Opalescent Eyes

taken:
day ten
06.30.2014

Ok I couldn't help it, here's another dragonfly. And I can't guarantee that it won't be the last anytime soon. This one had me captivated with it's beautiful opalescent eyes and it's black wasp-like tail. This is a type of dragonfly that I've never seen before. It rested on the leaf of a wild raspberry plant. I didn't want to get too close because I didn't want to scare it away. So I zoomed in on this guy. Some dragonflies are really tolerant of visitors others are very skittish and zip away at first sight of an intruder.

Basking

taken:
day nine
06.29.2014

Another dragonfly, this one basking in a sliver of sun that streamed through the tree branches over my shade garden. This guy let me get really close. He bobbled his head back and forth in true dragonfly style. I'm sure he was in search of his next tasty snack. I wonder what he thought of my gigantic camera lens a few inches from his face.

One Single Morning

taken:
day eight
06.28.2014

These sweet little spiderwort blossoms grow nearby. I recently read that spiderwort blooms have a very short life, usually only lasting one single morning. But with each plant producing 20 or more flowers it will go on to brighten a patch of prairie day after day with their soft lavender petals and their wispy centers.

Revealed

taken:
day seven
06.27.2014

Emerging a few days ago this double gold gloriosa daisy is now revealed.

Mama Hen

taken:
day six
06.26.2014

I picked up some hens & chicks this spring. I'm excited to see what becomes of them. So far there are several "baby chicks" sprouting. This is "mama hen". Isn't she beautiful! I love her variegated petals from green to deep red. Each petal has a fringe of tiny little spikes making it appear mighty and sheltering. Possibly mama's way of protecting her brand new baby chicks? :)

All It's Golden Glory

taken:
day five
06.25.2014

There's a variety of rudbeckia in my garden and they're all beginning to emerge with vibrant color. This one is called a double gold gloriosa daisy. It won't be long and it'll be fully displayed in all it's golden glory.

Summer Of The Dragonfly

taken:
day four
06.24.2014

This seems to be the summer of the dragonfly. They are EVERYWHERE! Each way I turn in my yard and gardens, there they are. So many of them! Some with glittering wings, others with large iridescent eyes. Here's a cute fuzzy brown one gripping onto an iris leaf.

I haven't heard the official reason why there are so many these days but my theory is that it's because of the obscene amount of mosquitos from all the rain this summer. The mosquitoes have been relentless! And I know that dragonflies are known to feast on mosquitoes. So eat up little dragonflies, eat up!

Brilliant Colors

taken:
day three
06.23.2014

My yellow honeysuckles are in full bloom this time of year. The vine explodes in brilliant colors of yellow, gold and orange. This variety of honeysuckle only blooms for a short time, maybe a week or two at the most. Unlike my other honeysuckle vine, with coral blossoms, that blooms from early spring to late fall.

Gas Plant

taken:
day two
06.22.2014

Here's some pretty pink 'gas plant' blooms in my mother in laws garden. I always love strolling through other people's gardens and spotting plants that I don't have in my own garden. I didn't know anything about 'gas plants', I wondered how it got it's name and after further investigation, I read that the foliage of these plants is covered with a volatile oil that has a lemony scent and gives off a flammable gas rumored to burn a faint glow if lit with a match. Wow! I had no idea.

This First Day Of Summer

taken:
day one
06.21.2014

One of my 'sarah bernhardt' peony blooms catching a glimmer of afternoon sunlight that streamed through the tree branches on this first day of summer. I certainly wish these ruffly petals lasted more than just a couple of days. And the scent, oh the scent, it's pure heaven!

I'm so happy to kick off another 'Days Of Summer' photo project on this day. This will be my 4th year documenting summer with a photo a day. These projects have been so fun for me and pushed me in ways I never dreamed when I began in 2011. I'm so excited to share a little beauty and intrigue of another summer.

Welcome June

Welcome June!

Spring is singing songs of pastels and promise.

It's sprinkling light and happiness in every direction.

Here's a bit of what's making me happy these days.

Pale pink blossoms on crab apple trees.

The scent of lilacs and the butterflies they attract.

My first encounter with these little sweeties, 'Dutchman's Breeches', growing along the shore of Lake Mille Lacs.

Dandelions and their symbol of vitality.

New leaves and new growth.

Ferns, green and lush.

White blooms blanketing every branch of this stunning tree. 

I always say that these flowers don't last long enough. 

