Roses

And then there are the roses.

We have about 40+ bushes of them. And though we give them only minimum care, they thrive. This year we are battling black spot, due to our long, wet spring, but they bloom regardless. Especially the lighter roses shine at dusk, just before night falls.

The rose in the first picture Richard bought me in a small pot at Trader Joe's a few years back. After it was done blooming, I moved it to a larger pot and stuck it in the corner, next to our fence. It must have send a taproot into the ground because it now takes up the entire corner in that area. It's probably 3-4 ft. wide and again that high. Covered from head to toe in fragrant, sweet blossoms and buds. I don't know the name of it, nor the name of the exquisite bud below the first picture. That wonderful, butterscotch colored rose gets the most perfect buds and open into huge, long-lasting flowerheads. The open flowers are as big as my hand.

I could post pages and pages of rose pictures alone. But you'll enjoy them more a few at a time.

Happy Mother's Day

Gathered a bouquet of flowers and thought I'd share them with you. The roses are amazing this year. loaded with blossoms. At the moment rain is threatening, but they shine, even on this grayish day. What a joy!! Though the garden work seems to be endless, what a wonderful, scented reward in the end.

Wishing you all a Happy Mother's day!! And yes, those with fur children only do qualify! ;-)

Iris

This year has been a good year for Iris. Even those who hadn't bloomed in a season or two suddenly decided to surprise us this year. So I wanted to share a few of the more spectacular ones with you. I hope you enjoy viewing them as much as we do.

In Memory of Teddy

Today we laid to rest our wonderful boy Teddy. He was 14 years old and will be missed sorely.

He was born here the year after we moved permanently to the country. His only direct remaining sibling is Siegfried, our Silver Tabby.

He was laid to rest next to his brother Cheetah, on a bed of Lambs Ear leaves, mixed with Lavender buds, Rose petals, cedar chips and Lemon Balm branches.

We planted a Magnolia on his grave.

It will be some time before the pain of his leaving will get easier.

But he will live on in our memory always. His deep purr, his abiding affection and love. And last but not least, even his annoying drooling no doubt. Every passionate encounter with him would leave me full of damp dribbles. You were well loved my boy, and will always be in our hearts. :)

Flutterbye Rose

As you can properly tell by now, I love capturing visitors to the flowers.

I think this might be a Wood Bee, it's nearly all black with just those few, thin stripes on the abdomen. I don't often see them visiting. Mostly we're inundated with Honey Bees and Bumble Bees. Right now everything is in fresh bloom and the bushes are humming with activity.

Chinese Foxglove

I thought it only fitting to move into May with the flowers that are bursting into bloom throughout the garden. This is one of my favorite ones. Chinese Foxglove. A much looser habit then the ordinary Digitalis. I reseeds itself year after year. I love the intricate patterns in the throat of each flower.

Butterflies

With spring finally arriving at long last, everything is in bloom. At our house, the bees and bumble bees are present in huge numbers, which is a blessing. Especially given the honey bees precarious state in so many places.

But the other day, while walking through the Botanical Gardens with a friend, I captured this beautiful butterfly, enjoying a sip from the blooming Ajuga. While this species is bright metallic blue-green on the inside of the wing, didn't realize until I downloaded my images the even the outside has color. What a beauty

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Easter Wishes to all! Hope on this rainy Easter Sunday you will still find many bright spots to greet you. As I did, wandering the yard in the fine mist. Finding blooming things, turning their faces towards the sky , drinking up the delicious watery bounty. While we might mutter at the long rainy season, Nature savors each and every drop, as do the many flowers in bloom.

Lavender Bumble Bee

I know this picture isn't terribly crisp and clear. But I loved the way that Bumble Bee was hanging onto the Spanish Flag Lavender. His heavy, striped body, dangling on slender legs, with his wings down behind him, translucent. You can see the flower head behind , through the "windows" of the wings. And though they are plump of body, they move rapidly from blossom to blossom. So very difficult to capture them sitting still for a moment. By the time I would focus and bring him up close, he would usually be gone again.

Tulip

Every year this tulip surprises me. Each time it unfolds its many petals I am astounded on how nice a tulip it is. The open flower reminds me of a Lotus blossom. I don't remember the name or even where I got it. But it comes back faithfully, year after year.

