Flowers – Beautiful Musings

Color, Emily Dickinson, Flowers, Nature, Photography, Poetry, Spring

Beautiful Nature

February 26, 2016March 1, 2016by jjfdesignsLeave a Comment

I spied some beautiful crocuses today and it smells like spring. I have no special knowledge of Crocuses other than the fact they seem to beat every other flower to punch when it comes to blooming. And it’s one of those names that doesn’t quite fit the plant, seems like they deserve a name that is a little more elegant. Crocus sounds too much like crocodile.
They at least they have a pretty poem:

She dwelleth in the Ground —
Where Daffodils — abide —
Her Maker — Her Metropolis —
The Universe — Her Maid —

To fetch Her Grace — and Hue —
And Fairness — and Renown —
The Firmament’s — To Pluck Her —
And fetch Her Thee — be mine —

-Emily Dickinson

Flowers, Nature, Spring, Sunflowers

Beautiful Dreams

December 29, 2015December 29, 2015by jjfdesignsLeave a Comment

What are you doing on this day before the day before the last day of 2015? I’m dreaming of spring only 3 months away.

Beautiful Places, Color, Dogs, Flowers, Landscapes, Lavender Festival, Nature, Pets, Photography, Poetry, Summer, WA, Washington State, westhighlandterrier

Beautiful Lavender

July 27, 2015July 27, 2015by jjfdesignsLeave a Comment

Every summer I visit the lavender farms in Sequim, Washington.
Everything is offered, dried flowers and leaves for sachet, small
bundles of the whole stem with flowers on them that will dry
naturally when placed in a vase or basket, soaps, lotions, and
essential oil for bath, potpourri and sachets are just a few
of the uses. The farms have been there for many years and
visiting is like stepping back into an old world garden.

Bless the bees who pollinate.

“And lavender, whose spikes of azure bloom
shall be, ere-while, in arid bundles bound
to lurk admist the labours of her loom,
and crown her kerchiefs witl mickle rare perfume.”
by William Shenstone The School Mistress 1742

Did you know….

Lavender is a herb in the mint family.
Lavender is edible and can be used in cooking and making teas.
The benefits and use of lavender has been known for over 2,500 years.
In perfume, scented bath oils, and even mummification, the ancient
Egyptians used lavender profusely.
Lavender in water can be used for cleaning floors and furniture.
It is an excellent and aromatic cleaner which can be used for laundry also.
Nurses bathed the wounds of soldiers with a lavender wash, for its
healing properties, during World War I.

Lavender is edible

Sugar the Westie loves walking the fields

Beautiful Places, Flowers, Nature, Parks, Photography, Public Spaces, Seattle

Beautiful Nature

May 1, 2015by jjfdesignsLeave a Comment

Every time I drive down the freeway I notice the sign “Kubota Garden” next exit and I always tell myself I must check it out but alas I always keep driving….except this time I actually went and checked it out. What a delight! Don’t know why it took me do long but glad I finally took the time.

Abstract, Architecture, Art, Black & White Photography, Eclectic, Flowers, Historic Architecture, Inspiring, Nature, Photography

Beautiful Photography

November 22, 2014by jjfdesignsLeave a Comment

Javier Gomez’s bold, abstract photographs are
ephemeral and otherwordly. I’m particularly drawn
to his abstract architectural images. Beautiful.

Africa, Beautiful Places, California, Color, Flowers, Germany, Inspiring, Landscapes, Nature, Parks, Photography, Public Spaces, South America, Trees, Unique Places

Beautiful Nature

August 1, 2014August 15, 2014by jjfdesignsLeave a Comment

How amazing can a tree be?
(or shrub, or vine or even a grass?)
Laying eyes upon these amazing, huge,
beautiful creations of by nature makes
me want to hug a tree and say thank you.
If there truly is a God, it’s nature. Enjoy!

125+ year old Rhododendron in Canada
Read more about it here reddit

144 year old Wisteria in Japan
At 1,990 sq. meters (about half acre), this huge
wisteria is the largest of its kind in Japan.
This gorgeous giant is located at Ashikaga Flower
Park. After looking at these photos I’m ready to
book the next flight to Japan!
Read more about it here

Wind Swept Tress of Slope New Zealand
Slope Point is the most southern point of New
Zealand’s South Island. The region is consistently
lashed with fierce winds that blow up from
Antarctica. The wind here is so intense and
relentless, that the trees are twisted, warped and
forever bent along the direction the wind blows.
Read more about it here.

Antarctic Beech Tree Draped in Hanging Moss
The antarctic beech tree is native to Chile and
Argentina but specimen is from the NW Pacific
region. Image by Drew Hopper

Blooming Cherry Tree Explosion
Bonn, Germany
Waltz through a magical tunnel fo
pink in the lovely city of Bonn,
where the cherry blossoms go
positively bonkers for two to
three precious weeks per year.
Read more about it here

Angel’s Oak on John’s Island, South Carolina
The Angel oak stands 66.5 ft (20 m) and is
estimated between 400-500 years old.
Read more about here

Flamboyant Tree, Brazil
The flamboyant tree is native to Madagascar but
grows in tropical regions around the world.
Image by Salete T. Silva
Read more about it here

Dragon blood Trees, Yemen
The Dragon blood tree earns its name from the
crimson red sap used as a dye, in violin varnish,
alchemical ingredient and folk remedy for
various ailments.
Read more about it here

The President, the
Third Largest Giant
Sequoia in the World,
California
Located in Sequoia
National Park, CA,
it’s 241 ft (73 m) tall
and has ground
circumference 93 ft.
Photo by Michael Nichols
Read more about it here

Maple Tree Tunnel, Oregon
Read more about it here

Rainbow Eucalyptus, Kauai, Hawaii
Possibly one of the coolest trees on earth.
These eucalyptus trees grow along the
Hana Highway on Kauai. The tree is a huge
evergreen and can grow 8 feet a year,
reaching a height of 197 – 246 feet
(60 – 75 meters).
Read more about it here

Jacarandas in Cullinan, South Africa
Beautiful Jacarandas with their violet
flowers, grow in South Africa.
Read more about here

Avenue of Oaks at Dixie Plantation, South Carolina
Avenue of Oaks was planted around 1790
Read more about it here

Baobab Trees, Madagascar
Water is stored in the trunks of these trees to use
during a drought. They can grow for up to 5000
years making them one of the oldest living things
on the planet.
Read more about it here

The Dark Hedges in Northern Ireland
The Dark Hedges were planted in the 18th Century.
More recently, this stunning beech tree tunnel was
featured in the Game of Thrones.
Read more about it here

Flowers, iPhone, Nature, Photography, Poetry, Sky, Summer

Beautiful Nature

July 7, 2014August 1, 2014by jjfdesignsLeave a Comment

Lounging in the grass, not doing much of
anything except enjoying the moment
with an iPhone and a cluster of random
daisies. They grow everywhere in the wild.
I couldn’t resist taking these shots on a
lazy summer day and searching for the
perfect poem.

Daisy Time
See, the grass is full of stars,
Fallen in their brightness;
Hearts they have of shining gold,
Rays of shining whiteness.

Buttercups have honeyed hearts,
Bees they love the clover,
But I love the daisies’ dance
All the meadow over.

Blow, O blow, you happy winds,
Singing summer’s praises,
Up the field and down the field
A-dancing with the daisies.
By Marjorie Pickthall