Saturday, February 23, 2013

Last week's Flower and Garden Show

My friend Judy and I arrived about 10:30am on Wednesday at the Flower and Garden Show in Seattle and walked into an alternate universe. The theme this year is "Hollywood," and the amazing flower display as we walked in the front door had a little flower Toto, and this very modern Tin Man, complete with shades and a flower pot in his hand. (My Toto picture wasn't very good.)
There were exceptionally beautiful floral displays inside the front door that won several prizes. Although I tried to get some good pictures of the different displays, this picture showing several different ones in a row is the best I could do. I tried so hard to find a way to get each one, but to no avail. This picture evokes the feeling of abundance: flowers galore.
About a half hour after we arrived, Linda and her husband Tom found me! She wrote about it on her blog on Thursday while I was out hiking. Her pictures are simply incredible, and I'm linking them here so you can appreciate them. You will see what I mean. She also posted another blog yesterday about the flower show market, and I have to say she saw things I didn't even notice! Of course, she and Tom got there first thing in the morning and stayed until the end. We were with a group and were limited to just a bit more than four hours, which was enough for me.
The first flowers we saw after we entered the main display room were orchids of every size and shape. This one looks like an alien, I think. It was so perfect that it doesn't even look real to me, but it is. We walked through admiring many different varieties, and I saw this one, with a sign that says, "Orchademy Award for Best Production."
Like I said, the theme for this year's show is "Hollywood," and this fits right in with tomorrow's Academy Award show. These orchids are one of my favorite colors, a pinkish magenta delight. Then we proceeded to the show gardens. These are displays that have a theme and are judged. I'm providing a link to the show gardens, but the photo galleries are from previous years, as this show will not be over until tomorrow. (Hint: Linda's post above has many really good pictures of them.) Here's the best one I was able to get of Frodo's house.
I love the walkway leading up to the round door. We couldn't actually do more than admire from a distance; Frodo was away for the day, I guess. Too many visitors for a simple Hobbit to entertain. This next one has a bunch of chairs and popcorn for people to watch the movies. I loved the feeling of this sunny spot, filled with summer flowers.
In the foreground, there is a short description of the lighting display, how it was made to look so bright and cheerful. I believe this garden is called "Backyard Box Office." However, I could be wrong, as there were some others that could have fit the description.
After perusing the gardens, we went to the other side where plants and vendors display their wares in a market setting. I was especially taken by these rocks, which have been covered with lots of bling. If they had not cost an arm and a leg (not to mention being a bit on the heavy side), I would have bought one. Pretty expensive doorstops. Linda has covered much of this side of things in her post here.

I spent a fair amount of money and didn't buy a single flower! I bought goat cheese, a lavender-filled teddy bear, honey, and something called "water beads." When I get them properly plump, I'll post a picture. All in all, we had a great day! I've attended every year since I arrived in this part of the country, and I expect to be there next year, too. You never know what fine people you might find there.
:-)

28 comments:

  1. orchids usually look like aliens to me. :) beautiful aliens, though.

    cool displays with a neat theme.

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  2. I don't think I would have left...ever.
    What a beautiful display of flowers, Jan. I'm glad the theme was Hollywood...a wonderful combination to allow creative displays of the flowers.
    I knew that when you put your photos on your blog that I would be in heaven when I saw them. I am.
    Thank you so much for sharing them with me.
    I wish I could go to something like this. It is gorgeous...simply gorgeous!

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  3. Beautiful flowers are so uplifting. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

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  4. Dear DJan, it would seem from your photographs and Linda's also that you were surrounded by beauty. Peace.

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  5. oh wow...looks like a lot of fun...those orchids are pretty amazing...and the wizard of oz...very cool display that...

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  6. Looks like a wonderful place to spend some time. So glad that you and Linda got to meet (I checked out her pictures too) And I loved the Hobbit House!

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  7. the flowers and arrangements are gorgeous.

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  8. What fun to see the flower show from two different perspectives. How fabulous that you were able to link up with Linda! Too too wonderful!

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  9. Well after these beautiful flower displays.... I'm ready for spring. It's a little early here on the tundra though!

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  10. A flower show sounds like the perfect remedy for February. :) Beautiful images. I've always been partial to orchids...

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  11. What a great show..I enjoyed it! I went to Linda's to see her photos too..a bit of springtime for my snowy eyes..thanks:)

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  12. I bet it smelled wonderful in there. Such lovely flowers and whimsical setups. I absolutely love those rocks. It makes me want to learn how to make them. And you also make me want to go visit Linda's blog.. so off I go.

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  13. After the cold, rainy day we've had these flowers totally brightened my evening! I particularly loved the Wizard of Oz shot and the Hobbit House! How clever. Now I am definitely ready for spring to get here!

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  14. You really had fun! A flower show can really change your mood. Good post. It makes it feel a little more like spring.

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  15. Well, you found some details I missed too!
    I liked those mosaics on rocks.
    Your photos and descriptions are excellent. And I will forever think of you now when I think of the flower and garden show.

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  16. Nice that you met Linda and Tom. Way to go, DJan! The orchids are beautiful!

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  17. I am so, so jealous. I shouldn't say that. I should say that I am happy you had such a great day at the flower show. I think I must put this garden show on my bucket list. It is an incredible place.

    We had a Home and Garden Show here. We went today. We spent a total of 50 minutes. There were two landscape companies. Two! They showed photos of their work. What a huge disappointment!

    Your photos are lovely. The rocks are intriguing. Someone had a good idea.

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  18. Love the rocks! Do you think they would ship out of state? Just kidding! They are quite nice, tho!

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  19. What a wonderful, wonderful outing. Thank you - I look forward to you taking me on this trip every year.

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  20. Thank you for taking me away on a magical journey in the flower kingdom. WOW, such great beauty and orchids have always facinated me. Your friend took some exquisite photos - thanks for the link. Have a wonderful day

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  21. The garden rocks covered in bling are very interesting. It reminded me of a gift I received from my kids of a stone embedded with little buttons covered with pictures of the grandchildren. They called it "Garden Bugs." I use it as a decoration in my sun room. Unique gifts like that are so appealing.

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  22. Your very first photo got my attention and sent me thinking of OZ.
    Glad that your time together was pleasant.
    You appear like old fiends in the photo.

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  23. I bet it smelled great as you walked in there, too. Looks like a fantastic exhibit.

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  24. We spent some time among the flowers as well this weekend. At our conservatory. What a fun day you had. I popped over to check out your friend's blog as well.

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  25. What a great place to spend the day, surrounded by beautiful. I am also imagining the scents must have been heavenly. I love the alien orchid. You are right, it looks almost too perfect to be real.

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  26. Oh be still my heart...this would be a bit of heaven on earth for me to be able to attend this show!!! All the glorious colors and vendors. Taking my VISA would be a big plus!! That, I know. Love your image shares, you two look like you're enjoying yourselves and having a day of fun. PS...love the TIN MAN.

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  27. Lovely pictures of a great day out. I can tell you enjoyed it. The colours are scrumptious aren't they. What did you buy for your own garden?

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  28. Beautiful, all of them!!! You got some lovely photos DJan! :o)
    Four hours of Spring... must have warmed up your wintry day!

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