Well of COURSE there's MORE!

More of these past few days of the vacation to Rome!

This is the Bronze Door, the official entrance to the Vatican. Most dignitaries enter from the inside of the city, this is where you and I would "try" to gain access to the Vatican!

Redesigning my parking area!

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER, Rome is built upon seven HILLS!

more of the same here =]

And there are a lot of Fountains!

More from Rome

I find this fun and very romantic in the silly way. Young adults (teenagers to early 20's) become couples and promise their love to each other all over the world. In Italy, there is a custom/tradition that when young people want to share that love, they buy a lock, attach it to a bridge and then both toss the key into the river as a sign that their love cannot be broken. A nice symbol and tradition and harmless to society. Notice either names or initials and also remember that most of the world writes their dates as day/month/year.

This is a nice and different view of the Colosseum. I like how it rises up from below street level.

This is a great shot of a waining moon in the morning sky. The angel is one of many decorating the bridge to Castel San Angelo (Castle of the Angel).

and walking at night is an essential in Rome, as dinner isn't served in many places until after 7:30 or 8PM. In fact we saw many people coming in to order dinner at 10PM. This was taken on the way back from dinner.

Rome 2011

We just got back to Madera today...but it was a fun 10 days in Rome. More pics coming, but these are the first I have chosen to share. Hope you like them as well!

Fresh fruit at an outdoor cafe seat overlooking the Colosseum....tasty and great views!

And St. Peter's...I love taking pictures there!

Odds and Ends from Wednesday and Thursday

Just things I like....

I am surprised at how little traffic there is in the Tower District during the day.

I truly love some forms of "graffiti"...

So, was I inside looking out or outside looking in?

Am looking for a new decor for the driveway...I hope the neighbors like it!

22 June 2011

So I am stepping "outside of my comfort zone" and doing some urban shots today. Well if you can call Fresno urban, I guess that's what I did. In any event here are a few "B&W" and scenes from around town. Oh yeah, I did find a flower to shoot too!







This I like as the "Urban Jungle"......








And just what does a 106° day in the Central Valley LOOK like?



Oh, yes....the flower. It is from a Trumpet Vine:

15 June 2011

I would love to say that I have been busy...but why lie...just real lazy. However I have been taking pictures and and soon going to remove this blog and open a new one. There is/are good reason(s) behind such a move, and I will have the new blog open BEFORE I close this one down. Besides that, you are not here to read but to look! and so for your pleasure.....










Seems to be a lot of dragonflies this year. I believe it is due to the standing water from the great rainfall we had this winter and spring.


With the exception of the flower below, which I took on the wine trail weekend in May, all the flowers are from the backyard.


Speaking of the backyard, I did manage to get the BBQ resurfaced. I have a great TILE MAN if you need him, he did the tile work on the counter and the backsplash, and Bob Fire, Cathy and myself did the stone work around the base.



And all this leads to one thing...food, outdoor seating and a view!

May 03, 2011

Why do I do all that gardening? Well it all pays off here...
from the tiniest flower in the flower pot,


to the tallest flowers in the flower bed,

to the shaded patio and yard,


To dinner served in an private outdoor setting,



This is why the yard is so special to me!

May 01, 2011

What a long weekend working in the yards this has been! But it all pays off in the end! Hope you enjoy them all....










ALL of us were beat and need a quick refreshing drink!


Problem was...it was MY DRINK!