Friday Flowers: Visions of Autumn

Sabine Bronze Fleurettes

Yeah, here are some more photos from my visit to the Bellagio's conservatory. Although I have other fine flowers to share with you, I think these lovely orange beauties express my Autumn mood best.

Along with scarecrows and pumpkins, this will make up for skipping my "first post of Autumn" during my hiatus last month. No Vivaldi, no "Autumn Leaves," and no Mucha beauties. Maybe next year. . .

And, what the heck?!! It's been a while since we did two consecutive weeks with Friday Flowers. So cut me some slack. ;-)

Happy scarecrow at the Bellagio


Look!!! Even Mr Scarecrow is pleased with my new dedication to posting at least once a day. Paideia isn't back to top form, but it's off the floor and staying in the fight.

And who can resist a pretty grouping of pumpkins and gourds?

Pumpkins and gourds set among the bronze sabine fleurettes


Enjoy!!!

Friday Flowers: Autumn Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemum: Rosy Victoria Coral


If it's fall, then it's time for the 'mums.

I was recently in Las Vegas and had the opportunity to check out the conservatory at the Bellagio. It was a lovely design. But the chrysanthemums on display were absolute beauties. Although I don't do the regular "Friday Flower" posts anymore, I couldn't let the day pass without sharing these pretties with you.

I'm hoping to pay a visit to some of the local botanic gardens to see some more chrysanthemums as the season progresses.

Chrysanthemum: Durango


And maybe, if I pick up the pace on my posting, I might start celebrating these floral delights on a weekly basis again.

Maybe I'll even start showcasing poetry, like I did in the old days. But I better not get ahead of myself. We'll see how the new style of posting works out over the course of a few weeks before making any promises. ;-)

Chrysanthemum: Regal James Town


Pretty. Pretty. Pretty.

Enjoy!!!

Mums the Word

Chrysanthemum: Star Prize


Just because we're at mid-Autumn doesn't mean the Paideia flower shows will be letting up. We'll just be featuring a different line of beauties. And this time we're celebrating the Queen of Fall, the Golden Flower, the lovely Chrysanthemum.

The Descanso Gardens up in La Canada Flintridge were holding the 79th annual show of the local chapter of the National Chrysanthemum Society. As you can expect, nearly eight decades of showing have created a community that grows some amazing mums!!!

The variety of chrysanthemum types were well represented. Whether you like anemones or decoratives, pompons or quills, all categories were represented with glorious displays.

Chrysanthemum: Kermit

I don't often make my way up to the Descanso Gardens, requiring a five freeway trip from my place down in the South Bay. But this show was well worth the time and effort.

New Beautiful Things Come

An Italian Autumn (1844) by Thomas Cole


Summer passes without giving the South Bay much of a visit this year. Our marine layer has started each morning with a gray ceiling that lasts deep into the day. From early May to this September morning, the Gloom blots out the sky. Oh well, let's hope that Autumn clears away the mists.

Folks foreign to the Californian climate will scoff at the notion of a "seasonal" change in Los Angeles. They claim that it is always summer here. Always green and without color. Well, it's true that we don't get the intense reds, oranges, and browns that characterize much of the rest of the States. However, the Fall subtly creeps into the trees and gardens. The bird songs and animal activities gradually alter. It's a slow walk into the darkness of Winter.

This isn't my favorite season. But I'll keep my complaints to a minimum. ;-)

Autumn (1896) by Alphonse Mucha


And we can't pass up the opportunity to post another Mucha beauty.