Category Archives: Family and Friends

Inspiration from family and friends

Garden as haven

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May I a small house and large garden have;
And a few friends,
And many books, both true.
― Abraham Cowley, 17th century English poet

At some point this summer, I hope to actually enjoy my garden. I mean resting and not pruning, pinching back buds, weeding, and so on, but actually sitting in one of the chairs in the garden and reading a book, thinking about a tangle in a chapter in my novel-in-progress, eating a snack or a meal, or just hanging out with family members, as if I didn’t have a million things to do, as if I had all the time in the world, as if I could have a really long sentence and not care where the period ends it.

In the meantime, I wanted to put together what the garden looks like this season. I’ll start with when our magnolia trees were in full bloom back in late February, when COVID-19 was spreading across our country and we had no idea we would find ourselves in shelter in place.

Our backyard isn’t that big (perhaps it is in the Bay Area), but a picture of one and a half of our magnolia trees makes the yard seem like a park. This is our magnolia tress in full bloom.
Our magnolia tress from the view of our intrepid, watchful angel.
Our tulips starting coming up in March, on the heels of the daffodils. And I see those pesky bluebells, which we thought we’d pulled all bulbs many years ago. They are persistent, I will give them that.
We always welcome the California poppies that brighten up our side yard and front yard.
I don’t know what the name of this beautiful shrub is in the backyard, but in the spring it explodes in beautiful purple flowers. We also have this shrub in the front yard. I failed to remember the name of flower bulbs I bought at Costco and planted in the fall. It was a colorful mix. But I also planted ranunculus bulbs.
Here are some of the mystery flowers that made that flower box really vibrant with color.
More colors.
Close-ups of this flower box.
Delicate flowers, vibrant colors.
Oh, hello, Sammy!
Behold the pink ranunculus!
Here’s the shrub in all its glory.
Here’s one of my favorite pictures of the garden. This is what I see when I step out from the family room’s sliding glass door to the landing. Good morning!
Our angel bathed in light and hammered steel drum garden art.
I had to replace the gnarly dianthus on the right of this flower box, but our Chomley Farran and red dianthus went gangbusters this season. They are starting to fade and peter out, but it was a really good season for them this year. I love how the morning light makes a grand statement in this picture.
Another shot of our angel and a sunspot.
Another morning before I pruned the miniature roses and uncovered our angel.
In April, the yellow columbine or aquilegia were ready to take off in flight.
Close-up of the delicate yellow columbine.
Looking at the corner of the garden with flower boxes.
One day, I will read a book in this corner.
I decided to redo my pathetic mini succulent gardens and put them outdoors.
Hidden under the magnolia tree in the corner garden are wind chimes, a white bird house, and one of my favorite garden art – the copper leaves.
A recent addition to the pots in the corner garden – viola ‘Karma Blue Butterfly” in front paired with calceolaria mexicana in the background.
If you keep going from the corner to the fence running to the side yard of dahlias, you will come across a pair of smiling garden sprites under the magnolia trees and above a stone bench and stone bird bath on a pedestal. I love these little stone guys. They bring a little interest and joy beneath the magnolia trees.
More garden art and a little succulent bouquet beneath the magnolia tree.
In the dahlia garden hangs a heavy stone sculpture. I’m not sure where I got it, but I love the Renaissance feel of it. The three headless nudes watch over the dahlias.
I didn’t take care of the dahlias early in the season when I should have, so this season I’ve been battling snails, cucumber beetles, and earwigs. I’m trying to catch up, but this season the dahlias aren’t lasting as long in bloom as they have in the past. We also had to deal with a gopher, which David took care of in quick order. We had dug up all the dahlias from the ground the winter of 2017, but nearly four years later, we will have to dig them up again and separate them and then put them back in the ground. This is no small feat, but we need to take care of our beauties.
A magenta dahlia. Hopefully I will be better about taking care of my favorite flower early in the season so they are hardier and longer lasting.
At the corner of the side yard of dahlias, three clay and metal versions of the sun watch over the delphiniums, ginger, and dahlias in pots.
From our front porch, you can look down into the dahlia side yard garden. A hint of what’s to come.
David captured a hummingbird in our alquilegia in the patio.
My favorite blue hydrangea greets me when I step out of our utility room into the patio area of the garden.
If you come around the other side of the backyard garden, you’ll see the patio.
What’s new this year? I had David and Jacob tear out the bushes in the planter in the patio that our landscape architect planted to hide the view of our neighbor house. But I wanted to see color and not bushes when I look out the kitchen and family room windows. I wanted the sweet smell of sweet peas when I sit in the patio.
So back in February, after the fall when David and Jacob painted the ugly red fence a more neutral stone color, I planted about seven varieties of sweet peas (too many for a small stretch!). One were from the seeds of my one vibrant bi-color blue and purple sweet peas from last year.
Originally I was going to put garden art across the top of the fence, but the sweet peas just kept growing higher and higher. David had to tie the vines to the fence and posts. They were so heavy and thick.
I can cut sweet peas for hours one day and then cut the same amount 3-4 days later. They are so abundant and prolific. I love it. I just wish I had more room.
Our fairy with a broken wing that we bought before we even got married, now resides with the sweet peas and the aquilegia.
Our little bird on a glass globe also watches over the sweet peas.
Delphinium and guillardia.
Our landscape architect didn’t prune the alstroemeria this season, so we had them in abundance this year in our backyard. And not only a lot of them, but Amazonian-size orange and pink alstroemeria. They made wonderful jumbo bouquets this season.
Miniature dahlias in a pot at the edge of our patio.
Violet scabiosa in a stone container by the edge of the patio.
I have red, white, pink and orange gerberas that come up reliably every year since I planted them four years ago.
One of my favorite flowers is the scabiosa – in all different colors and varieties. I have planted them in the front, side, and backyards, and I never get very many blooms. This year I am planting a variety of them in one of the planter boxes. We’ll see if I’m able to get a good crop.
Our garden attracts birds, bees, and butterflies. Isabella took a picture of this little guy enjoying the view from our fence. Thanks for taking a tour of this year’s garden. See you next year!

