Blooming Rose

Blooming Rose

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Oh, What A Beautiful Morning...I Can Even See Catalina Island!






We have been having lots of rain in Southern California this past week but today was
beautiful.  In an effort to ease my eager spring fever I decided I would take a few
pictures while on my walk this morning. 
Our beautiful white flowering pear trees lost all their blossoms in the heavy wind and
rain of the last few days but the flowering plum trees are still quite lovely.





The Magnolia trees are beginning to bloom...




Some of the spring flowers are also beginning to blossoms too. Like this Calla Lily and
Bird of Paradise.  You can still see the raindrops...






After the walk I met a friend for breakfast. He is leaving to go to France for a few
weeks so we decided to meet in Santa Monica because it was a glorious crystal clear
morning.  I looked toward the mountains and was surprised how snow covered they are.
They are about 2 hours away. That’s one of the wonderful things about California, you
have the Pacific Ocean on one side of you and the snow covered peaks on the other.

Here are some of the snow covered peaks...remember they are about 2 hours away...





Look, you can even see the famous Hollywood Sign below the mountains...



But I was headed to a restaurant near the Pacific Ocean. The sky and water was so
blue today...


Even though it was very early (he had to catch an early flight) people were already at
play and enjoying this beautiful clear crisp weather...




And sailing...



It was so clear you could see Catalina Island which is 26 miles across the sea! There’s
a bit of morning haze but the island can still be seen...




Those of you who used to watch the show Baywatch will recognize this beach.
This is where they filmed that show...




Looking toward Malibu...



Well, getting back to my spring fever...I have put some flowering branches in a vase and
I was hoping they would be flowering by now. But they are just beginning to bud.
Oh well, I love the branches and once the flowers bloom they will look extra beautiful...







Kathysue of Good Life of Design recently wrote a wonderful post about decorating with
branches. Her post also included some beautiful images you can view here.

Also helping with my spring fever is this lovely orchid that friends gave me when my kitty
died. It is a soft yellow that definitely speaks spring...



I also added a couple of vases of roses because they were on sale at Trader Joe’s for
only $3.99 a dozen. Who could resist!





And yes, my dried hydrangeas also remind me spring will bring fresh flowers...




What are you doing to help with your spring fever?  Do you ever decorate with flowering
branches?   I would love to hear your spring fever tips!

22 comments:

Pondside said...

That was gorgeous! Now I have that old song running through my head - 'twenty-six miles across the sea, Santa Catalina is a-waiting for me, Santa Catalina is the island of romance - romance - romance...'
I like to have tulips in the house at this time of year, and some forsythia branches to force for the beautiful bright yellow.

Acquired Objects said...

Wow your little girl camera captured some stunning images, thank you for taking us along on your walk...beautiful! I love bring branches in to flower but it'll be a few more months for us since it's SNOWING OUT!Happpy Holiday Monday!

Debra,

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

What a beautiful area you live in. I went out this weekend and bought veggie seeds for my garden. That is what I do when spring fever hits. I start planning my potager!

a quiet life said...

well that was a blast of TOO MUCH FUN! we are so similar in climate, which i wouldn't expect, i thought you would be ahead of us, the same trees are blooming here. we had snow on the hills i live on this last storm, we are still in the 30s at night this week even...

don't you love the beach on those pristine days! so crisp and clear you can see the sierras and catalina, those days are rare, and stupefying in their splendor! egads what a gorgeous beach, we did get our little cottage and now i am feeling beach envy... our location is just a wee little strip of dirty sand heading into a bay.

your flowers are gorgeous, a sweet reminder of your kitty to linger on. i have had a critically ill cat this week, thought she was dying on saturday, but today looks like she turned the corner so my spirits are soaring with joy, which is why your post is fresh and brilliant in my eyes, it all looks so pretty and vibrant, a great way to start my day. wonderful pics, thanks for the smiles~

Masha said...

What gorgeous beach pictures, thanks for showing me another part of California. We've had a lot of fruit tree blossoms ruined by the rain too although your pear trees look great.

