ONCE UPON A DESERT BLOOM

 As I was scrolling through some of my floral photos, I thought I would share some of those that are from the desert. I think when you see some of the beauty of a cactus in bloom, it takes your breathe way.

 How can something so prickly be so beautiful? Yet, here it is, in all it's glory.

 And then, there are the stranger than fiction blooms. Makes you wonder what planet this came from!!

 If you didn't know better, you would think the plant is dead or dying, but it's not. I don't know how the thing stands up.

 This plants blooms are like cotton and fly all over. Good thing I have no allergies.

 This is a desert, yellow bird of paradise which lives in my front yard. It has no scent, but gives you these lovely flowers and delicate, lacy leaves.

 This is a funky looking cactus but the blooms are so cute.

 This only needs one word, gorgeous.

 Snow Drops in my statuary in the back yard. Love this.

 I took a photo of this cactus at a shop, couldn't believe how long the plant was to how small the pot is. I can tell you when she blooms, she is a winner.

 This is the front of my home on the side. This cactus has arms that are beginning to lay down everywhere, but when she blooms, oh my! I am in love.

 These blooms have a heavenly scent too. It's too bad they last less than a day.

I hope you enjoyed your little tour of what grows around me. I have more to show, but that has to wait another day. Be safe and be sure to smell the roses.

Chihuly In The Garden

 I was introduced to Dale Chihuly's work about five years ago when he was showing at the Phoenix Botanical Gardens. I was in love. What a talent this man from Tacoma, Washington has.

 When I discovered he was showing again this year, I knew I had to go and go and go again. When you walk up to the Botanical Gardens, this is the first glimpse you get. Three tall glass art forms that resemble cactus.

 It's an amazing site for sure and can take your breathe away!

 I don't know how he does it, the colors going from the center, dark and gorgeous, to the outside, perfect and magnificent.

 I am not a glass artist by any means, but where would you begin?

 I would love this in my garden. I often wonder what the crating of his work is like. I think that subject would make a good movie, from beginning to end.

 Chihily's work needs no words, it's just perfect.

I have many more to share, but that will have to wait until next week. I hope you will go see his work if you ever have a chance. He shows all over the world.

Happy 2014

 The rush of the holidays is behind us and pretty soon we will be looking at filling our homes and ours hearts with love. For me, this means creating beautiful items for you to enjoy, give as gifts or fill your home with.

 These are three that are available on my website now. I am not sure that I will be making more of them, they are not pillows, but are hanging heart sachets. Each one has over a cup of dried lavender buds inside.

I hear a bunny calling my name, so I will probably move on to Easter pretty quick. Oops, did I really say that? Although so many of us are in a deep freeze, spring is on it's way.
I have been away from the blogging world for a year now. Please don't ask me what I have been doing, it's all a blur, but things certainly have changed and left me out of the loop. I think I may have to relearn how to post. Thanks for being patience and if you are interested in my website, you can find it at
http://someplaceinthyme.com