Wednesday, December 10, 2008

From Snow to Sunshine

Not quite two weeks ago we were up in West Virginia with snow and temps that didn't get above 40 degrees and are now back in our SW Florida sunshine (70's - 80's during the day).

On Monday we went to a homeschool Teddy Bear party (dressed bears for the Salvation Army's holiday bear-fest) at a friends home. Here's a shot of 64 bears in all their new finery:

Some are definitely dressed better than others, but all were clothed with a lot of heart and the best of intentions.

I was able to wear one of my favorite hats - event photographer - and have posted most of the party pics on snapfish for all the attendee's to view. Since it was a party, most shots are candids of the kids having a blast, but I did sneak in a few random shots of prettiness ... one of the guests brought rosemary hearts to share:



Don often brings bags of basil from our garden for the other families, so this was a lovely reciprocation and presented in such a simple and clever way - they look sweet and smell terrific. Looks like I have a great Christmas ornament back-up plan for this year (our rosemary bush is huge, so there's plenty, too).

The rest of these shots are taken in the back yard (one of those to-die-for spaces). There are a number of orchids in bloom right now & they are pretty amazing:




Here's a shot of the tree watching us:



Perhaps not part of all the prettiness, but it cracks me up. I've seen a lot of those spirit of the tree faces & always found them to be quite intriguing, but a tree spirit that's watching us? and with his own binoculars?!? too funny.
This little moth found one perfect place to sun and feast:



... and on that note, it's late and I have to work in the morning, so it's off to my pillows.


May you be treated to a day full of wonder.

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

a teddy picnic..I used to know the words to that song... and many lifetimes ago when i taught aerobics, we had a "bearobics" for charity... The orchids look delicious...

Kathryn Costa said...

The orchids are gorgeous. The teddy bear picnic looks well attended and well dressed!

Oh I wish I could sit in your backyard today. It is rainy yet balmy so at least it isn't frightfully cold.

The Studio at Crow Haven Farm, LLC said...

Basil... Michelle Send Some MY WAY! Love the stuff! LOL Teddy Bears...they always bring people joy, especially when they look like those in the picture!
Cheers
Michelle

bindu said...

The tree with his binoculars is too cute. The orchids are lovely and the teddy bears look really cuddly! Good work.

Unknown said...

I bet the rosemary heart smells wonderful. What a great idea.
K

Cindy said...

Such a pretty post! Love the rosemary wreath! Ours is big too, we call it Jabba. LOL.

c

Anonymous said...

Oh! A Teddy Bear picnic! Could there be anything better?!

The photos are lovely - I can't believe you have flowers growing - we are waiting for a freezing rainstorm to hit us tonight and snow flurries on Friday.

I want one of those tree things...

Take care!

jennlui said...

beautiful pics!!! i especially love the one of the moth... they have always intrigues me. aannnddd the pic of the tree looking back is very fabulous. i love it!!! i agree, you don't always see a tree that is looking back at you, especially with binoculars!!!

thank you so much my friend for your well wishes... this cold is totally kicking my butt, but it has to go away sometime right???

i'm heading to bed early as well, talk more when you've caught up with things.

thinking of you too.
peace out

Janet said...

Oh, I LOVE rosemary, but my bush died this year and I never did replace it, altho I meant to. It's my favorite herb to cook with!

Mescrap said...

such a cheerful post.
thanks.

Odddollz by Jacqui said...

You wear this hat very well I must say....the photos are beautiful:)
All those bears are sure to warm many hearts! They are adporable and will soon be in the arms of a loving child:)
Seeing your nature photos are a good reminder for me that beneith this blanket of snow lay sleeping flowers just waiting for the warmth of sping to come back out!! Thanks I needed that.....:)

Hugz

Jacqui
PS
If Olivia has stolen your heart....it is in a good place and she will take good care of it:) Thank you for the kind words and thanks for folling my blog:)

Chris said...

