“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” William Shakespeare
Despite the persistent drought and the subsequent water restrictions the rose bushes continue to produce some lovely specimens. After trimming the pink one I was really happy to see the blooms appear.
Photo 1: Pink rose
Photo 2: Pretty in pink
Photo 3: Blooming pink roses
Photo 4: Pink rose bud
Making art is an expression of who I am.
The wonders I see and experience are a catalyst for creating and sharing.
I make art because the alternative is not an option.
Quote 1: “When passion fuels your destiny, joy will appear!” ~Vanessa Lee Thomas
My morning ritual usually includes reading the latest blog post by Seth Godin. It’s a way to kick my brain into gear and give me food for thought.
His recent post, What is your art? really resonated with me. I produce my art because I want to share something beautiful with the world and because I love it!
I am so grateful to all those who tell me that my art makes them smile and brightens their day. That they think of me when they see flowers. It warms my soul.
Quote 2: “Little deeds are like little seeds, they can grow to flowers or to weeds” ~Daniel D Palmer
Quote 3: “If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our lives would change” ~ Buddha
Quote 4: ” Your soul can see the beauty that surrounds you, embrace it!” ~Vanessa Lee Thomas
The long elegant stems of these pink Gladioli were irresistible to me when I was out on a recent shopping trip.
To me they are the one flower that can instantly glam up an ordinary corner in the house. Even as they bend the arching is so graceful it’s like watching a ballerina stretch.
Here are some pics of them.
Photo 1: Graceful
Photo 2: Glamorous
Photo 3: Gorgeous
Photo 4: Eye catching
Photo 5: Elegant
There are few things that excite me as much as discovering a beautiful bloom. It has no expectations of the world but revels in the elements whether it be sunshine, wind or rain. When it is at its peak the glorious light of living shines forth spreading beauty where it finds itself.
Quote 1: You have to find what sparks a light in you so that your own way can illuminate the world – Oprah
Quote 2: Each new day is an opportunity to try again! Embrace it!
Quote 3: To know even one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded.
Quote 4: There are always flowers for those who want to see them.
Quote 5: Bloom- with all the enthusiasm you can muster!
It seems to be a philosophical and gratitude filled period for me so I’m sharing some pics and quotes. Enjoy!
Quote 1: Truly perfect is becoming friendly with your imperfections on the way to doing something remarkable ~ SethGodin
Quote 2: Notice life’s most precious moments as they happen
Quote 3: Praise is like sunlight to the human spirit. We cannot flower without it. -Jess Lair
Quote 4: Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. ~Melody Beattie
Quote 5: We are not affected by events but by the view we take of them. Event + Response = Outcome ~Jack Canfield
It’s a stunningly beautiful morning in Northern California today. As my children excitedly anticipate the start of the summer break the mood is jovial and we pay attention to little details on the school run. We spotted a swallowtail butterfly fluttering between the emerging white agapanthus and its wings were catching the morning sunlight. There is so much we can be thankful for and these small moments remind me about the joy to be found in living.
Photo 1: Be thoughtful. Be Kind. Be Considerate.
Photo 2: There are small moments of beauty in every day of you choose to find them.
Photo 3: Each new day is an opportunity to try again!
Photo 4: Surround yourself with positive people who nurture your dreams!
Reading my children’s yearbooks and seeing all the good wishes made me want to share them too – so HAGS to everyone in the Northern Hemisphere and HUGS to everyone in the South!
We had planned a family day out to Muir Woods, a redwood forest near San Francisco, on Memorial Day but little did we know how popular it was going to be! After assessing the parking situation we moved on to the city and decided to picnic in Golden Gate Park.
We found a lovely little section of the park called the Shakespeare Garden which although not big had some lovely floral surprises. The California Spring Blossom and Wildflower Association originally established it as the Garden of Shakespeare’s Flowers and it has a history dating back to 1928.
Photo 1: The Shakespeare Garden 
Photo 2: Foxy Pink Foxgloves 
Photo 3: Delicate Dancing Daisies 
Photo 4: White Foxgloves 
The rose bushes in the garden have greeted Spring with fervour. It brought to mind the song from the musical Gypsy. The song lyrics give the meaning to the idiom Everything is coming up Roses, and the words go “Things look swell, things look great, Gonna have the whole world on a plate. Starting here, starting now Honey, everything’s coming up roses.”
Photo 1: Variegated pink Rose
Photo 2: Bloom and bud
Photo 3: Emerging rose
Photo 4: Side by side
Photo 5: Rosebud
Spring in the garden is a simply marvelous season! New growth and blooms and the energy of the cycle of life seems to be bursting forth everywhere!
The yellow daisies around the corner and the bright pink of the Indian Hawthorn at our front door are welcoming the bees too.
Photo 1: Single yellow daisy
Photo 2: Think pink
Photo 3: Pale pink Geranium
Photo 4: Dancing yellow daisy
Photo 5: Perfectly pink
You can visit my page on FineArtAmerica for more flower photos.
Technically it’s still Winter in Northern California but that doesn’t seem to be hindering the geraniums. They keep producing buds and blooms at regular intervals from their rather shady spot in the garden. Here are a few samples.
Photo 1: Flowering Geranium
Photo 2:Geranium buds
Photo 3: Side by side
Photo 4: Geraniums in bloom
