Sunday, May 29, 2011

After the sprinklers came on~Today's Flowers~052911






These flowers are NOT in my garden. Instead, I found them at the Marriott's Camelback Inn and Resort. I had driven over there yesterday morning to do my morning walk (i.e. "death march") at 5:00 a.m. I did my walk (hike) and was busy taking photos when, all of a sudden, my camera wouldn't click...that means only one thing...a DEAD BATTERY! I was at the top of the resort. My car was safely parked at the parking lot at the bottom of the resort, so off I went. Upon inserting a new battery, I walked back to the top and found these flowers which had been recently watered by their watering system. They were covered with water droplets and I just had to take pics of them! Today's Flowers for May 29, 2011. To see other gardens, please go to: http://flowersfromtoday.blogspot.com/

Monday, May 16, 2011

Sunflowers and Black Eyed Susans planted!


I planted more sunflower seeds and black eyed susans today. I had watered a sunny area next to our neighbor's block fence and decided to plant them there, since we will be able to see them from the house. I hope they grow and grow and grow! They'll also be a food source for the birds which visit our back yard! I'm thinking about planting other seeds along that fence, since it travels the entire length of our back yard. **NOT MY PHOTO***

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Joe's Farm Grill and community gardens, Arizona







So, last Thursday afternoon, after a grueling day at school, hubby announced we would be going to Arizona for the weekend "to relax". Huh? Relax? I get up at 5:00 every morning, go for a walk, and then complete my day. His idea of relaxing is to go somewhere and sit in the hotel room ALL DAY. (not my idea of relaxing...) But, FINALLY yesterday, we hit the road and drove over to Joe's Grill which is...I don't know where it is! Somewhere near Gilbert, Arizona...anyway, while he stood in line to order our food, I wandered across the street to the community gardens. Oh, MY! Those folks must use a LOT of fertilizer! Their sunflowers were HUGE! Their hollyhocks were HUGE! I did notice that they had a compost pile and used alfalfa around their plants...hmmm....I have TONS of horse manure (from my 5 horses...)...guess I'll have to start putting it around my plants! Just LOOK at these flowers! I'm SO JEALOUS! I must admit that I was in awe of their gardens! I REALLY need to rethink mine now! If you want to visit Joe's website, here's the link: http://joesfarmgrill.com/

Monday, May 9, 2011

Playing with Picasa




Okay. I admit it. I don't usually alter my photos, except to maybe crop them. I'm a "purist". I don't have Photoshop on my laptop. I don't even know how to use it. I do have Picasa, but I only use it to crop photos. I haven't experimented with any of its settings. But, tonight, however, I experimented with its black & white setting...

What do you think? Eh? Nah?

This is an agave bloom which I found up in the mountains, on my way to visit my horses at the ranch where I board them. The agaves are blooming now and I LOVE to stop and see them! They are so beautiful in color...do you like them in black and white?

Please let me know. I did use the "sharpen" feature on the top photo and just the black and white feature on the middle one. The bottom one is my original photo, uncropped.

Thank you for your comments!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Garden Gates 050811 ~ SOOC Sunday





I drove around town this morning trying to get photos of doors for the Sunday stills Challenge this week. However, many homes here in the desert have gates and I couldn't even see their house doors! But, aren't these beautiful? I just HAD to share them (BIG SMILE)...My own gate is hideous and I'm NOT posting a photo of it...I'm so embarassed. Oh, well...it's functional and it keeps strangers out (along with our 3 big dogs!). Anyway, enjoy the tour. I'll go out again and try to get more garden gate photos later. Straight Out of the Camera Sunday for May 8, 2011. To see other participants in SOOC, please go to: http://www.murrieta365.com