15 March 2007

Ranunculus & Jude Law

There is almost nothing I enjoy more about spring than ranunculus. Sure, I love the chirping birds, squirrels scattering around, a nice ratio of sun to temperature, the smells (except yesterdays burning of the slough) and the riding of my Harley (alright, that’s pretty much #1 but I don’t have a picture of that so the ranunculus win but I DID get out last night AND this morning for a little ride; more about THAT another time). Our trip to Walmart the other day began with a cheerful welcome BEFORE the cheerful Welcomer (he hoped I would enjoy my visit that day) in a tray full of blooming red and orange ranunculus (by the end of this post you, too, might master the spelling of ranunculus without the spell checker). Only $1.98 each; I’ll take 3! We were there for toothbrushes and hair conditioner but came home with: a Barbie movie (Piper’s been REALLY good at going to bed), The Holiday movie (not an award winner but Jude Law stole the show), black forest ham (worth the price difference from the watered-down variety), roast beast (have always called it that; pay for the better cut) for French Dippin’ (however, cannot find McCormick’s Au Jus seasoning without ordering a case of it online so I now make mine from scratch with a can of beef broth, bouillon and spices), breads (croissants that were day-old that will probably get tossed because I’ve waited too long to make chicken salad for them, 100% whole wheat sliced loafs and hoagie buns for the FD’s), Diego yogurt (no Dora today), the toothbrushes and conditioner (at least I got what I came for), bananas (let Piper pick this time; won’t next time because they freckled too fast – not that I’m opposed to freckles, mind you, just not on my bananas) and cottage cheese (we do NOT get the low-fat version… what’s the point?). When we were in the hair care and dental aisle (guys, stop reading at this point if the feminine hygiene product talk freaks you out), Piper saw the maxi-pads & tampons and got excited! “Mom! Look! Those are for YOU! You USE those! YOU can buy some!” Yeah, thanks. I planted the ranunculus in a tiny container that hangs on my porch near the doorbell. Ben didn’t notice them when he walked in so I made him go back and check them out. He giggled, said they looked nice then asked how long they’d live (I have a habit of killing little potted plants – especially the flowering variety). So, in honor of my ranunculus (got the spelling down by now?) I would like to introduce you to my world of containerized plants (the rest are indoors and have been slightly alive for a while now)…
Ranunculus by the doorbell (see it in the corner?)
Succulent plant with my little Asian fisherman (kitchen window)
Can't remember the name of this guy but I love the tiny bird (can you see him?)
Here's a corn tree in the foyer by the bench

My Target $11.00 lamp and a cutting from Grandpa's tree on an old trunk Dorothy gave me

Part of Grandpa's tree looking out one of our windows (nice view, isn't it? There's more where that came from.)

Q: What's been making you happy these last couple days of nice weather?

17 comments:

dalene said...

My purple Ranunculus and purple and yellow pansies. (Although not nearly so nicely planted as yours.)

Watching the grass grow greener by the minute.

Sunlight.

sue-donym said...

You have insprired me to plant. See me at Home Deport this Sat. Better come by before the week is over and I have killed everything I hsve planted though.

luckyzmom said...

Your ranunculus are beautiful. The lilac by our front door is budding out with green leafies. Nothing like all the stuff that popped up in Mead but exciting non the less. After I saw the adorable primroses in mugs on CJanes blog I wanted. But, alack and alas I have seen narry a one hear abouts. Too sad.

Anonymous said...

Oh, you're making me wanna get out and start photographing spring. But it isn't quite here yet. Or maybe it is. Man, I gotta get out of the computer room!!!

Carina said...

I adore ranunculus; those and poppies are my favorite flowers.

Sleeping with the windows open, that's what's making me happy.

Anonymous said...

Your plants look healthy and allive to me, especially your ranunculus (copy and paste the big words.)

Anonymous said...

Taking my boys outside and letting them burn off some of that energy that they stored up over the entire winter!!
Love your work!

Anonymous said...

Isn't spring the best? I've been excited to start planting spring veggie seeds and listening to the frogs.

Reba said...

I just visited your website. You are an amazing photographer.....what can't you do? And ranunculus are my absolute favorite flower.

Anonymous said...

I adore ranunculus! i have a picture of one above the "words i'd like to live by" quote on my blog :) your little cluster by the doorbell is charming! i also love the smell of fresh cut grass in the spring when people start cutting their grass again because it starts growing again.

- Ryan Flynn Photography - said...

there is no nice weather in Seattle, and therefore no nice weather to make Ryan happy.

*cries self to sleep*

:D

Geo said...

The spring peepers and the coots at Utah Lake make me very happy. All the fresh air and sunshine are helping me feel more alive.

I lovelovelove rananculus. Also one of my favorites. Anything with gobs of petals and color squashed in together are eye candy for me.

Geo said...

P.S. I am not convinced that you do not have a green thumb.

Anonymous said...

Ryan Flynn, SHAME ON YOU! Granted, we're in a spell of rain right now, but when it's nice out I LOVE Pike Place Market! I walked there on Thursday during lunch to grab a fresh made baguette and loaf of french bread at Le Panier. Then I had a fantastic grilled turkey and cheese sandwich at Beechers - where they make cheese RIGHT THERE. And as I type I can look out the window to see the clouds parting enough to clearly see the ferries coming across Puget Sound, and earlier our spring-time saxophone player was back on the street corner of 3rd & Madison. Mt. Ranier isn't quite visible, but you just wait!!!
Ok, I think I'm done now. I heart Seattle.

- Ryan Flynn Photography - said...

Lisa, "when it's nice out" is the operative phrase there ;). I never said I didn't love Seattle ... just that I hate the 6-month-long "spell" of rain ;) lol.

p.s. Beecher's chipoltle cheese curds are AWESOME.

Anonymous said...

Ok Flynn, you're forgiven. I may have been too quick to berate someone I don't even know :) I'll concede the rain can get old, especially when I'm waiting for the bus and I'm cold and wet... but I do like falling asleep to the sound of rain.

Shannon, do you love that I'm talking to someone else on your blog?

LuckyRedHen said...

Yes, MyLisa, I am proud of you for conversing with my blog friends.

The ranunculus are still alive! Yay!