Lily Pads/Lilleypad, Etc.

I named my first Etsy shop, 'Lilleypad'. It helps to come up w/ something relatable, and hopefully, a bit clever. Needless to say, I have a true affinity for the Lily Pad flower. We have had the Botanic Gardens in Denver in the front of our brain, as it has been all over the news here. The infamous 'Corpse Flower', which they have in the gi-normous greenhouse was getting ready to bloom. Interestingly, a relative of the 'Lily Family', the Corpse Flower blooms once every 10 years, for about 2 days, and gives off the odor of a decomposing mammal. Gross, very very very gross. However, yesterday was cool, by Augusts' standards, and we decided that it would be a perfect way to seize the moment by going to the Botanic Gardens. I had a field day taking a boat load of pics, from Queen Anne's Lace, to the Sunflowers, the many many Lily Pads, the gorgeous Solarium (I want to live there!), and of course, the Koi Fish. As it turns out, I read today, that just a few hours after we left the Corpse Flower began to bloom. This was not something I wanted to experience, ever. But, we did see it, and I took some pics, which, somehow, not surprisingly, did not come out. But, I have to thank that strange creation for getting us to the Botanic Garden. What a gift, smack in the middle of Denver!

Post script: People were waiting as long as 3 hours to experience the 'Corpse Flower', and in some cases, were handed barf bags...things that make you go hmmmmmm.....

Koi fish...

Lily pads....

They come in all shapes and sizes!!

The Solarium, I want to live here!

So BEAUTIFUL!!

The bees are alive and well in Denver!!

Queen Anne's Lace, more bees!

From the gift shop!

The Corpse flowering plant...eeeeew
(not my pic)

'The Lord will guide you always;

    he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land

    and will strengthen your frame.

You will be like a well-watered garden,

    like a spring whose waters never fail.'   

                                                            Isaiah 58:11

Late Summer, Late Afternoon

Well, hello gorgeous!!

This is a fraction of Schartner Farm!!!

Lush..

Small portion of the many rows of vegetation...

Standing tall in the breeze...

Mum, getting ready to pop...so intricate!

Beautiful, full white Dahlia..

Mr. Grasshopper holding on..

Mr. Grasshopper and Ms. Bumblebee...good one!

The beautiful weather this weekend was a blessing. The September 11 Memorials were drenched in sunshine. Let's just say, it helped that it was not raining.

We went down to the beach on Saturday and I knew that we would be stopping by Schartner Farms on the drive back so that I could take some late afternoon photos. Two years ago, almost to the day, we stopped at the farm, and I did the same thing. The difference this round, however, was huge. What I mean is, that two years ago, the Sunflowers were so tall, I could barely get a good photo; this year, they were only up to my knees. Two years ago, Dahlias and Mums were nothing short of gi-normous, and this year, well, not so much. Not that the rows upon rows of flowers were not beautiful, they most certainly were, but it was a tough year for farmers, everywhere. I still loved loved loved, being out in the fields, alone, camera in tow, knowing that if I got one good shot out of many, then it was a good day. The late afternoon sunlight is a true gift!!

Wordless Wednesday

Heat Wave Sunflower,

Community Garden, Battery Park City, NY
July 22, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Sunflower

New Mexico, 1935
Georgie O'Keeffe

Hold on, it's coming.....

Wordless Wednesday

'Sunflower'

Schartner Farms, RI
This one is for you, Ms. Muse...

Etsy Promo, Buy 6 Cards, Get 2 FREE!

'Nestling Bumblebee'

'Zinnia, NYC'
'Carole's Zinnia'

From October 3-16th, I am selling 6 handmade cards for $21, get 2 FREE! No added shipping charges. Please e-mail me through my Etsy shop and I will create a listing for you. Custom orders are welcome. These are just 3 of the 24 cards (only), that I have listed in the shop. See previous post as well.

The FIRST person to purchase the cards in will receive 3 FREE cards of your choice!!
A portion of every sale is donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

HAPPY SHOPPING!!

Wordless Wednesday

Sunflower

Schartner Farms
South County, RI

The Late Bloomers...

A true sign of the end of summer are the tall, gorgeous sunflowers we see around now. As an artist, I always think of Van Gogh, O'Keefe, and their painted masterpieces. This shot, is the 'pre-quel', the 'before the original', 'how did they get that way' photo. In it's intricacies, I am astounded by the beauty and detail, by the overlapping green petals/leafs which will be the foundation of this bright, strong, tall, vibrant yellow flower.

Summers' End

I am always is deep denial when Summer starts to fade into Autumn. The sun is clearly lower in the sky, the nights are chilly, as are some of the mornings. Racing to the beach on the weekends is not a 'given'. BUT, as many flowers have come and gone, the heartiness of the sunflower, the last holdout, remains steady. Some have come and gone as well, some are just on their way out, while others are still getting ready to pop. They are big, they are beautiful, and I see why Georgia and VanGogh had such a field day painting them!