flowerful friday - flashback to summer

I think for those of us who love to garden, in the off season months we dream of next year's blooms and remember last year's beauties. I looked through my garden and flower photos from this past summer and came across this June bouquet that I particularly loved. 

Nothing like some summer colors to cheer up a grey day!

flowerful friday

Though the summer season is starting to wind down, there are still many lovely flowers in bloom. I photographed these zinnias recently. Aren't they beautiful?

~photos by Inside the Pomegranate~

back in the saddle

While I was away so much has happened. The big news is that my husband and I welcomed the birth of our son Lucas. He's amazing and fills our days and nights with so much joy. 

Lucas and I have been lucky enough to spend a few days at my parents' house during the last couple of weeks. I happen to think their house is most happily situated on one of the prettiest pieces of woodland. During our visits, I've able to take my road bike out for a few rides while Grammie and Poppop watch Lucas. When I was pregnant, I greatly missed riding my bike, so these rides are nothing short of bliss!

I love this time of year when you can feel both the warmth of summer and the imminent approach of fall. I snapped a few photos while on a ride to help capture these lovely days.  

at my parents' house

Cedar Creek

a canopy of trees

sunshine!

~photos by Inside the Pomegranate~

life is just a bowl of cherries

Almost three years ago, on my husband and my anniversary, we planted a cherry tree. It's a beautiful tree in the springtime with delicate cherry blossoms and then full of fruit in the summer. What a great anniversary gift to ourselves!

freshly picked

~photo by Inside the Pomegranate~

flowerful friday

I don't know what these purple beauties are, but to me, they are so summery. Aren't they lovely?

Happy Friday!

~photography by Inside the Pomegranate~

summertime shades of green

There's just something about the many shades of green that pop out in the summertime that I love.  From the lightest to the deepest green hues, there's a green for everyone to enjoy. Here are a few I'm partial to. 

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~photos by Inside the Pomegranate~

little robin redbreast

I think most of us associate robins with springtime. But, I photographed this handsome fellow today. while we were both taking a short rest in the shade. He seemed quite content with having his picture taken, allowing me to snap quite a few shots of him. 

~photo by Inside the Pomegranate~

just a few of my favorite things: summertime edition

To me, summertime is just wonderful. The long days are filled with sunshine and the cooler nights are perfect for star gazing. Here are just a few of my summertime favorites.

What's not to love about relaxing
in a hammock?

homemade lemonade:
the perfect summer drink

sorbet - probably my favorite dessert

the weightlessness of water

What's more quintessentially
summer than watermelon?

~photo credits unknown~

my garden...

It's that time of summer when my garden is going strong, with bright blooms everywhere in sight. Here are a few photos I took a few days ago. So happy it's summertime!

various shades of green

wispy cosmos

I adore these sweet smelling phlox

lots of variety

colorful geraniums

snapdragons

~all photos by Inside the Pomegranate~

flowerful friday

There's something so magical about waterlilies. Here's one I photographed recently. Doesn't it just feel like summertime?

Happy Friday!
~photo by Inside the Pomegranate~

a tour of olbrich botanical gardens

Let's take a little tour of Olbrich Botanical Gardens today...

Care to join me for a walk?

Their gardens have so
many colors and textures

and a beautiful reflection pool

let's not forget the impressive herb garden

Shall we take this path? 

The gorgeous view from a look-out tower

~ all photos by Inside the Pomegranate ~

a beautiful summer day

Today was a beautiful summer day, full of sunshine and singing birds. I took this short video while enjoying Olbrich Botanical Gardens here in Madison. Enjoy!

the feel of summer

I came across this photograph, and to me, it just feels like summer. Doesn't it look so relaxing? I hope your summer is off to a wonderful start. 

~photo credit unknown~

day dreaming...al fresco dining

Even though the temperatures are still wintery, with every day we're getting closer and closer to the warm summer days that are my favorite. And, eating outdoors in a beautiful setting is pure la dolce vita. Here's a few photos of dining al fresco that I find so inspiring. 

~photo credits unknown~

flowerful friday

Thinking of summer days...

Happy Friday Everyone!

summer afternoon at olbrich gardens

Olbrich Gardens is without a doubt a gorgeous setting for a summer afternoon, or really any time of day for that matter. My parents came to town today and we made a trip over to Olbrich, with our cameras in tow. Here's one I snapped of the herb garden. With eucalyptus in the air, the scent was lovely.

summer afternoon

I'm back home after being away for work, and it's been one of those days when I need a good dose of r & r. This Henry James quote is how I feel about today.

summer afternoon by lillian mathilde genth

I love this painting by Lillian Mathilde Genth, entitled "Summer Afternoon". The lighting is beautifully captured and it's as if you can feel a breeze floating through the scene. The light and air reminds me very much of today.

American painter, Genth studied under Whistler in Paris, and while she's not as famous as many of her male counterparts, I think her work is lovely. This painting dates from 1910. 

the taste of summer

Freshly picked tomatoes, basil and arugula - what could be better?

There's nothing like home grown tomatoes! And when combined with the sweetness of basil and the peppery bite of arugula, it's the perfect taste of summer.



gardening: belief in tomorrow

I woke up early this Saturday morning and headed directly to my garden to pull weeds, dead head, and tidy things up. Everything is coming along nicely, especially since here in Madison we've had a good amount of rain in the past week. I don't think it will be as bountiful of a summer as years past simply because of the incredibly high temperatures and drought conditions we have been experiencing. I came across this quote (from none other than Audrey Hepburn) that I adore because it rings so very true. Planting a garden isn't about instant gratification, it's about the days, weeks, months and years to come. 

image credit unknown