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The Gardens of Mien Ruys - a book review

I don't know how I missed her, but I was totally unfamiliar with Mien Ruys. A beautiful new book The Gardens of Mien Ruys details her life and work. Born in the Netherlands in 1904, she was the daughter of Bonne Ruys, who founded Moerheim Nursery in 1888. She grew up in a liberal atmosphere and encouraged to learn and study. She found great comfort in the natural world around her and learned all the plants in her father's nursery at a young age. After leaving school at the age of 19, she knew that she wanted to work in the garden center. The Moerheim Nursery, in addition to selling plants, had an on-site design studio where they published a detailed catalog and sold landscape design plans to customers. It was in the design studio where Ruys first began to work and she was soon encouraged to venture beyond her country and study abroad. Her father's connections helped her secure a traineeship with Wallace & Sons Nursery in Tunbridge Wells in England. There, she met Gertr...
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Happy New Year!

Goldfinches outside the kitchen window, taken with my new camera lens.

Since I have a big phobia about the number 13, I'm wondering how I'm going to cope with 2013! Yikes.

 Happy New Year!

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. Lisa at GreenbowJanuary 1, 2013 at 8:49 AM

    That #13 will be in your mind daily. Hopefully you will get used to it. It won't hurt you. Love the photo. It looks like that new lens will be an asset. Happy New Year.

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  2. the blonde gardenerJanuary 1, 2013 at 8:55 AM

    Love the photo! One of my goals this year is to use my husband's really good camera and lenses. I love taking pics of birds, too. Maybe taking more photos will help with that pesky 13 number. Happy New Year from Arkansas!
    Brenda

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  3. UnknownJanuary 1, 2013 at 9:00 AM

    Looking through a new lens, of course! :)

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  4. HolleyGardenJanuary 1, 2013 at 9:02 AM

    I had a teacher once tell me her son returned from Vietnam on the 13th (a Friday even), so she never considered it unlucky. I have a sister born on the 13th, too. I hope this year turns out to be one of the best for you! Happy 2013!

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  5. outlawgardenerJanuary 1, 2013 at 11:58 AM

    Great picture of the Goldfinches! I predict that this year will be your best so far, filled with wonderful plants and special people. Remember, it's just a number. Happy New Year, Phillip!

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  6. UnknownJanuary 1, 2013 at 1:29 PM

    Great capture of the goldfinches.I have never seen as many as I have this year.I have to fill the feeders everyday(I should,but I don't).Love watching them.
    If 13 won you the big money on the Lotto,you would think it was your luck number.....

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  7. LostRosesJanuary 1, 2013 at 1:58 PM

    Great photo, Phillip! From someone born on the 13th. Life is good! Happy New Year to you!

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  8. MashaJanuary 1, 2013 at 3:11 PM

    Happy New Year, Phillip! Great photo, and what lens did you get?

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  9. LesJanuary 1, 2013 at 3:25 PM

    Just think of it as 31 backwards. Happy new year to you regardless of the number.

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  10. ProfessorRoushJanuary 1, 2013 at 5:07 PM

    Five golden finches and a hou---ow-ow--ows---finch.

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  11. Gardener on Sherlock StreetJanuary 1, 2013 at 6:34 PM

    Focus on the 20 part!

    Happy New Year!

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  12. JenJanuary 2, 2013 at 5:53 AM

    hey if it makes you feel any better, this is technically the 14th year of the 2000s, so your unlucky year should have been last year!

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  13. Phillip OliverJanuary 2, 2013 at 7:28 AM

    Thanks for the suggestions everybody! Masha, I got a 105mm macro lens.

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  14. KeityJanuary 2, 2013 at 7:37 PM

    Happy to find your blog today! Your photos are amazing! Of course I'm following you:)

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  15. RobinLJanuary 3, 2013 at 6:56 PM

    So that's where all of my charming goldfinches have gone for the winter! I do miss their cheery summer yellow coats around here.

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  16. LynneJanuary 4, 2013 at 6:29 AM

    Happy New Year !

    Thanks for the wonderful posts. I thoroughly enjoy your blog from my little corner of the world in New Zealand, but very seldom comment so I hope I have put that right for the New Year :-)

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  17. gardenenvyJanuary 21, 2013 at 9:41 PM

    Great photo! Jeannine

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