Focus On You

This week we've officially entered SUMMER. I am not ready for the heat and humidity, but I am ready to enjoy the summer flowers. I don't know of another flower that says summer better than a simple, sweet daisy. Honestly, can you even look at one without smiling?

I love these daisies against the gorgeous blue sky that Evangelina Murray has captured. Her photo makes me think of happiness and light and makes me feel a little nostalgic. I had daisies in my wedding bouquet way back in the early 70's!!  You can see more of Evangelina's beautiful photos on her Flicker stream.

Keep those summer photos coming to our FOL Flicker stream. Just a reminder that our focus this month is backlighting. Early summer mornings are a great time to get out and capture the light!

A Summer Flower Arrangement

by Kelly

I hope some day to meet God, because I want to thank Him for the flowers. ~Robert Brault

 I got a wild hair on Sunday.

Right now my backyard is a carnival of bright, bold, colorful flowers. It's one of my very favorite things about summer actually, and to celebrate, I decided to make a summer flower arrangement with some of the blooms.

Using the Floret Farm Cut Flower Garden as a jumping off point, I went about my yard in search of greenery and flowers to make an arrangement.  For greenery, I used a few stems of weigela, some fern fronds, and dusty miller. Then for the flowers I chose roses, hydrangeas, astilbe, veronica, zinnias, and calibrachoa (small petunia-like flowers from my back porch pots) - all in shades of pinks, corals, and yellows.

I started by filling up my container (an antique silver pitcher that belonged to my husband's grandparents) with water and wedging some pieces of floral foam inside.

Sidenote...start by doing the foam first then adding the water...just trust me on this one.

Next I placed three branches of weigela into the vase similarly to the example in the book.

Then I added in the fern fronds and placed my stem of rose clusters near the front so that they would be the focal point (more or less).

To complete the arrangement I simply added in the other flowers trying to vary the shapes and maintain some visual balance in the overall arrangement.

I am so happy with the way it turned out!

The great thing about an arrangement like this is that there is no real right or wrong way to do it.  And I just love the fun mix of shapes, colors, and textures.

They other great thing about making this arrangement (besides the fact that it didn't cost me a penny) was the sheer delight of playing with flowers that I grew in my very own garden.  Thirty minutes of fun, messy play...a brief escape from my pile of laundry and sink full of dishes. Plus, as an added bonus, I get to enjoy my lovely arrangement whenever I walk into the kitchen.

It truly is simplest things that make me happy. Thank you, as always, for letting me share them with you.

Until next time,

Kelly

How Does Your Garden Grow?

By Cathy

Mary, Mary, quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells and cockle shells,

And pretty maids all in a row.

If you’re like me, you’ve probably been spending some time outdoors doing a little yard work or preparing your garden space for new flowers or vegetables. As I was cleaning up one of my shade gardens I began to wonder about the history of gardens. What did ancient gardens look like? What did they plant? I did some research about gardens and thought I’d share a little with you. I’ve included a few links if you’d like more information about the garden features.

Medieval Gardens (middle ages to 1500) were mostly near manor houses and monasteries. The gardens consisted of raised beds for growing vegetables and herbs. They were enclosed with wattle fences (saplings woven between upright posts) or hedges. Trellis walkways and arbors provided shade and privacy. In the late 13^th century the rich began to grow gardens for pleasure adding trellises for roses and vines, dovecotes (shelter for nesting pigeons), fish ponds, and orchards.

The Tudor Gardens (1485 – 1603) were influenced by Renaissance Italy. The most recognized feature was the intricate patterns of the knot garden, geometric beds edged with low hedges. These gardens were designed to be viewed from above and filled with herbs like lavender and flowers such as carnations, violets, magnolias, and roses. Fountains were also popular and if there was enough space mazes and labyrinths were created as a source of entertainment.

Stuart Gardens (1600 – 1700) were designed to be symmetrical, proportionate, and balanced with long walks and great expanses of water that had dancing fountains, water organs that played music, or pleasure boats. They often contained water jokes where unsuspecting visitors were sprayed with jets of water. In the gardens topiaries were used to create formal shapes out of shrubs. (You should really follow the link and listen to a water organ. It's incredible!)

Georgian Gardens (1714 – 1830) were less formal layouts using box, yew, laurel, privet and holly along with hibiscus, honeysuckle, lilac, passion flower, and Virginia creeper. Flowers included roses, hellebores, irises, lilies, peonies, sage, tulips, and many others. The belief developed that gardens should be enjoyed by all not just the rich. Parks and gardens merged into one with lakes, grottoes, temples, and shrubberies. Circuit walks were created for touring around the park.

