On a beautifully sunny day, it’s nice to see a little visitor in the garden. I haven’t seen a lot of monarchs this summer… but I’m guessing their migration must be soon?! One quick snack before the arduous journey heading south?! Take your time… and bring your friends.

My first dahlia bloom of the year… finally at full-size! Hopefully we all survive this dry-spell we’re in & I get more dahlias to bloom in my garden!!! The leftover water in my bike water bottles only goes so far!!! Ha!!!

And when the sun was rising in the east, the Super Moon from last night was still hovering in the west. A nice big full moon to greet the morning sun!!!

Late afternoon art fair vibes… loving the “garden” shadows on my tent.
We still have another hour… c’mon by, c’mon buy!!

After last night’s crazy storms, it’s nice to have some natural serenity of wild plants growing along the railroads… gracefully arching with great colors, contrasts & textures. Perfect for a natural Texture Tuesday.

An early morning hike out in the suburbs to start my day…
wandering aimlessly… enjoying my road to nowhere.

Before the morning rain… a little early morning pollinating on the purple larkspurs currently blooming in my garden! And they’re breathing a big sigh of relief after a bit of rain… they weren’t so happy during our heatwave drought days last week!

On a road to nowhere. Someone visiting my booth during the Northern Illinois Pottery Tour mentioned how “important it is to get out of your zip code every once in awhile.” She was talking about her drive all the way out to Sandwich… but I took it to heart today. A beautiful day with some beautiful clouds. Perfect for exploring & playing out in nature… away from my own zip code!!!

Sure, it might just be a weed… but doesn’t it count more if it’s a “pretty” weed? I’m really digging these purple thistle flowers… and the pointed “crown” around the bottom of the flowers!

I’m really liken’ the lichen! The colors, the textures & the contrasts.
Another perfectly natural focus for another Texture Tuesday!