Wednesday, February 19, 2014

February Note Card Party

I have been going through some old gardening magazines and drooling over the pictures of colorful flower gardens and flowers pots overflowing with their lush bounty.  All the beautiful photos and gardening articles have me planning and thinking about spring  planting.  With all that in mind, when I began thinking about which photos I would choose for this month's note card party, there wasn't much hesitation on my part to choose a few cheerful sunflower photos.  It just so happened that I had picked up a few packets of sunflower seeds the other day.  So my theme for this month's party will be Think Spring-Plant Flowers.  Thanks to Vee at A Haven For Vee for hosting this fun party!





This year, I will try a few different colors of sunflowers.  I noted on the packages that the growing height is 4-6 feet.  My sunflowers last year were much taller.  I saved a few seeds from last season, so I should have more of the tall variety, too.  I. Can't. Wait.  Not only will I be planting sunflowers, but I've saved a lot of zinnia seeds and you may remember how I love to take pictures of the zinnias!  They are one of my favorite garden flowers.  What is your favorite annual flower that you like to plant each year?


Thanks for stopping by! 
Until next time...

43 comments:

  1. Sadly, I have all but given up on flowers here in the desert...I can get them to grow for about 2 weeks, and then - ARGHHHHHH!!! I have to live vicariously through the relatives back in CO, when I go home for the summer - I spend lots of time in the flowers there. Love zinnias - poppies - actually, I love just about anything! These sunflowers ROCK!!!!!

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  2. one of my favorite flowers. we saw many field in SD on our trip in August 2013 of sunflowers blowing in the breeze. following the sun every where. they were awesome. like little faces. one of the greatest flowers ever. nice views. can't wait to see what you plant this year??! ( :

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  3. Oh these are gorgeous I love the sunflower I was hoping to plant lots for a wedding upcoming here on the farm. I think they will look incredible now to get hardy seeds. Hug B

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  4. Have fun with your sunflowers. I love zinnias ... my Granny always planted them and I try to do the same. Carry on the tradition. I love when the seed catalogs arrive in the mail. Love your selections for Vee's party.

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  5. I'm always amazed at your photographs...beautiful details.

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  6. Color is such a welcome sight about now. Me too on the seed catalogs. I am getting the itch. I mostly go with veggies which I often plant in traditional flower areas. Sweet potato and butternut squash make great ground cover with yummy crops. My go to flowers are lots of Vinca and Snapdragons. Low maintenance and hardy.

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  7. What a wonderful post Cheryl! Who does not love sunflowers? What a happy, bright and cheerful flower! I am with you.....dreaming of the garden over all those catalogs! So enjoyed this!

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  8. That incoming bee in the second picture is cracking me up! Favorite flower to plant is impatiens. Unfortunately it is the favorite of the deer too! Petunias come in second and the gray sqirrels like to root around in those pots. Little scamps!

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  9. The Happy Flower! I can't help but smile when I see sunflowers. You have some great photos here...I'm sure you have made everyone's day a lot happier by posting these pics...
    have a blessed day..
    shug

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  10. so glad you chose the sunflowers for today, they are my most favorite of all flowers... gorgeous. for some reason the two times we have tried to grow them, they don't grow... other people here grow them, but not many. they must be hard for our soil

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  11. Our yard has been so small and shaded... the one thing about the upcoming move I'm excited about is that I will have some sun in my yard... Oh, yeah! LOVE the sunflowers!! blessings ~ tanna

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  12. Cheryl...your sunflower photos are so gorgeous...it is definitely one my favorites too. The cool thing is there are always bees on them too...they make such awesome photo shoots. I also love zinnias...they are best for summer bouquets...with a few sunflowers mixed in! You are really making me wish for spring and summer!

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  13. Cheryl, Who would not want a nice box of sunflower note cards. I absolutely love cards and writing. I keep telling my g.son to make some cards from all his photos. Have a fun day today. Be safe. xoxo,Susie

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  14. Sunflowers are such a cheery flower with their big smiling faces and your note cards are inspiring for spring. I enjoy browsing the seed catalogues looking for new varieties of flowers to try.

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  15. really like the first one with the few petals still unfurled - almost like it is shy. :)

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  16. Oh thank you for this beautiful Sunflower post, Francine.

