A Walk through Cheekwood - Happy Easter!

Come take a walk with me as I take in the flowers blooming in the Robert Ellis Color Garden at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens. This gorgeous garden was adorned with red and yellow Tulips in every size and variety that the landscapers could possibly imagine.

Visitors may have surrounded me as I meandered along the garden path, but it was as though I were totally alone in the universe, as I took in every vibrant red and stunning yellow Tulip popped open with sunshine diving deep into its inner beauty.

The deep reds and yellows were laden with black centers and large stamens. The varieties of Tulips was astounding with single and double and even peony shaped Tulips all around.

Oh, Cheekwood how you out did yourself on this glorious Bloom Fest celebration.

Every Spring I attempt to capture the beauty of the Crepe Myrtles as they stand sentinel keeping a watchful eye over the stunning blooms around them.

Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths, Jonquils, Petunias. Thank you Cheekwood for a glorious Bloom Fest. I take my hat off to you!!

I wish each and every one of you a very peaceful and Happy Easter. May your day be filled with sunshine and bright blue skies. And may all the wonders of Easter surround you. Whether it be chocolate bunnies and dyed eggs or a sit down feast of scrumptious baked ham with all the trimmings, I wish everyone peace and joy on this glorious day of Resurrection. ENJOY!

Cheekwood Bloom Fest 2019 ... Lavender and Purple Hues

What a headline! Just hang on because we're talking purple and lavender hues. A feast for your eyes!

This is a double flowering Tulip called Tulip Blue Wow. Where it got this name, I haven't a clue. But the Wow part of the name definitely says it all for me.

Say 'hello' to a gorgeous deep Burgundy Lace Tulip. I don't know which I love more, the deep burgundy hue or the lace tips that look slightly cut into the flower.

Purple Hyacinths and yellow Tulips, what more can one ask for. A stunning garden display that sits behind the Botanical Hall in the Robert Ellis Color Garden.

Capturing the full sun lit lavender Tulips was a challenge. So I bent down and snap a few pics of the Tulips with the sun shining in front and my pics snapped from behind. This is the result. You be the judge.

The Purple Hyacinth and orange Violets were a big hit on my Facebook page. You just never know what will inspire people. Matters not, because all I want is to inspire whether it's a purple Hyacinth or a waterfall. Inspiration is all I'm looking for.

Searching far and wide, I never found the name of this Tulip and failed to check the garden marker. Many of the flower petals stood wide open offering up a bird's eye view of the inside and the stamen. So gorgeous.

Cheekwood Botanical Gardens is situated just south of Nashville proper and today is the last day of Cheekwood's Bloom Fest featuring many, many, many species of Tulips, as well as Hyacinths, Jonquils, Violets and more.

I had hoped to find some cloud cover when I arrived yesterday based on the meterologist's forecast, but instead found full sun. It can be quite difficult to capture the best images in full light when shooting flower photography. Don't let that stop you. Inspiration lies in every single petal you capture.

 I hoped you enjoyed this journey through the purple and lavender hues of Bloom Fest this year. I'll come back soon with gorgeous red and yellow Tulips. You won't want to miss that. ENJOY!

Dog Days of Spring Are Coming

Things are turning up Spring everywhere you look here in Tennessee. There are flowering Japanese Magnolias and bright yellow Daffodils and even a few early blooming Tulips. In the shops, there are a plethora of bunnies. There are bunny figurines and ceramic bunnies and chocolate bunnies and faux grass covered bunnies. There are eggs everywhere. Faux speckled eggs in pink and blue and yellow and chocolate eggs and marshmallow eggs and even malted milk eggs. Easter baskets have popped up too. You can find wooden baskets and metal baskets and faux grass baskets. Are you a fan of Peeps? I love the yellow and pink ones especially. Yes, Spring is in the air and everywhere. Have a fabulous weekend. ENJOY!