The joy of Spring bouquets

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In joy or sadness, flowers are our constant friends.
― Okakura Kakuzo, Japanese scholar, from The Book of Tea

It’s already June and I’m late with my spring bouquets blog. That said, time has been flying for some years now and this, to say the least, has been an unusual year. We are certainly living in interesting times – unprecedented times for our generation. Sheltered in place since March 16th, we are coming upon the end of our third month. One thing that the novel coronavirus has not canceled is the arrival of spring, the arrival of spring flowers in our yard.

Now that I no longer deliver weekly bouquets for the middle school auction, I have the freedom to make the bouquets whenever and each week to ask a local friend if she would like some flowers to enjoy. So without further ado, here are this spring’s bounty to share. One new addition to the garden has been different varieties of sweet peas, and while I’ll post them here, I will blog separately about my new favorite flower. So here we go!

I didn’t cut very many tulips this year. I was so busy with writing and work that I didn’t have time, but I also, for some reason, was reluctant to cut them because they were so beautiful and plentiful in the side yard this spring. So this is a rare bouquet that I made in late March. I dedicated this bouquet and the next to my cousin Annie Esperanza, who passed away untimely after a failed heart transplant. I gave the bouquet to Birthe, who always won the middle school auction year and after, because I knew she would appreciate them. I really enjoyed pairing the yellow butterfly-like columbines with the lipstick-red tulips.
Here is another view of the same bouquet. In addition to the two different types of tulip, I also added the flighty yellow columbines and the sturdy gerberas.
Here are my favorite calla lilies paired with deep magenta tulips and a new flower in our garden, pink ranunculus. I saw pictures of ballet-pink ranunculus, and I loved the tight layers of petals, almost like an old-fashioned tulle skirt.
Here’s a close-up up the pink ranunculus and the pollen-covered calla lily.
I spy two other tulips with their feather-like petals and a magenta ranunculus beside another pink ranunculus with even tighter petals (these look like streamers before you unspool them.
Birthe was the recipient of this trio of spring bouquets.
Calla lilies, white and blue scabiosas, red dianthus, and new flowers from a spring mix I got at Costco.
More on this beauty in a later blog, but here are four different varieties of the ever-fragrant sweet peas that I planted in the planter box in the patio.
I also thought gerberas were annuals, but one year I left them in the planter box in the backyard after the season, and to my surprise, they came up the following spring. They last through summer and are hardy and are coming up with taller stems. So red and pink gerberas, lavender and blue scabiosas, and red dianthus, with a little fern.
So our once-a-year gardener/landscaper usually thins out our alstroemeria very late winter. This year they didn’t, and I’m glad they didn’t. We had a ton of them, and a ton of Amazonian-size blooms. I could have made three or even four bouquets out of the flowers that I stuffed into this vase, but I guess I was seeing how many stems I could fit into the vase. The great thing about alstroemeria is that they are long lasting in a vase. A post-birthday and belated Mother’s Day arrangement for Kelly.
Here is another alstroemeria bouquet. With each one I started getting better about shaping them (not this one, though) and making sure the blooms were all over. For my friend Raissa.
Using a vase that one of the kids made in a summer camp years ago, I created this little beauty – my favorite Chomley Farran bi-colored dianthus and also red dianthus, white gerbera, small magenta dahlias, and blue and lavender scabiosas.
A close-up of the Chomley-Farran dianthus, pink dahlia, and blue scabiosas.
Lone calla lily, scabiosas, a few white columbines, and different varieties of dahlias.
This next batch of flowers were for my friend Susie. Here is a top view of six different varieties of sweet peas. Too bad you can scratch and sniff. The sweetness is intoxicating, wafting through the room when you walk by.
This vase had five different “pockets” to put flowers in, which suited the different varieties of sweet peas like a hand in a glove.
More alstroemeria!
I love this little bouquet: red and bi-colored Chomley-Farran dianthus, red and pink gerbera, tiny magenta dahlias, and miniature white roses.
This mostly dahlias bouquet with lone calla lily features miniature white roses and a few blue scabiosas. In honor of our friend Dan’s graduation and birthday!
My favorite sweet peas. The way this beauty grows out, most of its stems are curved, which makes it quite easy to make interesting miniature bouquets with it.
These next and last bouquets were delivered to my friend Karen. I’m finally sort of getting it right in terms of shaping the alstroemeria.
The usual sweet small bouquet that I’ve added love-in-a-mist flowers, which are now turning into beautiful seed pods and thus make a great addition to bouquets.
My favorite deep-blue hydrangea from our patio is the centerpiece for this small bouquet of white dianthus, miniature magenta dahlias, lavender and two blue scabiosas, and the seed pods of love-in-a-mist flowers.
A close-up portrait in monochrome.
Highlighting the delicate and beautiful annual orlaya grandiflora, “Minoan Lace.”
The all-dahlia bouquet.
Close-up of dahlia blooms.
And the sweet pea that reminds me of Japanese art.

Hawaiian family vacation

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Hawaii is not a state of mind, but a state of grace.
– Paul Theroux, American travel writer and novelist

It’s nearly the end of the year, end of December, and I’m just now getting to our family vacation and Rossi Family reunion on the Big Island of Hawai’i? Call me stubborn. It had been on my list forever, and now I’m finally getting to it. I won’t give much in the way of narration. In my haste, I offer photographs and captions. I will say that this was a family trip to honor David’s father, Jerry, who turned 80 years young in June and retired just a few months ago. A life well lived. And a nice place to celebrate. I spent a summer and Christmas in 1989 on the main island. It was great to be able to see another side of the beautiful islands of Hawai’i.

