May 23, 2012

The Royal Botanical Gardens, and Some Latest News


What a pleasure that our electricians have finished working on the second floor. Now, them and I have decided to take a break from each other.

They say that, on the market, the first price is bitter, the second price is sweet, and the third one is peace. Let's just say that our contractors and I have parted peacefully.

In order to strengthen the calming effect, our family has taken a trip to the Royal Botanical Gardens, from which I brought these photos.





Something strange is going on with me lately. I feel like I'm about to buy a garden gnome. Possibly not soon, but eventually. The first sign that one will eventually appear in our garden is that I keep encountering gnomes everywhere. I have to admit that some of them have great personalities.

I have several requirements for my future gnome. He must not look creepy. He must not smoke. He must have a red hat. He must have a kind expression in his eyes, and a smile. The last gnome that I saw in the store - whom they called a Travel Gnome - had an overly concerned expression in his eyes.






Finally, the weather has given us the opportunity to have a barbecue on the backyard. For the first time ever, I've tried to barbecue salmon on a cedar board. It turned out to be very delicious.


I wanted to end this post on a calm note, but I couldn't help showing you this gargoyle that adorned somebody's front yard. First of all, I think he's in a very sad mood. Second of all, what kind of a message are the owners of the house trying to send?



I hope you all had a great weekend.
Posted by Olga

25 comments:

  1. Rick ForrestalMay 23, 2012 at 11:05 PM

    That first photo . . . the amazing multi-colored hibiscus . . .
    IS IT REAL? I can't believe the colorations. Wow, the Royal Botanical Gardens must be truly amazing.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  2. EkoMay 24, 2012 at 1:16 AM

    Kuvasi ovat kuin 'runoja'.
    Kauniita 'Kesisiä-Runoja'...!
    Eko

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  3. Pierre BOYERMay 24, 2012 at 1:49 AM

    Great pastels colors...
    Best regards from Paris,

    Pierre

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  4. TaniaMay 24, 2012 at 2:03 AM

    beautiful shots!

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  5. OlaMay 24, 2012 at 3:24 AM

    amazing shots! I wold like to try the salmon please:)


    Blog about life and travelling
    Blog about cooking

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  6. Jane and Lance HattattMay 24, 2012 at 3:45 AM

    Hello Olga:
    Now we are afraid....very afraid. Not about the contractors as that has passed peacefully, not about the salmon as that looks absolutely delicious, not about the photography since, as usual it is stunning.......but, a garden gnome.......now, that is a step way too far......bring back the electricians!!!!!

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  7. Debie GraceMay 24, 2012 at 4:05 AM

    The flowers are full of beauty. Thank you for sharing them! :)

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  8. SarahMay 24, 2012 at 4:30 AM

    The salmon looked good - how much did it taste of cedar wood and did this detract from the taste of the salmon? Oh, and can you use the cedar plank again?

    My mother went to the Chelsea Flower Show yesterday and loved it, especially as it was a sunny day (for a change). I feel it is somewhere you should aim to visit one day if you haven't already. It would give your love of plant photography so many opportunities.

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  9. KristinMay 24, 2012 at 1:22 PM

    Ooooh, yes on the Salmon and GORGEOUS pictures! You are a beautiful photographer - thank you for sharing! xo

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  10. DianeMay 24, 2012 at 2:17 PM

    If I brought a garden gnome home I think my husband would throw a fit! Love that first photo, it is so unusual. I really cannot make up my mind about the gargoyle, it is different!! Take care Diane

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  11. French Girl in SeattleMay 24, 2012 at 4:52 PM

    Dear Olga. Amazing photos, as we have all come to expect from you. Thought about you this morning. Visited the local Fred Meyer store and walked through the garden department where I saw... a whole section dedicated to garden gnomes! They came in all shapes and sizes; some busy reading, or talking; others were sleeping. It was amazing! I know there is a garden gnome for you somewhere out there and hope you find it! Good luck! Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

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  12. DollyMay 24, 2012 at 5:31 PM

    Oh Olga you have me rolling about with your fears of acquiring a garden gnome. Maybe you could have him with a fishing rod?? Are you absolutely certain on a gnome though. Would you consider a leprechaun at all?

    Regarding Monsieur Gargoyle, I think he looks rather pensive.

    Enjoy your weekend X

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  13. A Lady's LifeMay 24, 2012 at 6:47 PM

    Oh my !! What a beautiful collection !!!

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  14. snowwhiteMay 25, 2012 at 4:10 AM

    Hi Olga,
    Oh, you are going to have gnomes! I am looking forward to seeing them.
    I do not know well what gargoyles are put for. In photos I have seen them used as gutters in church structures. Are they similar to Demon roof tiles of Japan to protect buildings against evil?
    For me, this gargoyle looks young and feel lonely without any buddies. I suppose usually gargoyles are not welcomed, so the kind owners gave him a place. The owners are saying, “ All of you are welcomed. Especially if you have no place to go, come to our home!”
    Cooked salmon on the cedar board smells well and makes me hungry.
    Have a great weekend.
    keiko

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  15. you-wee becauseMay 25, 2012 at 8:40 AM

    Thanks a lot, Olga, for your comment on my latest blog post. Currently I have been a little busy, so there was not time to answer any earlier.
    But within the next days I have a little more leisure time to concentrate more on my photography projects.
    Thanks for sharing some of your impressions of the botanic garden. I can see that you love to find the special details of every object.
    Have a great Pentecost weekend,

    Uwe.

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  16. TisaMay 25, 2012 at 10:07 AM

    Оля, у гибискуса такая необычайная расцветка! От этого он еще более восхитителен. Как и все фото здесь! Так много ярких красок, экспрессии! Лишь только горгулии грустные, по-моему они не хотят страшить и отпугивать прохожих от дома:))

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  17. FanypapMay 25, 2012 at 2:03 PM

    Very beautiful Olga!!!the first, Ibiscus??? I see it so colourful for the first time!!three colours together in the same flower? fantastic!!Bravo for the photographs!!!kisses from Greece.

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  18. PetMay 25, 2012 at 3:41 PM

    You can always use candles :-)

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  19. AnonymousMay 25, 2012 at 7:31 PM

    wow, so beautiful!

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  20. dianneMay 26, 2012 at 2:48 AM

    There are many beautiful flowers and leaf colours and textures in your Botanical Gardens, thank you for sharing them, great photos as always dear Olga.
    You will have to find a very special gnome as some of them look especially awful and I feel sorry for that gargoyle, he looks very depressed.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  21. AnonymousMay 26, 2012 at 5:32 PM

    Thank you! for sharing Mother Natures amazning bounty. Even the stalks
    of grass made me gasp with pleasure.

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  22. SandyMay 26, 2012 at 10:40 PM

    These are beautiful Olga. I can't help but wonder what this travel gnome looked like. hee hee. What an interesting little gargoyle! =)

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  23. Antonio MachadoMay 27, 2012 at 4:58 PM

    Hello Olga,
    very, very beautiful pictures!
    Congratulations

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  24. HilaMay 29, 2012 at 2:42 AM

    These images are so stunning, look at the colours!

    I'm glad you parted peacefully with your contractors - it can be a tricky relationship.

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  25. ZueMay 30, 2012 at 5:54 AM

    Stunning, just stunning photographs. My favourite is the first one, the detail is amazing..lovely!!!
    xxx

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