Comments are a lovely thing. A little e-mail in box full of good cheer. But sometimes, I get a comment that is totally unjustified. And I don't mean a nasty one. On the contrary, it's usually someone paying me a compliment that I really really don't deserve. About having a tidy house, or beautifully behaved offspring, or managing to 'do it all'. And I laugh, and sigh a bit, and wish I had truly earned those accolades.
So before you pass judgement on my Amaryllis. I feel I must come clean.
It was all a big mistake. See, I bought the bulb last year, planning to force it for Christmas (like normal people do). But in my frantic disorganized manner, I forgot to do it. And then 'lost' the bulb in the garage (because it's like a black hole out there). Then I found the bulb, but was too riddled with guilt to do anything about it because it was too late. Then I panicked that I had wasted money, so I stuck it in a pot about 4 weeks ago.
And look how it has rewarded me. Sometimes we get so much better than we deserve.


I only survive BECAUSE I get better than I deserve!!!! Don't knock it - just enjoy!!!!
I think amaryllis at Christmas is just boring!
Posted by: Karen J | 22 June 2009 at 16:21
Fantastic! And you deserve each and every one of those lovely comments... K x
Posted by: kristina | 22 June 2009 at 16:59
Ha you are funny :) that amaryllis is awesome.
Posted by: alice | 22 June 2009 at 17:00
Hmmmm, I think perhaps I should just plant the last dahlia bulb I bought in the sale - maybe I'll get lucky too!
Posted by: dottycookie | 22 June 2009 at 17:01
I agree with Kristina!
As for the amaryllis, if it was me and my garage then it would never have been discovered again!
Lucy xx
Posted by: Lucy Locket-Pocket | 22 June 2009 at 17:01
You totally deserve all the nice comments you get and your amaryllis is gorgeous
April xx
Posted by: April | 22 June 2009 at 17:10
Amaryllis store up so much energy and nourishment deep inside their bulb that it often sees them through to better times. We could probably take a lesson from that ourselves. Yours is lovely and I'm glad it got the opportunity for a better time. It will give you years of enjoyment with a little care.
I love that blogging lets us edit our lives (and our houses and gardens) to show what we choose to. And visiting other blogs gives us so much inspiration and encouragement. Your blog certainly does that.
Posted by: blackbird | 22 June 2009 at 17:32
Happy accidents - I consider them a way of life!
Posted by: nestra | 22 June 2009 at 17:34
wow what a show!
I've just found some allium bulbs and was going to chuck them out - perhaps I'll plant them after all.
Posted by: French Knots | 22 June 2009 at 17:38
Sometimes we get worse than we deserve too, so I try to enjoy the happy accidents as much as possible!
Posted by: Alexis | 22 June 2009 at 18:32
Oh, so funny Ali! So is there hope for my veggie, herb and various other seeds/bulbs that I purchased last summer but can't find now? Good to know I'm not the only person who goes through the many stages of good intentions, forgetfulness, loss, despair and guilt...
Posted by: greetingarts | 22 June 2009 at 18:40
how fab!
"Amaryllis serendipitus", what a lovely happy surprise.
I found mice in my garage.... mmmhhh, not fair.
Posted by: monica | 22 June 2009 at 19:19
I just noticed that my Christmas ones that I'd dumped in my greenhouse are about to do their thing again!
Posted by: Dragonfly | 22 June 2009 at 21:54
the bulbs turned out fabulously! So much more summery than wintery, I'd say.
Posted by: Jessica | 22 June 2009 at 21:56
Funny. I have the same thing with a daffodil bulb, which I ended up shoving in the same pot as a weeping fig tree. Everyone admires this bloody daffy when it flowers, such a fluke.
Posted by: rhubarb | 23 June 2009 at 01:46
Years ago, during my grandmother's funeral, the siblings handed tulip bulbs to everyone that arrived. We were to plant it in our grandmother's memory. I lost mine, and have felt guilt over that for years.
I'm glad you found the bulb, and something beautiful grew :).
Paul
http://mithoughtsnow.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Paul | 23 June 2009 at 03:05
great mistake!
i like your blog as you are real, though i am sure your house is tidier than mine!
...'doing it all' ... an impossibility for any of us.
Posted by: ginny | 23 June 2009 at 07:28
No comment..!
Posted by: lucy@theantidote | 23 June 2009 at 09:51
It's beautiful!! I like how you placed it under the watering can!
Posted by: Louise | 23 June 2009 at 13:00
Oh my goodness.....my illusions have been well and truly shattered!!
I may be tempted to hold back on my amaryllis next year, as they seem to bloom with gusto in summer - quite gorgeous.
..and well worth the wait ;-)
xxx
Posted by: Lesley | 23 June 2009 at 20:50
Mmmm...a moral tale...I think I like the comment about reserves stored up to see it through to better times...so TRUE (as MissM would say)
Posted by: Alice C | 23 June 2009 at 22:16
I don't know if it's a better bloom than you deserve...but what goes around comes around. You must have done something a little bit lovely in between losing and finding your flower!
Posted by: Jenny | 24 June 2009 at 09:19
Isn't it wonderful when we can somehow redeem ourselves? Yay for happy accidents!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | 24 June 2009 at 14:50
I can hear those gorgeous trumpets tooting! 4 weeks? Speedy work there Mr amaryllis. Hope you're enjoying it x
Posted by: Emma | 24 June 2009 at 18:07
Unintentional wonderfulness is the best kind. And yes, totally deserved.
Posted by: Megan | 25 June 2009 at 04:58
Hooray for frantic disorganization! (Must go and plant my runner beans...)
Posted by: Amanda | 25 June 2009 at 10:35
Don't worry about coming clean. It's a lovely flower, it makes people happy so it doesn't really matter that it's too late or early. Great photo as always.
PS: I have the very same watering can print (by Zoe) in blue. X
Posted by: Lisa | 25 June 2009 at 22:52
It's gorgeous! Enjoy it... whenever you planted it, or meant to plant it!
Posted by: Lisa | 29 June 2009 at 06:13
Aye, but just think, if I had planted it, I would probably have managed to kill it, like I do pretty much every plant that comes home with my kids from school. You played a part in your luck.
Posted by: UK lass in US | 30 June 2009 at 00:28
LOL about this. I either care plants to death or totally neglet them. A gardner I aint! But I got thinking that in my house, the only way an amyrillis could survive would be to hide in the garage! It is beautiful! This is my first visit, but I will be back............
Posted by: eli day | 29 July 2009 at 02:05
This is really interesting. I am glad I found this place. I guess it is true, We really do learn something new everyday!
Posted by: orlandobloomisit | 13 January 2010 at 05:05