We’re planting a big rose garden out in front. What a lot of work! But it will be worth it, absolutely. This is one of the 18 roses waiting in pots, named Broadway. In a rare burst of sunshine, it created this shadow, almost like another petal form. Visit Shadow Shot Sunday for more fascinating shadows.

Peonies are some of my favorite flowers. Their mysterious depths, the petals like angel feathers, the indescribable fragrance—plus when peonies bloom, summer is not far behind. This one bloomed the other day in my garden; such a welcome sight.

For more Pink of all types, shapes and sizes, visit Pink Saturday.

It’s June, and we were lucky enough to attend a wedding. Dan and Misty tied the knot, and here’s the cake and Misty’s bouquet for Today’s Flowers. What a wonderful party it was, too.

I’m a little late for Pink Saturday, but there’s a world of pink out there; go look.

It’s Pink Saturday, so here’s a rose for you in that delectable hue! Who can argue with pink?

I belong to a garden club, and my favorite part is that every three months, people get together and bring things they’ve grown that are beautiful. I find them irresistable to photograph. Here’s a sprig of azaleas, oops, now I see they are rhododendrons!, a peachy pink color that I am in love with. And if you’d like more pink, hie on over to Pink Saturday.

This rhodie photo is one of my absolute faves, so I think I’ll include it for Shadow Shot Sunday and Flowers for Today, and what the heck, let’s go for Macro Monday while we’re on a roll. All those meme sites have super participation from talented photographers, so take a look.

I’m trying out yet another photo meme, Macro Monday. Seems like a fine photo idea to me.

Here are some succulent sedums, or hen-and-chicks, from my recent trip to the Bronx Botanical Garden in New York City. There are a million kinds of them (OK, maybe that’s a teensy exaggeration), but this hairy one is a bit more unusual. Sedums are so pretty, many like little flowers, and tough and easy to grow as well.

I know I should save some faves for when there is nothing blooming, but I can’t resist. The first, top one is rhododendron branches I forced from completely closed buds. I was having a party for my birthday (do not ask how many years; a shocking number) and wanted a big bouquet. They took about a week to get from completely closed to this. I put them in very warm water, almost hot, to begin with and it really gets them going.

Then I had to post this checkered lily, Fritillaria meleagris, that came up in my garden. Awfully cute, don’t you think? But it looks more like a tulip than a lily to me.

And finally, this is from my next door neighbor Ele’s garden. The hostas and I think snowdrops (bluebells?) looked so pretty with the sun lighting them up.

And if you still crave more beautiful flowers around the world, click HERE for the greatest photo meme, Flowers for Today.

You can’t beat sunsets for enjoying looking at skies. I don’t know why we love them so, but we do. Add in a few boats and a still evening, and we are so happy to be there. The magic of photography is that we can keep those moments, and remember. Happy Skywatch Friday to you all!

For more beautiful skies around the planet, click HERE.

Here’s a shot of late July glads from my last garden in the Des Moines WA house. They are so easy to grow and increase by themselves. And do you see the red cherry in the background? I did bring some corms to the new place, but it will take a bit before they reach this density.

For more photos of ruby delight, click HERE.

It was not as cold as it had been, before this latest rain cycle, so the other day I got out for a walk. There were some rhododendrons actually blooming. Spring is always so amazing. The thrill of the first one! Of course, as my sister says, “Somebody has to go first,” so I guess I shouldn’t always feel so surprised. Everyone else still sleeping, and this brave soul just blooming its little heart out.

For more flowers around the world, click HERE. You can post your own, too. Do it!