Tulip Tree Heart

Here is the lovely flowerings, of what we affectionately call a Tulip Tree.  I took this beautiful heart-shaped photo last Spring.  This has been the strangest summer.  These lovely blossoms usually bloom in early Spring.  But just yesterday I found tulip flowers nestling in the leaves of the Tree.  I've never seen tulip tree blossoms and leaves together before.  It was the one moment I didn't have my camera, so you'll have to use your imagination! 

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Sandy Cliffs and Teacup Rock - Skywatch Friday

On our 27th Anniversary over a year ago, we visited one of our favorite places in the world--Pacific City on the Oregon Coast.  It is an incredibly beautiful place where the Dory boats blast toward shore, slip sliding onto the beaches.  Surfers gracefully dance along on the curl of emerald waves.  Steep cliffs stalk the edge of the cove--vanishing into a huge sand dune.  People fly down the side of that gigantic dune on sand boards.  Brave souls.  One can look out at Teacup Rock.  I have caught some wonderful photos of that huge rock reflected in retreating ocean waves.  It is magical.

My husband and I love to hike up to the top of these sand cliffs.  As you can see they are beautiful, yet dangerous, so you have to be very careful to stay away from the edges.   The sand cliffs can crumble away at a moment's notice.  I like the smooth look of those cliffs.  Recently we watched two grey whales frolicking in the sudsy waves at the base of them.

Pacific City, with its eclectic shops, unusual restaurants, spectacular Teacup Rock, gorgeous beaches, wonderful sunsets, fabulous cliffs, amazing surfing and dory boats, is a perfectly wonderful place to visit!

Have a lovely week, everyone!

For more amazing photos of skies around the world, visit Skywatch Friday.

Beach Comber Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

Last January it was uncommonly warm at the beach.  Walking along the white pebbled sands, where piles of driftwood from recent storms lay in abstract patterns, I found this driftwood heart tucked within a fold of sand and wind.

What a lovely day at the beach!  

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Living on Thyme - Camera Critters

Yesterday, my sweet young friend Rena and I were walking through the garden perusing the flowers and herbs.  We were both delighted when we noticed this purplish butterfly resting delicately on the tips of the Thyme.  This little fellow was happily eating his fill from the flowers, barely moving--even when I moved the camera in closer.

We have white and yellow butterflies, along with the monarch and swallowtails.  I had not seen this purplish butterfly until this summer.  It seems to especially love living on Thyme.

To see more wonderful photos from all over the world, visit Camera Critters.

Opal Waters

Here is another look at the magical waters of the creek running through our town.  On this day, my niece and I did not feel anything spooky and stayed quite awhile, telling stories and playing in the water.  We even found a wonderful old bottle.

It is brown with four seams--I'm sure it must date back to the early pioneer days.  It looks like it once was sealed with a stopper of some sort.

Have a lovely day!

Alien Reflections - Weekend Reflections

I took this picture down at our local creek...Here's a closeup.  Is it my imagination, or is that an alien's face reflected there in the water?  This was the day my darling niece felt spooked--so did I, so we left in a hurry.

When I found this photo--it gave me goosebumps!!!  What do you think it is?  I'm going to go down again in a few days to see if it is actually a stump that just looked strange in the picture.  Brrrr....

To see more wonderful reflections from around the world, visit James at Weekend Reflections!

Big Foot - Guest Heart Thursday

This is a picture of Princess Twinkle Toez--from her foot bottoms.  As you can see, she has  unusual feet.  They look especially funny because the larger toe is on the outside of her foot instead of the inside--so it looks like her legs have her feet on wrong. 

Here's a close up of her back foot.  Can you find the heart?  Because of her unusual toes, she likes to catch things out of the air like she's wearing a catcher's mitt.  She also sits back on her haunches, balancing on those large feet like a tiny squirrel!  

Such a darling little kitty!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Kitten Sly Eye

To all of you who visit this blog, I apologize for being away so long.  My computer had a faulty power supply, which caused the motherboard to fail.  I just received my newly refurbished computer back on Monday.  It is so GREAT to be back.

