Flower therapy . . .

"Flowers seem intended for the solace

of ordinary humanity."

- John Ruskin

{both images edited with a subtle touch of KK avery}

Yes, flowers are always really good for therapy and they make great thank you's.

My boy hit a rough patch last week, then so did I. So a trip to the grocery

store was in order and that's where I found these cute little wax flowers. I've 

never seen them at our grocery story before so it was a nice surprise. And there was

enough in that $3.99 bunch to fill at least 3 different containers. I also picked up

some extra ones for my neighbor. She helped tutor my son in pre-cal since

his teacher has been absent for nearly two weeks and there was a test coming

up. She just so happens to be a math teacher and pre-cal is her favorite. And since she

did it for free, I thought she could use some flowers too. So grateful!

Have a good one, 

Love, Kim

P. S.- We have a new theme for the month over at Focusing on Life, and

you will find me over there musing on some word art.

Texture Tuesday, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Roses of Inspiration

This finally happened . . .

"The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses."

~ Hanna Rion


Big, huge, sigh . . .
I can hardly believe it's been a month since I've been in this space.
And,
I can hardly believe that we just got the flower garden planted, in mid July!

But none the less, it really makes my heart happy to see all this color, and well,
they were 50% off. That sale usually happens at the end of May, but I suspect
our lingering spring with cooler temps pushed it back. And you know, I just wasn't
about to miss out on that sale, so my patience and I hung in there.

Coneflower, angelonia, pentas and salvia. Black eyed susan, gomphrena and zinnia's.
Purples and pinks, oranges and red. White, yellow and blues.

I had to move the birdbath closer to the sidewalk so I can empty it every night...you know, mosquitoes.

And I have had more fun making dreamy Monet-ish photos of this space.

{KK pinit8)

There have been many visitors, swallowtails, gulf fritillaries, monarchs, skippers, painted ladies, and even a question mark. No, really, that's the name of the butterfly....there is even one called a coma.

I've been trying to live simple in between complicated and unexpected.
But it takes a little practice,
to make new habits,
to revel in the sometimes overlooked moments
ones that no matter how small are significant and desire our consideration.
To appreciate them,
and to linger with all five senses.

I'm also over at Focusing on Life today. A very short story about one day last summer . . .
Please come on over and join me, us!

Until next time,
love, kim

sharing with Texture Tuesday, Sweet shot Tuesday

Texture Tuesday . . .

"It is the color closest to light. In its utmost purity it always implies

the nature of brightness and has a cheerful, serene, gently

stimulating character. Hence, experience teaches us that yellow makes

a thoroughly warm and comforting impression."

- Johann Wolfgang Geothe

{KK jamal, violet}

Oh, I had planned on something else yellow, with black and white stripes.

Yes, a monarch caterpillar.

But, this month is proving to be, as always, one of the busiest months. Especially

since at the end of last week I went to pick up our daughter from her first year of college.

That. went. by. fast! #wheredidthetimego

The rain held off while we carried all her stuff down the stairs and to the parking lot. For three hours. And oh, it was 96 degrees (without the humidity index). Amen! (for no rain, not the 96 degrees) :) #badhairday

The next morning we got up and did a whirlwind visit to the San Jose Mission, and then the

rain came. It was torrential . . . we had to pull off the side of the highway on the way home it was

so bad. There was zero visibility and for several hours we all drove with the flashers on. It was nearly

double the time it normally takes to get home. #whiteknuckleride

Today, I lost a caterpillar in the house. Ironically I brought it in to keep it safe. Don't let those things

fool ya, they are fast! I just hope it found a safe place to pupate and that if it makes it I find it after

it emerges to let it go outside. #Igotdistracted #oops

Had to take my son to the doctor today, always listen to your intuition. Now that he has spring football, with full pads, he got a staff infection in the acne caused by the steroids from his sinus infection. #thekiddeservesabreak

I'm now due for an upgrade on my phone after two years . . . thank goodness! #phoneprobs

My daughters entire dorm room is all over my formal living room floor . . .  #itsamess

And, my daughter and I are going to Chicago next week for a week to visit with my mom and family.