But while they're here, they sure make me happy!

Spread the seeds of happiness, people, so we can have a world filled with flowers!!!

Forced Bulbs

I forced some spring bulbs this year for the first time. It was a total experiment and I was so shocked and thrilled when it actually worked! If you're flower obsessed, like I am, you must try this!!!

With inspiration from BHG, this is what I did. Back in November I scored some tulip and daffodil bulbs for a steal. Less than $2 a package! :)

In early January I finally got around to planting them. First I planted the bulbs in shallow pots in damp soil, covering them but leaving the tips of the bulbs showing. Then I put each pot in a plastic shopping bag and tied the bag handles loosely shut, leaving them open just a bit so the pot could 'breathe'. I then took the pots and tucked them all safely in my fridge on the bottom shelf out of the way. 

Then I waited. . .

01.08.2014

01.08.2014

01.08.2014

01.08.2014

01.08.2014

. . .I waited and waited.

10 weeks later, in mid March, I pulled a couple of the pots out of the fridge and to my surprise, they were already growing, with stems peeking through the soil. It was so exciting! I marveled at the green stems in the midst of the polar vortex burdened winter. What a way to lift your spirits!

The daffodils grew and bloomed so fast. They were already budding within a week and blooming soon after, brightening things up with their soft frilly yellow blossoms. The tulips took a little longer to bloom but once they did they were stunning!

03.20.2014

03.20.2014

03.25.2014

03.25.2014

03.28.2014

03.30.2014

03.31.2014

03.31.2014

03.31.2014

04.04.2014

04.04.2014

I planted a mixed variety of daffodils and they all did well. The tulips were a little more finicky. I planted three varieties of tulips; Van Eijk, Holland Beauty and Apledoorn. The one pictuered above, Van Eijk, did wonderful! Holland Beauty did ok, some of them bloomed, some of them didn't. They weren't nearly as vibrant or hardy as the Van Eijk. And the Appledorn variety didn't do well at all. Maybe they needed more chill time in the fridge or maybe just more sunlight to grow? All in all, I was so happy with the outcome. 

Once I brought the pots out of the fridge I moved and rotated the pots every few days or so from places like my dining room table, window sills, a sunny spot in front of the patio door. This helped them get plenty of varied sunlight from day to day. 

Also, I planted several pots of bulbs and took a couple of pots out of the fridge at a time, about a week apart. That way I had blooms for many weeks all the way through Easter. It was perfect!

Maybe I just got lucky but I thought this was so worth the chance. I will definitely do this again next year. I'm already excited to try hyacinth and maybe even plant them sooner so I have flowers blooming in mid winter too. I'm imagining a pretty little pot of white hyacinth blooming around Christmastime, doesn't that sound lovely?!

Welcome May

Welcome May!

Spring is, without a doubt, a sight for sore eyes.

Winter was long and harsh.

Spring has been slow to start.

It's been downright dreary the last few days.

There's no shortage of moss, puddles and blue moods.

But there's always hope for better weather around the corner.

Grey skies are bound to clear up soon. Right?

The poor lilacs seem a bit behind, just beginning to peek out.

But even on a drippy, rainy day it's essential to walk outside and breathe in the fresh spring air.

I always love spotting the gems that spring boasts best.

And if you blink you might miss it because all of these spring buds change daily.

I'm so happy that May is here and spring is showing signs of life!

Happy May Day!!!

Warming Up With The Memory Of 2013

I sit here huddled up, wearing polar fleece and covered by a cozy blanket.

It's January 3rd and I still haven't packed our Christmas decor away.

The holiday season has come and gone.

The New Year has been celebrated.

It's been bitter cold and we're breaking record low temps here in MN.

In fact, our Governor just announced this morning that all public schools in MN 

will be closed next Monday due to dangerously cold temps. With a high of about -14 predicted.

And here I am remembering the warmth of 2013.

Gripping onto the spark of summer and the vivid, breathtaking color that comes with it.

Remembering the kind of color that lacks this time of year in the deep of winter.

I find myself dreaming of green leaves, raindrops and the buzzing of delicate wings.

It's hard to believe that all this bright beauty is buried beneath feet of snow, wrapped in the harsh hands of winter.

But it's a comfort to know that in a few months, after a long rest, the cycle will start all over again. 

Winter will lose it's hold on us. Bits of brightness will emerge and the warmth of a new season will drape over us.

Until then, stay warm my friends! :)