July Whites

Santa Cruz Mountains, CA

Easter lilies are not really a spring plant. Pure white and deeply scented, they’re symbolic of springtime resurrection. And yet, left to their own devices they prefer summer blooming.

Dogwood Days

Santa Cruz Mountains

It’s an exceptional year for dogwood in the Santa Cruz mountains. Our tree, gracing us with April blossoms, is more prolific than ever this year.

Mardi Gras in the 19th Century

New Orleans, LA

Visiting New Orleans for Mardi Gras and jazz, we were thrilled to see an exhibition of 1893 Mardi Gras float designs by Bror Anders Wikstrom at NOMA, the New Orleans Museum of Art.

January’s Rare Flower

Santa Cruz Mountains

No matter how cold the nights, the camellia will bloom come January. In damp woods or beside seaside homes, this winter wonder brightens winter days throughout Santa Cruz county.

Art and Nature in Community

Scotts Valley, California

What a lovely Community Center the town of Scotts Valley has. In late autumn the border of trees outside the parking lot turns brilliant red, and the leaves stay bright through January.

November Leaves

Santa Cruz Mountains, California

It’s been said that California has no discernible seasons, but our dogwood tree thinks otherwise. Its festive springtime blossoms become ripe seeds as its bronze foliage suddenly turns multicolored.

Life of a Gerbera Daisy

Santa Cruz Mountains

Gerbera daisies are the most elegant kind, though I love all varieties of daisies. Brightly colored and many-petaled, these warm weather harbingers add a color pop to the yard throughout the summer.