Southern Roots Exhibit

One of the many 'goings on' offered at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens throughout the year are exhibitions featuring various artists using different mediums such as wood, glass, bronze and steel. Throughout the Summer months this year you can view several works of art on exhibit throughout the botanical gardens by the world renowned sculptor, Steve Tobin. His Southern Roots exhibition features several large sculptures from his 'Steelroots' series. The large white sculpture in the background of this first image towers 15 feet tall and weighs some 7000 pounds. It is my favorite outdoor sculpture in this series. The fact that it is situated right in the center of my favorite garden at Cheekwood, the Bradford Robertson Color Garden, doesn't hurt either.

During my visit, as I wondered throughout the grounds capturing images of the beautiful Tulip displays, I would turn occasionally and notice this sculpture looming in the distance. Before I left the gardens I stopped to capture this second image as I stood on the outskirts of the color garden. The flower gardens in full bloom is exhibit enough for me, especially the Tulip Display, but having these gorgeous sculptures on display makes for a much more interesting visit. I hope your week is off to a good start. I will be back soon. By the by, I had another post up today, but deleted it. It just wasn't cutting it for me. And I am a woman after all which means I can change my mind. ENJOY!

Photographing a Landscape

Photographing a landscape image, and especially one in portrait can be difficult. At Cheekwood Botanical Gardens, in south Nashville, as I walked among the gardens filled with lush, beautiful Tulips in reds and oranges and yellows, I came upon this scene. My eye ran from one array of Tulips to the next moving slowing up the hill and finally my eye went up to the gorgeous Fir trees in the distance. Do you suppose the landscape designers and the gardeners who labored as they planted each bulb, knew this is exactly what they had hoped one would do? What a visionary if that was the case. My work was already done in capturing this perspective. All I need do was choose just where to position my lens to capture the essence of this scene. Just as I snapped the image, I realized too that the sun had gone behind a cloud. I was glad, because if I had taken the image with the sun shining, there may have been hot spots obscuring the beautiful Tulips. I hope I did the landscape designers justice with this capture.

I posted this image on a smaller scale. If you can't see it in its entirely on your viewing frame, click on the image and it will go to fill frame. I hope you are enjoying the weekend and your weather is as wonderful as mine is right now. As I am writing this post a Purple Finch landed on my patio, sat for a mere few seconds, and then, just as quickly as he came, he flew away. I so love Spring. Back soon. ENJOY!

Linking to Foodie Friday and Everything Else

Pink and Yellow Tulips

I close the week with this image from in front of the Botanical Hall at Cheekwood taken some weeks ago on my early Spring visit. Everyone have a wonderful weekend! Nashville will have more blue skies, lots of sunshine and moderate temperatures with no humidity. We couldn't ask for better weather. ENJOY!

Note: My sister, Linda, is back home in Louisville finally after a two week stay in the hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. It will be a long, long recovery for her. My prayers continue to go out to her.

Tulips & Hyacinths

On my last visit to Cheekwood, I encountered a gorgeous flower garden filled with bright yellow Tulips and pink Hyacinths. The second I caught a glimpse of this garden, thoughts of Easter began to conjure up in my mind. It was the perfect abode to Easter what with Sunday being the holiday. Hyacinths were originally from the Middle Eastern countries. Something I did not know until I looked up the flower itself online. Also during the Victorian era, Hyacinths were revered for their long lingering fragrance.

Those violets, if that is the flower they are, tucked throughout the entire garden made for an amazing display. While I have never been and never will be a gardener, I honestly have to say I am amazed to think of all of the work that goes into each individual garden. At every turn in the walkway, there is a different colored flower featured, not to mention a different species altogether, and then with the other flowers tucked in throughout, it surely is a big job tending to these gardens. In my opinion, the most beautiful displays are very close to the front of the botanical gardens especiallly around the Bradford Robertson Color Garden and the Botanical Hall.

There is a walkway lined with Crepe Myrtles near the Botanical Hall. Last year I was able to capture images of gorgeous yellow and red Tulips blooming all throughout those Crepe Myrtles. However, it was too early this year. If you missed that post from last year, simply go here.

Cheekwood Botanical Gardens is a truly remarkable place to visit as are most botanical gardens. There are gardens within Cheekwood that have become increasingly familiar to me. Yet, I don't think I will ever be as fond of any place as I am Bernheim, perhaps if for no other reason than it is close to home for me being right outside Louisville. It is in the sixties with lots of sunshine here this weekend. I am exhausted from work due to numerous deadlines, but I am hoping to get outdoors none the less. I wish for you is a fabulous weekend. ENJOY!

