As summer fades, sadly, so do the blooms. I never have the heart to toss out spectacular roses once they start drooping either. These aren't from my garden though, they're from a bouquet the Mister surprised me with a couple of weeks ago. We were celebrating small victories. I'll add them to my hatboxes of aromatic potpourri once they've dried completely. I think the colors here are amazing. Sweet memories for sure.
And the last of the delectable blackberry filling. . .until next year.
Our family went out on another sustainable living and organic garden tour, here in our local area on Sunday. Got around to six out of the ten homes that participated, with everything from backyard gardens like this one, to working farms with livestock and bee keeping. Utterly inspiring. The ingenuity, creativity, and thoughtful solutions to energy and land management that can be achieved on a personal level is always so hopeful. Bumped into old neighborhood friends and picked up some handy gardening and composting tips along the way too. A good day spent. We can really learn so much from each other.
It's funny how I'm completely ready for the Fall season to take over, but never once had I thought that flowers would soon fade and in place we'd have brown, dried up autumn leaves to look forward to. I will have to try my best so that I appreciate the spring/summer bloom before they have disappeared completely.
Posted by: AJ | September 17, 2008 at 10:50 AM
I love your little drying blooms. They're quite a beautiful token from the summer.
What a great idea to visit gardens. I need some inspiration! We have nothing in our yard but potential. :)
Posted by: Kristena | September 17, 2008 at 01:37 PM
What a sweet remembrance of summer. :)
Posted by: Christy | September 17, 2008 at 05:41 PM
I always keep all the roses my husband gives me, dry them and then a put in a box.
Posted by: paula luckhurst | September 18, 2008 at 03:36 AM
what a great tour to take yoru kids on! I should look into seeign if we have anything liek that where I live... My husband and I keep bees but its our first month of it!
Posted by: sara | September 18, 2008 at 08:18 AM
Ah sweet memories! That is what keeps us going. The makeing of new ones, and the looking back on the old ones. I hope you always enjoy each season as it comes, and goes.
Posted by: Velma | September 18, 2008 at 01:12 PM
The last days of summer are bittersweet, aren't they? Your rose petals remind me to go gather the last ones off my rose bushes.
Jody
Posted by: Gumbo Lily | September 18, 2008 at 02:26 PM
Your photos are so lovely! What a wonderful tribute to the end of summer.
Posted by: Jane | September 19, 2008 at 09:41 AM
These are all such pretty images Vicki. I love the combination of the colors of the petals. It seems like yellow isn't a color we see often in the blog world, but I really like it. I noticed your tablecloth is yellow too, which looks so nice with that charming tart! LOL! Oh gosh, I just realized, that if there wasn't an image to refer to, that those last words I wrote could make folks wonder a bit!
We can all make a difference in so many ways in this world, one small step at a time. You are a wonderful example of that.
Take care.
Posted by: Lena | September 19, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Love those small victories :) Have a happy weekend! Warmly, Cathy ^..^
Posted by: Cathy Santarsiero | September 19, 2008 at 12:52 PM
I love the colors of the flowers. What a nice way to preserve flowers and the memories they represent.
Posted by: Debbie | September 19, 2008 at 05:03 PM
how lovely to keep the flowers from a loved one, my dried flowers always seem to go slimey and horrid!! love your blog.
Jan
Posted by: Redwood House | September 20, 2008 at 04:14 AM
I'm really hoping to find some organic & natural living tours in our new area as well (San Antonio). :) How much fun is that? :)
Posted by: Kristin | September 20, 2008 at 06:10 AM
Gorgeous picture of the drying blooms. What a spectacular way to capture summer memories.
Teresa
Posted by: Teresa | September 20, 2008 at 08:02 AM