Seeing Tomorrow Again

"A photograph can be an instant of life captured for eternity that will never cease looking back at you."

~Brigitte Bardot

My friend the pheasant was back in the yard today. Earlier than yesterday, and I was able to capture a beautiful shot or two. It was very therapeutic. I sure hope he sticks around for a while. He is kind, and quiet... eats bugs and spiders, and so far has been kind about where he poops. In short, he is the perfect guest! I am glad I dreamed about him! He is good for me right now.

Just look at that face...

Hello Gorgeous!

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

 

Round Robin Challenge: May Flowers

"Be like a flower, and turn your face to the sun."

~Kahlil Gibran

RRC: May Flowers

For the first Round Robin challenge of May, Karen wants to see the flowers! May Flowers to be exact! I wasn't sure my rose garden would be ready in time, but we had a sudden flux in temperatures last week, and it seems it was just the right amount of sun and rain to bring out the deep color of the garden. Pinks, yellows, reds... all bright and alive. It's gorgeous! Even my Japanese Maple is full of deep burgundy colored leaves, which will turn an amazing pink and copper just in time for autumn! 

The rose garden is one of my favorite joys in life. I have worked really hard on it, and it, in turn, has made me happy with all the beautiful colors, and the spicy scent of the roses. It's my happy place. And soon, I will be adding some Heirloom tomatoes to make it all come together. I can't wait until Alan gets the vegetable garden up and running! This year we are taking on pumpkins!

Round Robin Challenge: May Flowers















Okay, that's my May Flowers gallery. Now that you have seen my post, why not see what other participants in the challenge came up with. Just click the link at the top of the post to be redirected to the official Round Robin Photo Challenge blog. That's where you will find the links, and all the information you need to play along! 

"If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom."

~Audra Foveo

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

The Little Rose That Could

Red/Gold Rose
September 2nd, 2013

"There is no exquisite beauty... without some strangeness in the proportion."

~Edgar Allan Poe

This rose made me smile yesterday! It has had such a tough season, with aphid invaders forcing me to cut it back twice, but finally the aphids have been gone for well over a month, and it is beginning to bloom again! I call it, The Little Rose That Could. It is a small replant from late last season, so given the circumstances, I couldn't be happier with it's beauty! If the weather holds up, I should see several more blooms before the end of the season. They will begin to go dormant in December, but in California, I might see some fresh blooms for Christmas, it's not unheard of. Personally speaking though, I think this rose looks most lovely on a Thanksgiving table. Fingers crossed, I will be able to do just that!

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

My Rose Garden Update July/August 2013

"Maybe there's a whole other universe where a square moon rises in the sky, and the stars laugh in cold voices, and some of the triangles have four sides, and some have five, and some have raised to the fifth power of sides. In this universe there might grow roses which sing. Everything leads to everything."

~Stephen King
 


My rose garden is doing quite nicely this year, I have only had a little bit of trouble with those nasty aphids, it's just been a low key year for me. I am only adding one new rose this season, as my heart wasn't quite into gardening as in previous seasons. It's good to add slowly though, and give keener attention to the existing roses. I am planning on doing one last pass at the rose suppliers, possibly here in the East Bay, or perhaps in Half Moon Bay. We'll see.

As for the coming week, I will be putting the newest rose in the ground, and perhaps doing some new starters from some of the more delicate roses already planted. As for the Japanese Maple... well... Paul (that's his name) is already transitioning from deep red to the lovely autumn copper. It remains my shining star! Photos to come this week!

Stay Tuned!

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #128: Garden Creatures

"On every stem, on every leaf, and at the root of everything that grew, was a professional specialist in the shape of grub, caterpillar, aphid, or other expert whose business it was to devour that particular part."

-Oliver Wendell Holmes








EMPS #128: GARDEN CREATURES. NOW CLOSED!
Snails. Spiders. Earth worms. What do they all have in common? They are all GARDEN CREATURES! This week I want you to grab your cameras, and show me what you have lurking in your YARD or GARDEN!

Extra Credit: Share with us your favorite and your least favorite GARDEN CREATURES!

Guidelines for Assignment Submissions...

1.The EMPS closes each Sunday evening at 9:00 PM (ET). No submissions will be accepted after that time.

2. Submit your entry by getting your photo, uploading it to you blog or website, and then comeback here and leave me your link in the comment thread. PLEASE REMEMBER... THE LINK YOU LEAVE MUST GO BACK TO AN ENTRY WHICH IS SPECIFIC TO THIS WEEK'S ASSIGNMENT! A general link to your site will not do, and will not be added to the list of those participating the following Monday. HYPERLINKS ARE NOT ACCEPTED!

3. Please be sure to provide a link back to the assignment in your submission, so your readers can find the assignment and join us. Everyone is welcome to play along!

4. Please keep in mind that the image you submit for the EMPS assignment, must be your own original photography. NO LIFTING!

Please Note: I have set aside two days during the week for visiting your submissions. Thursday and Sunday, so look for me then!

Participation List for EMPS #127: FROM THE OVEN 06/06/2011

1. Jama

2. Hip Chick

I will be playing along with you this week, so look for my entry sometime around mid-week. See you next Monday with an all new Monday Photo Shoot Assignment!

-Carly

RRC: Garden Portraits

"A photograph is a portrait painted by the sun."

-Unknown

RRC: Garden Portraits
Suggested by Sherrie, of the blog, Sherrie's Stuff

Above you see my garden, which is actually, a garden in progress. I decided earlier this year to create a Zen Garden for myself. Just a little place of beauty and peace, where I can go an sit and read and just be surrounded by beauty and light and life. You know what I mean? It's going to take me a while to get it the way I want it. I want to add more roses, and some new wind chimes, and maybe some pretty colored lights. I know for sure I want some small white picket fencing on the outside and perhaps some colored stepping stones. We'll see. Money is tight right now, but like I said, it is a garden in progress. But that's okay... I have patience. :)

Here are the roses I am most proud of this year...

I submitted this one for the New York Times "Moment In Time" project.


The colors on this rose makes me smile. It's lovely!


Here are a few more from gardens past...




Now that you have seen my garden portraits, be sure to visit the other participating Robins! I am sure you find some wonderful Garden Portraits! :)

Linking List, as of 8:56 AM PT, Saturday, June 5th
**Welcome Back Old Friends!
***Welcome New Participants!

Sherrie... Sherrie's Stuff
Posted!

Carly... Ellipsis
Posted!

Karen... Outpost Mavarin
Posted!

Linda... Mommy's Treasure
Posted!

Jama... Sweet Memories
Posted!

Rich... Richimage
Posted!

***Janette... Net On The Net


**Tara... A Long Road Home**WELCOME BACK**
Posted!

Sandy... From The Heart Of Texas
Posted!

Monica... Shutterly Happy
Posted!

Suzanne R... Suzyq421's Photo Blog
Posted!

Freda... Day One
Posted!

Maryt... Mary Tomaselli's Photos
Posted!

Ellen b. ... The Happy Wonderer
Posted!

Ruth... Scrabblequeen
Posted!

**Jill... South Bay Solilquy**WELCOME BACK**
Posted!

Gattina... Keyhole Pictures
Posted!

Manang Kin... My Life s Journey In Focus
Posted!

Fhaye... Photodito
Posted! (Link Corrected) :)

Peggy... Holmespun Fun Memes and Themes
Posted!

Be sure to visit the official Round Robin blog tomorrow, to find out what our next challenge will be!

-Carly