That effect where only some of the photo is in focus is always a neat one. I think it’s kind of the way the eye sees, having the brain pay attention to only one aspect of things at a time. Anyway, this pretty crocus with a bright orange center was blooming on this date two years ago, and I bet there are a few out there right now.

White crocus with purple stripes, up close and personal

Hop over to Outdoor Wednesday, Floral Friday, Weekend Flowers, NF Blo-Ma Tuesday, Today’s Flowers, My Romantic Home, Macro Monday and Scenic Weekends. I appreciate your visit here and remember, if you see only one photo here, please click on Sara’s Fave Photos at the top of this blog.

Well, the NW Flower & Garden Show in Seattle is over until next year. We had a lot of fun, met some wonderful people, and sold some books, jewelry and prints. Here is a photo I took of one of the florist competition bouquets. Such loveliness.

Lavender roses and orchids in a lovely NWFGS bouquet

Joining up in Monday Mellow Yellows, Catching the Light Monday, Shadow Shot Sunday 2, Macro Monday, Floral Friday, Weekend Flowers, NF Blo-Ma Tuesday, Today’s Flowers, Ruby Tuesday 2 and Pink Saturday. Stop by and visit them if you get a chance. Thanks so much for stopping by here! Remember, if there is only one photo visible here, do click on Sara’s Fave Photos above to see the rest.

I know it’s a bit of late notice, but I’ve just been so busy preparing for my SLIDESHOW of pretty pictures from my book coming right up on Weds., Feb. 6, 2013 in Des Moines, WA at 10:45am. Lunch is included with admission of $9. The Chinook District of the Washington Garden Clubs is having me speak and show images from my book “Flowers of Volunteer Park Conservatory.” The amazing and gifted senior gardener David Helegson will also be there to say what’s going on with the drama at the Conservatory, and answer horticultural questions, too. Here’s the link to the facebook page.

And something new! Besides having the book and some of the sparkly jewelry we make from it there, we’ll also have the brand new 8×10 matted prints of some favorite images from my book! This photo does NOT do them justice.

Matted photo prints from “Flowers of Volunteer Park Conservatory”

The fern, I think, is my own top fave. You?

Linking up to Today’s Flowers, My Romantic Home, Floral Friday, Weekend Flowers, NF Blo-Ma, Ruby Tuesday 2, Pink Saturday, and Monday Mellow Yellows.

It’s been quite cold and foggy in the mornings. Today it was very white and peaceful out there. The horse in the pasture next door added a nice, scenic element. Thanks, horsie!

Horse grazing on a foggy winter morning

Participating in Skywatch Friday, A Piece of Heaven, Outdoor Wednesday, Water World Wednesday, Nature’s Footsteps Waters, Photog Friday, Camera Critters and Scenic Weekends. Thanks so much for visiting!

I am happy that a few of my spring flower photos are on display at Today’s Flowers this weekend. I know it is rushing the season, but spring is so wonderful for those of us who just love flowers. This bouquet of pink and white tulips is a simple one, but so satisfying to me. The flowers have long faded, but the photo lives on. Not to get too spiritual about it, but maybe this is why flower photography has such a punch. It’s like cheating death, in a way. In any case, hope you enjoy the image. I’m calling it my Best Post of the Week.

Pink and white tulip bouquet

Joining up at Today’s Flowers, My Romantic Home, Floral Friday, Weekend Flowers, NF Blo-Ma, Ruby Tuesday 2, Outdoor Wednesday, Pink Saturday, and Macro Monday. If there’s only the one photo here, please click on Sara’s Fave Photos Blog above for the rest. Thanks for visiting, and please come back soon!

A trip to the archives for a blue sky, and who wouldn’t like to have Mt. Rainier and a full moon decorating it, in the late afternoon light?

A full moon over Mt. Rainier, seen from the Normandy Park overlook

Joining up at Skywatch Friday, A Piece of Heaven, Outdoor Wednesday, Scenic Sunday, Water World Wednesday, (snow!) Nature’s Footsteps Waters (snow!) and Pink Saturday. Today, we’re trying out a brand-new photo meme, Scenic Weekends. If there’s only the one photo here, please click on Sara’s Fave Photos Blog above for the rest of the pretty pictures. Thanks and hope to see you again soon.

A fine image for the beginning of January, don’t you think? This was taken at the most recent NW Flower & Garden Show in Seattle, the largest garden show on the West coast. And we will be there! Daughter and jewelry designer Lila, and I, will be showing our jewelry and of course, my Flowers book in booth 2806. Come see us!

Yellow and white striped tulip is almost open

Visit Today’s Flowers, Floral Friday, Weekend Flowers, NF Blo-Ma and Monday Mellow Yellows (new meme!). Please click on Sara’s Fave Photos Blog above to see the other images here. Thanks for visiting and Happy New Year!

No snow yet this year, but here’s a lovely scene from my back yard from last winter.

Please visit Skywatch Friday, A Piece of Heaven, Outdoor Wednesday, Scenic Sunday, Water World Wednesday, Nature’s Footsteps Waters, and Pink Saturday (snow). I appreciate your stopping by, and please come back soon.

Fresh snow on magnolia and dogwood trees

As this year comes to a close, this photo of two kayakers on Bowman Bay, right off of Deception Pass in western Washington State, really “floats my boat.” It symbolizes the feeling I have of moving out into life, alone but with a companion, on water which is dangerous but gives so much pleasure. The blue sky and water, the calm day, the companionable silence, and the feeling of freedom, make this a picture of my wishes for you in 2013. May you have these blessings and more.

In the ancient system of I Ching, water is the symbol in two of the eight basic parts of the hexagram. One is the symbol for Danger, and one is the symbol for Lake, or Pleasure. I love that.

Two kayaks on scenic Bowman Bay, WA

Participating this week at Skywatch Friday, A Piece of Heaven, Outdoor Wednesday, Scenic Sunday, Water World Wednesday, Nature’s Footsteps Waters, Ruby Tuesday 2, and Mellow Yellow Monday. Thanks for visiting, and come back soon! If there’s only the one photo here, please click on Sara’s Fave Photos Blog above for the rest of the pretty pictures. Thanks!

This summer a new attraction opened in Seattle at the waterfront, a huge ferris wheel. Do you see the two sports fields in my rearview mirror? So many curves in this photo! You can still drive on the viaduct past it, but not for long. I haven’t ridden on it yet, but I plan to. Even though the gondolas are enclosed, I am betting that the view will be spectacular. I will bring my camera.

Joining up at Skywatch Friday, A Piece of Heaven, Outdoor Wednesday, Scenic Sunday, Ruby Tuesday 2, Water World Wednesday, Nature’s Footsteps Waters, and Weekend Reflections. Thanks for visiting, and come back soon! Please click on Sara’s Fave Photos Blog above to see some other neat images.

Seattle’s new, enclosed-car ferris wheel on a typically gray day