In the Victorian Gardens (1937 – 1901) returned to the more formal garden style with cast iron ornamental fencing and gates. Ornaments such as urns, sculptures, sundials, gazing balls, birdbaths, and man-made fish ponds were all commonly used. The obsession of plant collecting took hold and this style of garden could showcases their latest plants. Flowers beds appeared in brighter colors with asters, dianthus, chrysanthemums, ferns, hyacinths, irises, lilies, poppies, petunias, verbenas, and most important of all pansies and violas. Rockeries became the craze as well as wild gardens. Arboretums displayed the collection of trees while glass houses enabled the more tender plants to be cultivated such as orchids.

Early American Gardens during the colonial period were planned according to the owners way of life. In rural areas a fenced-in garden near the house was planted with vegetables and herbs. Flowers were also grown, some for their beauty, but mostly for food, medicine, fragrance, or dyes. There was no garden plan as such, flowers were mixed with vegetables and herbs. They were usually planted in raised beds for good drainage. In contrast, the gardens of merchants and townsmen were more formal, laid out in a symmetrical pattern on each side of a central walkway.

Modern Gardens became more relaxed again and many styles of gardens were created such as the garden room which divided the garden into different themes, the cottage garden that looked less industrial, woodland gardens, prairie planting, and of course the ever popular rose garden.

So, how does your garden grow? Is it wild or formal? Do you grow perennials or annuals? Shrubs or flowers? Beds or containers? Birdbaths or fountains?  However your garden grows I hope you find time to sit quietly each day and enjoy it!

Spring, Glorious Spring!

by Cathy

If spring has arrived in your part of the world I’m sure your delighted with the beauty of daffodils, crocus, tulips, azaleas, and budding trees. If you've not been taking many pictures during the dark and dreary days of winter, now is the time to dust of your camera and head outside. With so many spring blooms the possibilities are endless. You might be interested in landscapes or filling the frame with flowers or capturing intricate details. I find myself drawn to a different view; a more earthy view. I celebrate spring by capturing things that are not attention seekers.

I'm delighted when I find spring's first little critters. This little lady was trying very heard to hide between the prickles of the gumball, but she just couldn't do it. She was much too colorful. I'm surprised she wasn't sneezing with all the pollen on her back!

In the spring, I find my eyes are constantly on the ground. Searching for tiny bits of color among the greens of spring. 

 Of course, I do capture the showy flowers now and them. How can I resist?

One last photo, I had to share is of my wisteria bush. It must have loved the warmer winter we had, because it's branches are so full they're laying on the ground!

Whatever you chose to photograph as a way to celebrate spring, I hope you'll share with us in the Focusing On Life Flickr gallery. Oh, don't forget, we're adding a little word art this month.

"And Spring arose on the garden fair,

Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere,

And each flower and herb on earth’s dark breast

Rose from the dreams of its wintry rest."

~ Percy Bysshe Shelley,

“The Sensitive Plant”

Yellow - The Color of Spring

by Deanna

Touches of Spring was my choice for this month's theme. OK I know the image above doesn't resemble Spring at all, but if I was at home right now this is probably what I would see out of my window. If you have seen any pictures of mine on Instagram or Facebook in the last week you would know that I am in Arizona soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the warmth. Except 90+ is just a wee bit warm for my body, but it sure hasn't stopped me from enjoying my moments in the sun. Rub on that sun screen and off I go.

Today I'm all about the color yellow. Yellow is the color of egg yolk, ripe lemons, some animals, many flowers, a few birds, butterflies, clothing, furniture, etc. It;s the primary color between green and orange in the visible spectrum, an effect of light with a wave length between 570 and 590 nm (nano meter, not "never mind").

Since I have been in Arizona I have seen yellow thru my lens wherever I went. So this post is more about images of yellow than words.

I discovered animals in yellow....

Butterflies and bees in yellow....

I know the flower isn't yellow but that bee buzzing inside is sure yellow.

Lots of flowers in yellow...

I have been visiting friends in Arizona (specifically, Phoenix) for several years. It's my getaway when winter has been around too long at home. When everything is still very brown at home, I fly to the land of the sun to envelop myself in the vivid colors that heal the remnants of winter in my bones.

I'll admit when I first visited Arizona 20+ years ago I did not appreciate the desert with it's beauty. My mindset was "how can anybody like living around rocks, desert, and cactus."  Well, needless to say, my mindset has certainly changed over the years. I now find those cactus, those rocks, and those deserts beautiful. 

Even birds are yellow out here....

And then of course, there are the stunning sunsets...

Even tho I am missing the massive blooming of the cactus by about 2-3 weeks, I sure haven't been cheated out of any beauty.