First, photos around our condo on the Kona side of the island. This is our view from our living room window.
First, photos around our condo on the Kona side of the island. This is our view from our living room window.
After a rainstorm, we were graced with a rainbow. From our cluster of condos.
After a rainstorm, we were graced with a rainbow. From our cluster of condos.
Sunset on Kona.
Sunset on Kona.
Another view near our condo by the waterfront.
Another view near our condo by the waterfront.
We did a lot of poke!
We did a lot of poke!
And the poke was good.
And the poke was good.
Punaluʻu Beach is a beach between Pāhala and Nāʻālehu on the Big Island of the U.S. state of Hawaii. The beach has black sand made of basalt and created by lava flowing into the ocean which explodes as it reaches the ocean and cools. This volcanic activity is in the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Punaluʻu Beach is a beach between Pāhala and Nāʻālehu on the Big Island. The beach has black sand made of basalt and created by lava flowing into the ocean which explodes as it reaches the ocean and cools. This volcanic activity is in the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Some resting big turtles.
This is the closest I could get to one of these gentle sea turtles.
This is the closest I could get to one of these gentle sea turtles.
Looking down the vast volcano floor at the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. We hiked all the way down and across. At least it wasn't too hot and humid. It was a pretty incredible experience.
Looking down the vast volcano floor at the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. We hiked all the way down and across. At least it wasn’t too hot and humid. It was a pretty incredible experience.
Another view of the volcano floor.
Another view of the volcano floor.
The floor was broken up in many places with hardy brush dotting the landscape and piles of rocks constructed by visitors.
The floor was broken up in many places with hardy brush dotting the landscape and piles of rocks constructed by visitors.
How far are we going? I seem to be asking.
How far are we going? I seem to be asking.
One last look after coming back up.
One last look after coming back up.
After the hike across the volcano floor and visiting the visitor's center, we headed east to hike through Akaka Falls State Park.
After the hike across the volcano floor and visiting the visitor’s center, we headed east to hike through Akaka Falls State Park.
Akaka Falls did not disappoint. It was spectacular.
Akaka Falls did not disappoint. It was spectacular.
We were surrounded by beautiful flora.
We were surrounded by beautiful flora.
It's not easy being green - except in Hawai'i.
It’s not easy being green – except in Hawai’i.
If I knew what I was looking at, I would let you know, but I can only stare, take a picture, and take a few moments in silence to appreciate the beauty of Hawai'i.
If I knew what I was looking at, I would let you know, but I can only stare, take a picture, and take a few moments in silence to appreciate the beauty of Hawai’i.
Amazing!
Amazing!
My favorite picture of Isabella and Jacob from Hawai'i.
My favorite picture of Isabella and Jacob from Hawai’i.
And the favorite family photo from Hawai'i.
And the favorite family photo from Hawai’i.
We ended the long day with burgers at Hilo Burger Joint. The Rossi clan!
We ended the long day with burgers at Hilo Burger Joint. The Rossi clan!
The next day, a group of us went on a snorkeling trip to Captain Cook’s Cove. We didn’t get to the second spot, which was full of lava caves, because we got a late start from bathroom problems on the boat to an elderly woman who passed out and had to be brought back to shore. Quite an adventure before we even got to Captain Cook’s Cove. I didn’t last but 10 minutes. David kept saying, “You better tell them you can’t swim.” I grabbed a floating noodle, but that didn’t prepare me when I climbed off the last step of the ladder into the water. It was clear enough for me to see to the bottom, but the bottom was 200 feet away from me. So after scrambling and dragging David down with me, he safely brought me back to the boat, where I watched everyone else snorkel!
Isabella waves to David before she decides she is tired and he has to drag her back to the boat.
Isabella waves to David and then she decides she is tired and he has to drag her back to the boat.
A pretty cool picture of Jacob snorkeling.
A pretty cool picture of Jacob snorkeling.
I took this picture of Captain Cook's Cove. I didn't last but 10 minutes. David kept saying, "You better tell them you can't swim." I grabbed a floating noodle, but that didn't prepare me when I climbed off the last step of the ladder into the water. It was clear enough for me to see to the bottom, but the bottom was 200 feet away from me. So after scrambling and dragging David down with me, he safely brought me back to the boat, where I watched everyone else snorkel!
