Who Who???

You will never ever ever guess what happened this week...

Busiest week ever.

I don't even know where the days went.

So......

You know how I am all flower, tree and plant obsessed?

And talk to my plants, and practically live for seeds?

Well, the plant lovers dream came true!

This is what happened.........

My neighbor wanted to get a steam cleaner, and I had to run a few errands, so we jumped into my car, went here and there.  Then, we stopped at one of those big box stores for her steam cleaner.

Of course, I "had" to go to the plant section.

My neighbor comes with me, and I nudge her in dismay, showing her that the manager is throwing all the plants away into a giant dumpster.

"If it doesn't look fresh, it is getting thrown away," she tells her employees.

(they looked a-okay to me, a bit over-grown or in need of some love, but okay)

My neighbor says "no no no no, why are you throwing them away???!!"

The manager looks at us and says, "well, you can have them if you want."

Have them, we ask?

Well, not "have" them she says.

Then she says, you can buy them for 25cents each.

25 CENTS each!

So, we load up 7 carts of trees and shrubs and desert plants.

We would have kept going, but the manager told us to walk away.

That was hard, knowing more would get tossed.

So, I take each item out of the cart so she can ring us up.

Then I load the car, in two trips.

Then, we unload at my house.

Then I organize it all by plant type.

Then my neighbor and I split our plants.

Half and half.

Then we load half back up into the car, and take them to her house.

Then we start planting, and planting and planting and...

Well, still planting.

These are mine below...

My suv was so full, you couldn't get another toothpick in...

We never worked so hard.

Loading, loading loading, bringing home.

But, we saved soooo many plants and trees from the trash can!

And it was soooooooooo worth it.

It was like, plant Christmas!!!

My dad says it (the tossing out of plants and things) happens at all big box stores, all the time. (which I knew, but sort of had blocked out)

Isn't that sad?

I still have my work cut out for me, however, I am working on some new paintings.  So, I will have to learn real quick how to manage my time.

So, that is the plant tale.

I know some people who dumpster dive as a way of life, and find all sorts of perfect food and plants and things.  It is crazy, what gets thrown away.

On another note...

We (me and lovee) needed to take a trip to the groceries this week.  But, I sort of wanted to play that game, where you try to make a meal out of whatever you have in the house.

We always have staples like butter, flour, olive oil, oats, fruit, veggies etc.

So, I sauteed some onions, garlic and peppers.

Then I defrosted some pesto.

Then, I went searching on my own blog for this recipe for pizza dough.

And, boy was it better than I remembered.

Lovely dough to work with.

I get two pizzas out of one dough mixture, and I just knead everything by hand.

I made one veggie cheese, and one with just pesto and sweet onions.

I so recommend trying this dough this weekend.

Just make sure you run your bowl under warm water, before you begin working with your yeast.  Just a tip.

I roll my dough out thin, as it puffs up nicely, and I like a thinner crust.

It was sooo goood.

And I am not even a pizza lover.

Oh oh, the Fairies also are on a journey out of the country, to their new home, so they are now available in print form, in my shopling.

So, that's the 411 around here.

That was such a wordy post, wasn't it?

I still can't get over the whole plant thing.

Anything weird wild wacky or plain crazy happen to you this week?

Off I go for now....

Love, V

Comments

[deb]

I worked in the garden center for Lowe's for 15 years and at the beginning thats the way it used to be. I mean i got mums for 5 cents each!!! And you know how mums come back year after year! But i'd say the last 5 years working there they stopped that. They didn't want to be seen as a discount plant store.....so now if it looks the least bit distressed or past bloom we had to throw it away and the lowest we were allowed to sell it for was 50% off. Crazy. To me getting anything for it would be better than nothing......But they no longer saw it that way.....So congrats on your great find! I used to bring lots and lots of plants home for 25 cents and nurse them back to health. Hugs! deb

[Queenie Believe]

As they say here in the southwest DANG!!!
Dang did you score or WHAT!!!!
The wee plant gods were shining on you... totally groovational :o)
Can't wait to see where everything ends up in your wonderful gardens.
Wild and wacky in Queenie's world?....
More like fast and furrrrious... Workload in the mundane out of control, paper at full tilt high octane pushing -lol-
Have a great day.
Always, Queenie

[Tiff]

Congrats on the plants!

The only crazy thing happening this week is my oldest child's 8th birthday today!!!!!! I can't believe she has grown so big so quickly. :)

[Terry]

I got to bring home a lot of free plants from my old job, some of them were in bad shape when I got them but are now thriving. My favorite is the jade who has had to be repotted twice since I brought it home. Also I love finding treasure in the trash!