A Variety of Different Meanings

by Deanna

Last week I went to the Arboretum with my out-of-town, blogging friend, Jeanne Stone (Butterfly Tales: Metamorphosis from the Cocoon).  Jeanne and I became friends via blogging.  We met in Chicago about 3 years ago while she was here with her grandson, Sam. We became fast friends and have taken 2 trips together with another one planned for early 2017 and another in the Fall of 2017. With cameras draped around our shoulders and bags filled with extra lenses, batteries and SD cards we are always up for an adventure.

While Jeanne was here visiting, I knew that she would enjoy the Arboretum, because 1) she loves flowers 2) she likes to take pictures and 3) she likes to take pictures of flowers. (pretty much describes me too). As we parked the car to visit the Scented Garden we were greeted by these wonderful flowers.

These charming blooms have inspired poets, artists, and songwriters for centuries with their colorful cup shaped petals and contrasting yellow center.  The Anemone is a staple in cottage gardens and contains an entire genus including 120 different species all under the scientific name Anemone.  The lavender colored species pictured here blooms in the late summer into fall and is called the Japanese Anemone.  Or as I like to refer to it as....the fall Anemone.

Anemones are hardy in gardening zones 3/4-9 and will grow in all but the hottest and the driest areas of the US.  (ie: southern California, southern tip of Texas, and a good portion of Florida)  The Japanese Anemone grows to 3-4 feet high in sun or partial shade in good soil.

In the spring, the Wood Anemone covers the ground with it's white blossoms and yellow centers.

These flowers are also commonly called windflowers. Anemone comes from the Greek word with the same spelling which means "the wind's daughter". It is a combination of the word for wind and the suffix - one which indicates a female offspring or daughter. Greek myths portray the Anemone with dual meanings of the arrival of spring breezes and the loss of a loved one to death. Quite opposite meanings for sure.  In Eastern cultures windflowers are used at funerals, but Westerners (that would mean us) tend to see it as protection against evil and ill luck instead. Personally I like the Western correlation better, don't you?!  With the vast varieties in white, blue, red, pink, and purple we can enjoy these beauties from early spring until late fall.

With a variety of different meanings, you can use Anemone flowers for occasions like:
  -  A funeral or memorial for a loved one that passed away
  -  A bouquet for someone looking forward to a big move, marriage, or the birth of a baby
  -  A stay well gift for anyone trying to avoid illness
  -  Wishing someone good luck

The message the Anemone delivers is simple...

"Look forward to the future and don't forsake the ones you love. Something new is always around the corner, no matter how dark things might look right now."

If you spot an Anemone, enjoy it's beauty and think of it's message, they are both worth remembering.

Focus On You

As I wandered through the Focusing On Life Gallery, my senses sprang alive when I spotted this beautiful photo. I don’t know about you, but I’d love to climb right into it. I’d love to rest my eyes on the soft pastel colors. I’d love to inhale the sweet scent of the wisteria and hear the bees buzzing as they enjoy the sweet nectar. I’d love to reach out and touch the rough wood of the door and walls.

This lovely image was taken by Sandra. You can find more of her photography that will delight your senses on her Flicker Stream or you can visit her blog Reflections and Nature. Thank you, Sandra, for sharing your beautiful image!

I’m looking forward to seeing more lovely images in the gallery. Don’t forget while you’re out and about to keep your eyes open for "signs," this month’s focus theme. We’d love to see what you found. 

Color Your World

by Leigh

My name is Leigh and I'm a coloraholic.  I need my color fix everyday just like I need my caffeine. Everyone's got a favorite color.  It's the one you find yourself photographing over and over again.  It draws you in every time.  You spot it and your eyes light up, your mood instantly lifts and a smile washes over your face.  Most of the time my go to color is green, but looking through my photos from the past couple of weeks I'm seeing a new trend.

My photos have been full of pinks, purples and blues.  I hadn't really planned for that to be my summer flower color palette….I guess subconsciously that was my plan all along!  

I could go into various aspects of color theory, but it's difficult to summarize in a blog post.  Color combinations create a visual harmony.  Harmony is defined as a pleasing arrangements of parts, whether it be music, poetry or color.  In visual experiences, harmony is something pleasing to the eye.  "It engages the viewer and creates an inner sense of order, a balance in the visual experience."  At one end of the spectrum, when something is not harmonious it appears boring or so bland that the viewer is not engaged.  At the other extreme is a visual experience so chaotic and overdone that it overstimulates the brain.  The viewer can't stand to look at it…almost as though our brain rejects what it cannot organize or understand.  Color harmony creates not only a sense of order, but there is an ease to it that engages us and makes the viewer want to look at it longer.  "Harmony is a dynamic equilibrium."

What color combinations create that harmony for you?