Sunday, August 25, 2013

Mandala Monday: Late Bloomers

Early Monday morning, possibly while I'm still sleeping, Dawn at Girl Unwinding will be posting her Mandala to celebrate Mandala Monday.  I'm so in love with this fun event Dawn hosts each week, I wouldn't miss it, even if it meant losing sleep.  

Some of you may recognize my dining room table.  It's far too hot, sticky, and nasty to be outside today.  Add to that, the mosquitoes are out in full force, even though I "lathered up" before I went outside.

 As hard as I tried, I couldn't get a good photo of this mandala.  I am just too short, and standing on a chair is a bit perilous, since the dining room chairs have open cane seats with conventional reed splines.  After 30 attempts, this was the best I could come up with.  I call this one "Late Bloomers," because this is what is blooming in my garden right now.  Most people's Rose of Sharon are no longer blooming, but these are the first blooms I've seen this year.  I think the yellow and green slivers are hollyhocks, but this is as much as they've bloomed so far.  And they are super fragile, too.  The lovely purple pieces under the four outside Roses of Sharon are from a plant that blooms about this time of year.  I have no idea what it's called because a friend who died about a month ago from a horrible car accident that was not her fault, gave it to me.  Those little blue flowers circling the center Rose of Sharon are from a weed that grows uncontrollably in my garden.

This gives you a better view of those tiny blue flowers that only bloom in late summer.

The shiny leaves are from my holly bush, which has never bloomed.

Perhaps this is a better picture of the lavender flowers that I slipped under the Roses of Sharon.

So what did I use to keep the center flower standing?  A napkin ring!!

Don't forget to visit Dawn for other Mandala Monday participants!

11 thoughtful remarks:

Nan G said...

Beautiful mandala today(night). :) off to check out this Monday Mandala you're linking too. Have a super week! Hugs

Helen said...

very pretty! i think the pinky purple flowers are Lavatera also known as Mallow(at least that's what it's called over here)

dawn said...

Happy Monday!! Your mandala is so pretty, I love each flower that's here, such a nice mix.
So funny that I mentioned standing on a chair in my post too. I might need to do more of these on the floor.
I can't imagine missing this either, such a great way to start the week. Time is flying already isn't it.
See you tomorrow for T, the kids head back to school and the house will be quiet and all mine again.

Sorry to hear about your friend's passing. How sad for her to die in an accident. It's nice you have these flowers to remember her by.
Hope the weather will cool down for you soon. HUGS!

Oh and I used the link directions you gave me. It took a few times but I got it, THANK YOU THANK YOU. I need to slow down and not be so clicker happy,lol.

Halle said...

Those flowers are beautiful!! Glad you didn't risk life or limb to get the perfect shot. ;)

Anonymous said...

Our Rose of Sharon tree is ginormous!! and still in full bloom. I love to look out and see those purple flowers all over the tree, like spring time in the heat of summer. You made great use of the full blooms and purple, green and brown are a hard color combo to beat. Very soothing.
Happy Mandala Monday to you Elizabeth!!

Craftymoose Crafts said...

I planted a "wall" of Rose of Sharon along one side of our property. It is just reaching full bloom. Of course, I love the purple flowers best, but the other varieties of pink or white are pretty, too! Beautiful mandala!

Yvonne said...

Looks similar to hibiscus. I wonder if I could grow Rose of Sharon here. I know a little bit north of us they can. Will check into it. Love your mandala this morning. I may try to join this project!

~*~Patty S said...

great idea to perch that pretty Rose of Sharon in the center of your lovely mandala made extra special with your friend's sweet blue flowers included!
Oh and happy to hear you decided NOT to stand on your cane chairs in any form or fashion...
Happy day to you E
oxo

Anonymous said...

Lovely rose of sharon. My mom's favorite....I have not enough sun for them. I am loving these flower mandalas....ephemeral but beautiful. xox

voodoo vixen said...

I am so sorry about your friend E, that must have been a bit of shock to everyone, so sad to lose someone in a car accident like that.
Love the lilac hues of your manadala this week, very pretty indeed!

Stephanie Mealor Corder said...

I LOVE your mandala- what a great way to use Rose of Sharon! It grows much like a weed in my garden, but since it blooms almost all summer, I let many of them stay and just weed the babies. I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things; I don't understand how you manage to keep up with blogging on top of everything you do!