And each year we're delighted to see it slowly unfold those petals. It's been open now for well over a week. So before you know it, it'll die back once again. So wanted to capture it's beauty before the petals fade and fall.

Spring Bee

For the first time, in what seems to be ages, we had a Spring Day. It was heavenly.

Spend most of it outside, wandering around to see what's popping in the garden, other then knee-deep weeds.

And there it was, our little crabapple tree, bursting into bloom. To the delight of the bees who were swarming it in large numbers. You could hear them hum in content at the bounty of the fragrant, newly opened blossoms.

I love that little tree. In the spring it puts on such a show, which is followed by sweet, golden applets with red cheeks.

Sleeping Tree Frog

As I am sitting at my computer this morning, I can hear the voices of the tree frogs, happily talking to each other from the ponds and puddles all around us.

The rain has been relentless this winter, it's seems never ending at this point. But the frogs are thrilled, as I am sure are ducks and other water creatures.

Note to self, check for webs between the toes!!

As I was listening to the frogs chatting away in that funny voice of theirs, I remember a picture I had taken of a tree frog sleeping it off in one of my roses a few years back. And here he is.

Stormy Creek Clip

I've never tried the video option on my blog yet. So thought I might as well give it a whirl this morning.

Roaring Creek

We've been getting hit by some heavy storms this year. Seems like winter just doesn't want to leave us. On this day, the Spring Equinox, we'd given up all hope of even seeing the sun.

So imagine our delight when the big storm, though roaring through on the Coastal Range to the West of us and the Sierras to the East, seemed to hit and miss us.

Not only were we able to do our doggy walk up into the woodlands this morning, we also walked down to the creek to see how the mountain rains were impacting it.

We could hear the roar as we walked toward the back of the property. The closer we got, the louder it became. How delightful to find not only churning waters, racing along with bits of debris and logs bobbing on the waves, but also clouds of all colors. Dark gray ones. Fat white ones. And in between, bright blue pools of sky and quick bursts of sunlight as well.

It feels like spring will come...........even if it's not quite ready as of yet.

Pink Stellata Magnolia

Every year I promise myself I'll not buy anymore plants , other then low maintenance succulents to go into my empty flower pots. And then spring arrives and with it sunny, balmy days filled with wonderful blossoms everywhere.

Of course I could not resist this wonderful Stellata Magnolia in pink. The white ones are plentiful, but Kathy ,who owns a local nursery, only got this one pink in with a shipment of white Stellata. So of course I had to add it to my collection.

I loved the way the morning sun lit up the open petals. Later that same day I noticed that not only are the flowers stunning, the honey bees and bumble bees love them!! Doesn't get any better then that. :)

Cherry Plum Blossoms

After a wonderful preview of Spring, this last week it's gotten very chilly again. Our nights are freezing once more. But despite it all, the Cherry Plum has decided it's time to bloom. And during the warm afternoon hours the bees appreciate the effort to provide nectar. The blossoms aren't very thick on the tree, but those who are open make up for that lack in delicate beauty.

Morning Splendor

We're getting hit by some of the last winter storms (we hope) this week. A very wet one just left and this morning the next, much colder one is moving in with strong winds and clouds that are racing along.

But we managed our doggy walk in between storms this morning.

As we came around the corner and started down the road, suddenly the rising sun broke through the clouds in the East and illuminated the landscape in front of us with a wonderful golden light.

It was absolutely breathtaking. All I need now is a Digi Cam that can capture it a bit better. But for a little pocket cam, not bad, all in all.

Spring Beauty

Though the nights are still fairly cool, the arrival ofspring cannot be stopped.....it might stall for a while yet, but there are signs of hope. Almost daily I find more messengers assuring me that the cold, dark season is slowly making way for the longer, warmer days. I love the deep yellow cups on these little Narcissus. Miniature suns!!

Hummingbird HQ

Most of the time, as I look out the window from our little table, this little hummingbird is resting on that same branch. It appears to be his, in between sips of nectar, Headquarters. At first I only noticed him in the late afternoon/early evening hours, as the sun is setting. That's when I took this picture.

But now I look for him a lot and he sits there throughout the day, whenever he needs a breather from visiting the feeder, dipping into flowers or chasing of rivals.

As I am posting this, he just zoomed back into the pale blue skies once again.......snacktime!!

