Friday Finds & Randomness

I had another chance to spend a few days with my daughter. She has the most beautiful roses. The old world kind that comes in rich colors, feels like velvet, and smells amazingly sweet!  As I was about to poke my nose in the blossom,  I spotted this beetle.  Even though they can be destructive, they are fascinating little insects with their iridescent elytra and green thorax and head. Not being an entomologist, I had to Google "beetles" to see what their body parts were called. The elytra serves as a protective wing-case for the hind wings, which are used for flying. The thorax, is the division that lies between the head and the abdomen. Sometimes we older generation balk at the new electronic world, but I do love Google. Makes me sound like I know some things!!

Thanks to Wikipedia for the above information.

Linking with Kim's Friday Finds

A Little Randomness

#1

My daughter also has some other flowers in full bloom. Her Hibiscus are beautiful. This bloom happened to be behind a patio chair that was sitting in the bright morning light. You know me, I'm crazy about shadows.

#2

I was looking for patterns for one of my classes and spotted this guy. It was rather hard to get his picture as he swayed on the long stemmed clover flower.  If you look in the section of his wing that has white at the bottom, you can see heart shapes.

#3

I can't seem to take enough pictures of barb-wire fences. The tendrils of the muscadine bush seems almost alive as they wrap themselves around the wire. 

#4

While at my daughter's we had a such great time at the pool with all five of our grandsons. We pretty much had the pool to ourselves, which was just find with me. I think the afternoon heat kept everyone away. I just wish the bees had stayed home! Rose of Sharon bushes are not the best choice for planting around a swimming pool.  

#5

Speaking of bees...we haven't seen too many around home. My Queen Bee must be scaring them away.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday Finds & Randomness

My find today is a little unusual. It's not as if I were looking for these two historical columns. I just happened to bump into them...not literally though! Our downtown library had a book sale and being the lover of books that I am, I went with my sister. As we approached the library I noticed four old columns that I've never seen before. You pass through them from the parking lot to the front door. Of course, being a lover of historical things, I had to check them out. Engraved in marble below them was their story. The four columns supported the portico of Little Rock's first public library which was constructed in 1910 with funds from the Carnegie Foundation. The library was demolished in 1963. Oh, how I wish it was still there!!! During the demolition Carl Martin, from Mabelvale, recovered the original four columns. In 2009 the columns were given back to the library and this beautiful display was erected. What makes this an even better story is that Mr. Martin and his family lived right across the street from my husband. Even though the columns were in sections, I asked him where Mr. Martin could have kept such large pieces. He said that Martin had a huge building on his property that was full of just about anything you could imagine. That blows my mind, that an old building nearby had the columns to a Carnegie Library! Below is a picture of the first Little Rock library.

(Carnegie Library:  this media file is in the public domain in the United States.)

Linking with Kim's Friday Finds.

That was rather long, so I'll try to keep the randomness short!!

#1

Going to the book sale has always been a treat although it's rather hard on me. It's held in the basement of the library which is crammed with books and people. My social anxiety overcame me the moment I walked in. I looked straight ahead and there was the photography section. I was hoping for a great find and to calm my panic. A few minutes later with no great find and not calming, I searched for my sister. I followed her around for a few minutes, took some deep breaths, and began to calm. I did find a few books by an author I like to read. I don't buy many books any more. I would rather check them out from the library. Someone found a way to brighten up the basement by painting fairy tale characters on the columns. Pretty cool. Okay, so that was not short...I'll try to do better on the next four!

#2
While my sister and I were downtown we also went to the River Market to check out the delicious looking fresh produce. Oh, how I wish we had fresh fruits and veggies all year long!

#3

One way to preserve those fresh fruits is to make freezer jam. So far this year I've made strawberry, peach, and cherry. There is nothing better on an English muffin, toast, or pancakes than homemade jam. It's also pretty tasty to put a large dollop on top of vanilla ice cream!

#4

Check out this cool shadow I found on the bathroom wall. I have this tin flower poke that is in my philodendron right across from a sunny window. I don't know why, but it just makes me smile!

#5

Lastly, I give you a close-up picture of my doorstop. Every time I walk by it and see it in the north light, I want to take it's picture. This week I did just that! My daughter and her family gave it to me for Mother's Day. It's a heavy ball of some sort covered with rope that is woven into a design. It has a really nautical look to it, which reminds me of our vacation at the ocean.

It's been a good week here. The weather has been unbelievable.  Absolutely perfect for someone that doesn't like summer.  Yesterday's high was only in the low 70's! Normally this time of year we're right at 100 with a heat index of 104-106!  I don't know what's caused this milder summer, but...

I. LOVE. IT!

Friday Finds & Randomness

 

 

Bella Grace

Life's a Beautiful Adventure

 

Those are the words on the front cover of this new and beautiful publication from Stampington & Company. Inside the covers there are narratives and photographs that share a love of simple things and slow living. I've only read the first four articles. I'm savoring it; making it last for weeks. That's not easy either, because I just want to sit down and devour it! It's not just articles either, there are places for you to list your gratitudes or write your thoughts. The editor, Christen Olivarez writes,

 

"It is meant to be read over and over again. It is meant to inspire you to see the beauty and the magic that surround you, no matter where you are. It is meant to be written in and dog-eared. It is meant to accompany you on this beautiful adventure that is life."

