Anne is our lovely guide this week, and she really made me think…a long time before deciding.
Let’s begin with the beginning…My grandmother is the person I owe maybe most of my interests to, and I loved her dearly. She worked hard on the land all her life, and she taught me everything about making things grow, and how to handle geraniums to make them thrive. I still have all her geraniums in my house, since 1988 when she left us. She loved everything living and loved to see me loving it too. I still miss her.
Anne made me think about the many things that have enriched my life. Nature, students, children, travel, art, painting, dogs and cats – and of course photography. Photography and blogging that have brought me so many friends from all over the world. You.
I could have picked any of these… but, what is here with me every day, making my life shine, making me useful? My plants!
Many of them comes from cuttings and seeds taken home and abroad, plants from faraway countries, from friends – living or long since gone. That is an important thing to me. Every time I water them or prune them or just look at them – I remember the friend who gave that plant to me. My plants are living memories keeping their former owner alive.
They are also my ”children” and I love watching them grow. It is about the same feeling with real children and students – making them thrive and grow makes me feel good. And whole.
My garden project is to make it a haven for flowers (especially wild flowers), plants, pollinators and birds. And my little hedgehog… Never is my smile bigger than when I see him walking around at dusk, drinking some water or poking his nose in the ground for a caterpillar or two.
These garden pictures are of course from another season, but I decided to take all the indoor photos yesterday – which means there are none of grandmothers’ geraniums as they are not flowering until April, May. But there are many others. (Text in the photos.)
Indoors I have more than 200 plants, and it takes a week every year to repot them. I usually do that in February – so they will make a good start when the sun goes higher in the sky.
I used to grow a lot of orchids, but have turned more into other species of interest, like Begonias, Hoya, Hibiscus and cacti. The ”bubbly” Begonia (begonia masoniana river) below the white Camellia is my newest and most rare one. Keeping flowers for their patterns is fun, dried flowers too. Of course I love to grow edible sprouts for the winter as well! And my granddaughter loves to see them grow that fast…
Upstairs is crammed with plants during winter when they have to reside indoors. I use special lamps to give them more hours of daylight, but I haven´t always used any extra light. I was surprised to see the difference though, and from now on my plants will have a better start the next Spring.
What has enriched and/or changed your life? That is your challenge this week. Please share with us your joys and passion of a hobby or life experience that helped you find your life’s passion! Remember to tag with Lens-Artists at Anne’s original post.
We really enjoyed your posts in response to John’s Pick A Word challenge last week. What a variety! Next week Ritva will present the challenge, so look for her post.
In the meantime, stay safe and live in gratitude!
Leya 
Exquisite blooming gardens and precious memories that preserve on the wonder of life and beauty through the generations. 💜
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Wow Ann-Christine, I get what you mean about your plants, though I’m very late coming to them. My grandmother and mother have always loved their gardens. Yours looks so beautiful, thank you so much for sharing it with us all.
Thank you, Leanne. I am not a gardener, but I love plants and try my best to take care of them. Happy to hear about your mother and grandmother and their love of their gardens too!
I’m having trouble seeing posts and leaving comments this morning! What I do see is lovely though!
Thank you!
You have beautiful collection of plants , Ann-Christine. Such joy they bring.
Thank you, Rupali!
I admire your success in keeping the pelargoniums from your grandmother, I assume you take regular cuttings of the plants? Your love of nature is very clear to see in all your photographs. And I agree with you that plants given to you become living memories.
Thank you, Jude – the same goes for you and your garden! You are a real gardener, and I am only a plant lover and good at indoor plants. I take cuttings every year, of almost all of my plants. I always have two of the ones I find most precious, and I give away many too. I managed to take cuttings and make new roses grow as well. That was fantastic – never thought it would work that easily! Do you share plants, or give away some too?
I do take cuttings, too many! I have grown some for my daughter’s garden including rose cuttings. And I think you are definitely a gardener. You have many lovely plants that you care for.
Thank you , you are very kind, Jude. I am lazy outdoors though…Good for your daughter having you as a gardener too!
Beautiful gallery and story, Ann-Christine. I am always grateful for the people who share their love for gardening. I always look forward to visiting botanical gardens in my travels.
I have to say that giving me a plant is not a good idea… in fact, it’s most likely a death sentence for the plant. I’ve learned to politely decline. >grin<
Good to know, John…I will not ask you to water my flowers when I am on the road! Glad to hear you appreciate botanical gardens!
What a lovely place to live, Ann-Christine, full of wonderful, inspiring plants. And memories too.
Thank you, Sofia. Living things that were alive when my friends were alive too. Sometimes I feel their souls are in them…they were tended to by them and touched by their fingers and hands. Messages running throuch their veins.
Now that is a lovely thought ❤
Lovely post, AC- I I am always impressed by your green fingers! Your grandmother would surely be very proud of the way you look after all your plants. And I love the way the plants remind you of people from your past. Marvellous!
Thank you, Sue. I find it very rewarding and to think they are living things, and were there when my old friends were alive too. Perspective! My oldest hibiscus belonged to my husband’s grandmother from the 1960’s.
From the 1960s!
A lifetime commitment and such a wonderful tribute to your grandmother. You must be one busy lady, Ann Christine.
Thank you, Tracy – they make me remember her every day. And yes…very much to do with all of these. It’s difficult to travel because hardly anyone wants to water all my plants for a week or two. Especially not in Summer…
I can imagine!
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I remember when your glass house was built Ann-Christine, and just look at it now!!! Your focus on and talent for and commitment to growing and caring for these beautiful plants is incredible. Kudos to you for your love and care for all living things.
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My goodness, what a lot you pack into your busy life. Your love of plants shows through in so many of your posts: and your love of life!
♥ Much to do – but yes, I love it.
What a wonderland of plants, Ann-Christine! It’s a full time job! They all look so very healthy and loved. I get a warm feeling just looking xx
Thank you so much, Jo – and yes, it’s a full time job to keep them thriving…I don’t have many friends who want to water them when I am traveling…but my son does.
Gardening must be such a rewarding way to spend time. All my life I’ve been around people who are good at it, and I enjoy the benefit of their efforts.
Good! I admit I am not that good at outdoor gardening, but I try. My indoor plants are easier to take good care of.
What an amazing passion you have. I think it’s wonderful that you have so many good memories associated with your plants!
Thank you, Nora! That way I remember my old friends more often!
Many folks went with gardening as their go-to hobby, Anne-Christine. Your photos are gorgeous of all those plants! I wrote much of the same idea as yours, gardening and taking pictures of the blooms and growth. You really have a green thumb! Your grandmother would be proud 👏
Thank you, Terri – I think she would!
A wondrous uplifting post Ann-Christine 😀
Plants do take up a lot of life but their pleasure is rewarding. I am so glad I don’t have to move mine inside over winter.
I love my Begonias too.
It was good to ”that tree” is still in your yard. It was so many years ago you told of the tragedy of the tree.
Thank you for remembering, Brian! And I too am happy you don’t have to move all yours inside!
What a wonderful garden, Ann-Christine! You have the world at your disposal right under your roof. Do the plants upstairs ever make it out to the yard? If yes, I hope someone helps move them.
Yes, they do – and my husband helps me with the heaviest ones. They are wonderful, but sooo much to do…
What a wonderful collection of plants, Ann-Christine. And the fact that they bring you such joy and wonderful memories is a plus.
Thank you, Anne – I left photography to you and so many others!
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Wow! That is a lot of plants to tend Ann-Christine. And I share your view of enjoying them as connections to people and memories.
Thank you, glad you understand! Much work though…