Landscapes – Beautiful Musings

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

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

Beaches, Beautiful Places, California, Landscapes, Nature, Parks, Public Spaces, San Francisco, Travel, Views

Beautiful Hidden Beach

April 17, 2014April 17, 2014by jjfdesignsLeave a Comment

A wonderful secret cove hidden across the bay
from my old stomping grounds. Now and again
I miss this place and I start think about the
hidden gems. Just west of the Golden Gate,
Kirby Cove is a secluded, beautiful beach,
with a spectacular view of the bridge, and
far away from the hustle of the city. If you
have the opportunity to enjoy it, do.

Landscapes, Nature, Photography, Road Trips, Texas, Travel, Winter

Beautiful Winter

January 8, 2014January 8, 2014by jjfdesigns1 Comment

Last winter I drove from Missouri to Seattle with a
very good friend and came across some old photos.
I don’t remember where exactly this was taken
but it’s somewhere in Texas around Amarillo.
I believe we drove through here right after a
snowstorm. Desolate but beautiful.
I always love a road trip.

Beautiful Places, Brazil, Desert, Landscapes, Sand, South America, Travel, Unique Places

Beautiful Sandy Places

December 19, 2013by jjfdesignsLeave a Comment

Coastal Dunes of Brasil

Crescent Lake, China

Beautiful Places, Flowers, Landscapes, Nature, Railroad

Beautiful Railway Tracks

November 30, 2013by jjfdesigns2 Comments

Everything is on its way somewhere…

Railway to heaven

Architecture, Landscapes, South America, Trees, Whimsical

Beautiful Treehouse Swing

November 13, 2013November 13, 2013by jjfdesignsLeave a Comment

Swing at the End of the World is only for
the bravest adventurers willing to take the risk
of falling off the edge of a cliff while swinging
high in the air. Located in Baños, Ecuador at
La Casa del Árbol (The Treehouse), this incredible
swing greets hikers at an elevation of 2,660 meters.
It invites anyone daring enough to ride it.
Order me one please.

Architecture, California, Design, Interior Design, Landscapes, Modern Design, Nature

Beautiful Architecture

October 27, 2013October 27, 2013by jjfdesignsLeave a Comment

The new Apple Campus

Landscapes, Nature, Parks, Travel, Views

Beautiful Mt. Rainier

October 24, 2013November 1, 2013by jjfdesignsLeave a Comment

Mt. Rainier never ceases to amaze me.

Architecture, Art, Egyptian Art, Landscapes, Photography, Thoughts to ponder, Travel, Unique Places, Views

Beautiful Photography

October 15, 2013November 1, 2013by jjfdesigns2 Comments

These images, taken from the top of the Egyptian pyramids with Cairo in the
background, are simply astonishing. I keep staring at them in amazement.
It is incredible to me these works of art were built thousands of years ago by
humans with nary a high-tech tool. Kudos to those willing to take the risk.