Brilliant Tulip, Cheekwood

After I culled through all of the images I captured at Cheekwood, I stopped at this image and the word brilliant kept coming to my mind. Isn't God's brilliance amazing. To create such a beautiful thing and allow us to partake of it. ENJOY!

Cheekwood In Bloom

As Spring approached, I anxiously awaited the colorful Tulips as they began to bloom at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens. It is Easter weekend and I thought it no more appropriate time to offer a special post featuring these vibrant blooms. There are Tulips virtually at every turn as you walk around the gardens surrounding the Botanical Hall.

I am especially in love with the Crepe Myrtles that grow year round around the hall as well. The smooth multi hued bark attracts you like a bee to honey. Coupled with the multi colored Tulips in Spring, there is no better combination of color and texture.

Cheekwood features a variety of shrubs, bushes, trees and flowers throughout all of the many different types of gardens. But my favorite garden has to be the Robert Ellis Color Garden which is situated right behind the Botanical Hall. If you are an avid follower, you know how I am drawn to the vibrant gorgeous color in flowers and blooming trees. There is nothing more special in nature to me than seeing a plant come to life with color. It just makes me smile.

I wanted to leave you with this last image which features a special variety of Tulip. With its deep red and the slightest hint of yellow stripe on the outer edge of each pedal, it is truly exceptional. Perhaps that is why this variety was named World Peace.

This week has been a difficult week with the terrorist attacks having taken place in Belgium. The attacks touched the lives of Americans here in the States, not to mention so many people throughout the entire world. When I paused to capture these images of this gorgeous flower array, I thought of all of the people affected by violence and terror. It touches every person in some way throughout their lifetime. For many it brings anguish, not to mention heartbreak, sadness, despair, and especially fear. I wish for everyone on this special weekend a wonderful and peaceful Easter. No matter how you choose to celebrate this special time, know that God is all around us and we must find peace in every part of our lives. ENJOY!

Linking toFoodie Friday and Everything Else and Dwellings

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to each and every one of you out there who carry the name 'Ma', 'Mom', 'Momma', 'Mother', 'Grandma', 'Nana'. It matters not what your children call you so long as they do. My Mother loved flowers outdoors. For you Mom, Happy Mother's Day. I think of you every day. ENJOY!

Red for Friday

Into every life a little red must come. As I ventured throughout the gardens at Cheekwood several weeks ago, the one thing I took note of was that red Tulips were not the majority. Instead, yellow Tulips and yellow and red striped Tulips were in abundance. I enjoy striped and varigated flowers, but in the case of Tulips I tend to be a solid gal, loving the solid reds, pinks and purples as well as whites and yellow.

With the weekend upon us, it bears mentioning here that I have not had a great deal of time to take photos lately. I am now working my way into the fourth month as a Tennessean and with Spring in full bloom, I hope to get outdoors this weekend.

Although showers are expected tomorrow, The Country Living Fair is an antiques fair hosted by a long time and well known magazine here in the States called Country Living Magazine. The fair is being held in Lebanon, Tennessee, which is 15 minutes from my place. I hope to visit Sunday as the weather is supposed to be sunny and warm. I have never attended the fair in the past. It is held in various cities throughout the Spring each year. This is the first year it is being held at Lebanon and when I came across this bit of information, I have to admit I was a tad excited. I hope you have a wonderful weekend all. ENJOY!

Linking to Foodie Friday and Everything Else and Simple and Sweet Fridays

Spring I Love You

Spring, I love you! I love the bright green leaves newly sprouted on the trees. I love the smell of fresh mowed grass as the mowers create artistic patterns on the lawns. I love the flowers blooming in the gardens, along the roadsides and in the woods. I love the Dogwood trees in full bloom all over the city.

I love the birds building new nests and renovating old ones. I love the tiny Goslings in tow as their parents glide around the lakes and ponds. I love the warm, sunny days with lots of blue skies and just a hint of a breeze. So just in case no one has said it lately, Spring, I love you. ENJOY!

