Reasons to be Cheerful 2016

[Maggi Young]

News of what may well be the Scottish Rock Garden Club Wedding of the Year!

 On 5th March those wonderful folks Sue Simpson and George Watt from South West Scotland were married !

There was even a plant connection to the cake........


 and here are the beautiful Bride and handsome Groom....


 Many congratulations to the happy couple - may they garden together  for many years - preferably without the risk of flooding!

This is what they faced in December.....


We hope there is no more of this in the Bright Future of Mr and Mrs Watt !!

[David Nicholson]

Many congratulations to you both.

[Palustris]

A wet wedding instead of a white one?
Best of luck to them.

I can give you another reason to be cheerful, for me at least. For my 70'th birthday our elder son had my stories printed as books on Amazon. One of only two ambitions I ever had is now fulfilled.

[Maggi Young]

An exciting  gift for you, Eric- what a super idea from your son.

[Graeme]

One of only two ambitions I ever had is now fulfilled.

Can we ask what the other one is?

[Palustris]

I achieved that one about 30 years ago when my third daughter was born. Always wanted three.

[SusanS]

There are many things to be cheerful about in the Sleep household at the moment:

Firstly both of us have completed our recent studies (4 years for me, 2 1/2 years for Darren) and will once again be able to wander down the garden without feeling guilty.  Personally I am enjoying reading a book for the sheer pleasure of it, secure in the knowledge I will not be called upon to critically analyse, recall or reference it! 

Secondly due to the recent rather wet and windy winter the old greenhouse has finally given up the ghost and now leaks in at the ridge, likewise the covers for the bulb frames sustained damage and require replacing.  This coupled with our new free time has given us the excuse to revamp the area - which will give Darren much more protected growing space for his plants.

Thirdly and by no means least, I am married to a very clever and talented person.    Some of you may of noticed that Darren has put up a link in the events thread to promote the Society of Botanical Artists Exhibition in London next week.  What he didn't say is that for the last 27 months he has been studying with them.  It turns out that not only does he enjoy drawing but he is in fact rather good at it - in recognition of the exceptional high quality of his artwork Darren has been awarded the Diploma Portfolio Achievement Award.  I am extremely proud of him, and no doubt when he reads this post also in BIG trouble! 

Susan

[Maggi Young]

Susan, I am absolutely confident that I am not the only member who is full of admiration for the  work you and Darren have put in over the last few years to your "new" studies. Inspirational to see what you have  both achieved -  we  need to get Darren to come out  now from behind his easel to show us the fruits of his studies/ labours so we can do a bit of oohing and ahhing!

[David Nicholson]

Seconded.

[Graeme]

please post pics of the artwork - I just love to see what someone has done

[annew]

Definitely - show us some pictures!

[Darren]

OK, as I've been outed.

I don't have a picture of any of the diploma pieces to hand but here is a rather poor picture of an assignment from last year. Sorry about the very grey background  - I need to take a better picture as this was done with the iPad and not adjusted afterwards. I have plans to sort this out but am still permanently short of time.

[Darren]

This is a detail from one of the diploma pieces - a page of different chilli varieties. They are great fun to draw!

[ChrisB]

Now this just proves I need to get here a bit more often.... First, many congratulations to that bride and groom, wonderful news!  And second, I take my hat off to you Darren for your talent, these pieces and the ones you put in the other thread are very professional.  I'd love to be able to paint like that!

[David Nicholson]

Brilliant Darren.