~ In A Vase on Monday (oops make that Tuesday!)

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Lindy Le Coq

Actually, I gathered the flora for this vase on Monday, however the day ‘got away from me’ so here is the finished product on Tuesday.

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Heather (Calluna vulgaris) is a shrub I have always loved — perhaps from my Scotch heritage and the song “Heather on the Hill.” It is in full bloom here, and I’ve added some of the berries from Black Mountain Huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum) a native to my gardens. The vase is one I purchased from Orcas Island Pottery. Here’s to Cathy at Rambling in the Garden  for helping me see what is still lovely in my early winter gardens!

http://www.orcasislandpottery.com/

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~ Silver Thaw ~ Skywatch Friday ~

Posted on December 10, 2016 by Lindy Le Coq

A snow, sleet and ice storm pelted our region yesterday afternoon on through today. It is expected to be over soon, but the temperature is still hovering just above freezing.

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Here is a shot I took on my walk today, looking up into a grey wet Pacific Northwest sky through branches encased in ice.

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~Korean Feather Grass ~ In A Vase On Monday ~

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Lindy Le Coq

Every guide to growing Korean Feather Grass  Calamagrostis brachytricha says to plant it in full sun. For whatever reason, my plant is thriving in almost total shade!

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Today’s arrangement includes Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’ and Red Twig Dogwood Cornus sericea for color and contrast, presented in a large clear vase to show off the dark purple foliage of the Penstemon.

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To see what’s blooming in other gardens, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden .

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~ Flowers, Nature, Friends, Family and Home ~ WPC: Relax ~

Posted on December 3, 2016 by Lindy Le Coq

I am inclined to agree with Jane Austin on the subject of relaxing:

“Ah! There is nothing like staying at home, for real comfort.”

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At home listening to the water and birds in my backyard sanctuary.

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Happy hour at home with Creighton and Jello

“Flowers . . . have a mysterious and subtle influence upon the feelings, not unlike some strains of music. They relax the tenseness of the mind. They dissolve its rigor.” Henry Ward Beecher

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Cheers on a lovely sunny evening with Jocelyn at Priest Lake.

Flowers by a lake or stream — anywhere in a natural setting — sharing a nice glass of wine with friends and family — that’s my favorite way to relax. Lindy Le Coq

Relax

 

 

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~ Wordless Wednesday + WPC: This Time of Year 2 ~

Posted on November 30, 2016 by Lindy Le Coq

 

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It’s Not This Time of Year Without…

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~ Red Twigs and Roses ~ In A Vase On Monday ~

Posted on November 28, 2016 by Lindy Le Coq

Last spring I added three red osier dogwood shrubs to my front yard border. This is the time of year their beautiful red stems begin to show.

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Cornus sericea and Rosa ‘Mr. Lincoln’ in salt glaze pottery vase

Thanks to Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for providing landscaping inspiration.

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~ Thanksgiving Cactus ~ WPC: This Time of Year ~

Posted on November 27, 2016 by Lindy Le Coq

Yes, I know the common name for this plant is Christmas Cactus — however — clearly the plant isn’t going to wait!

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Schlumbergera

Every year, as the grey skies of late autumn/early winter descend upon my little corner of the world, this lovely plant provides a bit of brightness.

It’s Not This Time of Year Without…

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~ Skywatch Friday ~

Posted on November 25, 2016 by Lindy Le Coq

Raining hard with no let up in sight here in the southwest corner of Washington State, USA — over two inches in the past twenty-four hours. Glad to have a warm fire and inside activities to keep my busy today!

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This is a shot taken on a sunny day, when the clouds were beginning to roll in.

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~ Stalwart Hydrangea ~ In A Vase On Monday ~

Posted on November 21, 2016 by Lindy Le Coq

Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) still offers a bit of color in its blossoms.

Today I feature it in a vase that belonged to a dear girlfriend who recently passed. She was a gardener, and flower arranger par excellence.

 

Thanks to Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for hosting this inspiring challenge.

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~ Mystical Artifacts ~ Weekly Photo Challenge: Magic ~

Posted on November 20, 2016 by Lindy Le Coq

On my first walk along the shoreline at Beach Haven this past October, I saw these Rhododendron blossoms tucked into a heap of other elements natural to the setting.

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How did these get here? I wondered, as I stopped to take a picture and examine. Immediately, I could tell this assemblage was a composition put together (in part) by human hands.

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Though I’ll never know who participated in this creation nor why, I honor its inherent magic.

 Magic

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