The warm hues of Generosity

Yes, I know I didn't post anything the last couple of days as I'd said I would, but there's a really good reason why... the postman rang! And when I saw the big, book-sized envelope, I whooped, "Yes! yes! yes! its here... finally!".

You see, Phillip from Dirt Therapy had announced a giveaway some time back and guess who won? Me!
I never win anything. Not even lucky dips . Oh wait! there was a plastic ruler which I won when I was in the third standard, but that's it. But you see what I mean, if even that had to stick in my memory like a red-letter day?
Yet, here I was winning an absolutely delicious offer of the most drool-worthy colourburst of a book by Tom Fischer, appropriately called, 'The Gardener's Colour Palette' ! Phillip's own beautiful garden could've been the perfect advertisement for that book!

I did have my doubts whether I would ever get to see this book considering the continents and oceans it had to cross and then there are ever so many slippery fingers who would be handling it . So you see, I was absolutely elated that I had been proven to be a pessimistic ol' so-and-so.

As I hastily signed on the postman's receipt, my first impulse was to rip open the envelope as I usually do (patience is definitely not my forte). But one look at it and there was no way I could do that . See what I mean?

Now why do I never think of such perfect finishing touches?
Phillip, that envelope will never see a dust-bin. It has gone into my stash of sentiment-alia.
As will this lovely note.

And the book? Pure magic!
The text was an absolute revelation. Fluid, almost lyrical , and filled with word-pictures that paint profiles of flowers I've never seen before so vividly that I could swear they're literally bursting out of the pages. The text pulls you in until you just don't want to surface from that colourful painting.
Tom Fischer, I wish I could write half as hypnotically well as you.

I love the easy-to-refer layout showcasing essential information that you don't need to wade through a lot of text to find. And the addition of recommended companion plants is perfect!

And the photos! The book is crammed with such luscious photos that make me feel like I'm in a bubble of concentrated colour. Each photo makes me sigh over them and many make me wish I could pick up my roots and settle someplace where all those lovely blooms will grow for me.

We don't go by Hardiness Zones in India but I should think mine would be Zone 10 like Florida. And I'm so relieved to see that this is one book that hasn't left out the tropical gardener. There aren't that many choices for us here, but still, they're there and many more than I expected. Many of them are plants I've never been sure would grow in my climate zone. And I love the chance to add more colour to my garden.
But I think that would be the only negative thing I can say about this lovely dreamspinner of a book : not all the plants shown here will grow in my garden.

And the verdict? Dont wait... go buy this book! And I wish I could see the change in your garden after you do. I'm already plotting on a lot of changes in my own.

Thank you, Phillip, for being such a generous soul and not hanging on to this book for yourself. I doubt if I could've been so altruistic.