I took this picture of Captain Cook’s Cove. I didn’t last but 10 minutes. David kept saying, “You better tell them you can’t swim.” I grabbed a floating noodle, but that didn’t prepare me when I climbed off the last step of the ladder into the water. It was clear enough for me to see to the bottom, but the bottom was 200 feet away from me. So after scrambling and dragging David down with me, he safely brought me back to the boat, where I watched everyone else snorkel!
I found a museum downtown that was newly founded by enthusiastic volunteers who wanted to honor Hawaiian quilts - the Kona Hawaiian Quilt Museum ( 75-5706 Kuakini Hwy APT 112, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740).
I found a museum downtown that was newly founded by enthusiastic volunteers who wanted to honor Hawaiian quilts – the Kona Hawaiian Quilt Museum ( 75-5706 Kuakini Hwy APT 112, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740).
The quilt on the left is an antique. It was quite seditious for its time. Patriots would put these quilts on their bed, but when subjected to searches, they would flip the quilt over to hide their patriotism to the Hawaiian royalty. Pretty amazing history.
The quilt on the left is an antique. It was quite seditious for its time. Patriots would put these quilts on their bed, but when subjected to searches, they would flip the quilt over to hide their patriotism to the Hawaiian royalty. Pretty amazing history.
This quilt honors the fiery volcano eruption of 2018, which caused a lot of devastation to homes and flora and fauna.
This quilt honors the fiery volcano eruption of 2018, which caused a lot of devastation to homes and flora and fauna.
Some more quilts with a Hawaiian theme.
Some more quilts with a Hawaiian theme.
Vintage Hawaiian-themed quilts.
Vintage Hawaiian-themed quilts.
Look what I found in the nearby shopping center - at the Hawaiian shaved ice shack - Halo halo with ube ice cream!
Look what I found in the nearby shopping center – at the Hawaiian shaved ice shack – Halo halo with ube ice cream!
We found a horse ranch on the Hilo side of the island, so Isabella could have her horse-riding fix.
We found a horse ranch on the Hilo side of the island, so Isabella could have her horse-riding fix.
While Isabella rode....
While Isabella rode….
We cavorted with the adopted pig at the horse ranch.
We cavorted with the adopted pig at the horse ranch.
Jacob found a friend among the many dogs on the ranch.
Jacob found a friend among the many dogs on the ranch.
Afterwards, we went in search of Rainbow Falls and were delighted.
Afterwards, we went in search of Rainbow Falls and were delighted.
Have to get the mom and daughter photo in - at Rainbow Falls.
Have to get the mom and daughter photo in – at Rainbow Falls.
Not sure what kind of tree this is, but what a creation - a tangle of branches and roots.
Not sure what kind of tree this is, but what a creation – a tangle of branches and roots.
We had a great meal at the Fish and the Hog Market Cafe. It was a hoppin' place.
We had a great meal at the Fish and the Hog Market Cafe. It was a hoppin’ place.
Poke and dahlias.
Poke and dahlias.
I don't know what this is, but there was nothing left on the plate after Jacob was done.
I don’t know what this is, but there was nothing left on the plate after Jacob was done.
We took a Kona Coffee tour at Greenwell Farms. And it was good.
We took a Kona Coffee tour at Greenwell Farms. And it was good.
I don't know what this is, but it's pretty amazing.
I don’t know what this is, but it’s pretty amazing.
Amazing patterns in this huge tree.
Amazing patterns in this huge tree.
Coffee beans. Kona coffee beans!
Coffee beans. Kona coffee beans!
We also did a little tour of the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory and sampled delicious chocolates. These are cocoa beans, or pods.
We also did a little tour of the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory and sampled delicious chocolates. These are cocoa beans, or pods.
We did a lot of wandering, and met up with this fella.
We did a lot of wandering, and met up with this fella.
Sea turtle in shallow waters.
Sea turtle in shallow waters.
Same guy? Different part of the beach.
Same guy? Different part of the beach.
Jacob patiently waiting for sea turtles to ascend.
Jacob patiently waiting for sea turtles to ascend.
We frequented Rebel Kitchen a few times for lunch ( 79-7399 Hawaii Belt Rd, Kealakekua, HI 96750).
We frequented Rebel Kitchen a few times for lunch ( 79-7399 Hawaii Belt Rd, Kealakekua, HI 96750).
Some type of fish dish at Rebel Kitchen.
Some type of fish dish at Rebel Kitchen.
With one last look at the sea turtles.
With one last look at the sea turtles.
And the last dinner on the Big Island with the Rossi clan at the Kona Brewing Company....
And the last dinner on the Big Island with the Rossi clan at the Kona Brewing Company….
We went snorkeling in other local beaches. We had time on our last day for David and the kids to do one last dive into the ocean. David caught this sea turtle descending with a GoPro camera at Two Step State Beach. Fittingly, this is our last image of our time in Hawai’i.