[Jenn]

Oh you are such a delightful soul! I can only imagine the good karma those plants will bring to you for planting them in your garden. And I am fairly certain you will be filled with joy just at the sight of them, especially when they begin to grow and thrive. And they will! You're the most wonderful and devoted plant mama on the planet! The closest I have ever gone to dumpster diving is picking things up that people leave at the end of their driveways. Honestly, if you want to get rid of a piece of furniture, stick it at the end of your driveway, it will be gone by the afternoon! I hate to say it but I have found some real keepers that way. HAHA! Hope your weekend will be wonderful!
Lots of love,
Jenn

[Jo]

Doing the gardening happy dance for you!!! I used to work for HD in the nursery and outside garden center and they would clearance anything that got over-grown or was 'past season' (there are many 'seasons' within one years' growing season) and I got such awesome bargains and still do (because I know where to look for the clearance carts). Unfortunately, anything that doesn't sell once it's on clearance for a certain period of time does get tossed.

[A Fanciful Twist]

Lovely Jo, I so must figure out where the clearance carts are :))))

We brought home 197 plants and trees. Also, when she
(manager)saw we were interested, she goes come with me and just
started handing us trees. I got 3 orange trees, two lemon and one huge
grapefruit +. Not to mention Jasmine vines and honeysuckle... and more and
more... it was amazing!!! These were still full priced items.... I
wish I knew when it was happening, I would be there every time. Oh oh, and
then the manager says, if you think today is bad, you should have seen what I
got rid of yesterday.... gulp gulp!!!

[Lavender Dreams]

Yum Yum! It may be pizza night tonight! I've had an especially good week and hope to have a great weekend! Have fun my friend! ♥

[Linda Diane]

Wow, we all know about animal rescue, but now you're engaged in plant rescue! Keep us posted on their well-being! I love a good bargain, and it sounds like you hit the jackpot.

Your pizza looks so yummy. Just this morning I saw a pizza on Pinterest, and people were raving over its cauliflower-based crust! It also had egg, mozarella cheese, and I can't remember what else. Sounded like something I'd like to try.

Our weather here in N. Texas is supposed to be in the mid 70's today! Wondrousness! I hope you have a beautiful weekend.

[Car Insurance Seattle]

.So congrats on your great find! I used to bring lots and lots of plants home for 25 cents and nurse them back to health. Hugs!

[Sylvia]

There are some stores over here too that do the same thing with throwing out plants. They make look sad because they are out of season or under watered but the roots always look good. That's how I started my Florida garden...make sure you get a massage after all that hard work...hehe

Sylvia

[Renee]

I always check out the discount shelves at Lowe's for plants. Love their deals and most just need to be replanted.

You really lucked out on saving all those plants. Good deal. Sad what all is thrown away.

The pizza sounds yummy. I picked up the granddaughter from the bus stop, took her to piano then made steak sandwiches for supper. She loves peppers and onions sauteed. She came in the kitchen asking what smelled so good.

It's raining again, I've been cleaning (again), laundry (again), sorting through more of my mom's things (again).

Maybe if you water your plants and put them in the shade you won't have to be in such a hurry to plant them.

[Jessica]

As they say in France, De la chance!!! Wow you got sooo lucky! And such great finds, too! You inspire me to garden so much! I wish I could...unfortunately, there really isn't space around my house for it, and I don't have the time to keep it up, but it's a nice thought, and I am determined to one day have a flower garden, along with some other fruit-bearing trees and such.

I suppose my week was not the only busy one! I feel as busy as a bee and have finally just sat down and breathed! Whoo! Finals are strenuous!

Well, keep up the gardening and keep us posted on how the new planties turn out!

Hugs and hunny,
Jess xoxo
A Woodland Fantasy

[Maria-Thérèse]

wow, those are a LOT of plants! :D Will you be making your own forest? An extra enchanted garden?

Hmm, what happened here... Well, I'm very much immersed into the world of Little Red Riding Hood and dressing up as her and carrying a basket about for a photo project and thinking about wolves? Does that count?

[Teresa in California]

This is so funny, Vanessa. Our regular take-n-bake pizza place moved and it won't be opening for a few more days. Soooo, we usually have pizza on Saturday evenings. My favorite is chicken and artichoke. I got tired of the same old pepperoni, mushroom, and sausages the guys in our household like (except my 21 year old son who likes what I do, but he is now in college in Los Angeles) Anyhow, two days ago I was thinking of making pizza (which my dad used to make years ago) So posting the pizza crust recipe, as you have, is very timely for me. I also have a dough recipe where you make it a day ahead and leave it in the frig and take it out an hour and a half before making the pizza. It will be a toss up... (no pun intended hee! hee!) as to which pizza crust I will use. Yours looks sooo delicious!
And the plants!!! You saved the plants from utter destruction. Gosh! I would be tempted to go back at night and raid the trash bins and get the rest of them. And the manager said they had tossed more the day before!!! :( poor plants! It is so very lovely you did get so many for a quarter each~ Vavoom!
Your post made me smile...a Lot!
Best wishes for a very productive weekend...we are finally getting some rain! Yay!
hugs,
Miss Teresa

