Around these parts this can be a tricky time of year for photo taking.
I've found myself still in what I refer to as summer mode; when I see a
scene I'd like to photograph I make a mental note to try it the next
day or whenever I have a free moment. Only thing is, the next day the object could and likely will be
gone. So while the sun was shining again last weekend I spent some time outside so my camera and my skin could soak in some much needed vitamin D.
The maples have almost entirely shed their leaves, with the exception of a few hangers on. Luckily the willows and the magnolia are still fully dressed, as is this miniature rosebush. It's not quite miniature anymore it's almost four feet tall and is still covered in blooms. I deadheaded the entire bush in July. I think my mom thought it was overkill until on a return visit I pointed out that it was replete with even more blossoms.
I splurged on Thanksgiving weekend and bought three bouquets of gerbera daisies. Then, as our guests arrived and relaxed with a drink and snack out on the patio, I walked around the yard cutting a mix of wild flowers, grasses and 'weeds' and arranged them with the daisies in sap buckets for center pieces. You can see one here. Three weeks later and the gerberas are still holding their own.
And
please, don't think I'm advocating creating your centerpieces when your
guests arrive. I just seem to always underestimate my time, even with
three days advance preparation. Am I the only one with this issue?
Because there was a fire ban in our area over the summer due to the lack of rain this summer, despite the fact that we had record setting amounts of rainfall in the spring, this was our first bonfire of the year. And as the sun crept down in the distance Saturday evening, this was best seat in the house.
Did you know that I still had time for a little traveling on the weekend. Sure did. I went to Paris. Yep, Paris! I hadn't been there for awhile and I was sure you might not believe me so I took a photo so I could offer you up some of the resplendent beauty of Paris and, well heck, to prove I was there.
This was taken in the English section of town, obviously. All the sections are English though, in Paris, Ontario.
~Be well friends!~
SIX!
ReplyDeleteThat should bring in the punters :-) Actually I could only find five. BTW, the sun only produces vit D on your skin if you never wash :-)
The leaves are so full of character. Pity we can't keep them all winter.
You take such beautiful pictures Andrea. Your flowers look great. My favourite flower is the rose. It is good that you got a chance to go to Paris. Have yourself a wonderful Thursday.
ReplyDeletegorgeous shots! love all of them:)
ReplyDeleteyou're inspiring me!
have a great day!
betty
Beautiful...we still have roses lingering, too. I would not be sad if they remained through Christmas.
ReplyDeletelovely shots :)
ReplyDeleteVisiting from Katherine's hop- tfs the flowers and your trip to Paris!
ReplyDeleteLove the pic from Paris.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! Great 'sense of humor'! ~ enjoy the day. ~ thanks, namaste, Carol (A Creative Harbor) linked w/This or That ^_^
ReplyDeleteHa! Your own little Paris. Great bonfire! We haven't had any of those in a long time!
ReplyDeleteLovely shots! I like your Paris!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great bonfire.
ReplyDeleteGreat fire! And Paris? All in a day, lucky you :) It looks like a great little spot!
ReplyDeleteI must admit, I'm definitely the hostess that would also have been arranging flowers when the guests arrived! I always have great plans and can't quite manage to fit them all in, oh well it keeps the party interesting ;)
~Chris
Gorgeous photos . . . loved them all.
ReplyDeleteGiving an extra vote for the daisy!
lovely images. i'm glad you were able to have a bon-fire. we're under such a serious burn ban i think it'll be 2014 before we're allowed to burn our brush piles! :)
ReplyDeleteAndrea, these are wonderful photographs!
ReplyDeleteI especially love the daisy. It is such a beautiful color.
Thank you so much for sharing these at The Creative Exchange.
Have a wonderful day!
lisa.
Wonderful tour! I LOVE that bonfire! wow! and your shot of the building is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI like your fire photo a lot.
ReplyDeleteAnd we have a Paris in Texas and it's SO fun to say "I went to Paris" - love that! :D
Another fun post with spectacular photos! The first leaf one is my favorite and the flowers are so pretty.
ReplyDeleteHa! There are Paris cities in US, too. Cute! I am blog hopping & following you from Katherine's Corner. Pls follow back. Growing Old With Grace http://growing-old-with-grace.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteAll of your pictures are wonderful, but I love that first one the best! So crisp and clear. One day maybe I'll have good camera skills! LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm here from Katherine's....hoppin around!
http://lilypadquilting.blogspot.com
Your photography has really evolved! Such gorgeous photos. I love going to Paris too. Following the river and bike path, checking out the places with great architecture and of course a stop at Mary Maxim.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pics and I love that storefront.
ReplyDeletethe yellow flower is beautiful
ReplyDeleteI wanna go to Paris in Ontario! In fact, I would pass up a trip to the real thing just to meet up with you there!
ReplyDeleteLYLAS!
xo, misha