think they are gorgeous…but very intimidating.

Yes…that’s right…ORCHIDS!

Stop laughing….right now! Here’s the story about the kick in the bum, that good old me got last weekend.

I was having kind of “one of those days” where nothing was going smoothly for me. If I wanted to pick it up…it dropped…if I wanted to clean it, I’d dirty it. I had been having one blonde moment after another…and was just so discouraged. I was simply not having a good day. I was about to give up and just go watch some t.v. when it happened.

The Doorbell rang.

Who the heck is coming to my door? I plunked my way across the floor to the front door and opened it carefully. I had seen the Fed Ex truck out front a few moments earlier, and remembered thinking that the people next door sure do get a lot of deliveries…BUT this time…the Fed Ex delivery was for me!

Upon opening the door…the woman dressed in a Fed Ex uniform looked at me and said “I am just making sure you are home…I have a HUGE box for you” and she walked away.

Now who on earth would send me something in a HUGE box? I had no idea what was happening…or how much I was going to grin when I saw it.

The box…it turns out… to my absolute delight was from ….none other than….COSTA FARMS! woooooo hooooo!

I signed for that big old box and slammed that door shut…grabbed the box and ran for the kitchen. I ripped open that puppy like a chocoholic rips into….. well you get the idea….

I see leaves!!!! Oh My! LEAVES!!! They sent me PLANTS!!!! Yippie…Yippie!!!! (happy dancing!!!!)

That is when I realized WHAT type of leaves I was looking at!

EEK!!!! They sent me 4 of the most beautiful Orchids I have ever seen! OYI! Now What! I am sure to kill them just by looking! Oh my! What am I going to do?

I’ll tell you what!…Tootsie is going to face her fear of the delicate Orchid and grow these babies like a pro!

I whipped out my gardening books…ignored all tweets and face book comments…didn’t move a muscle until I learned a few things about Orchids.

Turns out…they are not that hard! (or so they say) Costa Farms says they are EASY! They are not that delicate (ya right) AND they require very little attention! (I sure hope all of this is true!!!! lol)

The Orchid, it turns out, is a very diverse plant. To learn all that I have learned about these plants, visit the Costa Farms Orchids are Easy page and learn everything you will need to know!

Just click the Orchid logo below to go straight to that page!

I put my Orchid babies in the bathroom where they will stay until I find the exact perfect spot for them in my house. The light in there is bright but not harsh and there is plenty of humidity in there.

So….here I am …facing my fears…and loving these Orchids! Costa Farms sent me these wonderful plants, and I could not be happier! I wonder if they knew they were giving me a kick in the comfort zone and forcing me to branch out in my growing ambitions?

I am so thrilled that the wonderful people at Costa Farms not only have featured me this month over on their website as gardener of the month…

but that they were so thoughtful as to send me some plants! I never in a million years dreamed that anything like this would happen to me! THANK YOU COSTA FARMS!!!!

Not only did you make my day, but you forced me to learn something new about these wonderful plants, and moved me from intimidation…into determination!

Do you have a plant that intimidates you?

What Orchid Tips can you offer to this gardener?

Are you ready for this week’s Fertilizer Friday yet?

To learn more about Orchids from Melissa of Costa Farms, please join us in the Garden Chat Monday evening! To get all the details about this event, please refer to my sidebar and click the garden chat logo to go to the official page. I look forward to seeing you there!

Until next time…hugs and smiles, and happy gardening!

*)*)*)

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
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Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Feb. 4/11

Friday is a BIG day for us here at Tootsie Time…(ok, just me…there is no one else here…lol) It’s a big deal because it means it’s PARTY TIME!!!! Fertilizer Friday is the day of the week than an ELITE group of gardeners from all around the world get together, snap photos, link up and Flaunt Their Flowers!!!

Before we begin I feel that I need to re-state the pre-requisites for this little party. There isn’t that much, but it seems there has been some confusion amongst a few participants.

If you are new to Tootsie Time and Fertilizer Friday, I just know you are asking yourself…”How do I join?” Well…it’s easy really. Here’s all you need to know to become a part of this great group of gardeners, bloggers and friends:

If it is spring or summer where you live, you need to snap a few photos of what you have growing, blooming or just love to look at that is of the plant variety…if it is winter where you live, you may post past favorite photos…or indoor plants…whatever you like. The only criteria is that it is a plant or something growing!

You do not need to use fertilizer to participate in this party, but if you do, this is the reminder to fertilize weekly!

All I ask is that: Your post must include the logo above and/or a link to Tootise Time, or the linky will be deleted. I don’t mean to be harsh, but there have been a lot of people linking in and when the participants graciously click over to their blogs, there is no sign of Fertilizer Friday anywhere to be found. This is not fair to those who do follow the rules, therefore…well you know!

