"As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death." ~ Leonardo Da Vinci

"As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death." ~ Leonardo Da Vinci
Originally uploaded by Abby Lanes

The dogwood tree brings back the Spring in my childhood memories. I found this tree in my parent's front yard in NC, while we were visiting family for Spring Break. I have long associated dogwoods with Easter. The four petals represent the cross, the marks on the petals, represent the nails into Christ's body. It's a wonderful reminder of the true meaning of Easter, and a gorgeous floral Spring tree.

This is a gorgeous old Southern home in my parents town. I thought the pink dogwood trees framed the home so beautifully!

Indian Hawthorn

Indian Hawthorn, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

"Gather the rose of love whilst yet is time." - Edmund Spenser

"Gather the rose of love whilst yet is time." - Edmund Spenser, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

These roses came from my neighbor's garden. She's 95 and her family had to put her in an assisted living home. They gave me some of the roses from her garden, and these are my favorite. If I discover their name, I will let you know.

Pink Roses

Rose with Texture, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

Okay, I'll admit it. I can't stop taking photos of pretty pink roses. They are my all time favorite thing to photograph. I'm also in love with the color pink. I've been told that my signature color must be pink. If that's true, then the pink rose is my signature flower!



According to this article (linked to the title above) their primary meaning is appreciation, gratitude and love.
http://www.proflowers.com/flowerguide/rosemeanings/pinkrose-meanings.aspx



In the spirit of Thanksgiving, which is rapidly approaching, I do appreciate pink roses.



I am grateful for my the gift of sight...



And I do love pretty pink roses! I hope you do too, enjoy! Happy almost Thanksgiving!

Grandpa's Garden

There is no more spectacular garden in my neighborhood, in my opinion, than Grandpa's Garden.  Grandpa is not my grandpa, just an elderly gardener, with the prettiest cosmos I think I've ever seen.

He's incredibly friendly, and chit chats with anyone who walks by while he's gardening.

Start these plants from seed if you want to see prettier healthier flowers!

And remember, mix it up a little with a few complimentary flowers to create texture and beauty in your garden!

A Stunning Two-Toned Dahlia

A Two-Toned Dahlia, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

Stop by the garden of a true gardener, and you never know what might sneak up and surprise you. I've passed a rose garden for months, telling myself to stop by and photograph those amazing roses. I finally did it today. While I was poking through the roses, I found, what appeared to be the last dahlia of this season. It was starting to droop, but I've personally never met such a gorgeous dahlia in person. Meet this two-toned beauty, and if I find the dahlia's name, I'll post it.

Pretty & Pink Geranium

Pretty & Pink, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

This has to be one of the easiest plants to care for on Earth.

One of the most memorable flower articles I ever read was on geraniums, by the Martha Stewart Living Magazine. You can find the article here.

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/geraniums

Pink Dahlia - for the cure!

Pink Dahlia - for the cure!, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.

Here's my contribution to "Pink for the Cure." It's a wildly edited dahlia, creating a fun floral abstract for a good cause.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Costco Roses

Nothing says romance quite like roses, and in today's economy, you can pinch pennies and please your sweetheart.

Costco has the most stunning rose bouquets, and they come in assorted sizes.

The Costco florist told me she loves her job, and it's a pleasure to spend her day with flowers. 

If you really want to impress your sweetheart, come home with one of their wonderfully chef prepared meals and a DVD. Romance is in the air.