#somuchtodo #ifeelsobehind

I may not make it back before we go, so if not I'll see ya in two weeks! ;)

And. . . I am over at Focusing On Life today with some thoughts from my front porch.

Love, Kim

sharing with Texture Tuesday, Sweet Shot Tuesday

A little of this and that . . .

"And Spring arose on the garden fair,

Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;

And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast

rose from the dreams of its wintry rest."

-Percy Bysshe Shelley

Happy first day of Spring!!

Not only do I love this time of year, but I LoVe this time of year.
I think our early Spring in Texas is to make up for such a late fall and hot, hot summer. 

1. Yesterday, when I was on the front porch a mockingbird flew in to a bush and then closer

to me, and then I took a step closer and started to whistle (if you can call it that) and he mirrored

it back exactly. And he would whistle and I would try to do the same back, and this went on

for at least five minutes. It was the most incredible, but strangest thing ever.

(click to see it larger on Flickr)

2. Well, what do ya know, I have my first caterpillar of the season...a black swallowtail. It hatched on

Tuesday on my fennel and it measured a whopping 2 mm!! I had to use a magnifying glass to measure it. And by yesterday it had already grown to 3 mm. Today it is nearly 4.5 mm! Happy dance.....

3. Is this not the craziest looking stuff...I found this hair cap moss growing and sprouting on the rocks that

border my flower beds. Yep, it's that time of year when the crazy lady with her camera takes pictures
of Lord knows what laying in the most peculiar of positions in her front yard. Let the fun begin (and the puzzling looks) lol!

4. The last time I was at the nursery I decided to take a little rest in one of the Adirondack rockers

and as soon as I sat down I noticed there on the arm, this cute little blue metallic beetle. Boy can these things walk fast!! It would be safe to say I didn't get that rest. ;)

5. As I've been watching the bees again, I wonder how DO they know exactly where to go on each flower

to find the nectar? There are some that just don't make it easy... I love how the buds are all pointing towards

the bee.

I'm still waiting patiently for the monarchs to show up, but haven't seen a one yet. When I check the migration map I see that people have spotted them along the coast of Texas and as far north as the Hill country. I have such anticipation I can hardly stand it and I'm checking daily for eggs. 

Well, that's a wrap on my random news this week- what have you been up to?

Oh my friends, I have a monarch update, click ------> here !

Love, Kim

sharing with Little Things Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Random Five Friday

Spring has been caught speeding . . .

. . . yep, it was spotted on the gulf coast going 80 in a 60 degree zone!

Now, I know, I'm not going to get much sympathy from most of you,

but we already had to turn on the A/C.

It's February people! And I was quite hoping for a REAL Spring.

But . . . 

1. I'm over the moon to see the bees again.

2. And apparently the bees are over the moon flowers to drink nectar once again. This, seemed

to be a common sight the other day at the nursery . . . they appear to have tipped the juice

a little too far and were in a suspended stuper. (He seemed to be hanging on for dear life.)

3. Look who's here . . . he emerged on Tuesday and since we've had several hard freezes I have

zero plants for a food source, so I boxed him up and took him to my nursery. I figured he would

really enjoy the variety of flowers and appreciate the fact he didn't have to fly all over looking for food.

And...that proboscis of his went right to work.

4. As I was making my way to the front I spied this Houdini leaf performing feats of wonder. If you look really, really close you can see a hint of a silk string. I didn't really think much about it, until I noticed it

was bobbing up and down? next......

5. So.....I looked up, and, what do ya know I found Charlotte! She was using the leaf for one of her anchor threads for the beautiful web she was putting the finishing touches on. She was tricky to get a picture of moving around so much because when your a spider, there is no rest for the weary.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm loving the fact that it isn't 50 shades of grey (of course by the time you

read this it could possibly be raining cats and dogs), but you have to remember . . . here on the gulf coast our summer is a little like your winter only instead of below zero, we are over a hundred. It's just that I was thinking it would be nice to have spring first.

and one more, 7. because I know you were wondering. The APHIDS are out in full force already, UGH!