[Riss]

WHAT A SCORE!! How lucky you and your neighbour are! Isn't it a true shame that perfectly good plants are being thrown out - and not only plants! Our world is becoming so wasteful, it's quite disgusting! Please post pics of your garden once you have finished planting! Have a fantastic weekend, loves from The Garden x

[Prudence Puddleduck]

I am out of breath just reading about your day! Good Job! I was thinking you needed more plants and floweres to photograph..lololololol

Frozen Bread loaves also come in handy for a quickie pizza and left overs...♥ love to visit

[Stacy Ross]

I'm so jealous of your plant scoring trip. Makes me want to head to "that place."
It's yard sale weekend here. That's our only craziness. Actually, it's crazy how many times I've said "Yes, those are 11 feet wide angel wings. I got them during a tipsy Mardi Gras weekend. Please take them."

[Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions]

That is just crazy, Vanessa! Looking at your pictures these plants looks perfectly fine to me, too. Then they wonder why they're losing money ~ they are throwing their merchandise out in the trash. They could have marked those down and sold them for less, and that would have been better than just throwing them away and getting nothing.

[Starcat]

Wow, great job with the plant rescue mission! So awesome!

I had an amazing experience this week - my friend had asked me to be her birth coach for the birth of her baby girl. I have given birth twice myself, but in those experiences I was so focused inward, doing the magick of labor and delivery, that I had never really *seen* a baby arrive into the world. What a journey!!! I now appreciate my own birth coaches even more.

What an honor and a challenge to hold space for the birth of an eternal soul into a brand-new body. The empath part of me was overwhelmed by my friend's suffering, yet at the same time knowing it was, as she said, "pain with purpose." And this new lovely baby girl has totally captured my heart. Her name is Ember Caroline (beautiful huh?!). I am in love.

Fey Blessings,
Starcat

[A Fanciful Twist]

STACY!! Did you say 11 foot wide wings???? Heloooooo, I wish I
was at your yard sale!!!! :))

[~*~Syrinx~*~]

Glad you rescued the plants ... it pains me to see what gets thrown out just because it's bedraggled, bent or a wee bit broken ... such a waste.

[amy sperry faldet]

What an angel you are!!!! Oh my gosh, can't people think of something creative instead of filling the landfills. Consumerism. blek. I have missed you and am so glad to be here. Life is busy and sweet. I send you love and sunshine and joy for that is what you give us, as readers!!! Blessings dear one... off to see what else you have been up to, friend.

[Annalee]

Yes, the missus & I have hopped in more than one dumpster to rescue plants. ^-^
I think that those plants grow & love especially much, because they almost ended up somewhere other than a home full of plant-love. =D

I suppose I shall add "perfectly good plant tossing" to my list of why I loathe big box stores... blech.

Anywho. I'm so glad you rescued all those lovelies! You & your friend are just the best. ^-^

Happy planting & painting!

XOXO

[Engagement Rings Dublin]

Happy planting, find it so relaxing and calming the whole gardening side of life. Hope we get to see the fruits of your labour.

[A Forest Frolic]

That's great Vanessa, what an amazing thing..that you and your neighbor got to save all of those plants and you have all that land to plan them on!! Sad that things are so wasted like that though. The pizza looks amazing...I can smell it's aroma just looking at it ;)

Hugs,

Jamie :)

[M]

Was that a lemon I saw? I have a really good lemon curd recipe.
It was synchronicity that those beautiful plants got to come home and live with you and your neighbor. i love stories like this where passion and timing come together in such a wonderful way!

[carol]

Wow so many plants, can't wait to see how you plant them all. What a bargain huh?

[TPL]

I'll bet Lovee has a really sore back and arms, right about now.

[A Fanciful Twist]

HAaaaaa! Oh, ya right Miss TPL ;) He hasnt touched one
plant. My garden, my plants, you know what I mean? hahahaa! I
do all my own everything. Of course, he will help if I ask, but I rarely
ask. Now, about my back right now..... My right hand is swollen from
shoveling, and I have a blueberry pie in the oven and just fed him pork chops
with caramelized sweet onions, red peppers and mushrooms...... But, he
worked inside the cottage all day, so I am more than happy to make him nice
treats ;))) So good to see you! Oh, I also went to my other house
with Matty today, and filled it up with a table and a cabinet etc. It was
an insane day!!Painting a chandelier etc.... I am so ready for
bed!! Maybe I can askhim for a massage;)

[BobbypinBandit]

Sis, that's awesome that you got so many plants!