Snowdrops

Yesterday, with the sky cleared after the recent storm , I was wandering around the yard, enjoying the fresh,moist air. As I rounded the corner by the small pond, my eyes fell on a patch of white in the oak leaves. To my delight I found a small group of snowdrops who had eagerly pushed their heads through the debris, determined to find sunlight. What a beacon of hope! The first signs of spring have arrived on delicate stems. To me snowdrops have always meant that we're slowly moving toward the new season. Though our winters aren't very harsh , I am always looking forward to being able to spend my days outdoors once again.

Goodbye, Rosie

Though I try to share only joyful things, today I wanted to share something that reminds us to savor each and every day.

This morning we had to say our goodbyes to our old girl Rosie. She suddenly got critically ill, we're still reeling from the speed in which it all happened. She was in her teens and suffered from arthritis and had for some years now. But through it all her tail never stopped wagging. Even today, while enduring the pokings and proddings at the vet, she was sweet and wagged that tail. But her suffering was such that it was only right to let her go. She got to wander around the yard at the vet's with her "dad" sniffing at this and that while we awaited all of the test results.

And that's the way we'll remember her. Everyone loved her and we'll miss her terribly.

She was a part of our lives for 10 years , we found her abandoned by the roadside as a grown up girl.

Farewell, dear Rosebuddy!!!!!

Sunsets

Lately we've had some of the most amazing sunsets. Huge, strange cloud formations, building and moving to the West of us, over the coastal ranges. Some evenings I just sit on the steps and enjoy the show. But often that's the time of night I am feeding the cats and dogs their evening meal, only to find myself running back out again and again in between getting their dishes ready, for one more look or one more picture. I don't think the four-legged ones are impressed. But I just can't resist. Too beautiful to miss.

Manzanita Blossoms

Right now is the season in which our Manzanitas are blooming. I love the porcelain white bells, some tinged with pink. Usually I see a special kind of bee visiting them. They are large and dark with a little "funnel" of sorts at the tip of their" faces", which fit neatly into the tight opening at the bottom of the blossoms. They'll hum around me as I get too close to their treasures. I think they might be what are called Mason Bees.

But for some reason haven't spotted them yet this year. However our honey bees are desperately buzzing around the clusters, attempting to find a way in to the nectar they can obviously scent but not get to. The opening at the bottom is very narrow, they can't even get their heads in, nor they front feet. But they keep on trying. I can feel their frustration as they attempt, blossom after blossom, to find the bounty within. But as they are determined, in the end they must find a way to extract the nectar.

Buddhist Boy Monk

As we already have too much stuff, I was craving a space which is peaceful and tranquil. A place to get away from it all. To sit and think, breathe, practice Qigong and Tai Chi. So my lovely husband build an exquisite little building for me, which we call the Zen Room/House.

In it resides this sweet Buddhist Boy Monk, which Karma seemed to have send our way. So now when I need to settle my thoughts, read a few inspirational lines or explore my Tarot and Oracle cards I have a "companion" to help me focus and be at peace. There are still a few finishing touches to be added to both the interior (trim) and the exterior, but it's nearly complete and just having this peaceful statue set up makes it feel complete. :)

Siegfried, the Silver Tabby

This is one of our original cats, now 14 years old. He's a handsome Silver-Tabby named Siegfried . When I saw him for the first time as a kitten ,I immediately thought of Siegfried and Roy's white tigers .

On this particular afternoon he couldn't make up his mind whether he was coming in for the night.............or not.

So he sat on top of the cattery, next to the weathervane to think about it for while. I am glad I got this shot, as he came down shortly after I put the camera away. It was a cold, but sunny afternoon and in the end the thought of a heated throw won out over the temptation of continued freedom.

Snow Still Life

While on our walk after the recent snowfall, found this nice oakbranch which had broken off in the storm.

Loved the color of the moss and lichen against the snow. Shortly after taking my first picture of it, Tut, our big boy came racing along joyfully and trampeled it into the snow. It did not survive.

Happy Snowy New Year 2011

After longing for snow endlessly all winter, last night, shortly before midnight our wish was finally granted. It started snowing and continued to do so for a few hours. Sadly now the temps are slowly rising and the WinterWonderland is gently melting away.

But here's a little Snowbunny I was able to capture before it's all gone. At his feet a violet is blooming.

