Love, Joy and Peas: Search results for arboretum

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Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Beautiful Friends and Azaleas

Mini and Joanna

Happy spring! I recently had the good fortune to meet Mini and Joanna at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington D.C. They were sitting on the bench (in the photo above) and just looked so lovely I thought they were part of a movie set or something. It turned out that they were super kind, friendly and fun. I greatly enjoyed meeting them and am thankful they let me take their photo to share here. And, in case they need it for printing purposes, they have my permission (as the photographer) to use the photos with them in it however they like.


Joanna, Mini and me

The azalea woods seem to have every color azalea I've ever seen blooming at one time or another. Whoever planned these azalea wooded gardens is brilliant. They mixed early, late and mid-season bloomers along with a lot of other woodland flowers. It's a glorious place to be right now.

A portion of the U.S. National Arboretum's Azalea Woods

Thank you again to Mini and Joanna! Here are links to some of the things I mentioned:

U.S. National Arboretum's main website: https://www.usna.usda.gov/

National Bonsai & Penjing Museum: https://www.usna.usda.gov/discover/gardens-collections/national-bonsai-penjing-museum

Longwood Gardens: https://longwoodgardens.org/

Thank you to everyone who visits! I know it's been a while since I've posted here. I hope this finds you well and pray that God blesses you and all you do!

Saturday, March 14, 2020

Cherry Blossoms and Cheery Chaps

Normally when people I don't know ask me to take their picture, I agree, take the picture with their phone or camera, and never see them again. But because I'm following the CDC's guidelines for protecting myself from the coronavirus (COVID-19), I am not currently able to handle other's phones or cameras. These easygoing fellows kindly agreed to let me photograph them with my camera and share their photos on my blog (and they have my permission as the photographer to use the photos, print them, share them etc.). They were very good natured about my hesitation and I thank them for their excellent attitudes.

These pictures were taken in front of the big weeping cherry trees near the Visitor's Center at the U.S. National Arboretum today.

The trees were just in the bud stage last week so it was a pleasant surprise to see them blooming this much already today.

I just love these trees. Seeing them bloom is always one of the highlights of my year.

Thank you for visiting! Thank you to the three young men for allowing me to take their photos! May God bless them and may He bless you too!

Related posts:
DC tidal basin cherry blossoms: https://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/04/cherry-blossoms-washington-dc-monuments.html
DC monuments & cherry blossoms: https://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/04/cherry-blossoms-and-national-monuments.html
2012 monuments and blossoms: https://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/03/washington-dc-cherry-blossoms-and.html

Friday, March 17, 2017

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Green Orchid Photos and Haiku Poems

Happy St. Patrick's Day and floral Friday! The plaque in the photo above has this Irish blessing:

"May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face

The rains fall gently upon your fields

And until we meet again

May God hold you in the palm of His hand"

This plaque hangs, year round, in our bedroom. I am a wee bit Irish, after all.

I thought green orchids would be perfect for this St. Patrick's day post. The photos were taken at the U.S. National Arboretum in their Bonsai Museum. It's a great place to visit, any time of the year.

Back to St. Patrick's day. While praying and walking today, God gave me these two haiku poems.

St. Patrick's Day Haiku Poem I:

Saint Patrick was real!

He spread the gospel message

and loved our Lord God!

St. Patrick's Day Haiku Poem II:
He used shamrock leaves

to explain the Trinity:

Father, Son, Spirit.

Saint Patrick was a devoted Christian and I'm glad to celebrate his life by wearing green but I think loving God and serving others honor him best.

The photo above is an overview of the green "cymbodium goeringii" orchids in their pretty pot. When I first saw the pot, I thought it was a pot of grass! But when I looked more closely I could see the orchid flowers.

Just in case you wondered what our kittens were doing on St. Patrick's day - they were relaxing. Every time I went to make the bed, a cat was on it. It's late afternoon and I still haven't made the bed, but the day isn't over. But their kittenhood almost is - they will be a year old a week from today!

May God bless you and all you love!

How do you celebrate Saint Patrick's Day?

Related posts:
My Favorite Funny Cat St. Patrick's Post: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/03/hilarious-happy-st-patricks-day-cat.html
More funny Irish cat photos: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/03/funny-st-patricks-day-photos-of-moose.html
Cute cats wearing the green: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/03/funny-st-patricks-day-cat-photos.html

Note:
This is not a sponsored or paid post. All opinions are my own.