Have a great weekend - I would if I could bottle some of this up and send it to you! :)

Love, Kim xo

sharing with Little Things Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Random Five Friday

A little texture on Tuesday . . .

{Kim Klassen music lovin'}

"To analyze the charms of flowers is like dissecting music;

it is one of those things which it is far better to enjoy,

rather than attempt to fully understand."

- Henry T Tuckerman

I suppose most things in life are better enjoyed rather than understood which is why

  I'm not even going to try to fully understand why my poppy plant is even still blooming, here in Texas, in almost 100 degree temps as of late. I never even got it planted in the ground, which is why it is even more amazing the thing is still alive. The first blooms I got on it were a really pretty peachy pink, but they have since turned to white blooms. It said it was a mix, but apparently it now has the hiccups.

Today was supposed to be the start of my Monarch series, I know, I keep teasing you, but I promise it's not on purpose. Honestly, I was chasing 42 caterpillars today, just keeping their poop cleaned up with that many is a full time job! I had to transfer them to new plants as they devoured the other ones, and then one kept wanting to climb all over the swallowtail chrysalis, I had to break up some fights (seriously then can get really fiesty with one another and have battle scars to show for it), and then there was the one that had green vomit, which is a very bad sign. 

Thankfully when I brought in a new plant for them I noticed something under one of the leaves. I removed it and looked closer and it was literally hundreds of some kind of caterpillar that is not a Monarch, which would be all over my dining room by now. I'm pretty sure by my google search that they're milkweed tussock moth caterpillars, I think?

I'll be late in getting around to everyone since today is another infusion day. Geez, the doctor called yesterday and said I had forgotten to make his infusion appointment for right after her appointment she didn't know if they would have his medicine. I felt horrible, but thankfully they called back and said they did have the medication on hand and that they could work us in, Yeah! I've been so horribly forgetful lately, in fact most of my freshly brewed coffee ended up all over my counter and under the refrigerator . . . I forgot to empty the pot of the old coffee before brewing a new batch and the other day I somehow took my home phone with me to Walgreen's in my pocket! haha

I hope you have a great day!

Love, Kim

XO

Sharing with Texture Tuesday, Tuesday Around the World, Tuesday Muse, Sweet Shot Tuesday

The best layed plans . . .

Well, they just keep going to the dogs caterpillars, my plans that is.

It seems when you have this many there is a little more housekeeping to do, you know, 

that food has to go somewhere!!

I've gotten so, so low on milkweed that there are tiny fist fights and head butts going on to see who can hog the rest.

No, seriously, they are like toddlers fighting over a toy.

In fact, I would have had this all finished yesterday, but no I had to run and see if I could get some more milkweed and much to my dismay, they have none, nada, zilcho! May not get any for 3 more weeks.

3 MoRe wEEks!!

Do you sense a little panic in those 3 words, you should. I am!

I still have 6 more babies that will be growing fast this next week, and all I can say to the pathetic

plants I'm left with is . . . grow baby grow!

I've been trying to edit all my monarch photos, running up and down the stairs checking on things and wouldn't ya know, I left the enclosure open....yep, two rogue caterpillars on the loose. Searched under chairs, under the table, watching where I was walking....looking at the dog to see if he looked guilty. But, in his defense I'm pretty sure he wouldn't eat a caterpillar? Nope, just the new leather coaster.....with the Texas star in the middle and everything that we got at the rodeo.

But finally I found it. I left a 3 tiered glass stand in the dining room (where they are) on the floor, and there he or she was climbing up. I'll tell ya, this is more work than I had bargained for, but OH so worth it. In fact yesterday, I had an almost catastrophe, but I'll share that story later. It had a happy ending!

So be patient with me, I promise I'm going to get 'er done!

In all reality it may be a week before I start the series.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Love, Kim

XO

Sharing with Little things Thursday, Friday Photo Journal, Thursday Favorite Things

Finding Serendipity {1440}, Loves on Thursday

I just sat . . .

. . . on my front porch,

all day.

Yep, I made some coffee and went and sat on my front porch all day long.