The Tree at Night

Decided to take another picture of our wonderful tree as night was falling, just before there was need to use the flash. I am very pleased with the end result. Love the way the treelights and shadows are playing on the walls.

Christmas Tree 2010

For the first time in ages, this year we have a real, full-sized Christmas Tree. What a treat. My dear husband worked tirelessly to ready the Zen Room in which the tree is housed.

It turned out wonderful. We drove to town late yesterday afternoon and found the perfect tree in the last Christmas Tree lot in town. Ashlee, our granddaughter was as thrilled as we were.

We rushed home, got it set up and started decorating at once. Worked until late in the afternoon/early evening and got it done. Revisited many nice ornaments I hadn't seen in many years. I'll share a few before the season is over.

Nest in Winter

When leaving the fitness center after our Tai Chi Class the other day, my eye fell on a lovely, little bird's nest, newly revealed by the falling of the last autumn leaves.

All summer we walked past that tree, not knowing of the cozy home, hidden in the center. Protected by lush growth, nestled securely amongst the branches.

But now, with inhabitants long flown, it's been exposed . We'll be listening carefully come spring. Will the former occupants set up home once again., maybe raise a feathered family?

Abalone

Earlier this year my dear husband of nearly of quarter of a century celebrated his 70th Birthday. So rather then spend it at home, I planned a 3 day outing for him. We spend a few days in Monterey. The highlight of our stay was a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

As the year is nearing it's end, I wanted to share some of the images I took that day.

This Abalone shell was resting in a shallow pool, allowing visitors a close-up look and touch of it, and the brilliant sea stars and seaweeds alongside it.

Winter Morning

Many of our mornings are now frosty. Which is wonderful for getting us in the Christmas Spirit in sunny California. Growing up in a land where the holiday season tended to be of the Winter Wonderland variety, even frost in the morning gets us in the spirit. So on those winter mornings when our garden is sparkling with diamonds of frost, I always skip around cheerfully, trying to capture as much of it as I can with my camera. The amethyst gazing globe glittering in the morning sun was a wonderful find for me.

Morning Frost

As November is coming to an end, winter is starting to claim the garden. This morning, on this first Sunday of Advent, our garden was covered in heavy frost. The sun illuminating the ice crystals, bringing them to brilliant life.

While pruning my Flutterbye Rose a week or so ago, I inadvertently cut a bud. I tucked it into my little fountain. She's been sitting there unchanged for days and days now. But this morning frost coated her heavily and froze the water beneath her. The Hawthorne tree, with most leaves long gone was rimmed in frost as well, with the sun melting some of it, adding glittering dew drops.

Though it was very brisk, a wonderful morning to walk through the garden enjoying the wintery scene.

Giving Thanks!!

The thanks we have to give for our many blessings are as numerous as the remaining leaves on our Liquid Amber Tree. Though it's often easy to grumble about the things we do not have, how many actual blessing we have in our lives that we often take for granted.

The roof over our head, be it ever so humble. The plentiful food on our table. Our health, which might not always be 100%, but we're enjoying our lives and are able to do so. Our group of furry family members who are faithfully by our side, day in and day out. Our wonderful, natural surroundings. A reliable vehicle. Things that many are doing without this holiday season.

So we're feeling deeply thankful for the blessings we do have.

And of course for friends and family, both near and far.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Plumbago

Though most of the garden is in vivid ,technicolor fall foliage, here and there late summer still hides. But tonight we're to drop into the 20's or possible teens. So these last hold- outs of a season long gone will succumb at last.

The Plumbago has been blooming tirelessly for months. And still it blooms. But no doubt this image I captured late yesterday will be the last of the season. So thought I would share it.

Mikesh

Thought it was time I shared another of our dear furries with you. This is our boy Mikesh. He's been ill recently, slowly recovering. He'll be 15 this coming year. Not bad for a country boy.

He is a sweet boy and took his medicine for a month without much of a fuss. Though of course he wasn't thrilled about it all. Here he is, sitting on top of the old doghouse, sunning himself. In the background is a wonderful shrub. It was supposed to be a Persian Witch Hazel. But don't think it is as it's never bloomed like witch hazels do in the winter. But the fall colors are stunning. I'll include a closeup of some of the leaves as well. Mikesh looks very handsome indeed with those glowing colors in the background.

