The Garden Guest

Yesterday Michaela and I were sitting in the part of the yard we all fondly call "The Veranda". We had been there for about 10 minutes talking when suddenly I focused on my flowers behind her. First thought what trash blew into my cone flowers. It took me seconds to comprehend in was a snake nestled high above the ground among the stalks of the flowers. Michaela ran inside to get my cameras (I think it was more because she didn't want to be left alone with it) and we started taking pictures. She was very brave and held back flowers so I could get closer.

He was back in his canopy home again this afternoon so I guess I have a permanent guest.

Texture

This week's challenge is Textures it seemed to really be a challenge for me. I thought all week long and just could not come up with an idea. Today is Saturday at the wire I am so here is what I decided on.

The beautiful spiky eye of the cone flower caught my attention. What a great color combination these flowers are. At one time I had white cone flowers also, but over the years they have all turned into these pink beauties.

The soft down of lamb's ear.......

And finally one of my passions, glass. I love the way glass reacts to light the smoothness of it's texture. These beads are handmade melting glass rods over a torch onto a mandrel. It is an art called "Lampworking". I am fortunate to have my best friend Jill Symons be a well known artist in this ancient craft. I have a large collection of beads and find myself many winter nights sorting beads. I love making unique one of a kind pieces of jewelry with them.