For me, the solstice is a key day to my emotional equilibrium. With the solstice night at about 16 hours long in this latitude, daylight is crucially important. Once the solstice arrives, the days lengthen again, so all is positive and improving.

I took this photo in my back yard on Tuesday morning, the solstice. One of the only benefits of the shorter days is that I actually witness the dawn light on some days. Can you tell I am not an early riser?

Visit Skywatch Friday for more skies seen round the world, Blue Monday and Scenic Sunday as well. This one is straight out of the camera, too. And Happy Solstice to you, a couple of days late.

As usual, if there’s only this one photo below, click on Sara’s Fave Photos for the rest of them.

Here’s a stunner of a view, if I do say so myself. It’s amazing what a little patch or two of sunlight can do to an otherwise gray vista. This overlook near my house has been such a great scenic boon to me, and I am grateful.

Visit Watery Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday, Weekend Reflections, Skywatch Friday and Scenic Sunday, too, for more great photos.

I continue to be excited by the lucky break I encountered in the cloud cover and am calling this my Best Post of the Week.

Want to see the latest posts? Click on Sara’s Fave Photos here or above. And do leave a comment and let me know how you like this blog’s new look.

Welcome to the very first post here on the new site, Love That Image. It so happens that this is the 751st post, so there were 750 in the old location. That’s quite a few in two and a half years. I must like posting photographs or something. Please do let me know how you like the new design and set-up. Be sure to browse in the Free Photos section for more searchable photos to use on your projects if you like.

Just for a break from holiday decorations, here’s a pretty chrysanthemum plant from a few short weeks ago. I do love the way they smell, so spicy and distinctive.

Visit Mellow Yellow Monday and Macro Monday, plus Color Carnival and Ruby Tuesday, for more great photos. And always check to see if this is the latest post by clicking on Sara’s Fave Photos, here or above.

Oh, the glories of a sunny morning. This image is hot off the memory card, as I took it minutes ago. Christmas cacti rule!

Visit Today’s Flowers for more amazing flowers, Color Carnival for more bright colors, and Cactus Monday and Macro Monday for you know what. This shot is straight out of the camera, too.

If there is only the one photo below, it might not be the latest blog post, so click on Sara’s Fave Photos, here or above. And soon, soon, soon, an entirely new look for all my dear readers.

On my visit to the Pike Place Market in Seattle on Friday, there was some actual brilliant sunlight streaming in the windows lighting up the unique and beautiful holiday bouquets. Since the flower vendors can sell only those plants and flowers they grow themselves, the most unusual arrangements you will ever see are found there. And cheap!

Visit Shadow Shot Sunday for more interesting shadows, Color Carnival for more bright colors. And if there’s only the one bouquet photo below, click on Sara’s Fave Photos for more.

Dear readers, the new site is almost ready. I’m so excited! Very soon now, all will be revealed.

This little beauty was on sale at Pike Place Market this afternoon. These succulent plants don’t look like too much (for most of the year) with their flat, sort of leathery “leaves,” but this time of year they are such a blessing. I am now the proud owner of two of them and I see the appeal. Wonderful, showy and complicated flowers, brilliantly colored, just when we need some color in our lives.

Visit Macro Flowers Saturday, Color Carnival, Cactus Monday and Pink Saturday for some more photo fun. This one is straight out of the camera, too.

Try a new tag today. What about pink? As always, if there is only one photo below, click on Sara’s Fave Photos here or above for more.

Visiting some friends, we were delighted that they went to the trouble to bake bread for us. Just amazing how good these tasted. To be truthful, they were better than the hamburgers they enclosed. And they are so cute, too!

Visit the Thursday Challenge to see more photos with the theme of food this week, and Macro Friday for more close ups.

If you see only the rolls photo, click on Sara’s Fave Photos for the rest of the blog. Thanks!

Looking through the old files from May of this year, I found this photo taken at the marina (Boat Haven?) in Port Townsend, never before published. What a rainbow that was! I remember that it was unusually long lasting, its arc in the east getting flatter and flatter as the sun sank in the west.

Visit Watery Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Skywatch Friday, Scenic Sunday and Weekend Reflections for more interesting photographs on a theme. This one is also straight out of the camera. And because I like it so much, I’m putting it in the Best Post of the Week category.

Please try a new category or tag while you are here. And if there is only the one photo below, click on Sara’s Fave Photos for the whole blog experience.

All I want is some sunshine, so this dahlia flower photo will have to do. The stripey petals are called striated, I believe. Isn’t it a cool effect? This was an annual type, so it’s forever gone, but that’s why photos are so great, to me at least.

Visit Mellow Yellow Monday, Macro Monday, Color Carnival and Ruby Tuesday for more interesting and creative photos.

We’re getting very close to the launch of the brand new blog site! I’m very excited. Your browser should just bring you to the new site, so no worries. Soon!

Do click on Sara’s Fave Photos if there is only one photo here. And while you’re at it, try another category or tag, just for fun.

At the potluck brunch this morning for which I prepared the fruit plate mentioned in my last post, our hostess had decorated so beautifully for the holiday. The house had decor including several arrangements with perfect red roses that she had made herself. As a long-time garden club member, no wonder she did such a beautiful job. I loved the idea of red roses for Christmas.

Visit Macro Flowers Saturday, Today’s Flowers, and Color Carnival for more interesting photos with a theme.

And as usual, if there’s only one photo showing below, click on Sara’s Fave Photos, here or above, for the complete blog with the latest posts.