Wintersweet aka Chimonanthus in bloom. |
Later, after driving north to the vineyard in Kelseyville, I assembled this ikebana with some pine and pretty dried out roses that had overwintered near the winery.
But I’d mentioned in the title of this post that I’d had my first Citrus lesson, right?
The candied pieces at the bottom of this image are from a Buddha’s Hand. |
This was a lime that my friend rolled around in his hands to release its oils. The scent was heavenly but we didn’t eat it. I was more than content just to stare at it.
Beforehand, we’d walk through the labyrinth of trees at the nursery with their Bengal cat. I’d never seen one in person before and I have to admit that I was probably a bit more into the cat than I needed to be but I do miss my own herd back home.
This is not the best image, but I had to add it. I found the juxtaposition of an olive tree and a Sequoia to be a bit like the famous surrealist quote taken from the Comte de Lautréamont’s Les Chants de Maldoror: “Beautiful as the chance encounter of a sewing machine and an umbrella on a dissecting table.”
It reminded me to always think over plant associations.
Just as we were about to leave, I snapped an image of this timber bamboo. That stuff really is incredibly beautiful.
Hours later, I made this ikebana for my niece’s 20th birthday. Like myself, she loves dark and mysterious things that are a bit quirky and I knew she’d love this slightly dark olive and pomegranate arrangement.
Ciao from Lake County, California…
Hi Ann, I just wanted to let you know I am awarding your blog the “Versatile Blogging Award” I just love your posts and want to show you how much I appreciate your blog!! please visit my latest post for more details on the award and where I have also linked your blog. Cheers Julia
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Thank you for this lovely tour. I miss Napa… I used to meet friends out there as an escape every winter. I guess I'd better get back into that routine! Your post was a welcome break on this grey winter day. 🙂
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Oh yeah…that Olive with the Sequoia is indeed unusual! I have to admit, we went to a cat show earlier this year and they had a few Bengals there…and I was slightly obsessed with them too 😉
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Ann, just a quick note to thank you for this wonderful blog and to let you know that I've awarded you a Versatile Blogger award 🙂
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