In a comment to me the other day, the ever lovely, ever wonderful Michele, happened to mention that Orchids are a favorite plant of hers and that she has at least one growing and brightening up her home, at all times.....So, I thought....I would love to do something for Michele. Why? Because she has given me so much since I started blogging. I have met so very many wonderful people through Michele, it has really been a great great gift to me....So, dear Michele, this post is for you!
I, too, am an Orchid lover.....and since that wonderful time in Hawaii, thirty-three years ago, when I rented a house for fourteen weeks and I discovered that there are so very many gorgeous Orchids in this world....Orchids have held a very special place in my heart....The picture above is a close-up of an Orchid that was given to me as a 'thank you' gift, back in 2004, I believe. I find the interior of Orchid flowers simply amazing....
This stunning one above is from a Beautiful Plant I got for myself about two months ago....The design of the interior is breathtaking, isn't it? Well, the whole blossom is breathtaking....!
Above, this gorgeous Orchid was included in an arrangement that was created by that wonderful 'artist' Van, of The Conservatory, the shop where I get all the flowers I send to others and the same shop I get flowers for myself, too....AND, where dear Terri, ordered that beautiful bowl of flowers that she sent me for my birthday. The very first Orchid flower at the top of this post was in another arrangement from Van.
I remember the first time I saw this Orchid above....It was probably twenty years ago....I had sent an Orchid to Betty for an Opening of a play and she brought it home with her....And when I went to visit her, she showed it to me and we both decided it was one of the more...shall we say....sensual Orchids that either of us had ever seen! What do you think, Michele?
Above, this was part of of a stunning basket of three Orchid plants that Betty's cousin Carol brought to me for Christmas, 2005. She used to drive down from San Jose and stop overnight around Carpenteria...near Santa Barbara, and go to these fantastic Orchid Nurseries...there are two, and that is where she found this beautful group of Orchids that were part of that basket....And below....
....another great beauty....again, part of an arrangement by the incredibly talented Van......It is amazing how each of these blooms are all different....and I'm just showing you a smattering.....just the 'tip of the iceberg' as they say, in the wobderful world of Orchids....And then, below.....
...another bloosom, still on the vine...Again, this was part of that beautiful plant that was given to me back in 2004....and this was from it's second blooming....So delicate.....So very beautiful....
And above, another of those very stunning bloooms from Carol's Christmas Basket, 2005....The depth of the colors in that center....and that little tiger-like face right in the very center....it truly takes your breath away....And then, last, but not least....
Another view of another blossom, still on the vine....a fabulous example of the stunning complexity of colors in nature....the shapes, the delicate softness of the petals....this is "The Orchid".....What is not to love about these truly fascinating and beautiful plants?I hope you enjoyed this visit-with-the-Orchid, dear Michele, I surely enjoyed putting it together for you....Just a small 'thank you' dear dear Michele, for all the fun and pleasure and great friendship you have given me.....
More To Come
- had this to say:
Wow, I have never looked so closely at orchids before - aren't they complex and stunning?
I loved your videos, honey - watched them both avidly and will be, at some point, blogging about them :-)
The Dreyfuss one was sweet and touching, such a nice man that Richard, Rick, Ricky :-) The 'Heart Revisited' video was stunning and irresistable.
I agree, Michele is wonderful. I got most of my blogroll from her - and it was through Michele that I met valued blogfriends such as you, Carmi, david and many, many others.
Lovely gift for Michele, my dear Naomi - just lovely.
cq- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 1:54:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Love you Orchids, especially the Phalaenopsis (sp)...
I really like the Cymbidiums and also the Dendrobins (sp) as well...
Here is one we have in our courtyard, on the fence at our front door. It is only 2 years old and has 2 spikes!!
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1068/816029845_d9273e345d_o.jpg
Here from Michele's this evening...- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 2:14:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
That is a lovely way to honour Michele - she truly deserves it and I think their rare exoticness(if there is such a word) is totally apt for her. The family have brought me an orchid plant - nothing comparable to yours - which remind me of the fantastic ones i saw in Singapore. Thank you for brightening a dreary Sunday. Not so dreary - jst had a call from my grandson and the band fest was last night and they won.Yippee!!!
- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 2:20:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Aren't orchids difficult to grow? Orchids always (always always) remind me of my (now deceased) Grandad. I have memories of him pottering around in his garden shed tendering to his orchids. And roses. Thank you.
