Rooftops of Beynac

Growing up in California I was used to wooden shingles.  There's been a lot of code changes and you don't see as many since they're a fire hazard.  But these medevial slate shingles in Beynac, France, were way ahead of us Californians.  No way these will burn.  Around since at least the 1300s, they've managed to pass the test of time.

"Rooftops of Beynac"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

French Clematis

If you're ever in the Dordogne region of France, be sure to stop and have lunch at Le Bistro Den in the little town of Tremalot.  The food is exquisite and a walk around town afterwards is a treat. I found this double clematis at the 4 star hotel "Le Vieux Logis". 

"French Clematis"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

My favorite places to shop for Christmas gifts

  I have found out that I really like to do my Christmas shopping online. I can have my coffee, or my wine, depending on what time of day it is, or I can be in my p.j.'s in the comfort of my own home and not be standing in long lines or being in overcrowded stores, or trying to carry to many bags around while I shop. My feet won't hurt or my back. Technology, isn't it wonderful!


Before I check out, I always look for coupon codes for discounts or free shipping on the item I want to purchase. I type in coupon codes for ebags, the place I'm visiting, or coupon codes for handbags or whatever the item might be that I'm interested in purchasing. There are a lot of coupon code sources out there. Two I usually try are:http://www.couponcabin.com/, or http://www.promotionalcodes.com/?gclid=CNGzjvP4kaACFdx05QodLzqmeA. I love when I can get a deal! Now I don't think you can use coupon codes for QVC, which is one of my favorite places to shop, but the prices there are quite good and you have thirty days to return your product, no questions asked. If the product is defective you don't pay to ship it back. I also trust them with my information...they don't give it out to anyone. http://www.iqvc.com/ In July, on the 25th, they do their Christmas in July all day.

 I have ordered wreaths, garlands, 4ft. trees to put in urns outside my front door from the Bethlehem Lights people at QVC, and the quality is great. The lights are made to last a long time before needing to replace them. They also make battery operated wreaths and garlands that have a timer on them if that's the way you choose to use them. If you turn it on at 6:00 p.m., it will stay lit for six hours, shut off, and turn back on at the same time the next night. They actually last clear through the holiday season. I put mine up on Thanksgiving weekend and they stay working to the New Year. Wonderful!

Some of my other favorite places to shop are:
http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=honeysuckle&origkw=honeysuckle&sr=1, I always get my two grandchildren something from here every year. They love it.

http://www.nutsonline.com/, all sorts of nuts, dried fruits, chocolates, coffee, teas, seeds, snacks, gift baskets, tins, etc. You can pick your delivery date and it gets there fast!

http://secure.ebags.com:0/handbags/department/index.cfm?sub_site_id=14, Here they have any kind of bag you can think of: handbags, wallets, luggage, laptop bags, duffel bags, backpacks, etc. They have a lot of sales and you can return your item free if you're not satisfied. Love this website.

http://www.amazon.com/, You can get a lot of free shipping items here if you spend $25.00 or more and we all know this is easy to do at Christmas.

http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=HOME&cid=20205&fp=f, Shipping is always $2.95 on your entire order, but sometimes it's only a dollar and sometimes it's free. Big selection of items.

http://www.zappos.com/?gclid=CJ_hq5aDkqACFQ1N5QodyBzCfA, Shoes & Clothing with free shipping both ways.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/index.jsp?s_kwcid=ulta|974910690, for cosmetics and fragrances, etc.

https://www.thecountryhouse.com/Default.asp, If you're into the country decorating, this is the place to shop.

So that's it. It's always a good idea to check out the return policies for any place you shop so there will be no surprises. Another good idea is if you set up an account at places you shop, to frequently change your password to keep your information safe. Each credit card company has different ways for you to keep your identity safe for shopping online, and don't forget those coupon codes.

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After the Shower

Freshly washed flowers after a rain have a pristine quality about them. This calla lily, on a side alley in Eymet, France, seems to sparkle in cleanliness after a morning rain.

"After the Shower"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Yellow, Yellow...

It was a warm, sunny day and these bright yellow ranunculus were showing off in the flower bed, just begging to be photographed.

"Yellow, Yellow..."     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Fuzzy Wuzzy

Even weeds can be beautiful.  This fuzzy ball was growing in a friends garden and as we looked for subjects to photograph today I spotted this and then the challenge was on to see if we could capture the soft fuzz.

"Fuzzy Wuzzy"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Spring Iris

I love irises and wish they would grow here in the desert.  But I manage to get my fix by visiting Descanco Gardens in La Canada which is near Pasadena.  They have a spectacular iris garden with more varieties than you can imagine.  This multi-colored lovely is just one of the many to enjoy.

"Spring Iris"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Tea Anyone?

The teacup ride is one canrival ride I can pass on.  But this one, designed for the smaller set, has it's own pot of tea.  I thought it added a touch of whimsy to  the ride.

"Tea Anyone?"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Childhood Lily

There are some things in life that bring back childhood memories and this pink lily is one of them for me.  Don't ask why.  I don't know.  But everytime I see this particular lily I think back to when I was quite young without specific recollections.  I've given up trying to analyze it so I just enjoy it for the beautiful flower it is.

"Childhood Lily"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Do We Look Cool or What!!!

Rubber ducks with shades???  It's amazing how rubber ducks have changed.  Besides finding them with sunglasses, you can find them in so many different colors and designs today.  But these cuties were busy swimming in circles at the county fair.

