Early Days at the Flower Market

The redbuds are still blooming here, but soon to be replaced by green leaves. Despite cool days (though getting a bit warmer!) and (very) cold nights, spring is here!

 

My friend Jan and I went to our favorite flower/plant nursery and market to check out the plants and prices.

Valentine Greetings

For you, something sweet.

Something fragrant.

Something pretty.

Something creative.

Something to make your heart smile.



I hope everyone is as lucky as those who will receive the flowers these three strangers chose!

May you be surrounded by the beauty of flowers...

And may this day -- and every day -- be filled with love.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Pink Fantasy

How could I resist taking photo after photo of these coleus?

Some of the leaves were so large, they were like elephant ears!

Others so detailed, their veins seeming almost anatomical.

The colors dazzled me. While I was fond of all the colors...

...it was the many shades of pink and green I found simply dazzling.

Now, the question you may ask...

How many of these made it into my shopping cart?

Alas! None! If only they were perennials!

NOTE: Please visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for more Pink on this Pink Saturday! AND, if you're a book fan, read about "Home Is Where the Wine Is" on my book blog, Chopsticks and String!)

Renuncling

My friend Jan and I went renuncling last weekend. (Pronounced re-nun-kul-ing)

Renuncling. v The act of shopping for renunculus.

Renunculating. v The act of deciding which renunculus to select.

Renunclrama n. The event during which one renunculates.

I especially loved the tight buds...

...and the array of colors!

For a woman who has been seeing way too much gray sky, this was like a magical mystery tour!

My poor camera didn't even know how to focus or measure color -- no white balance here!

Honestly, it was beautiful.

And as you can see, my cart runneth over.

Now if only they'll last till Easter!

Quite a week -- and don't forget to stop by Wednesday for a link to a beautiful blog where I will be guest blogger that day!

Some Pretties

Last Saturday (the day before Easter), my friend Jan and I went to my favorite sort-of farm market, Horrock's for a pre-Easter shopping extravaganza.

Horrock's isn't a pure farm market in the everything-is-local sense (although I do see the trucks come in from regional growers). But you'll also find the fruits and veggies from out of town (sometimes out of country), products they make there (fabulous salsa), basil with the roots still on, typical grocery products (including many interesting imported or ethnic foods), wonderful, inexpensive meat and a good wine selection.

They also have a huge outdoor nursery we will revisit in another three weeks or so and lovely gifts.

I can't walk in without buying fresh cut flowers or plants.

And while I generally do resist the gifty-things, I really am challenged! I could have easily walked out of there with any of the lovelies here!

Going to Horrock's is like celebrating spring!

On another note, when I recently linked to Jane Rosemont's photo blog, she was in Bali and not posting. Well, she's back -- and if you are interested in some splendid photos and portraits from this country, visit her PhotoBlog anytime!

Jane will be teaching a photo workshop in Bali in 2010, with an enrollment of six. In an email to those requesting info she wrote: "Ithink limiting the workshop to six people is wise; it will give me a

chance to work one-on-one with you, and give everyone a chance to share their photos, thoughts and questions."

Stop by for links on the workshop and to check out her photos! (Don't forget to scroll down a few posts to catch them all!)

Finally, I have just posted my thoughts on two terrific Kate Atkinson mysteries. Check them out on Chopsticks and String.