ALL day, I'm not kidding you!

I listened to the mockingbirds sing, and argue a little with one another.

I watched a little mouse, scavenge for acorns that fell from my Oak tree.

I brought out my Eastern Black Swallowtail caterpillar and watched him eat Fennel.

I did bring my camera, of course, and took some pictures . . .

. . . but mostly I just relaxed.

And this is my little swallowtail caterpillar. He surely doesn't like to be bothered though. I'm excited to watch this one grow as he will look nothing like this before he pupates.

I have some African Daisies I haven't planted yet, so I brought them to the front porch for a little photo shoot . . . this was the evening light and it was just so gorgeous!

As you know, I really love a shallow depth of field, sometimes to where the subject is barely in focus. The above and below photos have no textures, just cropped.

On this one I used KimKlassenlove texture and one from Nancy at a Rural Journal NC_L131, both ever so subtly.

I guess I just needed a day, or maybe I need a week....to just chill after my boy has gone back to school full time and we're not running to the doctor several times a week. He is doing really well, but trying to catch up with a months worth of work when you are in High School is no easy feat for sure. And trying to get back in shape (read muscles) for Spring ball (football), (serenity now!). His inflammation markers are all continuing to trend downwards, I just hope that once we cut back on med's that his body will sustain back to normal inflammation markers or we will have to make decisions on a whole new class of drugs I'm not thrilled about....AT ALL!

If you follow me on instagram you know I'm now what my son calls a "Monarch Farmer", oh yes, I currently have 18 caterpillars, and 2 chrysalis, and have had 4 butterflies already eclose. I'm constantly on the run to the nursery for more milkweed...I'm going to go broke, haha! Check back soon, as I am going to start a series on this incredible adventure, I just have sooo many photos to go through and some videos to figure out...and a little relaxing still to do! ;)  In my defense though, I did clean some toilets yesterday!

Until then, Happy Tuesday my friends!

Love, Kim

XO

Sharing with Texture Tuesday, Tuesdays Around the World, Tuesday Muse

and Sweet Shot Tuesday

Thank goodness for flowers . . .

{Kim Klassen texture Aurora in overlay}

"Flowers are those little colorful beacons of the sun from which we get sunshine when dark, somber skies blanket our thoughts." - Dodinsky

Thank goodness for flowers,

their beauty,

and their texture,

for their vibrant colors,

and the way they smell.

For watching them gently sway in the breeze,

for the way they make me feel,

for peace and contentment,

for helping me to forget the things I don't want to think,

if only for a moment.

Thank you Lord for the flowers. . .

I am so far behind on my photos, not taking them, but loading them to my computer and editing them. My bee photos,  a sunrise morning earlier last month, and my little adventure with some Monarch caterpillars! Oh my, is all I can say . . . like a little miracle, a birth of life, and I've witnessed it all at my kitchen table! I can't wait to share it all with you. But there are still more doctors appointments this week, with Thursday hopefully being the day we get a more definitive answer as to what is going on. I was so full of hope yesterday as he went back to school after missing two weeks, but came home with more fever. And after carrying and lifting his backpack all day and writing, he had a lot of trouble lifting a Styrofoam cup with two hands!

I don't know if I will be able to thank you all individually, so let me take that opportunity to say thank you for your support, good wishes, positive thoughts and prayers. This blogging community is really an incredible thing and I am so blessed to know all of you!!

Love, Kim

XO

sharing with Texture Tuesday, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Tuesdays Around the World, 

Flower power . . .

"Flowers really do intoxicate me."

-Vita Sackville-West

Yep, I guess you could call me drunk on their fragrance.

Smitten, overjoyed, and captivated by their beauty.

I don't just see them with my eyes as

they speak volumes to my heart even in complete silence.

I think flowers and people have a lot in common, don't ya think?

Both come in different colors, shapes and sizes and each have their own personalities.

Some are more bold while others tend to be softer, like a whisper. 

There are ones that are playful and mysterious, whiles others may be a little more elegant or exotic.

But whether a flower or a person, each has its own beauty and in both that beauty lies behind the layers.

