Tag: Colors

Asplund Peony Garden Revisited

I wasn’t planning to blog about the Asplund peony garden when I drove out for a quick look on Saturday, but I just cannot not post some pictures I captured.

There are no words to describe this gorgeous display of color.

Once again, the intense colors and variety of color for one kind of flower is astounding. I am often reminded of what I told my boys once, “God created the colors long before Crayola!”

There were many bushes blooming, some were already done, some were buds ready to bloom, like mine at home…

The buds are about to bloom on this yellow peony bush in the Ashland peony gardens.
Long rows of peony bushes throughout the garden. Photo by cb.

All were a joy to see.

On another note, the Asplund Farm also grows grapes and had opened a winery for many years, but the winery has permanently closed.

It was a spontaneous, fun and colorful morning.

Colors of California

We had a dazzling time observing all the colors during our few days in California.

Dawn’s early light, before sunrise.
Sun rising over the mountains, at the exact minute it was scheduled!
Lemon trees, lime trees, avocado and clementine trees, o my!
Big waves and blue sailboats.
A flock of Birds…of Paradise.
Gary an I on this rocky beach on the Pacific Ocean during low tide.
A lone tree on top of the cliff overlooking the ocean.
A fun hint of blue on our toenails to remind us of the ocean water and blue skies
We went to fly a kite and the wind took hold.
A dramatic Foxtail agave plant.
Lil’ Toot’s captain took us on a harbor cruise.
Twilight, catching a couple of planets.
Pacific ocean sunset.

Colors of an Arizona Desert

We recently spent a few days visiting friends in Arizona and were pleasantly surprise to see the desert in bloom. I can’t name all the plants but I enjoyed seeing the beauty and uniqueness of each one. Such diversity, and oh-so-different from our Minnesota landscapes!

The entry to Boyce Thompson Arboretum.

For some reason this saguaro cactus arm was horizontal, not vertical, but so much better for us to see the bloom.
photo by tw

Barrel Cacti.


photo by tw

A butterfly landed on the sunflowers.

photo by tw

photo by tw

I believe this is an aloe vera cactus.

We saw this super tall bloom in someone’s yard (along with the Easter bunny!)

Stunning, colorful mountains at dusk.

Ruby Red

Today was my mom’s birthday. She passed away in 2009 but I thought I’d share a poem I wrote about her at that time.

Ruby.
I don’t know the year this picture was taken.
Ruby Red     
 
Red was her color
Ruby was her name
Never much recognition
Never much fame.
 
But she was a faithful mother,
A grandmother, a friend
Loved and cared by many 
Generous to the end.
 
She surrounded herself with beauty
Both natural and man made
She had a green thumb for growing,
And an eye for things that stayed.
 
From the house on McKinley
To the apartment at Meadowbrook
She kept her place beautiful 
It was always fun to look.
 
Her fun sense of adventure 
Took her on many fine trips
And hours of playing bridge
Kept her mind sharp and crisp.
 
Being with family and friends
Made her most content
She had much joy in remembering
Those times were well spent.
 
So here’s to Ruby
Whose color was red
God blessed her life to 86
An active life she led.
 
 
 
 
 

The Color Green

Green…spring greens…such beauty…everywhere you look. It’s dazzling.

And there is not just one color green but many shades of green.

A lily shaping up nicely.

Just think if everything green was the same color, tint or shade of green.

Greens in the garden.

Of course the same can be said for the color blue and red and purple and other colors – they all have different shades, but shades of green surround us and are so pronounced, especially in spring time.

Solomon Seal popping up in the garden.

Shades of green are on display for us all to see just by going outside.

My camera didn’t capture the shimmer in the tree tops.

Green is an amazing color.

Raindrops on lily leaves.

When my boys were little and coloring with crayons I explained that God created all the colors before Crayola made crayons. What fun to look inside a fresh box of crayons.

I love color…our brains like color…but right now I’m partial to green.