Friday, October 28, 2016

Autumn Asters, Honey Bee and Capitol Columns at US National Arboretum

Happy floral Friday! Asters are one of the joys of autumn. I think this honey bee would agree.

This week at the U.S. National Arboretum the purple autumn asters are in full bloom.

The area by the capitol columns is a great place to view them.

The asters contrast nicely with the autumn foliage of nearby plants.

Thank you for visiting! May God bless you this autumn and always!

Related posts:
Autumn bonsai tree foliage: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2015/10/autumn-bonsai-flowers-and-chrysanthemum.html
2013 Autumn bonsai foliage: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/11/autumn-bonsai-exhibit-at-us-national.html
Fall foliage at USNA: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/11/fall-foliage-at-us-national-arboretum.html

Friday, September 2, 2016

Washington Youth Garden Fun and Unique Features

Happy floral Friday! It's been four years since I featured the Washington Youth Garden on my blog so I thought today would be a great day to share some of its unique and fun features. I love the big hand-painted sign that greets visitors to the garden (and there are some flowers in it - can you find them?). One of the rules in the garden is that you must stay on the paths so please forgive some crooked/odd angle photos. I did the best I could while obeying the rules.

Once you enter the chain link fence area you're greeted by this whimsical sign for the Sensory Garden. I love that they have many mini gardens within the main area. The sensory garden has lots of neat flowers and herbs to experience.

This fun giant bird statue is one of my favorite features of the Washington Youth Garden. They move it around from time to time but today it was near the center of the main garden.

They have some lovely signs explaining gardening basics and events throughout the growing season. The Washington Youth Garden is located within the National Arboretum so I imagine you could contact the Arboretum for dates and times of the events. I did see a flyer once at the visitor's center but rarely see any advertisements for this wonderful garden.

I'm not sure why this program wouldn't let me put text between the two photos above but it wouldn't so I'll just explain both here. The top features the Beekeeping area within the Washington Youth Garden. I didn't enter the area because I didn't want to disturb the bees. I imagine that's an area best explored with a staff member. The staff members I saw were busy watering and weeding so I'll save that adventure for another day.

I love their unique garden bed in a real bed frame and I think it's fun that they painted the frame purple so it stands out more. They have herbs and flowers planted in the bed and it spills over on either side like a generous comforter.

These pretty fuchsia colored flowers are the same kind in the top left corner of the garden bed photo.

Thank you for visiting! I hope you enjoyed my mini photo tour of the Washington Youth Garden! May God bless their staff, the young gardeners and YOU!

Related posts:
2012 Washington Youth Garden: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/06/fun-ideas-from-childrens-garden-at-us.html
Bright summer flowers: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2015/07/sunrise-zinnia-pink-rose-sunrise-dahlia.html
Mary's amazing garden: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/05/marys-amazing-garden-retreat.html

Friday, August 12, 2016

Cool Flowers from the U.S. National Arboretum's Asian Collection

Happy floral Friday! This week features flowers from the U.S. National Arboretum's Asian gardens. It's a favorite place of mine to walk in the summer because it's mostly shady.

I'm guessing that these purple flowers are a type of aster. I liked both the open flowers and the unfurling buds. So did the bees and a few moths.

This little pink rose was a pleasant surprise.

These neat daisy like flowers appeared to have hollow petals.

The yellow day lily looked especially striking against the variegated shrub's leaves.

Thank you for visiting! May God bless and keep you!

Related posts:
Secret shady gazebo: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/05/secret-gazebo-photos-haikus-short-poems.html
National Arboretum flowers & bugs: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/08/national-arboretum-flowers-insects.html
Amazing day lily colletction: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/07/beautiful-day-lilies-and-day-lily-haiku.html

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Asian Brush Painting and Mixed Media Art by Arlita Kadar

Earlier this month I had the privilege of meeting artist Arlita Kadar and while I loved her artwork, it was her kind dispostion that made me want to befriend her. I bought a few of her cards the first day and then returned the next day to get to know her better. Both times were at her display at the National Arboretum for the 2016 World Bonsai Day event.

She kindly consented to allow me to take some photos of her and her artwork for this blog and I'm excited to share them with you. The piece above reminds me of cherry blossoms.

This is a photo of a part of an art card I bought from her. I plan to frame it and hang it in our kitchen.

