Wildflowers

Because it's much more fun than studying for a parasitology final examination, Davis and I decided to take a study break and go for a walk in the woods. No vertebrates today, but it was a nice refresher for the botany class I took last year.

Red trillium (Trillium erectum). This is an interesting flower, because it's pollinated by flies. And to attract them, the flower emits an odour like rotting meat, and I guess the colour of the petals are meant to imitate meat as well. I couldn't smell them so I was just able to enjoy their vibrant beauty!


... and a close-up:


Two white trilliums (Trillium grandiflorum) pose in front of a mossy log. Apparently, you should never pick a trillium... the three green bracts just below the flower contain or produce much of the plant's food stores, so if you pick the flower it can take years for it to recover. I only found this out after picking two flowers last spring, and went home to look up some information about the plant. Boy, did I feel guilty! I don't pick flowers often as a rule because I think they look nicer left where they are, but I don't think I've picked a single flower since.


Fields of trilliums! (trillia?)


Trout lily (Erythronium americanum)


Canadian white violet (Viola canadensis)... I think


A type of bellwort (genus Uvularia)... I'm just not sure what species. Botany was actually my lowest grade, I'm ashamed to admit!


Hobblebush (Viburnum alnifolium). If I recall correctly, the large, outermost flowers are actually sterile... if you look closely, there are no pistils or stamens in them, like in the smaller flowers. Their main purpose is to be showy and attractive, and draw in pollinators to the fertile flowers!


Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)


Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)


Dutchman's breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)... so called because they're supposed to look... well... like a pair of breeches!


Until next time...

My future house: bathroom

Davis and I like to talk about home design and decoration. When we decided to go back to school, one of the options he was mulling over was architecture, and he still loves design software and drawing out floor plans. As for me, I love colour and knick-knacks and change - I can't stand having a homogenous or permanent decoration scheme. I have different ideas for every room and I like to change things up a lot.

We have two different theme ideas for the bathrooms in our future house (we're talking like, 10-15 years down the road). The main or master bathroom will be in Japanese style, and we want to have a big, wooden ofuro bathtub. These are deep baths used more for soaking and relaxing rather than strictly for cleaning - sort of like a hot tub.

These are some of our inspirations:

[Image by Home Portfolio; stainless steel tub by Diamond Spas]


[Image from SILive; bathroom design by Michael Ranson]


[Image from Bornplaydie.com; Sanbare Hotel, Izu, Shizuoka, Japan]


[could not find photo credit - contact me if you know where this is from!]

While the ofuro is mainly Davis's idea, being the Japanese studies major, my contribution to the bathroom design is river pebble floors and open-concept rain showers (the latter of which will probably have to be in the master bathroom as well). I love beachy, water, coastal themes, and I find the pebble floors really attractive... imagine the feel of the cool bumpy stones on your feet on a hot day!


[image by Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn from Coastal Living]


[image from Kitchen & Bath Ideas]


[image from CutieGadget; water tile by Kohler]


[image by Brian Scott; Saman Villas Hotel, Sri Lanka]

I sometimes have recurring dreams about those rain tile shower spouts - but usually they're somewhere inappropriate like in the middle of a large, dim, carpeted room. I'm not sure what this says about my psyche.

A reluctant model

Blue Moon

Thank you to MHaynes for including my bracelet in this awesome celestial treasury! As always I am in great company - I adore that midnight soap - it's scented with sandalwood and jasmine. If I hadn't just put in a soap order I would definitely pick some up.

When I was a teenager, my bedroom was decorated in a moon and stars theme - so this totally brings me back. If you have a minute, check this treasury out and leave a comment!

Morgan Arboretum: Spring

I realized when I got home and uploaded my photos that I'd forgotten to change the ISO setting on my camera - meaning that it was still at 1600 after the nightwalk photos. I was a little disappointed with the resulting graininess in the photos and weird backgrounds - but the photos of the 'floating' chickadee (I think I just caught him bouncing up the to the next branch) and the squirrel with his nut amused me so much I decided to post them anyway. :o)