 

Is it what I expected when I preordered the first issue?  Yes, it is much more than I expected. I thought at first it was a little pricey, but with about 160 pages of inspiration on wonderful paper, it's well worth the price. I will read it over and over again.

 

 

Linking with Kim's Friday Finds.

 

 

 

Now, a few of my random thoughts and photographs...

 

 

#1

I've been looking for some Queen Anne's Lace to take pictures of. Around here I had trouble finding any where it was safe to pull over and take a few pictures. I did stop one place and try to pull up some to take home, but on my, these beautiful flowers have deep roots. Couldn't pull it up and couldn't break it off. Finally, I found some when I visited my daughter recently. It grows along the road leading to her home. I just love the intricate patterns and textures of these lovely flowers that remind me of fireworks exploding.

 

 

 

#2

Do you remember the first movie you ever went to? I do, way back in 1970!  Growing up we didn't go to the movies. I had to wait until my "date" took me; my date who is now Mr. H. We went to see "Love Story" staring Ryan O'Neal and Ali MacGraw. You talk about crying buckets on your boyfriend's shoulder!  Good way to get his arm around you, you know! 

 

 

#3

I can't decide. Do I like the windows best are the reflections?  I'm thinking the reflections!

 

 

 

 

#4

You never know what's you'll find when you walk down an alley. I wonder who took the time to create this little oasis between a building and a parking lot. And, don't you just love that window on the wall!

 

 

#5

I also found this in that alleyway, propped on a small ledge. It used to hang. I wonder if it was the top of a wind chime. Whatever it was, someone didn't want to just discard it, they placed it for others to see.

That's it for today!

Enjoy your weekend!

Friday Finds & Randomness

 

 

I found something really exciting this week. Well, I didn't really find them, but I found out about them.  My favorite park in the whole of central Arkansas is Wildwood Park for The Arts. Their website defines the park's vision "to provide opportunities for lifelong learning, engage the imagination and celebrate the human spirit through encounters with nature and a full spectrum of the arts: visual, performing, literary, horticultural, culinary and more."  The horticultural vision is what draws me. Wildwood contains Central Arkansas’ largest botanical gardens.  That's where I was and that's a little bit about it, now, I'll share what I found.  For the longest time only one swan has made the park its home and Buster is her name. After they named Buster, they found that Buster is actually a "she" so they're working on a new name for her.  Anyway, I was thrilled when I walked up to the lake and saw two more swans. One of the park workers said they had arrived this past weekend. They've named them Elizabeth and Alexander, quite proper names for such elegant creatures. I really hope they come up with an elegant name for Buster!  I also really hope these swans stay around. They seem to be a couple and since July is their mating month...maybe there'll be little ones the next time I visit the park.

Linking with Kim's Friday Finds.

 

 

Randomness

 

#1

Have you ever seen a Bottle Brush Buckeye shrub? Me neither!  Don't they have the prettiest most unusual flowers! Those flowers are called panicles. I had to look that word up. It means "any loose, diversely branching flower cluster." The shrub has white panicles in summer and yellow panicles in fall. Each panicle is about 4 inches wide and a foot long.  I guess I'll be making another trip to the garden to see the fall panicles. (I just like throwing that word in!)

#2

This guy was just too busy satisfying his sweet tooth to notice me and my camera.  I loved these unusual flowers. Anyone know what they are?

 

#3

Another pretty flower from Wildwood gardens. This is Sweet Azalea. Sweet?  Oh, yes!  Have you ever smelled honeysuckle?  This azalea smells just like that and it even resembles honeysuckle blooms!  Amazing smell!
 

 

 

#4

Enough from Wildwood Garden today; on to other randomness. This is my new favorite salad; baby spinach leaves, walnuts, and Craisins drizzled with Raspberry Hazelnut Vinaigrette Dressing. I also like to use Blueberry Craisins and almonds for a different flavor.  Pretty yummy!

 

 

 

#5

And lastly, let's talk about the weather. This is July...this is Arkansas...this is the south and yet, this has been the best summer in a long time. As you probably know I DON'T LIKE SUMMER! My mom always told me not to use the word "hate" but I can't help it!  I HATE SUMMER! Summer heat makes me sick, literally! But, this summer the weather has been wonderful.  Take today for instance...in the 70's...no humidity...breeze blowing...YES...my kind of summer! A great time to rest in the hammock and flip through some good magazines!

 

 

 As a bonus, since it is The Fourth of July,

I'm including one more image

and wishing you all a happy 4th!

 

Friday Finds & Randomness

 

Meet my latest find and newest edition to my photo props.

Sometimes things are just right in front of my nose and I don't see them. This chair was. My sister and I recently went to a flea market, where I picked up a few small things for photography; a vintage piece of lace, a small blue cup, and a wooden bowl. There was a wire basket that I looked at and then put back. Later I wished I'd bought it, so I decided to make a return trip. I picked up the basket and started to walk away when I saw what it had been sitting on!  This sweet little child's chair. I love it...pealing pain, wobbly legs, missing pieces of wood, and all! I finally got a chance this week to photograph it for a class (Be Still-52) I'm taking with Kim Klassen. Our focus was on allowing room in our photos and our lives so that we can breathe.

