Generally speaking, I don’t like surprises.  I tend to get embarrassed by the effort that people put forth, not to mention having to be the center of attention.  As a kid, I would duck under the kitchen table when my family sang “Happy Birthday” to me — a moment my family will still remind me of no matter whose birthday it happens to be.

There are, though, only two surprises that I can take.  The first is a Joe surprise, one where he plans out a day-long adventure.  I am only told to be ready to leave by a certain time, and then off we go to our destination.  I think Joe has as much fun giving me clues as I have trying to guess the destination.

The second surprise comes from my plants.  I imagine them putting their colorful heads together and coming up with creative ways to entertain me and keep me on my toes.  

A few posts ago about gardening quotes, I credited my friend and co-worker, Alisa, with this one: “Gardening is like a natural suprise party.”  Although we laughed when she uttered this about 15 years ago, I catch myself saying it over and over, sometimes weekly, sometimes daily.  It has become a mantra of sorts, something to keep me from stressing out when I spot something growing that I never planned.

If you would like to see a few pictures from this year’s surprise party, just click on the “Continue Reading” link.

See those large round leaves in the middle. That would be a Geranium that has decided to sprout in a pot of Impatiens. I'm not sure how that Geranium got there, but clearly, I dropped a seed.

That large leaf in a pot of Red Wave Petunias is an Elephant Ear. This one has really thrown me, although I kind of like the lime green color of the leaf in combination with the red blooms. Or is that just me saying, "I meant to do that."

Huh??? Canna in the Caladium pot? Let's just call this one "An Ode to the Letter C."

These Petunia seeds somehow lived for several years before germinating in a pot that contains a Sunshine Palm, one of two that I grew from seed. Joe gives them winter protection in his office.

 Now, on the one hand, I might be criticized for being careless and sloppy with my seeds.  On the other hand, a few surprises keeps life interesting — and what’s so wrong with treating yourself to a few surprises?  Hmmmmmm.  I wonder what mistakes — I mean surprises — those plants have cooked up for me next year?