flowerful friday: clematis in bloom

Clematis are in full bloom, and these flowering vines add so much color and interest to garden spaces. There are so many varieties of clematis, so it's not unusual to see a wide range of petal shapes and colors. On a recent visit to Olbrich Botanical Gardens here in Madison, the clematis were blooming most beautifully. I snapped a few photographs of these stunning climbers. Did you know that wild clematis are native to China? By the 17th century, they could be found in Japanese gardens, and they reached European gardens by the 18th century. I'm happy to have a few clematis in my own garden. Do you have them growing in your garden too?

Happy Friday!

~photos by Inside the Pomegranate~

art and le tour de france

We've been watching a lot of the Tour de France in our house. I'm not the biggest sports fan out there, but this is one sporting event that I look forward to every year. In addition to the cycling, the scenery is amazing. 

I came across this Henri Matisse painting that reminds me so much of the beautiful scenes we've been enjoying while watching the Tour in Provence. Who wants to go to southern France?!

words to live by: franklin roosevelt

These are simple, straight to the point words with a big message.  Let's experience. Let's do. Let's try something.

~image credit unknown~

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!

le tour de france - 100 years!

The Tour de France is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and this year's 21 day cycling event is unlikely to disappoint! It kicked off today in Corsica and will wrap up in Paris on July 21st. One of my favorite travel memories was watching and cheering the cyclists in the final stage of the 2001 Tour. 

~image credit unknown~

childhood: in black and white {part 2}

Continuing with yesterday's post, this photo captures that same lightness of childhood. When was the last time you jumped rope...for fun...with someone else?

~photo credit unknown~

childhood: in black and white {part 1}

I don't know who to give credit to for this lovely black and white photograph capturing one of those moments in childhood when something so small feels so fun. The carefree existence of children is something I wish we all could embrace a little more so that we could take ourselves a little less seriously, laugh a little easier, and regain that fresh perspective that we all possessed as kids.

~photo credit unknown~

music for a monday: feist's "secret heart" live in paris

This video of Feist performing "Secret Heart" at a 2007 show in Paris sums up why I'm a fan of the Canadian songstress. Enjoy!

words to live by: leondardo da vinci

Leonardo da Vinci, you were most definitely onto something! 

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~

flowerful friday: lavender from the garden

With its delicate and relaxing scent, lavender is one of my favorites. I've never had a lot of luck growing it here in Madison, but happily this year my lavender plants came back and are flourishing. There's nothing quite like just a few sprigs of fragrant lavender to bring indoors to enjoy.

uncovering an old family photograph - priceless!

What a lovely surprise it is to see an old family photograph for the first time. Recently my mom's cousin shared with her a photograph taken when they were both children growing up in Bangkok. The photograph captures the moment in time now long gone, but provides us with a glimpse back in time. I love being able to see my mom and uncle as little kids and my grandparents when they were in their prime. How it makes me wish I could just jump into that moment!

Isn't this a lovely scene?
My mom is the one in the white dress.
She's adorable!!

music for a monday: npr's tiny desk concert - the national

I'm bringing back The National to my Music for a Monday post. Here's The National performing on NPR Music's series Tiny Desk Concerts. Enjoy!

happy father's day!

Wishing all of the dads and dads-to-be out there a wonderful Father's Day! My dad is an amazing man full of wisdom and knowledge, talent, and love. I'm so grateful for everything he's done and for who he is.