I love these teddy bears! And that rosemary heart... what a good idea. I bet they smelled so good. You do good stuff. Is there a snapfish link here?
In so. cal. it's finally getting cold in the mornings and evenings. I love the snuggle.

Adrienne said...

That teddy bear picture is so cheery! I love the little moth, too...I was just drawing moths yesterday.

Kate Tracton said...

I LOVE that shot of the teddy bears. I felt the urge to take a running leap and jump on the pile. Teddy bears bring out the silly little kid in me, I guess.

The rosemary heart is a lovely idea. Our bush is huge too. Hmmm....

Kate

3rdEyeMuse said...

I have a feeling there are going to be a lot of rosemary heart holiday ornies this year. :)

Chris - I didn't link to snapfish as the 16 kids were in most of the photo's ... I don't post pictures of other peoples kids, so only those that were at the party received the link to that album. :)

Em said...

Cute little bears! I love that rosemary heart too, so simple!

e.beck.artist said...

all those bears sure are a joyful sight!

Sandra Evertson said...

OMG! Tat is Fabulous! All those teddy bears!
Sandra Evertson

AwtemNymf said...

A Teddy Bears Picnic! I'm singing that song right now! Hahaha! That's cute. I love the adorable Tree Watcher I must get one of those for my trees!
And I am smitten with the Rosemary heart! Sooooo sweet!
Hugs & Faerie Dust!

Marilyn said...

I love this post--your photos of sunny days and blue skies and exotic flowers in bloom is a wonderful sight this time of year! Thanks for letting us take in some of your warm weather world:)

Gail Lackey said...

Wow! awsome backyard! And Orchids even!..My back yard is a Corn field!LOL! I have to watch out for the children of the corn!
Love the tree spirit How fun!
Happy Hauntings, Gail

ArtPropelled said...

That's quite a pile of teddies!! I had a good giggle at the tree spirit.
Love the rosemary heart..... I'm sure I can smell it.

Cat said...

That pile of teddy bears reminds me of the motorcycle teddy bear runs we have been on.

I tried growing rosemary but didn't do my research... it won't live thru a Utah winter.

Neat heart wreath. And those orchids are fab!

girlgonethreadwild said...

Giving YOU one giant teddy bear hug my friend! Here's to a restful holiday season (ya right, look at you gooooo) and LOTS of eggnog by the fire!

chocolate kisses, Monica :)

Anonymous said...

Wow...lucky you. I'm sitting here freezing just about everything off! I love the picture of the simple heart wreath..beautiful!

That Creative Place said...

Thank you for sharing those pics! I love the teddy bears! Also, I saw one of those binocular guys the other day...there is one that peers over a fence on the way to take my grandson to school. We had the biggest laugh!

Lisa Gatz
Blog Team Member

Kate Tracton said...

BTW, I forgot to mention that I like your tree fella with the binocs. Funny!

Kate

http://afancifultwist.typepad.com said...

A Teddy bear Party??? I lllooove it!!

Look at all those cuties! And look at all your beautiful photos!!

Helllooo there lovely ;)

Inner Vision said...

Nice blog and nice write up but what was unbelievable is that you have about 30 blogs. I wonder as to how you maintain them. Congrats... I will have to come back again to read them. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

I just love the rosemary heart, it is adorable and the little cutie on the tree, so sweet.

Our Hands For Hope said...

Hey girl friend it's time to post again! Hope all is OK.
Terisa

oliver rain said...

The bears are awesome. What a lovely way to spend time. Gathering toys for charity and enjoying each other's company. I really like the rosemary wreath and tree face. And I'm so jealous of summery weather.

The Studio at Crow Haven Farm, LLC said...

Ok, I don't know why are networks are not liking each other, But one day we will figure it out! LOL I wanted to wish you and your family a Very Happy Holiday and look forward to seeing you in the New Year. How's that Shrine coming along! LOL Love ya
Michelle

Cathie said...

What a GREAT post Eye! You do have a fabulous EYE for photography.
Happy Holidays (Christmas if applicable) to YOU and may 2009 bring you Peace, love and Joy!!
XO