Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Coneflowers and a gift

One more post before I leave on my trip. The violent thunderstorm that rolled through here at 5AM bestowed three extra hours on my day. :) I hope all my friends in North Texas are okay, as I learned they had some pretty severe storms, too. Prayers still going out to Oklahoma and the Midwest.

Yesterday I made a quick dash to the arboretum to see what was blooming. Actually, I was hoping to see butterflies, but only saw a clouded sulphur that refused to light. The purple coneflowers were beckoning, so I obliged.
Isn't it sweet how the tall coneflower seems to be sheltering the little one?
It makes me think of the teachers in Oklahoma who sheltered the children from the tornado.


I have no idea what that snowflake-looking thing is in the upper right of the photo.

A sweet surprise awaited me when I returned from the botanical garden. My sweet friend at Gone Country had knitted me a beautiful red scarf! I purchased one from her in January and loved it. I meant to blog about it, but for one reason or another didn't get around to it. She has since learned a new method of creating the scarf and wanted me to have the 'new and improved' version—her words. Although I thought the first scarf was super nice, I must admit the new scarf is very full and luxurious. The yarn she uses is so soft, too. She has recently embarked on The Pink Scarf Project to help women fighting breast cancer. She's got a big heart and mad talent. :) Thank you for blessing me with this unexpected gift, and for remembering that my mom's favorite color was red.



I'd like to leave you with this:
Torn paper by French Kiss Textures
Butterfly by JoesSistah


40 comments:

Gone Country said...

Aw, thank you for your sweet words. I'm glad you like the scarf and I like the way you photographed it. I've been thinking of doing something similar rather than modeling them myself (not thrilled with that, lol!)

The coneflowers are beautiful!

Have a safe trip my friend!

Karen said...

Gorgeous coneflowers, beautiful photography! Love the scarf.

Unknown said...

Your coneflower shots are gorgeous! What a feast for the eyes!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

The scarf is just beautiful! As are your flower pictures :-)

Amy Burzese said...

Marvelous cone flower shots, Gail. They are some of my favorite flowers. What a nice gift! Beautiful scarf.

TexWisGirl said...

awww, suzy was really sweet to do that for you!

LOVE the coneflower shots! and the interesting snowflake / lab slide looking spot of bokeh!

be safe in your travels, my friend!

hootnonny said...

Nothing prettier than a big bed of cone flowers! The scarf is luscious!

Chatty Crone said...

I just love the red scarf you lucky dog! And I love Norman Vincent Peale. And I love your flowers. sandie

Stephanie said...

The scarf is stunning and I love the way you photographed it - it's perfection :) The flowers are beautiful. Have a good and safe trip!

Hugs to you!

The Cranky said...

I love cone flowers and your photos are wonderful Gail! And what a thoughtful friend, with mad talents!

Wonderful, wise, words...thank you for sharing them.

Stay safe and have a wonderful time!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

The cone flowers are pretty. I like that scarf too- my granddaughter made a brown & black one for me and it is so soft.

Ruth Hiebert said...

The Purple Coneflower is a great photo subject as your pictures show. The scarf is delightful.

Ann said...

gorgeous photos!!!
enjoy your trip!!

Karen said...

Lovely post Gail, the coneflower shots are inspiring and the scarf is beautiful, hope you get a lot of pleasure out of it and have a safe and happy trip.

eileeninmd said...

Gail, your conflowers shots are gorgeous! They are one of my favorite summer flowers. Your gift is beautiful, a lovely scarf.

Deanna said...

what a beautiful surprise in the mail...and red, my favorite color. The coneflowers are such a lovely subject, always so full of personality. Have a good and safe trip!!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous photos, Gail.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

The coneflower photos are lovely, and your interpretation of the sheltering shot is sweet. The red scarf is truly beautiful, as is the heart of the one who made it for you.

Hilary said...

What a sweet friend to make that scarf for you. Your coneflower images are just amazing, Gail.

Shug said...

glad your brought these pictures to us today....so very pretty.
Hope you so enjoy your trip....have fun, relax....enjoy the scenery..

Brian King said...

Beautiful shots and a very nice gift! I'm curious about that "snowflake", too.

Pierre BOYER said...

I love those marvelous orange flowers....
Best regards from Paris,

Pierre

Indrani said...

Pretty flowers and talented friend... what more can one want! :)
Lovely shots!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Beautiful scarf, lovely flowers. Hope you're having a great time.

Evelyn S. said...

Love your photographs of the red scarf! So dramatic! My sister knits those scarves, and I got a pretty multicolored one for Christmas. As for your coneflowers...I can't believe they are blooming there already! They are late summer flowers here, and only the greenery is showing in my garden now.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous shots of the flowers! Enjoy your trip.

Unknown said...

Your photography is always SO amazing.
Really, really great.
Your bird photos make me feel I'm the one watching the bird in person.
Enjoy your vacation!

A Creative Grace said...

Gorgeous echinacea images, those colours are stunning! I hope you have a great trip :)

Donna said...

Lovely surprise and coneflowers...

Kerry said...

Beautiful cone flowers, and such kind, healing thoughts. Lovely, Gail.

Rambling Woods said...

Beautiful flowers and scarf... Michelle

Anonymous said...

beautiful shots of happy flowers.

EG CameraGirl said...

The coneflowers are gorgeous. I can't believe they are in bloom already!

I hope you are enjoying your time away!!

Starla said...

Enjoy your time away!!
Your photos never cease to amaze me. I love the coneflowers and (sorry for reminding you) the INCREDIBLE green of the trees on your hike!! GORGEOUS!

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Wonderful blooms and a beautiful scarf!! I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend Gail.

Cindy said...

Beautiful and I love the scarf. That's one gorgeous red. Enjoy your trip.

Anonymous said...

I love your parting words - great advice!! Hope you're having fun on your trip. Those coneflowers are breathtaking, and I love the comparison to the teachers in Oklahoma.

Charlotte Wilson said...

Your cone flowers are so pretty! And your scarf is lovely. Isn't it wonderful to have blogging family!

Hugs,

charlotte

Suzan said...

Your red scarf is lovely!! How blessed you are to have such a good blogging friend. And love the flowers- so pretty!! Have a wonderful trip - stay safe and I look forward to your pictures!

renae said...

hi Gail, just dropped by to see I you were here/back and found this post I hadn't seen. I love the verse by Peale, the scarf is great and I love your floral photos! Yes, the young need protection. So sweet of you. Hoping you are having safe travels!