Cosmos~Sunday stills Challenge 071810 and Today's Flowers

Cosmos always mean "summer" to me. They are such delightfully beautiful flowers! I didn't have any seeds to plant here in the desert this summer, but I found these up at Simi Winery in the Dry Creek Valley of northern California. I mean, who can resist their cheerfulness? Next year I'll reserve a space in my garden for some cosmos. Sunday Stills Challenge and Today's Flowers for July 18, 2010.

Smoke tree blossoms~Today's Flowers 062710

The smoke trees here in our valley are blooming right now and I stopped one afternoon last week to take some photos of them. The usually-gray trees and now covered with dark blue flowers. And, these flowers attract hundreds of bees! I could hardly get close enough to take the close-up photos! ACK! As I recall, they do not bloom for very long, so I'm glad I stopped to take these pics. Today's Flowers for June 27, 2010.

Red and Orange Bird of Paradise and blue sky~Sky Watch Friday 062510

These flowers aren't in my garden. While I DO have some, they aren't blooming right now. These belong to a neighbor and while I was out and around the other day, I stopped to take some pics of them. Aren't they pretty against our blue sky? SkyWatch Friday for June 25, 2010.

Orange flowers~Today's Flowers 061310

These flowers are growing in our daughter's neighborhood and yesterday I was able to finally take a photo of them. I don't know the name of them, but butterflies seem to like them! Today's Flowers for June 13, 2010.

Rose in Lone Pine, CA~Today's Flowers 060510

No, not my rose. As you know, I CANNOT grow roses! But, I admire them and this one, with others, was growing steadily in Lone Pine, CA. Today's Flowers for 060510.

Welcome to the garden center~Windows and Doors, Too~052710

I love this door. It is the door for one of the entrances of the garden center at the Living Desert Reserve. From here, you walk through a little water garden (yes, in the desert!) and then you enter the garden center. It's always shady and cool here, which is a welcome relief on our hot, summer days! Windows and Doors, Too! for May 27, 2010.

Branches~That's My World 052510

As I wandered around the Living Desert on Saturday morning, I couldn't help but notice how green all the trees were! I took these two photos of the new growth on a couple of them. That's My World for Tuesday, May 25, 2010.