Ice Art

| Flower Roberts

I spent the weekend at Winter Fest in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

My favorite part was the ice sculpting.

The artists set up huge blocks of ice in the middle of the town park.

This was the finished product .

There were also frozen signs made for different businesses around town.

These pieces were lovely, but did not inspire me to become an Ice Artist.

I was too cold to stick around and watch the artists work.

I did return later for photos.

By then I was rather tired, but there was only this seat available.

So I just stood around with the bear.

Better to stand with a frozen bear, than sit with a frozen rear.

FROZEN FLOWER

The Green Patch

| Flower Roberts

I made a trip to the green patch today.

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I was happy to be snipping in the sunshine.

I got a basket full.

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Not enough to cook up a mess.

They aren’t for me.

They are for the bunnies, of course.

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There is nothing more yummy to a bunny tummy than fresh greens.

See that smile?

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FLOWER

Raindrops on Rainbows

| Flower Roberts

I had to go outside today despite the cold and rain.

I have been pacing like a trapped animal in the house.

I was happy to see this colorful spurge, Euphorbia x martini.

Spurge Euphorbia x martini ‘Ascot Rainbow’

‘Ascot Rainbow’ is its variety name.

The raindrops added a nice touch of sparkle.

Thank goodness for some color on a dreary day.

FLOWER

 

Amaryllis Anticipation

| Flower Roberts

Each winter I order at least one new variety of Amaryllis.

This year I ordered two.

Half-and-half is still blooming and has sent up a second stalk.

Benfica is making me wait.

Its buds are dreamy red velvet.

Every day there is slow progress toward blooming.

It is a joy to watch.

I will be happy when I finally see the faces of its flowers.

Until then, I am enjoying the anticipation.

FLOWER

 

Conk up: Tree down

| Flower Roberts

I am fascinated by all things fungi.

This particular conk, Inonotus dryadeus, has been featured in my posts before.

It was growing at the base of  a huge oak in my neighbors’ yard.

Another name for this type of fungi is “white rot.”

It is a symptom of the decline of the tree it is on.

The more conks present, the more disease.

Conks are a symptom, not a cause.

Last week the tree came down,

with some help from a team of men with ropes and chain saws.

My neighbor left the conk on my stone bench because she knew I would want to keep it.

Here it is now out of the ground and upside down.

I think it is beautiful.

Maybe I could make it into a hat to match these shoes?

FLOWER

Preening on a Post

| Flower Roberts

I have watched this Great Blue heron for hours.

It has stayed on this post all morning.

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Once I looked up to see the post empty.

Next time I looked, the heron was back.

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I have spent the entire morning on my computer

while my friend has spent this time preening on a post.

I tried to sneak down to the shore for a close-up,

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but it flew away…

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to another post.

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FLOW

An Amaryllis Race

| Flower Roberts

Half-and-half has been declared the winner

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Half-and-half Amaryllis

in the 2019 Amaryllis Race.

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Benfica lagged behind from the start.

A beauty contest will follow shortly.

Will the late bloomer take that prize?

We shall see.

FLOWER

Make Art not Fat

| Flower Roberts

I have found a new place to go for instant gratification besides my kitchen.

(Winter gives me the munchies.)

My new hang-out without food is called Studio 73.

It is located just across the Catawba River in a lovely little town named Catawba.

I gave Rose a gift certificate for time here as a Christmas gift.

I tagged along with my camera and made a project myself.

I have not been so inspired in a long time.

The walls are covered in various forms of art.

Different artists display their work here.  I was impressed by each array.

Rose and I had an enjoyable afternoon creating our own art.

She made a piece for her dorm door.

I created this camper for our entrance.

Stay tuned for another camper coming soon. I found one for the fairies.

I only hope they behave better in it than they did in their pumpkin!

You local folks need to check out this lovely Studio 73.

Just look for the giant paintbrush near the post office.

FLOW