So? what are you waiting for? Get outside, feed, water, snap and post!

I have some good news to share this week!!!

AND….I can’t wait to plant them!

They included a free pair of gloves with my order...(as they should for the amount of money I just sent them! lol) I can't wait to use them to make a new flower bed or two this spring! *)

I guess you could say, that my flaunt today is of blooms of the future!

This has been a crazy week here in Alberta. We had some VERY cold weather again, but a 30+ degree jump brought us up warm enough to have some seriously great mud puddles to drive really fast in…hahaha (shh…don’t tell Grampie) lol

I am planning a big weekend of planting my little fingers to the bone…well not really, I am planning to plant the Geraniums. There are 220+… this will take me about an afternoon…good thing I got the pot pre-filled with soil!

Work, hockey and family life have kept this girl busy this week…lots of great things have been happening to make this girl smile ear to ear. My podcast with Bren went live…(you know that) AND I was chosen as gardener of the month over at Costa Farms..

(you know that too) What else?

Well….I am pleased to extend a formal invite to you all to attend the second annual SUPER SOW SUNDAY!

What????

Super Sow Sunday…is an event for gardeners who like to visit and share online. It is an online party hosted by my blogging partner Bren over at BGgarden. It is going to be a load of fun! You will learn lots about sowing seed, have the chance to win a lot of fantastic prizes….AND get to meet LOTS of other gardeners…and share with them! I do hope you will join…it is going to be so much fun! Let the boys watch the superbowl…we’re going to supersow! For more information stop by BGgarden and pick up the details!

So…that’s the news from Tootsie’s house for this week…How about you?

Get ready to snap some photos, post and link in to the linky below…I can’t hardly wait to see! Meet you at your place! haha

Until next time…hugs and smiles…wishes for a great weekend with friends and family to you all. Thank you for stopping by today and I can’t wait to see you Monday with the Giveaway announcement to show my appreciation for my followers! (yep…I’m almost done making it up!

*)*)*) to my special three…you know who you are!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
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(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

WHO ME??? REALLY??? FEATURED??? I AM HONORED BEYOND WORDS!

Those of you who know me know I am just a regular girl. I am a single mom of three kids, hockey mom, gardener, decorator...just a regular everyday person. I am just a girl with some seeds to sow, a greenhouse to grow and a love of all things with leaves.

BUT NOT FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY!!!!

Today I learned that I have been chosen as gardener of the month over at Costa Farms! The entire month of February is mine! woo hoo!

When I heard the news I actually got tears in my eyes! This is such a great big deal!!! This company is huge and they do so much for the community and share so much with gardeners!

I rushed right over there and saw the wonderful little write up they did about me, and the photos of my first greenhouse, and favorite photo of pots that I grew one season!

You can see it if you click the Costa Farms TMFG logo below:

What is Costa Farms? ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? They ARE the LEADING Tropical / houseplant providers in the USA. They located are in Miami and they ship EVERYWHERE!

Costa Farms is a third generation, family owned business that is world wide growing over 3500 acres and give employment to 2800 people!

They have several specialties to their company including indoor houseplant and bedding plant divisions, merchandising and transportation companies as part of its infrastructure, with operations in South Florida,North Carolina, and abroad in the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and Far East.

For me this is a huge honor! I am so excited to have been noticed by such a great company!

If you have not yet checked out their fantastic site…please do now. You won’t go away without learning at least one thing. The home page offers so many different topics, that I am sure even someone who doesn’t like to garden will find something to read and delight in! There is everything from garden tips, news, upcoming events, plant library, weather updates, resources for you to see what’s growing and how to grow them! I lurk there a lot!…and NOW I’M ON THERE! yea me! hee hee!

I am a houseplant fiend…and I enjoy the plant library, and all the rest that they have to offer!

Thank you Costa Farms, for making this Tootsie one happy girl!

What are you waiting for??? GO ! CHECK IT OUT NOW!!! you won’t be sorry you did! You can get to their website by clicking any of the photos...or you can click on their name. Ill see you over there! Have fun!

Until next time, hugs and smiles…and happy growing to you all!

(my seed order will be here this week some time…I hope!)

Stay tuned…I will be announcing that 500 follower celebration this week!

*)*)*)- you know I haven’t forgotten the three that love me! You know who you are and I know you are just SO happy for me! *) mwuah!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
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(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

It’s LIVE!!!! IT'S ME! IT'S LIVE!!! GO SEE!!!

Wanna hear MY VOICE????

My Canadian accent isn’t that bad!!! haha

Well you can hear me talk to BGgarden’s Bren by clicking the photo below!!!!

Publish Post

I was interviewed by Bren last weekend for a pod cast that she wanted to publish. She asks me all sorts of questions from personal to silly to gardening!

Head over and take a listen! Leave a comment and then let me know what you think!

