Friday, February 22, 2013

Tulips in February


Tulips are perennial favorites...literally.  They faithfully come back year after year to show off their shocking shades of reds, yellows and whites and the myriads of colors in between.  

I got this bouquet from my Valentine and I have to say I was so pleased when he came in the door with them.  It had been a tough week with my mom in the hospital (she's in a rehab facility now.)  It made this bouquet even more special and amazing.
  

So, I decided to have some fun with a few photos I was able to take of them.  The first has two textures from Kim Klassen.
The second had no filters, the third one has a few effects. 
 

I planted my first tulip bulbs almost 20 years ago from some extra bulbs dug up from a church flower bed being redone.  I really didn't think they would grow the next spring, but like faithful beacons, they came up and a few remaining continue to come up year after year.  Well, maybe not the originals, but their progeny for sure.  Planted in fall with a bit of bone meal, and without rodents eating them, they will pretty much take care of themselves with little help from me.


A bit of springtime in February...lovely.

Blessings! 

Linked to these blog parties...Weekly Top Shot
Homestead Barn Hop  The Backyard Farming Connection Hop
Waste Not, Want Not Wednesdays Wildcrafting Wednesday
Seasonal Celebration Wednesdays The Country Homemaker Hop
The Homeacre Hop Hello Monday
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41 comments:

  1. rainfield61February 23, 2013 at 1:54 AM

    There are always wonders when we have a up-close view.

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  2. SuzanFebruary 23, 2013 at 7:24 AM

    Being in Georgia, still hoping for a day of snow!! Beautiful tulips!!

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    1. NancyFebruary 23, 2013 at 7:31 AM

      Thanks Suzan, I think we've been getting your snow! :)

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  3. NancyFebruary 23, 2013 at 7:33 AM

    I think their shot of the color red helps to jolt us out of winter complacency... :)

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  4. HansHBFebruary 23, 2013 at 8:41 AM

    Great close-up photos of these tulips!

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  5. Our Neck of the WoodsFebruary 23, 2013 at 8:47 AM

    Those tulips are so beautiful! And I love your photos. Such neat edits! I need to plant some tulips out here.

    Sorry to hear about your mom. I hope she is doing better now!

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    1. NancyFebruary 23, 2013 at 10:20 AM

      Thanks Tammy...they are so cheerful! My mom is holding her own for now... :)

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  6. DeannaFebruary 23, 2013 at 9:06 AM

    A bouquet of tulips in February surely brightens everyone's day. Thank you for sharing your beautiful bouquet with us!!

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  7. LeoviFebruary 23, 2013 at 9:48 AM

    Yes, delicious photos with an exquisite combination of light and color in these tulips that release passion.

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    1. NancyFebruary 23, 2013 at 10:21 AM

      Yes, Leovi...they really do release lots of passion and energy! Thanks so much!

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  8. CarlettaFebruary 23, 2013 at 9:56 AM

    Love the first one - beautiful edit - and the last one with your use of selective coloring - well done!
    Prayers for your Mom.

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    1. NancyFebruary 23, 2013 at 10:22 AM

      Thanks for the encouragement Carletta...lots to learn but it's all fun!

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  9. AnonymousFebruary 23, 2013 at 10:14 AM

    really beautiful images!!!
    ~Linda

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  10. NancyFebruary 23, 2013 at 10:16 AM

    So very pretty -- waiting patiently for mine to come up! :)

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    1. NancyFebruary 23, 2013 at 10:24 AM

      Yes, it will be nice when the they bloom outdoors - such a welcome relief from late winter's browns...Thank you!

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  11. KarenFebruary 23, 2013 at 10:51 AM

    Oh they are so pretty, I really like the texture you added in the first shot!

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    1. NancyFebruary 23, 2013 at 2:35 PM

      Thanks so much...it's so much fun to experiment. :)

      Delete
  12. AnonymousFebruary 23, 2013 at 12:00 PM

    SO beautiful, one of my fav flowers too... so sorry about your mom, it is such a worry to have ill parents, praying for a speedy recovery... Thank you for sharing on Weekly Top Shot #71!

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    1. NancyFebruary 23, 2013 at 2:36 PM

      Thanks Madge! Thanks for the thoughts and prayers too...my mom's a trooper! :)

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  13. UnknownFebruary 23, 2013 at 1:32 PM

    I really love tulips, and your photos of yours are beautiful. :)

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    1. NancyFebruary 23, 2013 at 2:37 PM

      Thanks so much Peg. They really brightened up my day. :)

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  14. AnonymousFebruary 23, 2013 at 5:44 PM

    Totally AWESOME photo images -- all of them but the second one of the close-up is captivating..
    Hugs

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  15. Karen @ Pieces of ContentmentFebruary 23, 2013 at 6:49 PM

    How wonderful to be able to grow your own tulips. It's too hot and wet here for them, bulbs generally don't do well at all here.

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    1. NancyFebruary 25, 2013 at 8:40 AM

      You may not be able to grow tulips...but you do have some amazing and beautiful flowers that grow where you live! We could only grow them as annuals or get them from the florist here... :)

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  16. Manuela@A Cultivated NestFebruary 24, 2013 at 7:08 AM

    Beautiful photos! I love tulips - they start to peter out after a few years here in the Atlanta area (at least for me). A lot of people plant them as annuals!

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    1. NancyFebruary 25, 2013 at 8:42 AM

      Thanks so much! That's interesting that they're grown as annuals, Manuela...but then again, here the herb Rosemary is usually an annual while in warmer climates it grows into shrub size. That always amazes me!

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  17. The Artful DivaFebruary 24, 2013 at 10:39 AM

    luscious reds!

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  18. learningtableFebruary 25, 2013 at 8:31 AM

    Your photos are beautiful! We planted some tulips, but haven't seen any of them yet. Our crocus and daffodils are blooming, though. :)

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    1. NancyFebruary 25, 2013 at 5:44 PM

      That's nice to have crocuses and daffodils blooming...that's next month for us! :)

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  19. AnonymousFebruary 25, 2013 at 5:18 PM

    Beautiful macro shots and other photography ^_^

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  20. Jennifer at Purposeful NutritionMarch 1, 2013 at 5:33 AM

    Beautiful and Feb is a time when we need to see this kind of beauty for sure.
    Thanks for posting at Wildcrafting WEd.
    Jennifer
    The Entwife's Journal

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  21. Lisa LynnMarch 3, 2013 at 7:50 AM

    Hi Nancy!
    Love the cheerful photos! Hope you have time to join us on The Creative HomeAcre Hop...
    http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/03/the-creative-homeacre-hop-5.html

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  22. Lisa LynnMarch 5, 2013 at 5:41 PM

    Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful photos on The HomeAcre Hop! Hope to see you tomorrow for a special hop and a giveaway announcement! :)
    http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/03/the-homeacre-hop-9.html

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  23. amitMarch 13, 2013 at 11:27 PM

    Amazing photos of Tulips. One of my most favorite fresh flowers .

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