Portulaca :: Moss Rose

The other morning as I did dishes, I looked out the window.  I couldn't help but notice the heavy dew on the grass and flowers.  The sun was already bright, but still low in the sky, and I decided to hurry out to snap some pictures before the shadows appeared.

These are the Portulaca (also known as Moss Rose) in the garden just beside our patio.  During this dry summer, it seemed to take forever before they took hold and made themselves at home.  Right now, they're flowering and spreading like crazy.  I love the variety of colors: shades of red, pink, coral, yellow, and even white.

Here are some dewy shots that I managed to get... God's fingerprints.

Enjoy a safe holiday weekend!

I'm linking up with Beki

@The Rusted Chain

for Fingerprint Friday,

and Ewa

@Blueberry Craft and Hobby Time

for Flowers on Saturday.

Flowers on Saturday ~ Columbine

"Flowers... are a proud assertion
that a ray of beauty outvalues
all the utilities of the world."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1844



Have a pretty flower to share?

Come join the fun here:

Flowers on Saturday

Beautiful Hydrangeas
{One of my favorites!} 

Oct. 8th UPDATE:

Thanks to Ewa for naming me

one of the

favourite photos of the week

for last week.

Flowers on Saturday

There aren't too many things still blooming in our yard, but I'm still enjoying the vivid colors of the red Salvia and the multi-colored Portulaca.

Portulaca

 

Linking with Ewa for:

Flowers on Saturday

This morning, I enjoyed a stop at the Garden Center

-- just to snap some pictures of beautiful flowers.

Because who doesn't enjoy...flowers on Saturday? 

Birthday Flowers on Saturday

This week I enjoyed three days spent with friends.

One was just time spent together.

Another was a day of flower-gifts,

and today included birthday cake,

the birthday song,

and birthday presents.

A friend mentioned

that it's good to have your birthday "stretched out"

over a couple of days.

I would have to agree.

Flowers on Saturday

Flower: unknown.  Weed?  Perhaps.

Haven't done too much weeding yet this year.

Oh well.  It's been a little wet.
Time to get busy on these nice, sunny days!

I love the contrast between the lacy look of the flower,

and the bark of the tree.

Come share your Flowers on Saturday

@ Blueberry Craft and Hobby Time.

Flowers on Saturday

The Poppies usually open Memorial Day weekend.

They are right outside my kitchen window

where I can enjoy their brilliant color.

One was open yesterday.

Today, there are three more.

I'm hoping that we will get to enjoy their brief lifespan

before the rains come again.

Have a great weekend!

{These photos were edited only for resizing, and for watermarking.}

Matthew 24:35-36

A Tip, A Turtle, & Twine

{tip} One of my favorite ways to take pictures of flowers in nature is from the underside - with the sky as the background.  It often makes for an interesting picture.  Sometimes you get a clear blue background.  Other times there may be interesting clouds that add to the beauty of the photo.

{turtle} We had a little surprise visitor at our house today.  Dear Hubby was out mowing, and then poked his head in the door to say, "Does anybody want to see a baby turtle?"  Well, YES!  We went hurrying out to the front yard where said visitor had made his appearance.

He was quite annoyed with us - even jumping from my son's hand at one point!  AND - just so you know, it's a TORTOISE that's slow, NOT a turtle.  This little guy could really move!

ALSO - it pays to look at things from every angle... Check out the pretty color of his bottom shell!  {Hmmmm, are you seeing a theme in this blog?  It's unintended, and I am chuckling to myself as I type this... (clears throat)  Moving right along...}

{twine}

Check this out. (Love it!)

The Twinery caught my eye the other day on the side-bar of Twitter.  I clicked, and I read that they sell 100% cotton, eco-friendly twine that is made in the U.S.A.  Who knew that twine could be so pretty?  This twine comes in colors like Honeydew, Charcoal, and Maraschino -- 11 delicious colors in all!  I scanned the screen over and over again, trying to rationalize a purchase.  The Twinery site suggests these uses:  "Wrapping Baked Goods, Product Packaging, Gift Wrapping, Embellishing Stationary & Gift Tags, Party & Wedding Decor, Scrapbooking & Card Making, Embellishing Favor Bags & More!"  How would YOU use it?

ALSO - you can visit The Twinery Blog for ideas, tutorials, projects, pictures, recipes, printables, and more!  They even have their own Flickr group so that people can share photos of creative ways they've used twine!

Saturday's Flowers

I picked up these little "orange tulips" at the grocery store the other day.  I seem to have a weakness for grocery-store-florist-flowers this spring.  Oh well, there are worse things.  I could, for example, be bringing home doughnuts every time I grocery shop.  That would  be worse, right?  {Pausing to consider...}  Oh yes, that has the potential to be waaaaayyyyy worse.  Anyway, I digress...

I love the petal coloration on these tulips -- so pretty!  ENJOY your Saturday!

Playing with the exposure setting in Picnik

After the Rain

Today began with a hard morning rain.

By mid-afternoon, the sun was out, and all of the flowers were rain-soaked.

This is a close-up of teeny tiny flowers on a Brunnera plant

(also known as False Forget-Me-Not).

They are still glistening from the rain.

Check this out. (Love it!)

• Love this cool Easter Subway Art created by Chessa at "Antsi-Pants."  It is easily downloaded, and you can choose from three color combinations.
• And how about this "Amazing Grace" Easter printable from Madigan at "Madigan Made?"  It's subtle yet beautiful.  Again - easily downloaded.

Muscari (Grape Hyacinths)

Last week, I told you about buying a little pot of Blue Crocus for cheap at the grocery store florist.  I also bought a little pot of Muscari.  When I purchased them, the buds were tiny little clusters at the very bottom of the foliage.  They sprang up fast, though, and here they are today!  I love to watch their transformation.

Muscari and the well-known Hyacinths are both part of the Lily Family, and have a spicy fragrance.

I'm linking up with Ewa at Blueberry Craft and Hobby Time 

for "Flowers on Saturday."
Click on the button to link up and join the fun!

Bringing In Spring

How could I resist these beauties for only $1.25 at the grocery store florist the other day?  I couldn't.  With snow on the ground again, the opening of bulbs in the yard is delayed.  So, I am bringing in spring -- INDOORS that is.

Blue Crocus

I'm linking up with Ewa at Blueberry Craft and Hobby Time 

for "Flowers on Saturday."
Click on the button to link up and join the fun!