I am so excited!

Let me tell you …I was soooo worried about doing this interview. I stressed and stressed all week just knowing I was going to be HEARD live and in person! I am a teensy bit relieved that I had a bit of a sore throat that day…I don’t sound quite so little! hahaha

Bren is a great girl, easy to talk to and a lot of fun…head over and take a listen and look at some of the pics she posted of me and my spaces!

Thanks Bren for asking me…and for all the fun we had making this pod cast!

Fertilizer Friday is almost here…are you ready????

Until next time…hugs and smiles! I can’t wait to hear what you thought of my interview!

*)*)*)…(don’t be shy…you can go there too!)

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
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Coming Soon…To a Canadian City Near You!

Extra! Extra!!! READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!!! Read it right here!!! Right now…and do not delay!!!

I have some big news about an event that will knock your garden gloves right off!!!

On April 15 2011, the Proven Winners Outdoor Living Extravaganza is coming to one lucky city in Canada this year…Toronto!!!

Those of you who live in that area, or are able to travel there will not be disappointed!!! Oh the show they are putting on this year!

It doesn’t get better than this event! Included in your registration will be opportunities to attend presentations by guest speakers, a wonderful lunch, giveaways, prizes and so much more! Proven winners offers the opportunity to see plants that are new for 2011 and some sneak peeks of 2012 varieties. There will be 2011 varieties there to buy which can be somewhat hard to find the first year on the market. How can you NOT attend this event!

Still unsure??? Check this out:

It gets better still!!! If you register by 2/15, the wonderful people at Proven Winners have given us a special promotion! When you register, simply put TOOTSIE TIME in the promo code and you will receive a FREE reusable Proven Winners bag at the event! These are great for use at your local farmer’s market or favorite garden center. You better act quickly though, as it is selling out FAST!

A link to more information is available at www.provenwinners.com . The cost to attend the event is $80 per person, and registration is now available online or by calling the main office at 1-877-865-5818. Seating is limited, so those interested will be best served by reserving a space early.

Here’s one participant comment from last year: “My husband and I were among the fortunate gardeners who attended the Outdoor Living Extravaganza in Chicago yesterday. Thank you, thank you, thank you for an inspiring, fun, and informational day. We've been serious gardeners for over 40 years and have never experienced a garden seminar that could even come close to the experience you provided. We hope this will become an annual event.”

How can you NOT want to attend! I know I want to go soooo bad! Unfortunately they are not coming to an ALBERTA city this year, but hopefully one of these years they will…hint hint!!! I would love to have the opportunity to go! Since I can’t go this year, I am asking you to go…and to come back and fill me in…DETAILS PEOPLE!!! I WANT ALL THE DETAILS! This Toots will be living vicariously through you, so make sure you take it all in, and tell me all about it! Maybe while you are there…you could drop a little bug in the Proven Winners people that Alberta NEEDS a garden show like this! You know what I mean…hint hint???

The photos in this post are those of the Proven Winners top 5 for this year…are they NOT beautiful? Everyone knows what Proven Winners brand is, they are in all the garden centers I visit. You will be so lucky as to see the previews and have a chance to purchase some right there, not to mention all the inspiration you will get from the displays!

I plant all my own seeds…but what plants that I cannot get seeds for…I always migrate directly to the Proven Winners label…the name speaks for itself.

Proven Winners…quality speaks in blooms!

Now…don’t just sit there….REGISTER!!

Have fun…and don’t forget to bring me all the juicy details!

Until time!!! Happy Gardening!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
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(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

Wanna Have a Little or BIG Chat?

Hey kids! I just had to post today to share a link to a great little chat that happens every week on Mondays!

Consider this your OFFICIAL INVITATION FROM TOOTSIE!!!

Check this out!

That’s right kids…Garden Chat!!! It is a good time! Get yourself a whole education, make some new garden friends and….even win a couple of giveaways!

I try to get to the Monday evening Chat as often as I can…BUT…if you miss some…you can always go and read the transcripts!

My Partner in crime Brenda of BGgarden is our illustrious host…and it is always a good hour spent! You remember me telling you that we run Growing 4 Seasons together? Well she does a lot of things on top of that! In fact...tomorrow Bren and I are doing a podcast! I am sooooo nervous! When it is on the air, I will put a link out so you guys can hear me babble! haha.

I have learned a few things, and made some great discoveries just by participating. If you don’t want to talk, you don’t have to…just sit and read the fun!

I hope to see you there next Monday evening!!! If you attend…tweet a big hello to me and I will certainly tweet you back!

Fertilizer Friday is just around the clock a ways…so get your posts ready…I am waiting to share your flowers…and we all know how good I am at waiting…lol

Until next time! Hugs!

*) *) *)…keep up the great work! hahaha (you know who you are!)

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
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(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.