There was a chance of a light frost last night but thank goodness, false alarm. Most plants are fine with a brush with 32 degrees, but not nasturtiums. They totally melt. Glad we have some more time with these lovelies.

Visit Macro Monday for more close ups and Mellow Yellow Monday for more . . . yellow (you guessed it!). And this one’s for the Color Carnival folks, too!

I’m still in that rose mood. The sun’s been shining, and there are still some flowers on the rosebushes, although this particular photo was taken a few weeks ago. If only that transporting scent could be conveyed to you, dear readers. Perhaps computing power will achieve that some day, but until then, the photo will just have to suggest it.

For more perfect pinkness, visit Pink Saturday.

FREE PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE: http://creativetechs.com/training/category/10-week-digital-photography-course/ Another plug for the best deal on the web, a free photography course. It’s in the middle of the ten weeks, but on Wednesday they are going to cover Part 2 of Aesthetics, and Part 1 was fabulous. It’s free to watch the online seminar, but if you want to rewatch it or watch later, you have to pay a bit. Totally worth it, and so many free resources on their site. Definitely check it out. Superior to anything I’ve seen out there.

Driving home from a meeting, still in the parking lot, I looked up and there was a photo, practically like Arizona, somehow. I’ve been totally loving the blue, blue skies we’ve had this year. In my six years in the Seattle area, this far and away the sunniest weather we’ve had. I feel so lucky.

Visit Skywatch Friday for other fabulous local skies. And don’t forget to look up!

Visiting a well-designed nursery is a delight, even if you don’t have a budget for much purchasing, or even if there’s no room to put anything, a common complaint of avid gardeners. Here’s a display of asters with pansies, and in the left corner, that white little flower is called Chinese Jasmine and very fragrant, even that one little bloom.

Visit Today’s Flowers for more flowers around the world.

Here’s a shadow shot for you today. The weather continues, amazingly, to be mostly warm and sunny here in Seattle, even well past Labor Day. It’s supposed to be over 80 later this week! Hope you are enjoying your own weather, getting outside and breathing deep, wherever you are.

Visit Shadow Shot Sunday for more fascinating shadow visions.

This was really a hike. The brochure they give out said it was easy, but they lied. Even so, seeing lots of water tumbling downhill is so wonderful, even if you can’t get close at all or even get a good view. I love waterfalls. It was worth it.

For more watery visions, visit Watery Wednesday. Try posting one yourself!

Today (Sunday) is the first anniversary of one of my favorite memes in the blogosphere, Flowers For Today. This idea was created by Luiz Santilli Junior one year ago today, and I am honored to be Guest Friend on this special day. Thank you, Luiz! It’s so true that everyone loves flowers.

Below is my photo which is posted on their site today. It was taken just a few days ago on my patio here in Seattle, and I grew many of the plants from seeds. Dusty, our cat who is posing so nicely, is the kind of kitty who loves everyone. If you visit, she will love you, too. She is an inspiration to me.

I thought I’d post a couple of extra flower pictures today, in honor of this special day. Below are flowers from my friend Cindy’s amazing deck and garden, and one of her dahlias. Enjoy this happy day.

Here’s a shot from our camping trip to Lake Cushman a couple of weeks ago, before the really hot weather took hold around here. This was a perfect day, temps in the low 80s, and the smell of the woods and the oxygen and the lake nearby was heaven, as far as I am concerned. Thank you to Tracy at Hey Harriet for opening my eyes to shadows in a powerful way. I love shadows! Visit Shadow Shot Sunday for more oh-so-interesting shadows seen everywhere.

A week or so ago I went on a local garden tour and one place had bouquets of flowers on tables. This one dahlia looks more like an illustration than a photo! But I think it qualifies for Ruby Tuesday. Take a look there for more red seen everywhere. And while you’re at it, visit Macro Monday and Mellow Yellow Monday, too! I love memes.

These fancy daylilies are really something. The colors, the ruffles, the extra petals. The hybridizers have been busy! This was in a friend’s garden and I wish I had some. They do OK in part shade, you know.

Sometimes when I am taking a photo of a flower whose petals are in direct sun, the background blacks out and I get this exciting chiaroscuro effect, straight off the memory card. Isn’t it something?

For more flowers seen around the world, visit Flowers for Today. And for more brilliant color, visit Color Carnival, two great memes.