Word - Lush

The word for this week is lush.

Its adjective meaning - having or covered with abundant growth.

I am truly taken aback by the richness of our landscape this year. Because of the calm winter, our plants are unusually big, abundant and the weeds, well, they are just as exuberant. The deep, fertile greenery surrounds this wonderful Venus de Milo giving her a certain air of dignity and grace. She is my favorite of the statues we have throughout the landscape and the fact that the patina looks so great, just makes my creative side jump for joy. It is what I had always imagined and to see a dream reaching reality just makes my heart sing! It is life's little happenings that we really and truly treasure the most, isn't it? What brought you to fulfilled happiness this week? I hope it was an amazing adventure of the everyday!

Sweet Faces

I love these sweet little aging faces. They are reading and sharing stories and it all happens in my front yard. Yes, this little statue sits outside our front porch and I love them. The patina of dirt, sun, and weather has finally made them fit in so you don't notice them until you look. The surprise of them hiding under a crab apple tree is all the more gratifying because not everyone will see them at first glance. I really need to do a painting of this tender moment and what a great title that would be!

Hollyhocks

The sun was hiding behind a cloud when I snapped this photo and it gave me such an enchanting color of salmon pink that I just had to share. I love the details of the center that you can see including the soft lime green center of the flower that supports the butter yellow stamen. The delicate nature of the petals is quite evident with the way they are sheer and transparent along the outer edges. The ruffles distract you from finding individual petals creating a nice round object to marvel at. The soft veining that goes from yellow to the softest of pink eventually fading to oblivion makes you appreciate its amazing detail. I got to this one just in time, it was the only one of the stem that had yet to be eaten by the japanese beetles, those darn bugs.

Word - Nestled

The word for this week is nestled.

Its verb meaning - to settle snugly or comfortable; to press closely and affectionately; cuddle; to settle, shelter, or house as if in a nest.

I love this little statue of the children reading. It is tucked in under a crab apple tree in the front of our house. If it wasn't for the sunlight moving in and out, I would have missed the sweet, tender moment they share. It made me smile seeing parts here and there, others hidden leaving a lot to the imagination. Oh, how I wish I had a pair of these tucked into the woods. What a great discovery that would be when happened upon by accident. Imagine the surprise of the adventurer!

Venus, Shy?

So Venus all the sudden wants to seem shy and demure, what's going on here among the flora and fauna? I loved this shot of her back and couldn't help thinking that it looked like a real person. Does she see something in the darkness? Did she just come from taking a dip in the pond? Really, anything is possible in our yard :)

I just really liked the contrast of the rich darkness in the background giving the coneflowers and daylilies in the foreground a spark of glowing beauty. The scene is almost magical and I can go there anytime I want because it's in my front yard. Where is your special place to visit, daydream and create? Come on, you can tell me, promise I won't tell.

Flight of the Bumble Bee

From reading the title you are now humming the tune, right? I was in the middle of taking this picture when that tune starting running through my brain. That's a normal happening for me, because I love music, but this time it was a little bit more. There were literally a little swarm of bees buzzing back and forth on these 4 foot tall coneflowers we have littered in huge clumps everywhere in the garden. I actually closed my eyes just to hear the sound amplified, it was a gentle hum of excitement and you could feel the energy in the air. Oh yes, I do have a love of these little creatures, but they do so much for my creative inspiration, how can I not?

Palette - Hydrangea

I knew this would be a perfect photo to bring forth a color palette. The faded blue hydrangea will always be remembered in my artistic mind with these soft, muted hues sure to enchant even my moonlight guided muse. So relaxed and soothing, just what I needed in the midst of doing my first ecourse. It is going smoothly, in fact, a little too smooth so the trip to the garden was just what I needed. I think I will do a canvas to commemorate these tattered and worn out hydrangeas but most of all to celebrate the colors of their shabby garden glory.
What has it inspired in you?

Hydrangea Heart?

The weather has taken a toll on those beautiful blue hydrangeas. I have to say though, I think I am in love with the color change. From the rich blues to the paler, greyer version, it looks like a pair of faded blue jeans that have holes and are just so with wear that you will not throw them out. I didn't even notice the shape while snapping the photos, it was only upon the cropping that the color faded heart stood out. It is amazing what you see when you really look, isn't it? I hope you are looking at something wonderful today!

Blue Beauty

We have been graced by blue hydrangeas this year and let me tell you, they are simply beautiful. Now blue is not my favorite color but I was so enticed to see these up close and personal I just had to grab the puppies, my camera and head out into the shade garden. This little bloom was 8" in diameter and demanding your attention as you got closer. I loved the shadows of the late afternoon making this blue beauty even more striking in appearance. I'm so glad I got to spend a couple moments up close and personal because it made me appreciate the colorful efforts of Mother Nature and her magical touch.

Floral Fireworks

I love fireworks and usually make John take me all over the county seeing them night after night. They are simply magical and transport me into childhood with each ignited blossom that appears in the night sky. The oohs and ahhs of the crowd thrill me beyond belief because it is as if I am seeing them for the first time once again. These red monarda remind me so much of fireworks that we have them in several places around the gardens. Their fuzzy tufted tops look like a crazy muppet hairdo but I simply cannot smile when seeing them up close and personal. What's not to love, they are red, wild and delight my inner childish spirit whenever I see them.

Happy Independence Day 2012! I hope you enjoy the holiday with family and friends and do go see the firework show, you won't be disappointed, promise!

Italy in Texas?

The atmosphere at Luca & Leonardo's in The Woodlands Texas hits you the moment you walked through the large doors. You were greeted by a pair of hidden statues and well, I feel in love instantly and couldn't wait to see what the menu offered. The rich aroma, the soft romantic lighting and general appearance of the staff all screamed italy and I wanted a taste. While perusing the menu a wine list and complimentary rosemary bread was placed on the table. The smell of that freshed baked bread, heavenly. Imagine the aroma of steaming hot rosemary married together with yeast and you are there. It was served with tomatoes, roasted garlic and butter - heaven already. I ordered the penne arrabiata and let me tell you, it was fantastic. A bit of spice in the sauce, grilled chicken dipped into the goodness surrounded by penne pasta - what's not to love, right? I will be dreaming of this for a while because it thrilled and captivated all of my senses...