We don't judge a flower before it's had a chance to open.

Well, I'm pretty sure we don't really judge them at all . . . and we shouldn't do that with people either.

Flowers seem to be the only thing I'm able to click with my camera lately, as my son is still home and still really sick. And even though I adore tulips, I'm hoping my grocery store gets something a bit more exciting in. I've been checking and waiting with baited breath for some Ranunculus to come in but with no luck so far!! I guess I could just do a study of Tulips in every color, lol!

Larkspur - {Kim Klassen Isobel and Kirstin}

 {Nancy Claeys Organic Paper}

{Kim Klassen Karla and Kirstin and Love that Shot Calais}

I hope you are having a wonderful day, and if you are one of the lucky ones (NOT) that just got more snow, I hope it melts really soon. Our temps have fallen from the mid seventies to the low fifties and it's so windy I can't even take my flowers outside to the porch to photograph. In fact I brought my caterpillars inside too!

Yes, I have some Monarch babies, 2 chrysalis and one caterpillar getting fatter by the day.

Until next time,

Love, Kim

XO

Sharing with Texture Tuesday, Tuesday Muse, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Tones on Tuesday, 

Tuesdays Around the World

Free and easy . . . Texture Tuesday

{Kim Klassen Sybil, Edith and Violet textures}

"The temple bell stops but I still hear the sound coming out of the flowers."

- Basho

It seems the only place I've been able to get to lately is the nursery. But when you live on the gulf coast, in Texas, you have to click while the clicking is still good. Because before long it will be just too hot, for me AND for the poor flowers. And then, you will find me at the beach . . . searching the sea weed . . . oh I can't wait! Especially since I now have a casting net. Oh the fun things I will find!!

You all know I love water drops, but a refracted water drop is the cats meow! I really had to hold my breath to get this one...as I was hand holding the camera. 

And one more of one of my favorites to photograph right now, the Osteospermum or African Daisy. I've never grown these, I think it may just get too hot in the summer for them, but they sure are a happy little flower!

And now I really need to stop playing and go clean some stuff. We were gone all weekend out of town and when we walked in the door it looked like someone partied like it was 1999 . . . well, okay I guess it was like that when we left. 

Have a fabulous Tuesday friends!

P.S. - I'm over at Focusing on Life, my collaborative blog, talking about random acts of kindness and how it has the power to impact someones day. I would love for you to come share a random act of kindness you did, or received . . . 

Love, Kim

XO

Sharing with Texture Tuesday, Tuesday Muse, Tuesdays around the world, Sweet Shot Tuesday

A dreamy Tuesday . . .

"Dreams are illustrations . . . from the book your soul is writing about you."

- Marsha Norman

{Kim Klassen textures: Cora and Isobel}

For Texture Tuesday Kim's theme for today is dreamy or dream-like, so I decided on a photo I took in January of a sunrise.  I wouldn't normally add a texture to a sunrise, but this was one of my attempts to "paint" a sunrise with my lens with the anticipation of using textures to make it even more painterly. I think her new Downtown collections are perfect for doing this. Early morning before the sun rises over the horizon allows me to use a slow shutter speed to get a nice blur (while hand holding the camera). Before adding the textures, I overlayed another sunrise photo and only added back in the birds I wanted in the image. This comes pretty darn close to what I had in mind when I took this, a soft water-colored effect.  

{Kim Klassen textures: Edith, Violet, Cora and Anna}

But, I also couldn't  resist playing with this from my last trip to Lowes. It was really late in the afternoon and the sun had finally decided to show itself. The beautiful golden glow of the background is courtesy of the sun bouncing off of one of their white walls and as soon as I saw that glow, I was on the hunt to find something to put in its frame.

Well, that's about all I have today. Here it is only Tuesday and I already feel like it should be Friday. Or maybe I just wish it were Friday? 

Love, Kim

XO

Sharing with Texture Tuesday, Tuesdays Around the World, Sweet Shot Tuesday

It started out about a flower{s} . . .

Once upon a weekend

I went in search of some flowers

so I went to my local nursery

and whiled away the hours . . .