Tehama Skies

Though I am somewhat limited by my little Exilim camera, still thought this November Sunset bears sharing . The tall Italian Cypresses in the background delineate our property line. We face the Western Coastal Range and often have wonderful sunsets. As I saw the sun making it's way behind the Yolla Bolla mountains, suddenly the low hanging clouds lit up, giving the appearance of a forest fire blazing in the distance. Just had to capture and share it, imperfect as it might be.

Yin Yang Bees

While wandering through the late fall garden yesterday found a delicate rose blossom . It must have just opened that afternoon in the warm sun, still full of delicious pollen. I watched two bees fight over the riches inside and all of the sudden they made things work by each taking a side . Thus being able to share the pollen and in doing so forming the Yin Yang Symbol. Balance at work.

Pomegranate Bird Diner

Yesterday we paid a visit to our Pomegranate Tree. It's a huge shrub really. Though it doesn't have quite as many fruit as last year, the ones it does have are very large.

While checking to see if they are ready, spied this one, way up in the tree. A bird's delight. Any of the Pomegranates we leave on the tree are a feast for our many wild birds. And of course we do share. We always leave the highest ones, or those already wide open, for our feathered friends.

As our last remaining little hen lives in the orchard, she loves the company of the wild birds and they live happily side by side, sharing any of the bounty which falls to the ground.

Though of course these high fruit are out of reach of the little hen. So while we're out there snacking on our fruit, we make sure to leave some treats on the ground for her.

Kwan Yin

Thought I would share a picture of the wonderful little abode my dear husband Richard build for my little statue of Kwan Yin.

It will be installed on a post in front of the little Zen House we're working on at the moment.

A place to be quiet and reflect. A place to practice Tai Chi And Qigong (without the help of the dogs).

It's at the back of our property, nestled next to the little library.

A very serene and peaceful setting, so this female Buddha, the Goddess of Compassion, will be a wonderful addition.

Though we are far away from family and friends, how lucky we are to have found such a nice piece of land which lets us create our own little "paradise".

Hard to find in these difficult and challenging times. Once again, mostly recycled materials are used to create this newest addition to our little "village".

We are deeply thankful ,both for being fortunate enough to have this humble, little place we call home, and for our continuing ability to work on these projects. Though of course not at the speed that was once ours. :) But it gets done. Despite achy bones, especially my dear Richard's. He's worked so hard all of these years, using his body to the fullest. I admire him for getting out of bed every morning, stretching out the aches and pains that plague him, and then moving forward. Often frustrated with hands that no longer want to do the job all the time. But doing regardless, just taking a little extra time. I assist as best as I can and together we manage.

Autumn Color

As our nights are getting cooler, the trees are slowly changing colors. So this morning I wandered through the property to capture a few before they fall. The first picture is of our Fuyu Persimmon Tree. The second our young Hawthorne. This year we've got more berries then last, so it's slowly settling in, finding spaces in our heavy clay soil to spread his roots. It is a Paul's Scarlet Hawthorne, which blooms a nice red, however for some reason, this last spring it bloomed white. Very strange, could've sworn the first years flowers were red. But maybe not. We'll see what happens next year. It is a lovely, little tree and I am looking forward to watching it grow, shading our front porch. And with flowers in the spring, wonderful color in the fall and those luscious, shiny berries in the winter for the birds can't go wrong. And of course our persimmon tree, though fruitless this year for some reason, does have very nice flowers as well, followed by those richly colored leaves in autumn and delicious orange fruit in November. Hope it resumes it's fruit production next year.

Burgundy Mums

Love the color of these Mums, they pop up faithly each year in front of my little library. In previous years the deer have munched off the buds, but this year they survived. So decided to take a picture of them before they are discovered. After the recent storm the blossoms still had lots of raindrops captured in their petals. Like silvery pearls.

So many wonderful things to discover, even this late in the season.

Cheeky the Squirrel

Thought I would share a picture of our very own furry visitor, Cheeky the Squirrel. He started coming to visit a couple of months ago and is now a daily diner. Rather then have him trash the birdfeeder, we modified an old out of service feeder and keep sunflowers seeds in there for him. Yesterday he brought a date. :)

The first week of November and the winter storms are slowing making their way in. Making the feeders get even more feathered and furred traffic. So better head out into the rain and top everything off.