 

Linking with Kim's Friday Finds.

 

 

Randomness

 

#1

It's rained every day this week. In fact, it's raining as I type! The rain has left the pasture damp and with the warmer temperatures the mushrooms are sprouting.  I have never seen one like the one on the bottom right.  It looks like a marshmallow sitting on the ground.

 

#2

Some days I don't know which way is up!

 

#3

Arkansas strawberries are in and they are delicious.  I made strawberry freezer jam this week. I refuse to tell you how much sugar the recipe calls for!  We'll ignore that fact! I'll just have to walk an extra lap or two when I eat any!  I love to make pancakes on Sunday night and strawberry jam is the best topping there is!

 

#4

One of my azalea bushes has just now bloomed. It's never done this before, bloom later than the others. Did it want to be noticed so it bloomed by itself or was it just waiting to soak up all this rain?

 

#5

I found some different seedpods yesterday.  In each of these bell shapes there are several tiny black seeds just waiting to be scattered by the wind!

 

I'm going to be a little scarce for the next week. I'll be spending time with family. I hope each of you have a great weekend!

Friday Finds and Randomness

 

I am not a flower gardener!  I have shade gardens with azaleas and hostas which are easy-peasy and not necessary to tend in the heat and humidity of summer!  BUT, I do love flowers (those that requires little attention) so, I add some pots here and there for color! I finally made the trip to the closest nursery to buy my annuals and found these petunias. I've never seen this color before. Sometimes they're dark like these and sometimes the blooms are more yellow with deep burgundy stripes. They're right by the door where I can enjoy them each time I'm in and out!

 

Linking with Kim's Friday Finds.

 

 

 

Next comes the randomness!

 

#1

Topping the list this week is my grandson Josh. Josh is seven (one of the twins) and has an amazing talent for music. Yes, I'm partial,, but it's true. He's only been taking lessons since January and is breezing through his piano book. This past Sunday he had his first recital. He was able to play a song he loves, Beethoven's Ode To Joy. I took this picture of him when he was practicing his piece right before we left. At the recital he played beautifully; never missed a note or missed a beat...it was perfect!! You can tell that he enjoys music and feels it in his heart!  He brought tears to my eyes as he performed.  We are so proud of him! I think they'll be investing in a piano before too long!

 



 

 

#2

This is my daughter's flower garden.  Her peonies are always gorgeous! There's also water flowing into a rock pool complete with fish! It's so pretty and peaceful.

 

#3

Now, for some things that caught my eye this week. Have you ever noticed that some older buildings and monuments use the letter "V" for the letter "U."  In case you've ever wondered why, according to Scrabble Help,  "At one time, in the Middle Ages, the U and V were very closely related and were commonly used in words, that would seem backwards to us now. For example, Upon would have been written as Vpon. This was slightly due to the fact that there was no capital U in the alphabet. However, as this changed, the U and V were changed and the distinguish between the consonant and vowels." And, now you know! 

 

 

#4

I spend another day traveling Arkansas in search of courthouses. I now have taken pictures of 49 of Arkansas' 85 county courthouses. This is a project I started several years ago and it's been such a fun adventure. Most of the courthouses are in the older downtown areas and I never know what I'll find like this pretty mural. This is only one small section of the mural that told the history of Harrison, Arkansas. I really like the old rock building in the background, too!

 

 

#5

I love to walk down alley ways in the these older sections of town. You find great textures and a few surprises! I spotted a heart in the crumbling wall of a building.

 

 

 

 

 I leave you with this scene which made me laugh!

 

Just look at mama's expression! I'm sure she's saying, "Honey, you have something on your bill. You must be neater!  Our little one watches everything you do!"

 

 

To those of you in the States, have a nice Memorial Day Weekend!

To everyone else, just have a nice weekend!

Friday Finds & Randomness

 

What can one do on a rainy day?

The best thing I know is to go to the flea market!

What does one look for at the flea market?

Photography props, of course!

Did one find anything to bring home?

Oh yes, this pretty wooden bowl to put my spools in!

 

Linking with Kim's Friday Finds.

 

 

A Little Randomness

 

#1

I went for a walk on Monday morning and this is what I saw.

 

 

 

 

 #2

This is what I saw on Tuesday morning...rain!

#3

This is what I saw on Wednesday morning...more rain!

 

 

#4

This is what I saw on Thursday afternoon....lots of rain with the sun shining...no rainbow though!

 

 

#5

I started Kim Klassen's class Be Still Fifty-Two. It's a year long class focusing on stillness.  My hopes for this class are that I'll slow down, take a deep breath, and really look at what I'm wanting to photograph before I snap the shutter. I have a tendency to just snap away and hope I get one good image. In the slowing down process, I want to really look at and consider the light, which in essence is what photography is all about.  It should be an inspiring  journey. The  photo below was the first one I posted for the class. Nature in any form or shape makes me take a deep breath and "be still."