Cloud Watching

1. Watching The Clouds, 2. singfest08 - day 1: watching clouds go by, 3. Cloud watching Daisies, 4. cloud watching

Cloud watching is one of my favorite activities for when I need to take a breath and relax. It's difficult to feel rushed while laying on my back in the moist grass, looking up at the blue sky. Though we don't have many overcast days here we often have fluffy white clouds dotting the sky. I'm content to simply watch them flit by in the wind. This is particularly beautiful at sunrise and sunset when those plain clouds become painted with a palette of shades ranging from the brightest of reds to the softest of purples. Pure bliss.

I purposely saved this post for this time as the sun is just now starting to illuminate the sky more and more. The clouds that are still hanging about look beautiful. Sweet sleep is so close, only half an hour more. At least this past half hour went by a little more quickly thanks to my kitty's antics.

Song of the Half Hour: Elevation - U2

Sea Shells

1. Sea shells, 2. Sea shells, 3. sea shells, 4. Sea Shells on the sea shore

Growing up in a sea side town has given me a life long love of shells. Collecting them is actually on of my favorite beach activities (I absolutely will not go beyond calf deep in water I can't see through so swimming on the California coastline is pretty much out for me). I love coming through the sand, seeing tiny corners peeking out while the wet sand squishes deliciously between my toes. It's like a magical treasure hunt where the jewels are instead tiny delicate shells in an impossible number of colors and varieties. I keep a small box of my treasures and I love looking at it and allowing those tactile memories to flood back.

What are your favorite beach-side activities?

Hazelnut coffee is delicious. Unfortunately caffeine has no effect on me, but the flavor is a nice change. SIX MORE HOURS!! And so the home stretch begins...

Song of the Half Hour: Viva la Vida - Coldplay

Summer Storms

1. Umbrella HBW, 2. Cannaregio Rain, Venice II, 3. Rain Boots!, 4. December Rain on State Street

When I planned this prompt I had no idea how applicable it would be. Normally during the summer there is nary a cloud in sight, but this last week it's been a different story. At least once a day there's been a brief rainstorm followed by a few hours of thunder and lightning. This is absolutely one of my favorite things, it's the perfect weather for curling up with a good book and relishing the sounds of the storm. Storms also remind me of being a little girl, sitting on the driveway in a plastic chair and watching the lightning with my uncle. What's your favorite type of summer weather?

I spent the last half hour watching random Big Bang videos on youtube with mom, so that was fun (though I'm running a little behind as a result). I wonder what I'll get up to now that everyone is heading to bed.

Song of the Half Hour: Se7olution - Se7en

Gardens

1. Stourhead Gardens., 2. A First Glimpse of the Gardens at Penshurst Place, 3. Leading You Down the Garden Path at Great Dixter!, 4. Hanging Gardens

I love taking that first step into a well tended (or wildly unkempt) garden. Having lived in the desert for so long that moment is like being transported into another world. It's a delight for all the senses from the scents of fresh blooms and cut grass and the sound of the little birds that tend to inhabit gardens of all sorts. My favorite gardens can be found around the world: the botanical gardens of Santa Barbara (my hometown and one of my favorite places to visit), the gardens located all around the city of Bath (some of my favorite photos from my trip to Englad came from those gardens), and the local Springs Preserve (which has really helped me come to appreciate the desert's landscape more and more).

I am now in possession of my tea and a surprise container of frozen yogurt. Bliss.

Fresh Flowers

1. Pink Flowers On Fresh Cut Lawn, 2. fresh flowers, 3. flowers on my table, 4. Fresh Flowers at the Wedding

There is nothing quite like a bouquet of fresh flowers. They're a treat for the senses: beautiful to look at, soft to the touch, full of delightful scents, and in some cases delicious to eat. Having a vase on my desk never fails to make me smile. They remind me to slow down and take a deep breath. To stop and smell the roses.

There are so many varieties and colors available, it's mind boggling to think of them all. My personal favorites include cherry blossoms and peonies, but I truly do love them all. Each inspires a different mood, evokes a different emotion. Some act as a reminder for a special memory and others are simply just pretty to look at. I have been unable to find a local flower shop, but having fresh flowers in the house is always a special treat. What are your favorite flowers to have around?

I can't believe that we're already at the sixth post of the day! It seems like I just woke up a few minutes ago. I'm definitely having a blast so far though.

A Day in the Park

For Memorial Day weekend I spent the day at the Springs Preserve for their A Taste of Shakespeare event. In their outdoor amphitheaters (as pictured above) local actors performed a major scene from six of Shakespeare's plays. It was a lovely way to spend a day and the actors did an excellent job (especially considering how hot they must have been in their costumes). In addition to the plays that had live orchestra music playing and booths of enticing confections (I was able to have my first taste of fresh fairy floss in years - thanks to mom for holding it so I could get a clear photo).

I love that they're doing more events at the preserve. It's a beautiful location filled to the brim with natural desert plants and examples of desert landscaping (a major goal of the preserve is to educate the public on conservation and green living). This is a good time of year to go as the flowers are in bloom and the colors of nature are so vibrant.

the aforementioned fairy floss


these trees were everywhere, their blossoms are so light and ethereal


a more traditional example of desert landscaping


these were such a beautiful, vibrant green


this little meadow area was filled with a variety of purple hues


this little stream made such a relaxing sound