Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you all a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving!

"For flowers that bloom about our feet;
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
For song of bird, and hum of bee;
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!"
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thankful for flowers. 

As fall settles in flowers far and near turn to seed. Absence makes the heart grow fonder through the long seasons of fall and winter. Bringing happiness once the buds appear again in the spring and summer. This is a 'bright lights' cosmo seed-head bursting like a star in the fall air.

Thankful for nature's bounty.

This is our one and only lonely pumpkin that survived. Out of 9-12 pumpkin vines we only got 2 pumpkins and one of them fell prey to a hungry deer. What's the secret to getting a bountiful crop of pumpkins??? I'd love to know! Nonetheless, we were happy to have this adorable little cutie. I'm excited to grow this variety again next year and hope for a few more survivors.

Thankful for vivid color.

The colors of fall are so warm and comforting. These ornamental grasses in my garden which are bright green in the summer, turn amazing shades of gold, amber and rust in the fall.

Thankful for pretty things.

I'm not sure what kind of tree this is, some kind of crab apple, maybe? In the spring it blooms pink and mauve. In the summer these red fruits plump. They resemble cherries. In the fall and winter they are such a pretty contrast to it's grey branches.

Thankful for little details.

These bright red oak leaves look so beautiful backlit by the afternoon sunlight revealing the tiny detail in the leaves.

Thankful for the glittering sun.

The morning sun beams off the melting frost on these wild grasses. A reminder that winter is on our doorstep.

May your Thanksgiving be overflowing with warmth and joy!!!
Yours Truly,
Brooke

The Final Glow of Summer

taken:
day ninety four
09.22.2011

Day 94...the last day of summer...the end of a project. A personal challenge I met with enthusiasm. My vision was to feature a photo a day for each day of the 94 days of summer. I was yearning to ignite my creative imagination and hoping that I could capture something inspirational. I was rewarded with success and the feeling of accomplishment. I learned lessons along the way that I'll treasure for a lifetime. I learned that taking chances and making myself vulnerable as an artist can only make me stronger. Another lesson I learned was how important it is to follow a dream. Even if it means facing a fear.

Day 1 started with the glow of a willow branch basking in raindrops and the evening sun. I thought it only appropriate to end summer the way it began; with a glistenting willow branch. This one, on the last day of summer, beams in the morning sun, touched by dewdrops. Soon it'll surrender to cool air. Frost and snow will touch the tips of the willow branch lending itself to a cold winter. Summer, I'll miss you. Your warm weather, vivid colors and long days will be out of reach until next year when we meet again...

Blushing Bloomer

taken:
day ninety three
09.21.2011

This blushing pink sedum is a late season bloomer bringing splendor to the vanishing summer garden. It's one of summer's last pastels before a harsh change blankets the outdoors with frosty mornings and a brisk chill.

Nature Speaks

taken:
day ninety two
09.20.2011

"Nature holds all the answers 

- go outside and ask some questions - 

open your heart and listen to the response!"

~Amethyst Wyldfyre

This green mossy tree is whispering sweet somethings. Gently asking for a closer look. Softly saying, "I'm here. The birds love me. The wind shifts me. The sun warms me. I am tranquil nature." It's soft and quiet and it's speaking to you. Perk up and tune in.

Alluring Green Eyes

taken:
day ninety one
09.19.2011

This little creature, with it's alluring green eyes, is a 'pink edged sulphur' butterfly. On this day there were many of them fluttering around the marigolds enjoying the last of summers sweetness.

From Seed to Bouquet

taken:
day ninety
09.18.2011

As the end of summer officially drew to a close I started to feel lost. My subjects were fading and I wasn't ready for them to fade. I was getting discouraged. This day I didn't step outside to take my photos, I only snapped some shots of a sunflower bouquet in my kitchen. A bouquet arranged from sunflowers that I lovingly planted in the spring. Their life had come full circle. From seed, to sprout, to lofty blossoms, to a bright bouquet in shades of yellow, gold, rust, orange and white. 

At Dusk

taken:
day eighty nine
09.17.2011

I almost forgot to take my photos for the day, but I wasn't going to let that happen again. So even though it was getting late and the sun was very low I grabbed my camera and went out on the patio. I snapped some photos of this moss rose. I like this photo for the detail on the curled leaf and the softenss of the petals in the dim light.

Little Blondie

taken:
day eighty eight
09.16.2011

I don't know why but we seem to encounter caterpillars on our way to the school bus stop. On this day we first saw a wooly bear caterpillar. Then we saw this super fluffy golden blond caterpillar. I tried to figure out what kind of caterpillar it was but didn't have any luck. Since seeing this one we've seen many more, and always on strolls down our street, weird!

Catch the Sun

taken:
day eighty seven
09.15.2011

This is what sunlight looks like as it dances on the tips of wild grasses in the afternoon. If the camera catches the sun just right, it’ll capture something magical.

Super Star

taken:
day eighty six
09.14.2011

The last half of the summer was pretty dry. Lush green turned into crunchy brown. But this morning glory still splashed with color. It’s bloom, just about to pop open, looked like a super star, twinkling pale blue among the flaxen lawn in the background.

Such is Life

day eighty five
09.13.2011

I let myself down on this day. It was late at night, drowsy from the busy day,  I felt my heart sink as I realized that I forgot to take photos for my 94 Days of Summer project. How could I have forgotten? 

I was faced with the inner negativity that I failed, afraid that it would halt me in my tracks. And then I decided, I would not let this little hurdle stop me from finishing what I set out to accomplish. So instead of sharing a photo for the day I'm sharing some of my typography. A lovely quote from Doris Day's signature song. A song I remember my mom singing to me when I was a girl. With a meaning so simple yet so powerful. For on this day I learned a lesson in letting go, persevering in the shadow of disappointment and surrendering control. 

Such is life, I told myself, whatever will be, will be. It's time I open myself up to the notion that not everything is perfect and that we don't always know how things will turn out. Que sera sera.

Sunshiny

taken:
day eighty four
09.12.2011

This sunshiny chrysanthemum adds a hint of warm fall color to a container garden along my front sidewalk. It replaced some fuchsia petunias that were worn out after a summer full of beautiful bright blooms.

Fluttering and Free

taken:
day eighty three
09.11.2011

It was September 11th. A somber day of remembrance. A day heavy with memories of that tragic day ten years ago when America trembled with disbelief and life as we knew it changed forever. 

This black eastern swallowtail butterfly lightened the day. A lifting spirit, fluttering among the white garden phlox blossoms, free from the worries of the day.

A Lovely Shade Of Lavender

taken:
day eighty two
09.10.2011

On a relaxing Saturday afternoon nature walk with my mom and my sons I spotted this 'red clover' tucked a few feet off the trail. It was tucked away like a little gem in a safe and special place. Quenched by a bit of soft and subtle sunlight. I wonder though, why is it called a 'red clover'? It's not at all red. Instead it's a lovely shade of lavender.