What a great honour to dedicate this post to her. She does deserve more credit than what she gets, after all, that is how I got to meet you Naomi. (And a lot of other people on my blogroll!)- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 2:36:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Orchids are so very stunning. I must admit that along with lillies they are my favourites. You have some beautiful orchids there and the fact that they flower again for you shows you must be doing something right! :)
I am sure Michele will love these - it is a beautiful tribute to her :)- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 2:58:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
wow, what great shots Naomi!!! I love them too but unfortunately they don't love me long enough to live long.. so I let those who can grow them have them and I just enjoy looking at them. I will admit I can't pass a table full of them at any plant place without Ooooing and Ahhhhing and checking each and every one out before I leave!
- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 5:36:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
My dear Naomi.
What a beautiful collection of orchid photos! It is well know among my friends and family that there are very few things I adore more than flowers - my weekly fresh flower budget would horrify the average non-flower person. However, my love of all flowers - and orchids in particular - pales significantly in how much I adore the people I consider friends. Most of these friends inhabit my real world, but a few are virtual blog-friends that I truly do consider part of my circle of friends. You Naomi, are part of that circle.
Thank you so very much for this post. The flowers are stunning. I shall now refer to the most sensual of orchids as the Betty Flower. Of course, no one will know what I am talking about, but I will be thinking of you and the gift of friendship you give so many.
With love....
Michele xo- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 5:46:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
You have the most beautiful colorful photos. Orchids are the creme brulee of flowers. They're amazing.
- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 7:43:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Those were amazingly sexy, Lady. When are you going to get a coffee table book of your photos published ? They are too good for everyone not to see them !
- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 8:55:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Beautiful flowers, Naomi. I was first introduced to the "orchid life" about 15 or 20 years ago by a landscape friend of mine in Santa Barbara. He is an orchid aficionado and apparently he is not alone.
This is a lovely gift for one who has done so much for the blog world. It is only fitting that I leave you with:
Michele sent me,
Mike- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 9:25:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
orchids are so beautiful that one wants to keep looking at them. These are stunning.
Michele sent me here to see this post for her!- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 10:06:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
What a beautiful, and fitting tribute. Thank you for sharing with us. I too value my blog friendships I've made through Michele and you are one of them.
- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 10:09:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Naomi, Truly an education in orchids! Your orchids are awesome! I never realized how gorgeous, complex, and stunning they are. I have thought about getting one for my new apartment - but, I haven't yet...not until I get it all unpacked...
I have always thought they were beautiful - just never looked at them as closely and learned much about them- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 10:50:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
I enjoyed this Orchid Extravaganza!!
Orchids are gorgeous and varied.
Not an ugly one in the bunch!!
I'm sure this post put a smile on Michele's face.
:-)- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 12:10:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
You are an amazing person and an amazing friend. There seems to be no limit to your ability to share and give back. I feel like I've become a better person just for witnessing this.
Michele is the most deserving recipient. When I think of how she has built a community through her tireless efforts, I feel only happiness. The blog world - and indeed the real world - needs more people like her and like you.- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 12:32:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Michele sent me back to admire your lovely photo's again. They are simply stunning, especially the one of that green coloured orchid and the fourth photo, but really they are all so very beautiful :)
I love the bit about the 'Sensual' orchid and you are both right! LOl!- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 2:00:00 PM PDT
-
had this to say:
Hi, thanks for stopping by my place and thank you for this post.
I was looking at the photos and I remembered when the EMBLOS and I got married almost 20 years ago. T'was a simple affair. She wore an off-the-rack dress and I wore a charcoal gray suit.
But she had an orchid that I bought for her.
She looked damned beautiful.
Still does, but I remember that day.
Cheers.- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 2:24:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Hello! I'm never dissappointed when I stop over here. This post was overwhelming!!
I was so drawn to the beauty, the sensualality, the exotic...
Stunning- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 3:45:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Gorgeous orchids, Naomi, both cymbidium and phaelenopsis! On the top photo; see the fleshy little white thing at the end of the center part? That is the sex organ, and if you remove it, the bloom will last longer. Hmmmm, I wonder if that works on people?
LOL- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 4:29:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Hi Lady! What a beautiful gesture! Lucky Michele to have you as a friend.
Orchids are my favorites and I have an album just for these hybrids.
Have a wonderful day Naomi.- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 4:37:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Naomi, I wouldn't remove it on the growing plants - only the cut orchids. Sorry I didn't think to tell you that in the last comment.
- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 4:59:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
WOW! Those are stunning flowers! I do LOVE to "see" orchids... but I'm not crazy about their scent. (although it's waaaaaay better than Day Lillies! LOL!)
- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 5:15:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Orchids are indeed special and Michele will love this! (She's one busy gal!)