Leo said...

Just gorgeous. Love these photos. The blooming trees are so beautiful. How long do they stay in bloom like that? We don't get anything like that down here. Too hot - its hard for flowers to live in this heat and humidity.

Love the photos of Santa Monica. One of my favorite places. I would love to live there one of these days!!

Divine Theatre said...

WOWIE! *sigh*

NanaDiana said...

I am sooo envious of your beautiful weather. As I am looking out MY window this morning I see a foot of fresh snow, more snow flakes falling and the wind is starting to whistle around the corners of the house. I braved the bad roads for Starbucks (about 5 miles away) and my barista friend told me that there were not too many "crazy people" coming for coffee this morning...(trying to insult me-do you think?>) Now I am home and will do indoor things for the rest of the day. I would love to be on that beach looking towards Catalina Island and listening to the ocean washing into shore. That is my dream....hugs-Diana

Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita said...

These are beautiful and I am completely and utterly jealous! I wish I could be there - we just got more snow ... :(

René said...

What a treat to see so many spring-like images. Where are you in Southern Cal? My family goes to La Quinta every year in the spring and sometimes we drive up to Santa Monica & LA. We love it there with the cool nights and the warm days. Beautiful post.

-Rene

Kathysue said...

Susan, Oh my!! These pictures are amazing. You are a very talent photographer. I need some lessons from YOU!!! I just showed my son your great picts and he agrees. Love, love your branches, I need to go for a walk and see if I can find some. I am going to TJs tomorrow and getting my humus and flowers!!!! Thank you so much for the shout out!! You are a dear friend! Kathysue

Mona thompson said...

Hello spring, I can hardly wait. Susan these are amazing images. thanks!

Olive said...

Spring has sprung for you lovey! The flowering pear trees are one of my favorites. Trader Joe's has awesome prices. We do not have that store but I managed to get to one in Athens, Ga. this weekend. Hugs♥O

Privet and Holly said...

What glorious
pics of such
a dreamy landscape!
I'm only dreaming
of flowering
branches, although
the sky IS blue
here, today : )
Currently, I have
three bouquets of
TJ tulips scattered
around the house,
along with two
Norfolk potted
pines strung with
fairy lights.
Bring on the green!
xx Suzanne

Anonymous said...

What a great post, Susan! How fun it was to see more of the area where you live. The sun came out for us today, too... I'm so pleased! :) Your are so lucky to have the beautiful ocean AND mountains for your view... gorgeous!! Love all your Spring pictures of what's blooming outside and what you have around your home inside. Those branches (are they cherry?) are just gorgeous just the way they are and will be even more beautiful once they bloom!
Enjoy your beautiful day, my friend!
XO,
Jo

Low Tide High Style said...

This post is simply filled with beautiful things to look at, the beach, your flowering trees, your cut flowers, all so pretty! I plan to cut some branches from my cherry tree tomorrow! And I'm so ready for spring. Thanks for this lovely post!

Kat :)

savvycityfarmer said...

what, wait
an island?????
I can hardly see my neighbors' house because of fog

chateaudelille said...

We are in the middle of a heat wave that is so humid. Glad Im home with proper air con to get relief. Our gardens are still bursting with blooms and soon we will have the autumn flush. Fiona

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Beautiful spring flowers...I love the beach scenes, too!

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

What an amazing area you live in. I'm trying very hard not to be jealous but failing miserably!!!

*And* you get gorgeous weather too? How is that fair!!?!

I was in our garden today and noticing all the signs of spring. The buds are beginning to green up and there are even some flowers scattered round and about. So exciting!

Sarahx

Trouvais said...

We get lots of sun at the front of house...especially since we trimmed back an overhanging oak branch. And the cherry trees are magnificent. Even the days of rain haven't managed to strip them of their blooms! Cold up here (32 degrees last night...good for peonies!) but sunny! Won't be long now for our roses! Trish

Tricia said...

Your pictures are very pretty. You are so lucky to live somewhere so warm and wonderful :)