Honoring our Filipino Veterans of WWII – especially my father

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Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.
– Khalil Gibran, Lebanese-American writer, poet and visual artist

Please see my post on my author website on the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony honoring the Filipino veterans of WWII. You can read it here. Below is a photograph from the event.

Receiving the bronze replica of the Congressional Medal of Honor on behalf of my father, Henry Empleo Enrado, by Major General Eldon P. Regua, U.S. Army (retired) (photo courtesy of Sean Santos).

Belated spring bouquets

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You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming.
– Pablo Neruda, Nobel Prize winning Chilean poet-diplomat and politician

When May ended, I had intended to post my spring bouquets, as I made weekly bouquets for one of the former Korematsu Middle School auction winners whose husband (both of them were community leaders and supporters) had passed away in the fall. I wanted to bring her some joy. She has always warmed my heart by the pure joy that my auction bouquets have brought to her in the past. To deliver bouquets during spring was the best way I knew how to honor her husband and to bring a sense of rebirth to her. I never make bouquets to decorate my own home. I rather enjoy sharing them with family and friends. I wish I had more time to devote to gardening and to making the bouquets, instead of feeling rushed, because the effort is invigorating and inspiring, and I get in this Zen frame of mind.

Maybe at some point I’ll get there. But for now, I am sharing the spring bouquets with you all. Enjoy!