{ Kim Klassen Dowtown 2 collection - Isobel in overlay }

but through the reeds I did spy

with my wondering eyes

a tiny green tree frog

looking for flies.

Yep, I found Kermit and his cousins!

To give you some perspective, this green tree frog ranges from 1 1/4" to 2 1/2" and these blades from the butterfly lily are only about 1 1/2" wide.

They let me get very close, only occasionally moving to a different spot.

Otherwise, this is the position they assume most of the time.

{Kim Klassen Downtown collection - Edith multiply}

When they do decide to move, you had better be quick . . . they are lightning fast jumpers!

She was enjoying our photo session, and what a great smile! lol

"It's not easy being green" - Kermit

Our temps right now are hovering around the 70 mark, give or take a little and although I'm really anxious to get back to the beach, I have to say this is my second favorite spot in the world to spend time. I've been back three times, and all three times these little guys are hanging out in the same spot in the exact same gallon of lillies, which happens to be in the middle of the table, and yes I practically have to crawl onto the table to get close enough. But as soon as it starts getting warmer, they will be hiding where they won't easily be found so they won't become fried frog legs!

Oh, and before I forget, I'm over at my collaborative blog Focusing on Life today, here. Something about seeing more by seeing less and a challenge to change your lens. Come on over and visit me!!

I hope you have a great Tuesday . . . ribbet!

Love, Kim

XO

Sharing with Texture Tuesday, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Tuesdays Around the World

Abstract flower painting . . .

Good morning, and happy Tuesday!

I'm behind, again, well maybe I'm just not ever not behind? Is that to many double negatives?

*** (insert smiley face here) ***

I had fully expected to get this post done last night, or better yet after my metals class yesterday,

but I stayed all day...and playing with fire and glass and saws, well that tends to wear a person out.

In a good way, a very good way....I slept well last night!!

Last week I shared some fun stuff I'm doing with my lens, painting with movement. But I've also

found that I can get a "painted look" without movement as well. I love flowers, I love the way they

look, the way they feel, and smell and I just love taking pictures of them. Since I never planted any

cool season flowers in my garden, I've been enjoying the $4 specials at the grocery store and we've been

spending quality time together on my front porch. I've been playing with my 40mm macro lens with a wide open aperture to get lots and lots of blur.

I think when we first set out on our journey with our camera, I know this is true for me, we are happy to get photographs that are half way decent and NOT blurry, as in in focus. I didn't understand aperture, speed, and ISO and how any of it worked together. I just knew I had a new camera and wasn't getting results like others, like I wanted. And then after much practice I was beginning to get the shots I was looking for AND with some added bonus of the beloved bokeh, but I was just using my camera as a tool to record.

Revelation number two: My camera is a tool that can help me "create" rather than just record. It's taken me some time to realize my photographs don't have to have anything to do with exactly what the subject looked liked at the time, but rather about a creative vision based solely on my heart and my experience in that moment. And you know I'm all about the moment.

I'm just letting my heart create, rather than thinking too much about any of it . . .and taking full control

of the camera. Because so many of the times, "Nicki" just doesn't see things the way I do! lol

These were all taken on my covered front porch at different times of the day, in indirect light, on cloudy, sunny, and or overcast days.

{ Kim Klassen textures: Camomile, minus 43 and Oh my }

(Sooc), and slightly cropped

Added some textures to give the feel of a canvas.

(Sooc) and cropped.

Kim Klassen warm sun 

Slight exposure adjustments, love this the way it is with the dark and muted background.

(Tones on Tuesday)

But I had to play - I was going for a an old painted look here.

I don't think I've ever gotten my moneys worth out of anything like my $4 finds at the grocery store, or killed so much time! But I have been having fun...You really don't need a macro lens to try this. Just grab a lens, one that you can switch to manual focus, find some good light and really pay attention to your background.

Ready...set....click! And P.S. - things just might get a little foggy on Thursday, just sayin'!!

Have a great day...

Love, Kim

XO

Sharing with Texture Tuesday, Sweet Shot Tuesday,  Tuesdays Around the World, Tones on Tuesday