Monday, September 27, 2010

Cactus Monday - Night blooming Cereus

Saturday night's entertainment is Cactus Monday's post. We had the best time. I noticed Saturday afternoon that the bud was ready to open.  
Just after dark I went out to see if there was any action. Sure enough the opening had begun.
I knew right away this bloom deserved some great shots taken by my DB. I asked him to bring the big guns out and take some shots.
It took it awhile to open fully. 
A hundred pictures or so later, we had this beautiful shining star of a bloom.
 It so delicately hangs there awaiting a moth or other night pollinating creature to come by.
I couldn't decide which photo to use. All were so beautiful.
But looking strait on to the bloom was perfect to me.  Just look into that throat. Doesn't it remind you an anemone you might find in the sea??  It made me wonder how many years ago this cactus came out of the sea. The leaves of this plant look like those big flat seaweeds that wash ashore.
I hope you all had an amazing happening during your weekend. 
For more Cactus amazements go to Teri's Painted Daisies.
Happy Cactus Monday

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Thankful Thursday

I can't seem to express how thankful I am of the opportunity this past weekend I had to meet a Garden Blogging friend from England. It is amazing how close we have become through our blogs and have now had the opportunity to meet. Below is a picture of the group of us ladies that got together. From the left is Rose who write Prairie Rose's Garden who lives in Illinois, from England, Cheryl who writes Take Time To Smell the Flowers, Me and then, also from Il, Beckie who writes Dragonfly Corner. For more about our visit you can go here and here.
This visit got me to thinking about how wonderful blogging is. You meet such nice people that share your interests. I know I have been mightly blessed with such friendships.
Another of my friendships has been made with Marianne of Mandalas and More. She has gifted me with this beautiful beaded bag, some watercolor paper I have been looking for and a paperback booklet. I can't wait to use each item. I can't thank you enough Marianne.
I wish I could gift everyone with something beautiful and meaningful. Today I have collected the names of everyone that wanted a chance to read this book. Teri of Teri's Painted Daisies is the lucky winner of this book. I will post it soon Teri.
Happy Thankful Thursday to everyone. You know you make me thankful every day not just today.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Short Hiatus - Give Away

My DB and I are going to be away visiting family and friends. I will have much to tell you when we return. Don't worry about Luna. She will be well cared for by a friend who will come and stay with her. They always have such a good time together.

While I am away I am posting this book as a give away. If you think you might want to read it just leave me a comment and when we return I will put the names in a hat and draw the lucky winner.  I read this book some time ago and was waiting for a good moment to share it.

This book tells how art was infused into the new world. George Washington was not only a great leader and General he supported the arts, or perhaps his wife. I thought it was a good read and you would enjoy it too.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Animal Wedensday - Butterfly

This is a painting I did for the class I took from Laure. Butterflies are free. Remember that old saying?

Happy Animal Wednesday to all. I hope your week is marching on in harmony.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Cactus Monday - Labor Day

My little pot of cactus and succulents is faring well in this hot dry weather. The odd thing to me is that the cactus has some growths on it.
Maybe one of you cactus/succulent aficionados can tell me what has caused this. The blooms are usually up around the crown of this cactus. These growths are more in the center of this cactus. They really make me curious. Perhaps they are seed pods formed where the pollen of the flowers fell captured by the spines and nutured??

Happy Cactus Monday. I hope eveyrone is enjoying a free day. For more Cactus Monday views go to Teri's Painted Daisies here.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Animal Wednesday - Leaf-footed Bug

The good thing about this summer is that the bugs seem to thrive on the heat and dry conditions. I found this Leaf-footed bug sitting on the leaf of a Sand Vine 'Cynanchum laeve'. It let me get in close with my camera without moving away. I thought maybe it was because it was missing a leg but it finally moved and I realized it had just laid an egg. When I drew it I gave it back its missing leg. Happy Animal Wednesday to you all. I hope you are having a great week.