When I went to proms in my much younger years, orchids were worn as wrist corsages. Each one is a little unique.- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 6:33:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
They are so beautiful. The Pink one made me actually smile!!
Here from Micheles
xoxo- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 7:54:00 PM PDT
-
had this to say:
Exotic and erotic riveting beauty! Are they easy to grow?
- Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 8:21:00 PM PDT
-
had this to say:
lovely orchids
in the Philippines we have a kind of orchid that only grows here. Its called 'waling-waling'.
It grows mostly on the foggy mountainous part of Davao, the biggest City in the world. You can see most of these plants at the top of Mt. Apo, the Phil's highest peak.- Monday, July 16, 2007 at 1:38:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
What a lovely refreshing post Ms. lady and you make me feel so shameful coz it is our national flower yet I know so little :(
Still, I have enjoyed this post very much.- Monday, July 16, 2007 at 6:49:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
I adore orchids!!!
- Monday, July 16, 2007 at 7:15:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
My dear Naomi,
I am here to thank you for visiting the "post of the week." And since I am here I want to thank you once again for this beautiful post. I truly am honoured.
A neighbour who has become a close friend has asked me to say hello to you, let me tell you why....
Anne reads my blog occasionally, and although she never comments she will follow links and bookmark sites she wants to return to. Many months ago she discovered your blog on my blogroll and immediately knew she wanted to return - and she has often. Well, yesterday she popped by and seen this post. Her first thought was that you have a friend who spells her name the same way her friend does. She smiled. She read your post and then followed your link and was very surprised that it directed her to my blog. Mere moments later my phone rings and without even saying hello she declares - "You are friends with a celebrity?!" She informed me that I am very lucky to "know" you. I replied that I was aware of that.
So, Anne says, "Hello!"
Hugs, Michele xo- Monday, July 16, 2007 at 8:01:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Wow! What a gorgeous, breathtaking orchids! All photos are amazing, Naomi! What a lovely homage to Michele!
- Monday, July 16, 2007 at 8:16:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Is it menopause that is making me think orchids are erotic ????
I still thought so when I came back to visit today...
Must be something in the air...
Happy Monday to you, Naomi !- Monday, July 16, 2007 at 9:28:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Wow, just wow. My favorite is the white one with the pink. Such contrast.
We passed by an orchid farm on the way to Santa Barbara this weekend... makes me want to go visit it!
~S :)- Monday, July 16, 2007 at 3:26:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
P.S. Yes, you're right.. it is hard to catch up when you've been away from the blogs!
~S- Monday, July 16, 2007 at 3:26:00 PM PDT
-
had this to say:
Michele is indeed amazing and through her I got to meet a wonderful person, you Naomi.
I love orchids and my grandmother had tons of those in her home and will buy one later for my new place.
Wonderful orchid pictures as well!- Monday, July 16, 2007 at 3:43:00 PM PDT
-
had this to say:
Do you know I have never owned my own orchid as many flowers as I have? I think I am afraid of them. They are magnificant but look so fragile. You have inspired me to go out and get one! Beautiful beautiful shots Naomi!
- Monday, July 16, 2007 at 7:39:00 PM PDT
-
had this to say:
Jesus, Naomi, if Georgia O'Keeffe had seen what you could do with a camera, she would have thrown down her paint brushes. Simply stunning!
- Monday, July 16, 2007 at 7:52:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Your flower posts and pictures are among my favorite posts you do. These orchids are simply breathtaking! It's pictures like these that have made me pick up a camera and try to do the same. Alas, I'm nowhere close, but having so much fun in the attempts. Once I get all my work behind me and back to posting, I'll be having a post of all the flowers of June and July that I've been taking all over MD and DE.
- Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 7:08:00 AM PDT
-
had this to say:
What a wonderful way to greet a friend Michele and I'm glad you met her!
Thanks also for taking us with in the wonderful world of Orchids - these pics are breath taking Naomi!- Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 2:05:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
I have never been that familiar with orchids. They are a very lovely and exotic flower! Quite stunningly beautiful!! Thanks Naomi. I love all your flower posts. I always get to see so many glorious pictures!
- Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 4:49:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
I kinda knew what orchids were ... thanks for the lesson :)
- Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 6:26:00 PM PDT
-
had this to say:
You are most gracious in this tribute...thank you for your visit...I agree it has been much too long...grandbabies, weddings, work all keep me busy these days.
- Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 6:12:00 AM PDT
-
had this to say:
Wow !!!******
Thank you !!!******
You have taken Great care of these Orchids, and you have a real talent with taking picture's of them !!!******
All the Best My Friend !!!******- Sunday, August 5, 2007 at 11:00:00 AM PDT
x4
