Apparently late September in the Pacific Northwest is not Garden Gnome season. I get it, really I do. Most people consider the garden gnome’s habitat to be a traditional garden, one of flowers or vegetables. I, however have to disagree. I think garden gnomes are quite lovely in a veggie patch or peeking out from amongst the perennials but a true garden gnome is also quite comfortable in the non-traditional garden, sitting on a log next to a forest path, sleeping in a sunny corner of a mossy patch, or simply hanging out under a rhododendron bush.
Lots of people give gift cards, books, or vases of flowers as a gift to someone having a birthday or celebrating an anniversary and I do this as well. But sometimes I just feel that only a garden gnome will suffice. When some very good friends of ours were having a house warming party a couple years ago we came with a cute little garden gnome in hand. At the end of last school year it was a couple potted plants, a card, and a garden gnome that we gave Cody’s kindergarten teacher. She was thrilled and happily proclaimed that she had never been given a garden gnome before and what a cute one it was. So when we got the invitation from a couple of friends to a simple cake and champagne gathering celebrating their ten year wedding anniversary tonight I thought a nice garden gnome was in order. Both of them like to garden and are salt of the earth people. A garden gnome would be perfect.
So it was that Carter and I found ourselves on the hunt for a garden gnome. We went to several places. A few of them told us that they normally carry garden gnomes but that it was just not the season for them or that they had to make room for the fall decorations of turkeys and pumpkins. One store had several but they were made of some type of a resin material and were lightweight and, well, just not of the right material to be called a true gnome. We left each store empty handed and I soon began to wonder if we would find one worthy of our friends’ garden.
We finally stopped by the gardens that we walk by everyday on the way to and from Cody’s bus stop. In fact the bus stop is on the corner of this garden’s property. I knew that they carried some larger sculptures and some art work from local artists and that these things had high price tags so I was not expecting to find him. But there he was on the bottom shelf in the front row surrounded by little statues of mice, cats, and decorative birdbaths. I scooped him up quickly lest he disappear before my eyes.
He is sitting on an overturned apple basket holding a long handled pipe and looking rather contemplative. He is heavy, made of concrete I think, and ready to withstand the cold winter months ahead. I like him and I hope our friends like him too.
Shoes On The Wrong Feet 
I love garden gnomes – but they have to have personality..and this one has it in spades (or hoes, or rakes…)!!
Yes, not all garden gnomes are created equal. I take my time picking out the right one and each and every time I buy one for someone I am left wishing I could have kept it for myself! One of these days I will buy myself one. We have a small metal one on a pole that is stuck in the ground in our veggie garden that I bought in a whim, but I don’t have a real solid one like this guy.
I love him and how seasonal to be sitting on an apple crate –
He is quite seasonal, isn’t he! 🙂
Great idea for a gift! I hope your friends will like it. 🙂
Thanks! They liked him a lot and put him on the table with the appetizers during the party. I think I caught him eating some cake a time or two during the night. 😉
Sounds like he was a wonderful centrepiece. 🙂
I love gnomes! He is a cutie. I can never find anything around here but the cheap plastic ones. You have lucky friends.
They are tricky to find here as well. Everyone I have given a gnome to seems to be pleasantly surprised by it.
Interesting post! Now that you mention it, I don’t think we have a lot of garden gnomes where we live. I bet your friends will really like your new addition!
I like giving gnomes as a gift because they are unusual, fun, and full of charm. Mr. Gnome was well received. 🙂
I’d love to be given a garden gnome – I think it would be a great gift. I bet your friends loved it.
I would love to be given one too – I think I may have to break down one of these days and buy myself one. 🙂 They are a fun and unexpected gift to give.
I think garden gnomes are so cute! I love the one you picked. He seems very wise. 🙂
Thank you! I got a text message today from the friends we gave the gnome to with an attached photo of him in his new home under an azalea bush. She said he was very happy in his new home. 🙂
Where did you get this gnome? We’d love to buy one!
It was at a plant nursery in Washington state several years ago. Garden gnomes are tricky – you just have to keep your eye open and look in little gift shops and garden nurseries. Good luck with your gnome search!