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  17. The sunflowers are so bright and cheery! They make lovely note cards.

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  18. These are lovely and cheerful! We used to plant rows and rows of sunflowers in our big garden each year. I never got tired of seeing all the varieties! I love how you included the bee in that third photo. Though we now have a tiny little yard and postage stamp-size flower beds, I may try to find some seed for a few miniature sunflowers this year. Sure do miss them!

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  19. Yes, I'm going with your theme and "thinking spring"! These are beautiful shots...and a lovely peek at what's in store.

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  20. I want to plant sunflowers this year too. :) I love them.

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  21. I love the sunflower pictures, particularly that second one. I love impatients.

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  22. Hi Cheryl,
    Your sunflower note cards are so bright and cheerful. I think I'll plant some this year and see what happens. I love zinnias, too, but don't have much luck in my yard. My favorite note card of yours is the one with the bee.
    I'm your newest follower *_* !!

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  23. Thanks for the sunshine you are giving up through your Feb note cards. Very cheerful!

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  24. Pretty cards! One of the cheeriest flowers, that is for sure!! I need to take a look at the garden catalogs... but need to get through taxes and the baby showers and out of town company first.

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  25. Sunflowers just say 'Happy' don't they. Your photos are vibrant.

    I like to decorate my home with the seasons...and Summer is Sunflowers.

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  26. I love sunflowers for summer time decorating, too...like Wanda said. These are all such beautiful choices for notecards my friend! Sweet hugs!

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  27. OOO, your photos are wonderful.
    Sunflowers are a fav of mine and zinnas are right behind.
    Love them both..
    Think I'll take TWO boxes, please...
    xoxo bj

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  28. Sunflowers are so bright and cheerful! My favorites are probably my morning glories. I just keep taking one picture after another. I really like the variety in height and color with sunflowers.

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  29. Lovely sunflowers. They smile at me :) Greetings

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  30. I usually plant spring flowers since in the summer it's too blistering hot here. Most always petunias and pansies...not from seed tho, from seedlings

    LOVE your sunflowers.

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  31. I like to plant sunflowers every year, especially by the kitchen window so while I'm doing the dishes in the later summer and early fall, I can watch the song birds eating the seeds out of them. I only planted little ones last year but usually I have a mixture of small and the giant ones too. I can't wait for spring to start planting, though the garden will be much smaller this year.

    Blessings to you, Bird

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  32. Ooooh, I love your sunflower photos! Who doesn't love sunflowers - they are so cheery. Thanks for the
    "breath of sunshine"...

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  33. I adore sunflowers. Sadly, the squirrels here do too and I can't seem to keep them away from my would-be sunflowers. I enjoy looking at other's gardens though.

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  34. Oh, these are a sight for sore eyes! I love sunflowers any time, but right now a real treat.

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  35. What lovely pictures of Sunflowers. I think I will plant some this year. I loved having a moment of thinking spring today; thanks to these great pictures.
    We usually plant Pansy's and Marigolds.
    Blessings for the blue skies and yellow flowers.

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  36. As if I didn't have Spring Fever enough already.. lol! Such beautiful photos, as always! Isn't this little break from the cold temps nice? Guess we'll enjoy while it lasts! have a great Thursday! -Tammy

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  37. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!! Thanks for reminding me to start some seeds of the different varieties!! Starting with seeds is always more rewarding!!

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  38. Hi Cheryl,

    Your notecards are beautiful! I just love your sunflowers - they are huge! What a nice post to view on this dreary day. Please feel free to stop over to enter my pay-it-forward giveaway.

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  39. Sunflowers are so cheery. I can see why you like them so much!
    and then you have seed for the birds too.
    My daughter always grow a sunflower hide-out from Sharon Lovejoy's gardening book for her children.
    My favorite annual is Geraniums.

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  40. I just love sunflowers! I hope to grow some this year! xo Jen

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  41. I love sunflowers and the zinnias. Your photos have me longing for spring..I usually have some volunteer sunflowers. Have a happy weekend!

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  42. Gorgeous sunflowers :) Very bright and cheerful! Like you, I too stare at magazines with beautiful planters filled with lush greenery and beautiful flowers. I too love zinnias and surprisingly I have a picture of them posted for this note card party :)

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  43. Sunflowers make me smile. I'd buy a set of these cards.

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