Today's Flowers

Poinsettias ... a reminder that CHRISTmas is just around the corner. We're lucky that we can get them in a variety of shades nowadays but I still go for the traditional red. :)

For more of Today's Flowers, please click Here and enjoy stunning flowers from all over the world!

Today's Flowers #68

These trees are so interesting year round, nice blooms in the spring, summer foliage, brilliant colors in fall, and berries for birds in the winter. Unfortunately, I don't know their names; I took pictures while driving. (but not recommended) lol Although it's hard to see, those are berries not leaves, very pretty, don't you think?
I've seen whites and brown berries too but it was always too late to snap a picture.




I did a detour one day and was greeted by rows of this yellow berry bearing trees. I would have love to stop and take a close-up photo but the street is narrow and not safe to stop. I took this photo while at a stop sign, luckily there was no car behind, honking at me.

Hey, you want to join or see stunning flowers from all over the world to cheer you up? Just click here.

Today's Flowers #67

Last blooms from my garden ... I used it to brighten our church.

... close-up.

A couple of my indoor plants.



Thanks Luiz, Denise, Laerte, and Valkyrien for this meme of Today's Flowers.

Today's Flowers #66

Red poppies .... (click photos to enlarged)

Orange poppies ...

... poppy seeds. There must be thousands of tiny seeds inside this pod.


Golden rod ...

... spent golden rod

Thistle ...

... spent thistle.

For more of Today's Flowers, please visit the TF team here. Enjoy your stroll!

Today's Flowers #65

Hello everyone, I haven't updated this blog lately, so I am moving my TF meme here.

I have this plant for many years and I was surprised to see it bloomed for the first time. It was given to me by a friend who says it's from yucca family?

... another angle.


I went around my garden one day, taking pictures of droplets ... I want to learn how to draw them; it should be interesting.








To brighten your day, go visit the TF team and see a lot of lovely flowers from almost all over the world!

Self-Portrait

About twenty years ago, I tried to paint a self-portrait. I can't quite get the face right, especially the mouth; I was frustrated ... disappointed, blah, blah, blah, so I stopped. Recently, I found my painting, still intact, believe it or not, even the mice stayed away from it. Hah! With a new look and a little more seasoned set of eyes, I can tell that it needs a lot of shading, big time! The mouth is all wrong also. Now, I am debating if it is better to start all over again or try to correct this one.
Below is the photo that I copied from... psssssttt, I wish I'm still this .... "petite" lol



... and this is the UNFINISHED self-portrait; argh, and more argh! the likeness is so far from the photo, don't you think? It's almost embarrassing to show you! lol But I think with more shading and re-shaping of the mouth, it should be a "ok" ;) This was only my second attempt to paint a portrait, so be nice, I cry easy. ha ha

Oil on canvas board, 12" x 16"

Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance

Our son, along with four of his friends and one adult attended the Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance held in Trumansburg, NY last week. This was a four day (Thursday thru Sunday) event and they were lucky to get an on-site camping space because spaces sell out quickly. There was also an off-site camping about a mile away with shuttle buses running non-stop.
We heard that the festival is a music lover's paradise so hubby and I got curious; we went to join them on Friday ... here are some of the pictures that I took. The marquee ...

(all photos can be enlarged by clicking)

Just a few of the on-site tents; the fairgrounds was surrounded with tents! Some campers even brought potted plants to decorate their areas. And there were plenty of food and arts and crafts vendors! Problem was, it was raining almost all day; that sure dampened my excitement.


... more tents taken sitting at one of the four stages, Grandstand stage to be exact.



One of the over 60 bands, the Talktomes (talk-to-mes), played roots related music. It was still early in the morning; the place was not crowded yet.


The Believers, came all the way from Washington state. They played folk and ethnic music. Most of the bands that we heard were good and wonderful but unfortunately, it was not my type of music; if your taste is eclectic then you'll definitely enjoy going to this festival.


... I don't know the name of this band but they were excellent and funny.


Grassroots Festival is also known for its all-night dancing. This was the dance tent. Since we left quite early due to rain, I assumed that this dance floor was full to its capacity by nightfall.


Just to give you an idea, pictured below is the schedule of events; starting at 9am and ending at 1am, and different bands taking turns performing at four different stages.

The Grassroots festival is mainly run by volunteers; money raised helps benefit the fight against Aids and other causes.
Music, dance, art and food ... a good recipe for fun don't you agree?