While the tulips at Crystal Hermitage were extremely impressive it could be easy to overlook the complementary sculpture and architecture. In keeping with the peaceful and calm environment the sculptures give the visitor’s something to look at year round.
Every now and then I get bored with where I live. I have lived here all my life and occasionally think there is nothing left to see. I know this is a silly thought but it occasionally comes in my mind nonetheless. Then as quickly as that thought comes it goes again when a place like Crystal Hermitage presents itself. I had never heard of this place. How has no one told me of this place?! I happen to catch a post on a friends facebook page and was enthralled. This hermitage, located outside of Nevada City California, plants a tulip garden each year. The tulips were in full bloom! I knew if I was going to photograph them I better drop everything and head over because tulips don’t last long especially in this HEAT. These days with a toddler at home the idea of dropping everything to do anything is an act of congress (and you have seen our Congress in the news these days). So, like any good Mom would do, I played hookie one afternoon from work and zipped over by myself with camera in tow. It turns out it was a good idea because, true to its name, this hermitage was in the middle of nowhere and it took a long time to get there. Part of the Ananda movement and communal, the surrounding area and hermitage aim to help individuals find joy in themselves and their world. It’s hard not to get behind a mission like that. Behold some of the images I captured while on my short visit. While I may not understand Ananda entirely I can let them know that they helped me find joy in my word on this day.
I am submitting this post in response to Jansen Photos “Rise” Challenge. It certainly doesn’t get more basic that a flower rising upward toward the sunshine!
Here is the third and final installment of my Barn Find Car posts. There were just too many strange/odd ball and interesting photos to keep to just one post. I have spent a lot of time over the years photographing beautiful and pristine cars without a scratch, issue, dent, or fingerprint. Throw all of those photos away friends. Barn finds are where it’s at! Tell me these photos are not more interesting than a perfectly restored and excessively expensive classic car?! These cars were part of the landscape some already halfway down in the ground. Some had trees growing through them. Others had impressive levels of alien lichen growing on them as if we were actually living somewhere wet and cool. The amount of dust and dirt on each of these cars is palpable. (The smell was extreme. I took one for the team to get some of these photos for you friends.) Hipsters today spend crazy amounts of money and time trying to mimic the patina on some of these cars. There might not be much value to most of these cars but they were amazing “models” for my camera. This was an experience I will never be able to duplicate and I hope you enjoy seeing the results.
I’ve mentioned on the blog before that my husband is a huge “car guy.” I get dragged all over the place to go to car shows and museums. Alas, I really don’t mind because it typically gives me some good photo opportunities. This time was a little different… We attended a local car auction related to an estate that had multiple “barn finds” still on the original property. Most of these cars were part of the landscape at this point. Some were very likely parked when I was a kid riding my bike in the 70’s! They were far more interesting to me as pieces of art at this point than useable cars or even parts cars. As part of Cee’s Black and White Challenge I thought I would take a shot at seeing what some of them looked like in B & W. I hope you enjoy. (For those interested in the results of the auction some of these cars went for $50 and some went for thousands…) For me they are priceless as relics used for my art.
Sometimes a once useful thing becomes more interesting as it decays…
This post was inspired by Norm and his Thursday doors! I was hoping he might get a kick out of my original take on the idea. 😉
My brothers and I have been going to the Highland games for as long as I can remember. It’s a fun little festival with something for everyone. Music, dancing, athletics, animals, food, vendors… Well this year and last have been special for me because I get to take my wee one and show him off in a tiny kilt. He danced to the bagpipes and did a little Irish dancing, chased Highland Warriors and Vikings, smiled confidently at Mary Queen of Scots, stared intently at a Scottish Highland Coo (cow), tried his hand at curling, and mostly just ran free like all little boys should.
He might be a little young for a heavy curling stone but kudos to him for trying.
I might be biased but I think my little one was the best dressed at the Celtic games this year. And yes he walks around everywhere with a flower in his hand.
Pipe bands abound.
Not sure where these guys find the time and money to put these outfits and choreographed spectacles together but we were the beneficiary.
One of my favorite things to watch…big guys hurling heavy things.
The girls are fierce in their flinging of heavy things as well!
Birds of prey were on display.
Welcome to the best book store in Northern California. Yes, we may have bigger, newer, more consistent, or even those with same day shipping. But, no book store is as quaint, personal, and surprising. I can always find something here. It is never what you expect to find and it is always a treasure. Please come here and find happiness if only for a moment.
This post is also in response to Cee’s B & W Storefront challenge!
If you have spent any time in downtown Sacramento you can’t miss these iconic landmarks located in East Sacramento off Alhambra. In recent years the ugly ol’ water tower has been gussied up with a cool light feature which somehow makes it new and interesting. And it juxtaposed with the fire training tower has always somehow garnered my interest. In an area where property is expensive and at a premium I still can’t believe these random icons are still standing. 
We used to have one of these bushes in my yard growing up and I have one in my current house. They never cease to fascinate me these buds. Mother Nature must get bored occasionally and think, “what kind of crazy thing can I come up with now?” Check out the individual buds on this tree! It is amazingly prolific and the bees and hummingbirds flock to it without fail. I love this tree and felt I must share it’s awesomeness with you flower fans fore it is bursting before my eyes!
Ok so clearly by the lack of regular posting this last year it is clear I have my hands full in the home nursery. But, true to form, my little guy’s favorite thing to do is to observe and smell flowers and just generally be outside. Sooo…we spend a lot of time at a few local flower nurseries so both of us can get some fresh air and smell the flowers as it were. I hope you enjoy a few lovely little iPhone shots that aren’t too shabby considering it’s not my good camera and my other hand is wrangling a high energy toddler!
Happy Spring wherever you are. Are the flowers out and proud in your end of the word?
Bulldog Travels / Photos By Jenny 