Two weeks ago, I brought Princess Twinkle Toez home. This darling 3-month old kitten spotted me first, stretching up onto her hind legs to place her unusually shaped feet against the cage.  Then she sat quietly waiting for me to pick her up.  It was love at first sight.

The ladies at the shelter put her into taped box for the ride home--but that didn't last long.  She was VERY unhappy about being closed up in that box.  She put up such a fuss that after a few miles, I pulled over.  I tucked her into the bodice of my dress, where she stayed hidden under my hair, contentedly purring the entire 45-minute ride home.  My husband took one look at her and was quickly bowled over by this tiny whimsical feline.  She instantly knew how to wrap his heart around her little six-toed paw. 

Toez constantly delights us with her quirky personality and funny ways.  Along with those funny feet, she has golden eyes and unusual tortoise shell markings in her fur.  I am sure you will be seeing many more pictures over the years to come.

March of Hearts - Guest Heart Thursday

I was out in the garden yesterday.  It was raining of all things--and chilly!  An April shower in July.  Then the sun came out--I was astonished to find this group of hearts marching down the green leaves of a firework lily.

When you click for the bigger picture--you can clearly see hearts inside those raindrops.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Beauty in a Drop - Weekend Reflections

My darling Sissy and I always find wonderful things in The Abandoned.  The last time we walked there with our cameras, was no exception.  The sun burst through the clouds to glorify raindrops shining everywhere around us....
 

Marching a scintillating trail down a thread of green grass...

Resting delicately on the fragrant petals of a rose....

Festooning the tips of swaying grass seed...

Reflecting the world from beneath the sharp tip of a blackberry thorn...

Shining on purple leaves...

The Abandoned will always be a mysterious place filled with magic and adventure.  I feel honored and blessed to walk there with my dear Sissy--who delights my heart no end.

For more wonderful reflections from around the world, be sure to visit James at Weekend Reflections.

White Flower Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

Clytie and I both found several hearts on the bush where I caught this lovely flower heart.  We photographed different blooms from various angles.  It is always fascinating to see the amazing shots Sissy takes of the same things I do--we see things so differently.  I love that difference.

I'm in awe of Sissy's amazing talent with the camera.  

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

The World in a Raindrop

Sissy and I went for a walk in The Abandoned this week.  It was misting and raining--then the sun came out.  What amazing photos we caught!  This is one of the closeups.  It is amazing to see how much of the world is reflected in a raindrop!

Pure Gold - Weekend Reflections

Have you ever wondered what faeries drink?  There is a rare vintage distilled from the heart of a rose.  It is only found in the early morning sun and is suitable for faery kings and queens.  This dewdrop of pure gold from the heart of a rose is the most fragrant delicious drink to be had--if you were a faery!

For more wonderful reflections from around the world, be sure to visit James at Weekend Reflections.

Heart of Rose - Guest Heart Thursday

Tuesday I drove to my parent's home.  It had just rained.  Sissy and I went for a walk -- and of course the sun came out!  The world was filled with nature's sparkling jewels.

This glorious rose is from Mom's garden.  The entire flower is in the shape of a heart.  But if you look closely, the glowing raindrop in the heart of the rose also reflects a heart.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Star Tree Flowers - June Flower Challenge

My darling niece and I went for a walk last week.  We found a tree about two stories tall with delicate round leaves.  I had to reach up and pull down the star flowers we saw blooming overhead.

Aren't these flowers unusually pretty?  Shooting stars in a tree -- now THAT is magic!

To see more June flowers visit Random Challenges.

Giggling Flower Hearts - Guest Heart Thursday

I don't know what it is about this photograph--but I would just swear those pinkie flowers are giggling at me! I wonder what is so funny???

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday! Have a lovely Thursday everyone!

Oh, Deer!

Last week, on one of our walks through The Abandoned, Clytie noticed a deer standing so still -- The beautiful animal could hear us clicking our cameras and talking, but in the darkness of the building she couldn't see us.  But we could see her.

Here is a closeup of this lovely wild creature.

She was joined by her boyfriend--clearly, he was interested in the sounds he was hearing from that dark doorway!  I was fascinated by his velvet covered horns.

All in all a wonderful day at The Abandoned!