The Center

Some Thesaurus words for "delicate" - aerial, breakable, choice, delectable, delightful, elegant, ethereal, faint, filmy, finespun, fragile, frail, graceful, mild, pale, pastel, rare, slight, soft, subdued, subtle, superior, tender.

I love so many of these words, every one of them just sends my artistic side into a dream like state thinking of an image for each delicate standby. I picked this clematis center so you could really look at its graceful center full of elegance and tender stamen. It's almost like it is protecting a secret held deep inside its magical center just waiting to be discovered. Would you have taken the time to look? Would it have made you stop to take a photo? I sure hope so. It's wonderous every day things like this that just make me take notice and want to explore them a bit further. I hope you stop and study the next flower you see, who knows what hidden discoveries you might uncover.

Word - Delicate

The word for this week is delicate.

Its adjective meaning - pleasing to the senses of taste or smell; marked by daintiness or charm; exquisite; fastidious, scrupulous; easily damaged, fragile.

I couldn't think of anything more delicate than the iris' thin almost translucent petals. The sunlight shows them off so beautifully here making them glow in its brilliance. Soft and subtle in coloring, this has to be one of my favorites in the yard. Old fashioned, exquisite and a wonderful sight for an artist looking for a creative inspiration today. I wonder what the muse will have up her sleeves tomorrow, I know it will be just as glorious, how can it not be? A garden of treasures await my senses everyday. I only need to grab my camera and take a walk, I'm sure to be enchanted by its beauty!

Intriguing Palette

We have several Japanese maples on the property and I just love them. Not only is the color a fantastic shade of alizarin crimson but in the spring the small tree almost glows with delicious beauty. I decided to check on it after the light rain of the day and saw these tiny, brilliant drops of wonder just hanging on the deep burgundy branch between the leaves. Add the aqua coloration of the sky in the background and I just knew the photo would be something spectacular. Although I cropped it tightly to focus on the water droplets, you can see the amazing color palette nature has offered up. What could you do with those magnificent colors? Hummm, I will have to think on that one.

Listen Carefully

Some Thesaurus words for "water" - aqua, drink, rain, rainwater, saliva, tears.

I love everything about these leaves. The pointed shape, the inner light colored arrows and the fact that they are sprinkle with water drops. The rain is needed around here in the Midwest and I am glad to see it finally get here after a very hot and strange spring. I imagine the plants all drinking it in with great gulps not sure when the next watering will happen. Can you hear them? Made you smile, didn't I :)

Word - Water

The word of the week is water.

Its noun meaning - the liquid that descends as rain and forms rivers, lakes, and seas; a natural mineral water; the water occupying or flowing in a particular bed; any of various liquids containing or resembling water; a watery fluid form or circulating in a living organism; a specified degree of thoroughness or completeness.

It has been dreary and rainy here all day. I was inspired by the wonderful drops of water collecting on all the garden greenery so decided to share the wonderment with you. I love how the drops magnify the pattern of the leaves that you probably wouldn't have noticed otherwise. This would make a great study of green and water drops since most of them contain very little color, just a brightness to mimic the light of the day. I could get lost in this photo with all the medium values connected with dark spaces and circles of life - love that!

Palette - Nest

I wanted to share my springtime palette with you and couldn't wait to show you these wonderful robin's eggs surrounded by crab apple blossoms. Could the photo be a better representation of the fresh, vibrant early season? I'm really not thinking so. Although the nest is quite dark, that happens when you are holding the camera above your head really hoping that you get a shot at all, I love it's position in the composition. Can you believe the palette I pulled from this photo? What can you imagine with that as your guide? I can only see new growth, tiny buds, perfumed scents and natures miracles. What a great way to live!

Dangling Wonders

Some Thesaurus words for "powerful" - able, almighty, capable, commanding, compelling, convincing, dynamic, efficacious, forceful, impressive, paramount, potent, prevailing, robust, sturdy, supreme, telling, vigorous.

Did you ever really study these little bleeding heart flowers? I mean, really look at their charm, color and gracefulness. I find them so impressive that I can't stand it. The way they move in unison with the most gentle of breezes. The thin stem that supports their huge translucent pink hearts and let's not even talk about the way the pink flaps flip upward to expose the white center stamen. Did you happen to notice the white heart on the stamen? Oh yeah, the gifts just keep coming! Small, mighty and a commanding must for any garden. What are you waiting for? Go purchase these little dynamos today :D