Any chance you scored some lavender? Mine died while I was home for the holidays :(

That pizza looks delish!

[TPL]

I have been MIA for over a month because I moved to Iowa from Georgia. Long story, but I'm settling in at my new place. Not to say I like it, because I don't. 15 below wind chill factor on any given day. I'm not adjusting very well. Well, with as sweet and beautiful and kind as you are I certainly hope Mr. L will give you a massage. You have certainly earned it. I'd hate to have to give him a punch in the nose if he didn't! Love TPL

[A Fanciful Twist]

Bandita, Oh, you should see the lavender in my garden, it is so lovely
right now. I will make you a cutting.... but then again, always easier for
you to just buy a new one ;)

[Kelly]

Miss Vanessa the planet the wise Owl and Fairies smile upon U and your Friend!!!!!!
How grand your grounds may GROW!
Some days I would just love to jump into your beautiful artworks, your gardens or paintings and just Dance!
That pizza makes me HUNGRY!!! YUM! YUM! I am surprised that U R not a pizza lover! ;)

[A Fanciful Twist]

Miss Kelly, you know what I didnt like about pizza growing up? I
didnt like the tart tomato sauce with the cheese. As, I am not a HUGE
cheese lover, except for a few varieties that I have grown slowly, to
like. So, if you dont like cheese, and you dont like red sauce, then
pizza is out of the question. But I love toppings like mushrooms and
peppers and sweet onions and garlic... then fast forward to adulthood, where you
can make your own red sauce to taste, and use a mild cheese... then, then you
begin to love pizza. I really loved the one where I just slathered on
pesto that I froze from summer makings (defrosted), and popped a few sweet
onions sliced extra thin on top... it was amazing!!! OKay, enough pizza
talk ;)) yummmmms!

[Katie Moss]

This post just made me smile. Thank you for that! :)

[Laura Irrgang]

Oh, V---what a SCORE!
Those poor little plants. It was like they were in the Plant Pound and you rescued them.

By the way---I've seen Stacy's 11 foot angel wings, and they are pretty dang awesome. I didn't know they were for sale. I might have to hit that yard sale.

[Heather]

I just bought the print...
I've used it, with big credit and shout out to you, as my facebook avatar for a while.
So, thank you for passing this gem on to us. Also, I'm so happy to hear about your plant bonanza...it's snowy and cold here in Ohio so I love to live vicariously through you. XXX

[DogsMom]

A little piece of news that not many people know - most states will allow you to buy food bearing plants with your food stamps debit card. If this was promoted there would be a lot less waste and people who NEED food could afford to be helped. And learn a skill.
What if those big box stores would DONATE the off peak plants to a cooperative or someplace that would use them to grow food for homeless shelters. I know, there are always those nasty LIABILITIES issues to consider. So difficult to do a good thing. Many stores around me will not even give away empty cardboard boxes.

I think your good karma put you in the right place at the proper time. Many managers would not have been as accommodating.
Hopefully you made a new friend.

Go back in a week or so, find the same manager, say thank you and maybe ask to be called if there is going to be another massive clean out? The worst is you are told no.

[Carl V.]

Look at you, the Plant Savior! ;) I'm thrilled for the plants and for you as those were quite the steal at a quarter apiece. You were definitely in the right place at the right time. I hope they all grow and flourish for you (and of course hope you share pictures as they do!)

[Cameron]

What an amazing tale! Those little plants will get a chance to shine now....and the things you'll make with those fruits when they grow.....my mouth waters just thinking about it!!

[Marjorie]

How lovely!! You are a regular plant-godmother!! How wonderful!! I'm sure they shall all grow up strong and beautifully after such a rescue!!! :)

[Theresa]

YOWZA!!!! Vanessa - that is just so awesome!!!! So happy you saved these plants and got them at a great bargain price. In a way it is sad that they thought only to toss them and not offer them to a community garden, school, senior center, or homeless shelter. But I KNOW you will create miracles from them and be able to reap the benefits of tender-loving plant care. :) Nothing this fortuitous has happened to me lately. And I can't immediately recall one to share! But I am doing a happy dance for you in spirit over here. :) xoxo

[Theresa]

I forgot to mention that I ADORE your faeries and hope to purchase a print soon!!! Fanciful inspiration!!!! :) And I spy a rather lovely looking owl...hoot hoot! xoxo

[Daly]

I never knew that they just throw away their plants like that! I don't know why I thought that it's otherwise....I guess in my Dreamland, nobody does such things..

[Angela]

Lovely Valentines! Thanks for sharing.

[maria medeiros]

Vanessa how lovely! Have a lovely month! :D