Fantastical Flowers

With more & more flowers in my gardens now willing to pose for close up and personal photo sessions, I have a case of macro fever. Once you see these "head shots" you will understand my enthusiasm and my renewed interest in a favorite, well known and admired artist.

My Poppy seems to be giving birth here....

and bursting with pride here! 

Orange is the color this spring and these two beauties are perfect examples.

White is always right. It will never go out of style! If you know me at all, you know that I have a white fetish...woodwork, couches, chairs, shirts and sweaters and of course flowers!

Purples and greens make a fantastic pair in any setting. A very soothing and complementary color combination.

Look closer at the magnificent shapes and textures in your garden and you will find some undiscovered and surprising young "models".

But PINK is my color. I feel good when I wear the color, I like splashes of it around my home and think all men should own a pink shirt or two. I even have a pink front door! My husband graciously allowed me paint it many years ago and it will most likely stay that color forever.

You can see the artist's influence here. Georgia O'Keefe could capture the beauty of a flower and paint it so perfectly. Why shouldn't we zoom in every day and see more than just an aging tulip? 

These colors, the natural composition and the textures are just fantastical to me. This close I feel I can almost be the bee whose job of pollination is so crucial or I can merely share the beauty I have found with all of you!

"When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for that moment. I want to give that world to someone else". – Georgia O'Keefe

Autumn Colors

Aside from realizing my little point & shoot camera is partially broken down, I still see such change in the months between summer and winter and I appreciate the moments of COLOR that I have been able to capture. Here are some of my gardens and beyond.

The Burning Bush, the dried hydrangeas and the spent hostas are just as beautiful now as 3 months ago! Add in some mums and color is in abundance. Autumn is awesome.

The marsh turns from green to golden, the grasses follow and dry to perfection. Even the composted leaves have an identity of "mixed greens" but not green at all.

From one tree to the next, especially the Japanese or Chinese Maples the color is striking if you take the time to look.

The moss taken from inside my chimney (yes, it was growing there!!) was my last autumn awesomeness. Thankfully now my chimney and fireplace are clear and free of growth from neglect and we will be having a winter fire again. Bring it on.

First Tomatoes!

The wait is over, the work is going to gradually pay off now because they are ripening! Small, but I'll take that. I will pick them tomorrow and either bite right into one or slice it over a bagel....and possibly share.

My Next Shell

I have decided which shell to pursue this summer....mostly during my Fairfield Beach walks. You really have to pick something and stick to it. If not, there are just too many things to collect on beach walks!
An interesting shell, named Pandora gouldiana is my choice. It is small, iridescent when worn and quite beautiful. I have a small collection started already!

The opalescence of this shell seems fitting for me because I love pearls!

 This small collection seems right living in a shiny silver candy dish as you enter my home. Old silver is so hard to maintain so a few pieces in a prominent spot really make a statement.

Reflections and shimmer.

 The entry vestibule is a combination of old and new, natural and refined and lots of color! Hopefully I can fill these silver dishes with more Pandora pretties!