One Woman, Reinvented: Japanese maple

Friday, May 6, 2011

I saw there were a couple of challenges today that looked fun, so I grabbed my camera and headed out to the garden. My Japanese maple, growing in a half-wine barrel on the patio, is all leafed out and gorgeous. It's had a bit of a rough time -- first it was on the wrong side of the house and got crispy from too much wind and sun, and then in moving it to the patio, one of the trunks broke :( But Jana the Wonderful (who does my garden) bandaged it up, and now it's as good as new. I have my eye on one of the small, lacy maples with really red leaves -- they have one at a restaurant near our house, and it's gorgeous.

[Linkup to Show and Tell Friday]

My roses are blooming away, most notably my Joseph's Coat, which is the most beautiful rose I've ever seen. The colors are fabulous, the buds are often yellow and then turn all colors of orange and pink along the way. I love how the flowers get kind of blowsy-looking when they're fully open. My Westerland rose is also blooming, but I couldn't get a decent picture of any of the blossoms yet.

[Linkup to Fresh Cut Friday]

Here's another bud from the Joseph's Coat -- aren't the colors beautiful?

[Linkup to Your Sunday Best, Fabulous Friday and Photo Feature Friday -- Vintage]

This one I processed with Silver Efex for a vintage feel. I like how it came out. And finally, not exactly an elegant view, but I like how the light was falling behind the house, as I looked toward the patio. Again, Silver Efex was used to process.