Red Floral Verbena

I was looking through some photos that I took this past summer and this vibrant scarlet flower jumped out at me. Sometimes it is just plain hard to let go of summer's beautiful color and bounty. So to hold on just a little bit longer to the warm glow of summer past and carry it with us into the slumbering winter months I share with you my way of seeing a brilliant red verbena. Enjoy!

Red Verbena
A bright warm red verbena stands out in a summer garden in Colorado.
click here for more information on this photo

Thank you Bonnie for correctly identifying the flower as a verbena!

Etsy JulieMagersSoulen

Beautiful Tulip Fields - Amazing Photos...

Winter Garden

The winter garden is monochromatic unlike the chaotic cacophony of color in the summer garden. A frosted leaf or branch becomes the focal point, etching an abstract pattern against a cedar wall. A single dried flower against a backdrop of white invites one to look closer to see the abstract beauty of a seed. Have you been to a winter garden? What have you seen?

Frosted Coneflower
A single dried and frosty coneflower stands bravely against the elements of winter.
click here for purchase information on this photo

Icy Cherry
The branches of a young Canadian choke cherry, lacy with frost, trace intricate lines before a cedar wall.
click here for purchase information on this photo

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Colette's Garden

Our destination on the Olympic Peninsula was Colette's Bed and Breakfast. We found this charming retreat online and were not disappointed. In fact, it is not often one can say this, but it was even better than expected. Every detail was seen to for our comfort and enjoyment. The gourmet breakfast sustained us until dinner and the afternoon wine and cheese was delightful. But my favorite moments were the ones spent leisurely wandering the gardens with wine glass in one hand and my sweetheart's hand in my other. Come along and let Colette's Garden rest your mind and delight your senses.

The gardens at Colette's Bed and Breakfast.

An ocean view is hidden by fog behind Colette's.

Two stately trees anchor one of the flower beds.

A stone path is lined by large colorful begonias just outside our door.

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

On Vacation

I'm on vacation. I'm taking a few days off. My husband has been after me to slow down and I am going to take his advice. I have a couple great excuses too. One, it's my birthday week. Two, a couple very dear friends are flying in from California for a visit. I'm very excited as we have not gotten together in five years. So if you are looking for me, I'll be sitting right there on the porch, rocking, talking, and sipping a wine cooler. See you in a few days!

Golden Bliss