celebration of orange...

Colors of Orange...

fall brings not only cooler weather but evokes a sense of color as well. one of those is the many shades of orange. so i thought i'd take some time to pay homage to this beautiful color, from amber to rust to pumpkin and many in between...

sunrises...

pumpkins...

flowers...

scarecrow...

changing leaves...

sunsets...

landscape architectural beauty...

North Casey Key Residence

winner of an FNGLA landscape award in its category and runner up for best in show for landscape architecture excellence.
landscape architect: Michael A. Gilkey, Jr.
photos were displayed at the FNGLA trade show and awards banquet in Orlando (Sept 2008).
(photos taken July 2008)

framed bay views...

backyard view from pool deck...

hidden pathways...

beautification of a drain field...

light in motion...

Light in Motion...
i always find these photos fun... when a streak of light becomes something interesting and even beautiful.

see if you can guess what created the light from the following photos...

ANSWERS:
1. moon in the palms
2. twirling sparkler
3. the bug's speedometer
4. a wiggle of halloween lights
5. my nephew's pumpkin flashlight
6. the gator bus on the move

inspiration: my sunflower garden

the life of a sunflower garden...

the seeds were planted in june... and through the summer they grew. closer and closer to the sky they got... and by august the sunflowers were bursting forth and the garden became a home to many little frogs and other things... then september arrived and with it brought the decline of my lovely garden... after harvesting some of the seeds for next summer i didn't have the heart to tear it down, due in part to all of the little creatures that had taken up residence in the fading flowers (i actually considered moving them in what i called operation frog relocation)... but soon the cool winds of october did what i could not and all of the little residents relocated to a warmer home.

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

good times...

fabulous friends, fine food, and a
wonderful wedding...


one of my oldest and dearest friends got married in charleston, south carolina last week... and what a beautiful bride she was! so full of happiness and light.

i was fortunate enough to not only attend the wedding but be a bridesmaid as well.



my gift to them was the wedding cake (an amaretto buttercream, pictured left) and the grooms cake (a chocolate velvet with butter pecan cream cheese frosting).

it was an awesome time that i won't soon forget. i met such lovely people and shared such a special event with a friend that is like family.

and isn't that what weddings should be like? :)

FFOM: Fall Fest

1st ANNUAL FALL FEST
October 4th, 2008 :: Rosemary Court
in celebration of:
national midwifery week

all proceeds to benefit:
Florida Friends of Midwives

homemade bake sale... yummy!all the kids loved the bounce house!some of the dads help w/the rummage saleeveryone had fun w/the body paintingsa pregnant belly paintingenjoying the bounce houseradio-free carmela & friendsmother :: midwife :: doula

event photography donated by:
~*~ Strawberry Moon ~*~

Florida Friends of Midwives:
support mothers. support babies. support midwives.

best in show...

Casa Carnevale...

winner of the FNGLA best in show for landscape architecture excellence.
landscape architect: Michael A. Gilkey, Jr.
photos were displayed at the FNGLA trade show and awards banquet in Orlando (Sept 2008).
(photos taken July 2008)

detail shots: travelers palm (above) and bromeliad (below)

the pool framed by phoenix palms looking out towards the bay...

lush and inviting side entrance...