Beautiful Cheekwood

Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Museum of Art is situated just south of downtown Nashville in a very affluent neighborhood called Belle Meade. Belle Meade is home to not only Cheekwood, but also the Belle Meade Plantation that I visited last weekend and hope to get back to soon to tour the house and outbuildings.

Today, however, I visited Cheekwood to view the '100,000 Tulips' which is on display throughout the botanical gardens. Tulips were growing throughout the gardens in bright, vivid colors. There were reds, yellows, pinks, purples. There were solid Tulips, varigated Tulips. There were Tulips along the walkways. Tulips beside the buildings. Tulips in small gardens. Tulips everywhere.

Cheekwood has more than Tulips. Cheekwood is home to Herb Gardens, Japanese Gardens, a Sculpture Trail, a Museum of Art, the Pineapple Restaurant, and a gift shop. There is much more to this beautiful place than I can begin to show you in one post.

As you may have already guessed, this is just 'one' of many visits to Cheekwood. Can you imagine this place in Fall and during the Holiday season?

Not only were the gardens beautiful, but the day was gorgeous too. Blue skies and plenty of sunshine with the temperature in the low 80's and virtually no humidity made for a perfect day. While there were many, many people visiting Cheekwood along with me to see this beautiful Tulip display, there weren't so many people that it made for an uncomfortable visit. As I was leaving in mid afternoon, the crowd was intensifying. Apparently, I had arrived at the perfect time for a visit. I will be back with a few more images of Cheekwood before the week is out. ENJOY!

Linking to The Scoop

Varigated Tulips

Oh, Spring! How fantastic that you have arrived here in the South. It makes me so happy that you have finally made your way back.

Your beautiful Tulips, Daffodils, Crocuses, Violets and yellow Forsythia brighten our landscape. Spring you are a welcome sight. Please stay a while, I beg of you. ENJOY!

I Love Tulips

I added a tad bit of Comic Book from my Picasa software just to give this image a fun effect. ENJOY!

The Byway!

I took this image some time back in very early spring when the tulips were just beginning to bloom here in Kentucky. I love the composition. It's one of my favorites. Hope your week is going well. ENJOY!

Orange Tulips!

My favorite color right now is orange. So when I saw these beautiful tulips blooming in a garden, of course, I had to have a photo. Have I left out any color of the rainbow with my flower images? ENJOY!

An Abundance of Color!

We've had nothing but rain here in Louisville off and on for three weeks. The river flooded badly about three weeks ago. Then two weeks later, it began rising again. Now it's out of its banks again and has swallowed up most of Waterfront Park where Thunder Over Louisville onlookers would have watched the fireworks show tomorrow evening. There's more rain scheduled for tomorrow. I had no intention of going to the fireworks show, but it's a shame the weather couldn't cooperate more. The good news is at the time of the fireworks show, it will be dry although rather chilly.

Last week when I took a drive, one of the things I noticed was all of the beautiful bright colors along the byway. Purples, pinks, lavenders, reds, oranges, greens. Here are a few of those colors I wanted to share with you. I hope if Spring is not quite shown up at your doorstep wherever you may live, this will help brighten your weekend. ENJOY!

Osage and Tulips!

I have this thing for odd bark on trees and the Osage tree is one of those trees whose bark I love. Aside from liking the Osage tree's bark, this tree also grows in a twist and turn fashion. Especially this one. I say it has character. When you get quite a few in a row as you drive down the road, it makes for an interesting picture. This particular Osage tree seemed to have it all including beautiful flowers to grace it. Tulips were out in force last weekend at the entrance to many a horse farm. So beautiful. It was so windy Sunday. Seriously, the wind would nearly knock me down when I got out of the car.

It was the perfect spring day today with temps in the 60's and 70's and no humidity with lots of sunshine, although I believe we go back to rain tomorrow. But for now, I'll take it. ENJOY!

Spring's Beauty!

When I saw this image in my software, it just reminded me of grace. Peaceful calming grace. I did my best to enhance its beauty with a border and a mat. What is it about the delicacy of the flower, it's pedals, it's stamens, it's beauty. The wind was really blowing hard on Sunday so getting a really good shot was difficult. ENJOY!