Wednesday, December 31, 2008

A Happy New Year!

Wishing you a wonderful New Year! May your hopes be in Him alone and his mercies begin afresh each day throughout this year giving us guidance and direction!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

B ird eat the flowers

Strelitzia nicolai has a sticky pollen (clearly evident where this sunbird has landed) that is transferred to other plants by the feet of these birds – in this case Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra olivacea

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.Here's a little music to accompany this poinsettia. It's Elvis, who I think is the rockin King of Christmas music!Merry' Christmas Baby ~ Elviswww.youtube.com/watch?v=gtjY3X-8JVE

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Flower Dwarf Pyracantha

Dwarf pyracantha (pyracantha 'red cushion') are graceful, spreading little trees with petite, light green leaves.

Indian Hawthorn

Indian Hawthorn, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Chinese Elm Bonsai Flowers

Chinese elms are deciduous trees with small shiny leaves.

Flowers Natal Plum

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Warmth for the Soul

Warmth for the Soul, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.“See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence...we need silence to be able to touch souls.” ~ Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

An Amaryllis by Any Other Name...

Yet another popular Christmastime flower, the Amaryllis, is actually not an Amaryllis at all, but Hippeastrum, which is native to South Africa. The true amaryllis, from Peru and Chile, is a very similar plant but growers chose to lump them all together thereby confusing us, the buying public!These beautiful giant bulbs can be purchased anywhere this time of year, from garden centers to Walmart

Monday, December 15, 2008

A Fresh Grenn Flower

A fresh green flower, fresh cut gladiolus are a striking

Surrounded by Beauty

Surrounded by Beauty, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.Beauty before me, I walk with. Beauty behind me, I walk with. Beauty above me, I walk with. Beauty below me, I walk with. Beauty all around me, I walk with. Navajo Night Chant The day after a rainstorm in California is quite spectacular. These flowers seemed to enjoy sunning themselves, although the temperature is certainly cooler now.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Finding Beauty

Fading Beauty, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.~Anne Frank

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Honoring Nature's Beauty

Honoring Nature's Beauty, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.It is good to realize that if love and peace can prevail on earth, and if we can teach our children to honor nature's gifts, the joys and beauties of the outdoors will be here forever. ~ Jimmy Carter

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Now, where did I put my Quintal?

Vase. From the Latin vas, meaning 'vessel'. There are so many more ways to display flowers than in a simple vase. Centuries ago, flowers were difficult to come by. (Have you heard about Tulipmania in Holland?). During the 17th century, flowers were a commodity available only to the rich, so owning containers made specifically for displaying flowers was a show of your affluence. During that time,

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Freebies, Give-Aways, Tutorials!!!

I'm back again today with some FUN STUFF! If you are not a member of DigiShop Talk - JOIN NOW because we are giving away a lot of AMAZING gifts this month in the DST Insider and I don't want you to miss out!It's FREE to join DST, so go HERE to sign up. Once you've signed up (or if you already are a member), download the December issue of the DST Insider (It's FREE too!!!) - you can download it

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Catching Up!

Obviously I've been VERY behind! Work has been so hectic and busy that I haven't been able to keep up lately :( BUT, I do have a few things to share and with Christmas vacation coming up in two weeks, I hope to get more things accomplished!For larger photos, you can go to my online gallery and click on the individual thumbnail photos to make them larger.I've got two mini-albums that I did for My

Friday, December 5, 2008

The Orchid

An Orchid for Angela, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.Orchids are known for their timeless beauty, but did you know they coexisted with dinosaurs? While researching bee pollen, from bees found trapped in amber 15 to 20 million years old, scientists discovered orchid taxon on their fossilized wings. Essentially, orchids truly are timeless.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Camellia

Camelia, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.The Camellia is a wonderful plant, with Asian origins. I had quite the history lesson on these delicate beauties when I took the Tram tour at Descanso Garden in La Canada, Flintridge (California.) They have the largest Camellia Garden in Southern California. A must see if you're looking for a garden to visit. Elizabeth, the Queen Mother grew Camellia

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Cyclamen

Friday I'm in Love, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.Everywhere I go in Southern California, I see cyclamen planted in beds and borders. Until I decided to take gardening more seriously, I used to kill every cyclamen I met. It was accidental of course, as I followed my idea that plants like lots of sun and water. WRONG! This plant likes shade, and minimal water, as to avoid root rot. That's

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Those Shocking Rosarians!

You would never believe it, but the Victorian world of horticulture was quite cut-throat! Over the centuries, many intrigues have occurred in the name of the rose, so to speak. Here, a few stories associated with some of the roses you may have in your own garden."Gertrude Jekyll": This master gardener was known for her garden designs-so many of which are still going strong today. Each spring,