"Do We Look Coor or What!!"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Pont Alexandre III

This beautiful statue sits atop the Pont Alexandre III bridge that crosses the Seine in Paris.  In recent years, the Parisians cleaned up all the spectacular gilded statues on public buildings.  And do they gleam.  This bridge has several that sit atop columns that support the roadway. 

"Pont Alexandre III"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Talkin' on the Phone

It's hard to visualize life with out cell phones.  And it was amazing that we survived quite nicely without them.  And we got to know each other a lot better with personal, one on one, communication.  Cell phones, texting, tweeting and facebook are to impersonal and create rude behavior.  I vote to throw them all away!

"Talkin' on the Phone"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Feeling Like a Kid Again

Carnivals bring out the child in us.  It's an excuse to do some of the fun and silly things we used to do when we were younger.   Wheeee!!!!

"Feeling Like a Kid Again"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Fly Me to the Moon

It's National Date Festival time where I live and all the carnival action is in full swing.  But it's at night with all the lights that it takes on a magical aire.  The moon was just setting as I captured the ferris wheel picking up more passengers.


"Fly Me to the Moon"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Fresh as Rain

There's a 19 acre tract of 400 year old virgin timber near Priest Lake, Idaho.  It reamained intact after an 80,000 acre forest fire burned the surrounding trees in 1926.  Named Hanna Flat after an early homesteader, it was delightful wandering the just rained foliage as the sun peeked through the clouds.


"Fresh as Rain"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

A Glass of Wine - St. Emillion

The best steak I ever had was at L'Envers du Decor in St. Emillion, France.  It was heaven and melted in my mouth.  Oh yeah, the wine wasn't to shabby either. 

"A Glass of Wine - St. Emillion"   © Kathy Dunham 2010

Lined Up

The Amalfi Coast in summer is a pretty sight to see, even if every tourist is on the road and in the towns.  But they weren't all at the beach yet.  Lined up in neat rows, these beach lounges are waiting patiently for sunbathers. 

"Lined Up"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Poppies and Cream Cups

With warm weather upon us, I'm preparing for a spectacular wildflower season.  I got this shot a couple of years ago when we had a good show of California Poppies at the Poppy Preserve near Lancaster, CA.  AndI bet this year will jump off the charts.

"Poppies and Cream Cups"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Pretty in Pink

Peonies are a phenominal flower.  Loaded with petals, they explode when open into a ball of fluff.  They don't grow where I live but occasionally I can find them in the flower shops. I'll never forget the first time I saw one growing "au naturale", in a garden in the French countryside.  It was wonderful.

"Pretty in Pink"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

French Windowsill

Medieval towns were short on yards.  In fact, they usually didn't have any so if you want flowers, you have to grow them in pots on the windowsill.  And they do a nice job.  Begonias, amarylis and geraniums add bright colors to an otherwise bland house.  

"French Windowsill"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

Spring Time in the Garden

It was spring in the garden at the Huntington Library.  The flowering trees were alive with blooms.  But for the life of me, I don't know the name of this one.  The gently curved petals, so smooth and elegant remind me of many varieties of flowers but as a tree blossom, I'm at a loss. 

"Spring Time in the Garden"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Amazing Grace Christmas Light Show

This is truly the best light show I have ever seen! Enjoy.

The Amazing Grace Christmas House. Designed and programmed by Richard Holdman in Pleasant Grove, Utah.

You can find out more information about this display at http://www.holdman.com/
The display has 50,000 lights and is computer controlled by 180 channels.

White Camellia

One of the most popular of flowering shrubs, the camellia is known for it's profusion and beauty of garden varieties.  A majority of the many thousands of cultivars now listed are descended from a single species, Camellia japonica, introduced to Europe in the early eighteenth century from China.

"White Camellia"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

One Hot Canna

This canna lily is definitely a summer flower but the vibrant red against a dark green backgound really talks to me.  I love drama and this combo offers a lot of that.

"One Hot Canna"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

A Break in the Storm

More rain today.  Slow and steady which is good, gives it a chance to percolate into the aquifer.  We sure need lots more.  I had to run an errand this afternoon and spotted this bit of sun trying to peek through the clouds.  It didn't last long as we got more rain this evening.

"A Break in the Storm"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Mazatlan Blue and Gold

I enjoy doing mosaics when I have some spare time.  It's like doing a giant jig saw puzzle.  Making each piece fit and hoping the colors and patterns work to create the design you had in mind.  So when I'm traveling and spot tile work like this, I appreciate the workmanship and time it took to create something this detailed.

"Mazatlan Blue and Gold"   © Kathy Dunham 2010

Tea Rose

I love the opening buds on tea roses.  There's something elegant about them.  The elongated shape with gently curling petals makes a dramatic statement.  Some poeple like floribunda roses, others like the old style roses and some prefer clilmbing roses.  There are plenty of choices and I'm sure there's a rose for you.

"Tea Rose"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Malaga Cathedral

So typical of this part of Spain are the Seville oranges that line the streets of Malaga.  The cathedral is a magnificent structure with two huge pipe organs, one on each side of the church.

"Malaga Cathedral"      © Kathy Dunham 2010

Place du Carrousel

Paris at night!!!  What could be more spectacular?  Ever since the millenium celebration, the French have kept the spectacular night lighting on the Eiffel Tower.  Combined with other lit monuments, Paris pops at night.


"Place du Carrousel"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Indian Blanket Flower

Aptly named for the bright colors, this drought tolerant flower is similar to Gazinias.  It reaches moderate heights, 12", and is a good landscape plant for the desert.


"Indian Blanket Flower"    © Kathy Dunham 2010