Other people’s gardens, part 5, outrageous produce...

It is a well-known fact, well… known to my friends and those of you who have wondered through my ramblings here, that I am obsessed with beautiful gardens. We are lucky enough to have wonderful friends in upstate NY that have an amazing home garden. They are also kind enough to let us sample some of the bounty when we are visiting! It all tastes so fresh. My son is snacking more than he is harvesting most visits. It doesn’t hurt that this garden’s home is Chateau LaFayette Reneau Winery. Trust me, they know how to grow great things there. July 22nd

Submersibles...

Patterns always catch my eye and random patterns in nature are so stunning. The seaweed and lake stones hiding under the water were creating such beautiful images that shimmered with life. It was lovely to look at from above. July 21st

Layers of beauty...

Ah beauty, what do you find beautiful? This day’s post features two of nature’s wonders: a beautiful painted sky at sunset and a home of distinction built by insect instinct. I wish I was a little braver and could have gotten a little closer so you could see how the nest looked like it was formed from strips of antique lace. The designs woven into that cone shaped hive were truly lovely to see… from a distance. I also wish I had my tripod because I was zoomed all in and trying to hold as still as possible. They had no interest in me and I knew it but I still wanted to stay under their radar. OK, fine, National Geographic isn’t going to send me on any jungle expeditions any time soon. (Dear National Geographic. I will get over any fears I may have if you would like to send me on a jungle expedition in the near future.)

The sunset was all cotton candy pink and grape slushy purple. I can never resist a sky like that and over water too. It is always a gift to the senses. July 20th

The birds...

The temperature was in the three-digit range and my son was cooling off in the lake when a few friends decided to drop in for an afternoon snack. The duck bread was appreciated but also too much of a temptation for the upstairs neighbors. Once they crashed the party the ducks found another place to chill out. I felt a little like Tippi Hedren. July 19th

Tied up in knots...

It was the patterns that struck me first. The sharp clean, straight, orderly lines of the brick juxtaposed with the soft, curved, chaotic lines of the hose caught my eye. The bits and pieces of debris just added something to the whole composition. I almost moved them but I liked them there. For some reason, I feel like having a soft pretzel though. :-)  July 18

Breakfast is served...

Every once in a while someone does something that sets you back on your heels and lets you know that you are loved. If we look we can see it every day in the little things but every once in a while, if we are really lucky, someone will point it out to us in a big way. This day, how much I was loved was staring me in the face and came with options! My son planned breakfast for us. Phil and I each had our own menus at our places and we were waited on with style. He even cleaned up after. Fruity Cheerios never tasted so good. July 17th

Other people’s gardens, part 4, falling water…

The lovely woman who created this beautiful oasis planted my moon flowers for me. She is a wiz with things that grow and I am going to have to show you her gardens soon, but this post is about her waterfall. We have talked about how cool it would be to put a water feature in our yard. We, apparently, are all talk but our neighbors took action. Isn’t it beautiful? My son was adamant that the frog get his 15 minutes of fame. July 16th