Birthe’s front porch is full of spring bouquets – tulips, calla lilies, watsonias, and a mix of gaillardia, columbine, geums, carnations, scabiosa, and a few other flowers, in mid-April.

Early March tulips and calla lilies.

Tulips, March 23rd.

Tulip close-up, March 23rd.

Tulips in the side yard.

More tulips, March 30th.

Calla lilies, March 30th. I love the different stages of blooming. Also note the shadow of our ficus tree on the dining room wall. And, of course, my favorite painting of all, Lamp Lady by Gary Stutler.

I believe this is variegated prostenthera (Mint Bush), which delivers brilliant purple blooms in the spring. We have one in the backyard and one in the front yard.

Close-up of the purple blooms of the variegated prostenthera.

One of my new favorite flowers this season. The aquilegia chrysantha (Yellow Queen) came out with such vigor this spring. They remind me of delicate butterflies.

Delicate pink tulip, April 4th.

April 6th bounty ready for spring delivery.

Looks like the tulip is ready to devour the aquilegia….

Nuanced pink tulip, April 12th.

Tulip bouquet, April 13th.

The aquilegia and red geum literally gave new heights and shape to the spring bouquets. Also added scabiosa, dianthus, straw flower, and the greenery from alstroemeria. This particular photo reminds me of a Vermeer, Rembrandt, and other Dutch master painters painting.

April 20th spring bouquet.

I got these three vases from Present, Los Altos, and they’re perfect for my office. Grow. Happy. Bloom. Inspiring.

More aquilegia (or columbine) taking flight in the backyard planter box, April 28th.

April 30th bouquet.

Close-up of aquilegia Black Barrow.

Watsonia bouquet, May 4th.

Close-up of miniature cream-colored rose, blue scabiosa, and red geum.

Alstroemeria bouquet, May 17th.

May 17th bouquet.

Close-up of the bouquet. I love using calla lilies that are in different stages of blooming. When they are still tightly rolled up, it reminds me of a scroll of beautiful paper that is slowly, slowly being unrolled. Also featuring my favorite multi-colored dianthus – Chomley Farran.

Chomley Farran dianthas, aquilegia Yellow Queen, alstroemeria, calla lillies, and an early dahlia, May 17th.

Found a few white aquilegia in the mix of yellow.

The dahlias came up early this season. Magenta!

Drama: Aquilegia against a dark backdrop.

May 18th spring bouquet.

The earliest all-dahlia bouquet, May 25th.

Gorgeous close-up of the white dinner-plate dahlia.

May 25th spring bouquet.

Last spring bouquet – alstroemeria, May 25th.

Sammy in one of his happy places – the backyard garden with his gardener, me.

“Do you want to garden with me?” Sammy’s head will tilt when you begin a sentence with “Do you….”

Sharing my bouquets: the last late autumn flowers

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Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
– Albert Camus, French philosopher, author, and journalist

Even though we planted more flowers on the other side of our house this season, I can’t extend my bouquets through Thanksgiving. But it was close. Before Thanksgiving, I’ll be cutting down the dry dahlia stalks and the rest of the dried flowers and putting them in our green bucket that is filling up with the fallen leaves of our maple tree and our twin magnolia trees.

So here are the last bouquets of the season, from early October to the first of November.

An October 2nd bouquet.

Another view of the October 2nd bouquet.

October 7th bouquet.

A close-up of deep pink zinnias and a creamy gerbera daisy.

Another close-up of zinnias and rudbeckia.

October 13th bouquet.

Another side of the bouquet, including hydrangea.

More zinnias – lime green, orange, and pink.

Another view of the bouquet.

Another close-up with a Rudbeckia hirta ‘Cherry Brandy’ and scabiosa caucasica ‘Fama Blue’ “Pincushion Flower.”

October 20th bouquet.

Another view of the bouquet.

Another October 20th bouquet, with a lone small dahlia and blue bachelor’s button.

Another view of the second October 20th bouquet.

And yet another view of the second October 20th bouquet.

October 29th bouquet, with a white straw flower.

The October 29th bouquet.

Another view of the October 29th bouquet.

Another view of the October 29th bouquet, with a surprise hydrangea bloom.

The final bouquet for a November 10th dinner.

Evening light softens the November 10th bouquet. The first calla lily of the late autumn, early winter season.

The last close-up of this bouquet. Soft yellow light with a backdrop of an oil painting by Gary Stutler. The dianthus are showing a third bloom of the season, with my favorite dianthus caryophyllus “Chomley Farran.”