As we approach the Winter solstice, I found this photo taken on a Summer solstice at the Woodland Park Rose Garden in Seattle, right near the zoo. It has been clear but very cold out, and this vision of the warm days of summer does seem almost impossible, but so sweet.

For more blissful pinkness, visit Pink Saturday. And this one (sunshine makes it so easy) is SOOC, or straight out of the camera.

Not much blooming outside right now, so here’s a dip into the archives for something pink and delightful to brighten any gray skies for you. Visit Pink Saturday for more blissful pinkness.

PLEASE IGNORE IF READ BEFORE about the 2009 Photoblog Awards. If you like my photos, please vote for this photoblog before Dec. 15 and leave a comment in the link  below. You have to register (name and password only) and then click on the word Vote in the upper left. Thanks very much! Photoblog Awards 2009

It’s been gray, gray, gray and raining, even more than usual here in Seattle. It’s rained 5 or 6 inches in the last few weeks, with not even a sunbreak very often. This photo of a rose was taken in someone else’s garden in September, not that long ago, but it seems so far away. For more blissful pinkness, visit Pink Saturday.

PLEASE IGNORE IF READ BEFORE: I’m repeating this info about the 2009 Photoblog Awards. If you like my photos, please vote for this photoblog and leave a comment in the link  below. You have to register (name and password only) and then click on the word Vote in the upper left. Thanks very much! Photoblog Awards 2009

Today I am posting two flowers in honor of being Guest Friend on Flowers for Today, where you can see lovely flowers of all kinds posted on blogs around the world.

Here are some snapdragons from my garden, “snapped” mid-October in a sunbreak after a rain, with my house in the background. I grew these from seed so I’m extra happy with them. If we get a mild winter they might even live over to next year.

Below the snaps is a red, red rose, taken in a Wallingford garden on the same day as the snapdragons.

This is also a post for Color Carnival, site of brilliant colors in photos.

PLEASE IGNORE IF READ BEFORE: I’m repeating this info about the 2009 Photoblog Awards. If you like my photos, please vote for this photoblog and leave a comment in the link  below. You have to register (name and password only) and then click on the word Vote in the upper left. Thanks very much! Photoblog Awards 2009

Thought I’d post a couple of rainy rosebuds for Watery Wednesday. To me the raindrops look almost like jewels. Which one do you prefer?

PLEASE IGNORE IF READ BEFORE: Readers arrive on different days, so I’m repeating about the 2009 Photoblog Awards. If you like my photos, please vote for me and/or leave a comment in the link  below. You have to register (name and password only) and then click on the word Vote in the upper left. Thanks very much! Photoblog Awards 2009

This pink rose from my garden was in a bouquet in my living room, last week while it was still sunny. I love that you can see the light through the center, just a little bit. Happy Pink Saturday, everyone! And a reminder, this and pretty much all the photos on this blog are SOOC, or Straight Out Of the Camera. Just in case you wondered.

I’ve entered the 2009 Photoblog Awards. If you like my photos, please vote for me (by leaving a comment? by clicking on the word Vote at upper left?) here:

http://vote.photoblogawards.com/photoblog.php?name=saras-fave-photos

Took this yesterday in a break from the heavy rain we’ve been having. Roses don’t really like a lot of rain and if you know more is coming, you might as well pick the ones you have and enjoy the bouquet before they get too battered. Isn’t this a pretty one?

For more flowers, common and new to you, visit Today’s Flowers. And for more fascinating macros of all kinds, visit Macro Monday. And Ruby Tuesday folks, you know what to do for more ruby redness!

Here is a bouquet I picked last week. The sun came out strong and before I took them to a cooler location, of COURSE I took this photo.

For more shadows of all types and descriptions, visit Shadow Shot Sunday.

The sunny weather finally ended, and we’re looking at at least a week or two of rain and showers. Today I was out after a meeting in Wallingford and saw this rose still showing the rain from a few minutes before. I just can’t seem to get enough roses lately, but I think the rain coming up will put an end to them for this year.

For more water of all kinds, visit Watery Wednesday.

I’ve decided that this is my Best Post of the Week. Check out what other bloggers think is the week’s best.

I do love this Broadway rosebush. The flowers have lovely long buds, and open to fragrant perfection. It’s one we planted just this summer, and it’s very happy. Next year I’ll be cutting more, but this year I’m holding back so they get well established. But you can always take a photo!

Visit Today’s Flower for more floral happiness.

And visit Color Carnival for the brightest and most creatively seen colors on the web!