Nestled Together

Posted on September 1, 2021 by Enchanted Seashells

I thought these little guys would be HOT since they’re jalapenos, but they taste exactly like green peppers.

I wonder if it’s because I’ve nurtured this plant for more than five years, way longer than it was supposed to produce. They used to taste really spicy; only a little bit was needed for guacamole, but maybe capsaicin, the chemical that gives chiles their heat, decreases over time?

I sure have no idea, but they still taste fresh and juicy, and so cozy nestled in this little bamboo bowl.

#wordlesswednesday

Glorious Garden #WordlessWednesday

Posted on August 11, 2021 by Enchanted Seashells

All things green.

Hiding in plain sight…

This easy-to-propagate perennial spicy basil is almost too pretty to eat…photobombed by bee-friendly borage.

Things have been hard to grow this year, but I’m happy to see this zucchini…

Gardenia #WordlessWednesday

Posted on July 28, 2021 by Enchanted Seashells

This was my mom’s favorite and sometimes I’ll get a plant so I can remember her by their fragrance, even though I’m sooo allergic.

I used to think gardenia and camellia were the same flower, but I learned that the gardenia is known for its intense perfume; less so the camellia. I never knew that!

Here’s to you, the original Charlotte, the first gardenia bloom on this hot summer’s day…

Lizard Love #WordlessWednesday

Posted on June 16, 2021 by Enchanted Seashells

These two very friendly lizards hope you all have a great Wednesday!

Magical Purple-Blue Ceanothus

Posted on May 12, 2021 by Enchanted Seashells

I have NEVER seen a color like the blue of this ceanothus. It’s a deep intense pure purpleblue, an amazing gigantic specimen.

Ceanothus has many ethnobotanical uses. Native Americans would mix the flowers with water to create a soapy detergent. It really works! Roots and leaves have reputed medicinal properties, and the long, flexible stems of some species are used in basket-making. The common name for Ceanothus americanus, a species from the eastern United States, is New Jersey Tea, which refers to its use during the Revolutionary War as a substitute for traditional British tea.

The camera definitely doesn’t capture the saturation of color. It’s full of the sound of buzzing BEES.

#WordlessWednesday

Art/Creativity/Imagination

Posted on May 5, 2021 by Enchanted Seashells

I cropped out five-year-old Angel Boy 2.0 because his parents don’t really like his photo on social media but I was so impressed with his creativity that I thought it would be perfect for a #WordlessWednesday submission,

I’m enchanted by the way his brain organized these colorful squares, but it was completely his own design and placement although his dad helped him with the glue gun.

Apple Blossom Time #WordlessWednesday

Posted on February 3, 2021 by Enchanted Seashells

It’s a little early for this blossoming activity because SoCal can’t decide if it’s winter or spring–looks like spring won the contest.

They smell so delicious, I might have to try Helena Rubinstein’s Apple Blossom perfume which was originally released in 1936 and is still in production. The license from Helena Rubinstein was acquired by Kent Cosmetics in 1988 and according to the manufacturer, the formula is still the same.

Hmmm, I’d be curious to see if any human-made scent could duplicate the purity of intense fragrance contained within these five little flower petals. If so, I’d be tempted to bathe in it every day.

Where I’d Rather Be…

Posted on December 16, 2020 by Enchanted Seashells

…is right here, hiking in the desert.

#WordlessWednesday

“Look at the sky!”

Posted on December 9, 2020 by Enchanted Seashells

It was one of those days where everyone was looking up and toward the horizon.

For me, looking back provided a fresh perspective of tonight’s magnificent sunset.

The sky beautifully metamorphosed all day, culminating in this fiery red-orange sunset. The beach was packed at sundown with people taking pics. I found a place to park, looked in my rear view mirror, and decided THAT was the money shot.

The rest of the day spoke to me, too, in colors and textures.