This is also an art card photo, but I'm still debating whether to send it to someone or frame it.

Image source: Arlita' Kadar's website

On her website, I found this beautiful seascape. She's a lady of many talents.

Artlia Kadar, artist, can be reached at arlitak@gmail.com or (571) 393-0758 and some of her work is available at http://arlita-kadar.pixels.com/. According to her business card, she creates murals, water color, Asian brush painting and mixed media art. She has received awards and recognition for her artwork, including a certificate "for extraordinary contributions to Asian cultural programming" from the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History.

Hearty thanks to Arlita Kadar for allowing me to share her artwork here and to you for visiting! May God bless her and may He bless you too!

Related posts:
Wildlife photo art by Brian Dering: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/10/wildlife-in-aruba-photos-by-guest.html
Butterfly Art by Denise Arvaneh: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/10/butterfly-art-by-denise-arvaneh.html
County Fair Art by various artists: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/08/floral-fair-photos-art-and-arrangements.html

Disclaimer: This post was written of my own free will, contains my opinions only and was not solicited or paid for. I just liked Arlita and thought it would be nice to feature her on my blog.

Friday, May 6, 2016

Glistening Raindrops on Pretty Azalea Flowers

Happy floral Friday! This week's post features beautiful azaleas from the National Arboretum's azalea collection. Their wooded azalea walk features the widest range of azalea varieties and colors that I've ever seen. At peak it is truly stunning but it's lovely even when the azaleas aren't blooming.

I took these photos between rain showers and the raindrops were still full and fresh.

Some of the flowers were so soaked they became almost translucent.

These bicolor azaleas are a favorite of mine, although I love them all.

These red azaleas looked especially nice with the mystery purple flowers in the background. If you know what the purple flowers are, please let me know.

Thank you for visiting! If you enjoyed this post, I'd appreciate a Google +1 and if you like the blog in general, a separate +1 for the main blog would be fabulous too. May God bless you!

Related posts:
Azalea walk landscapes: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/05/azalea-walk-landscape-photos.html
Azalea walk photos: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/04/amazing-azaleas-wooded-walk-photos.html
Azalea flower close ups: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/04/beautiful-azalea-close-up-photos.html

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Black Squirrel Close Up Photos

Happy wild Wednesday! This female black squirrel let me get fairly close to her and didn't run away even when my camera beeped and all the other wild squirrels fled.

It was a real treat to have plenty of time to photograph her.

Wildlife is rarely this cooperative so I'm guessing someone feeds her.

This black squirrel, I'm pretty sure, is different from the one I posted a few weeks ago.

I found her in a different neighborhood and she's certainly more friendly.

Thank you for visiting! May God bless you!

Related posts:
Original black squirrel: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2016/02/black-squirrel-photos-haiku-poem.html
Wild raccoon: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/wild-raccoon-in-national-arboretum.html
Cute critters on flowers: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2015/06/cute-critters-on-flowers.html

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Adult Bald Eagle Feeds Two Baby Eagles

Happy wild Wednesday! My husband took leave today and we went to see the bald eagle nest at the US National Arboretum. The area closest to the nest is closed to protect the eagles but they have some telescopes set up along the open part of the trail (near the azalea collections).

It was a blessing to see the nest in person but the best photos (first four in this post) were taken via the television in the Arboretum's Visitor Center, which was broadcasting the live eagle cam.

When we first arrived it was just the two eaglets then the adult bald eagle flew in with fresh fish for the babies. It looks like there were still some leftovers in the nest too.

Even if on a television screen (or this blog post), I think these wild birds are amazing.

And just for reference, this was the best photo I got of the nest from the ground. You can make out an adult eagle head towards the upper right but the television/cam photos are much better.

Thank you for visiting! May God bless you, America and our bald eagles!

Related posts:
2015 Eagle Nest: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2015/04/wild-eagles-nest-at-us-national.html
Eagle Festival: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/03/eagle-festival-photos.html
Blackwater Eagles: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/03/blackwater-national-wildlife-refuge.html

Copyright note: I don't know the actual legality of copyrighting photos taken of a television/cam and the main reason I use the copyright is because I don't like seeing my photos used without permission. However, if you want to use them for government, educational or nonprofit purposes, you have my permission (though a link and photo credit would be appreciated). If you want to use them for other reason, please contact me at lovejoypeas@gmail.com first. Thank you.