Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 10 August 2014

Sunday Selections #184

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files. 

The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.

Like River I usually run with a theme.  This week is a bit of a mish-mash.  Spring is coming.  Too early, but the signs are there.  Things are starting to bloom in the garden - in ones and twos at the moment, but in a week or two the garden will be ablaze.







And a bouquet of chocolates I was given last week.  I thought the presentation was very clever.



And for something completely different, the King Parrots posed for their portraits...first him, and then her.



111 comments:

  1. They are just gorgeous birds....what a treat to have them sit still for a minute.

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    1. Delores: Not only are they gorgeous birds, I am pretty certain they know just how beautiful they are.

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  2. I would love to be in that garden of yours when the riot of blooms occurs! All the more so with the parrots, who have a superbly cheeky look about them. And whoever gave you the chocolates, good on them, lovely presentation, plus, you have some free tissue paper for wrapping things up. I collect wrapping all the time. This is why the house is full of crap hahaha. Beautiful photographs.

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    1. All Consuming: I too collect and save wrapping. And cards. And boxes. Which is part of the reason the ambience of this house is best described as 'cluttered'.

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  3. Your flowers are gorgeous and the parrots are magnificent. Good on you and your trusty camera!

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    1. rhymeswithplague: Thank you. The camera gets a lot of exercise.

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  4. Mmmm....spring flowers. And, yes, nice presentation of chocs.

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    1. dinahmow: And spring is spreading. Day by day. Not even much of a frost this morning.

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  5. It seems like you just finished your hot summer, and here you are already moving into spring. Time flies, just like those gorgeous parrots! :-)

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    1. DJan: It seems that summer is only just over here too. And I don't want it back again. Stuck on spring sounds fine to me. After consuming the best part of an apple the King Parrots flight is fairly lumbering...

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  6. Nice flower shots! They look large.
    A bouquet of chocolates is a good idea. They won't ever wilt.

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: The chocolate bouquet would be a dismal failure in summer. And those blooms would assuredly wilt/melt. If given time...

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  7. those camellias don't look real

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    1. Linda Starr: They are though. And there are more coming out each day. Despite the depreciations caused by vandal birds.

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  8. I'm shocked that you are starting Spring ... surely not! Does that mean my fall is on it's way and then (oh no:( ) Winter? I am in no way ready for another winter, especially since they are saying that it will be as bad, if not worse, than the last one. Use your powers of persuasion, EC and slow this process down please. As for a chocolate bouquet, it won't ever wilt in my house because it would never last that long. It is a good idea except when I am on my Switzerland diet (leaving in two weeks from this Monday ... and am I ready, NO!) So, I always love your parrots. You could put them on every week and I would have nothing but good things to say. Fun post, EC. Hope all is well with you and the SP.

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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    1. Andrea Priebe: Spring is definitely looming. Which means that summer is only a heart beat way. Shudder.
      Good luck in Switzerland. It always looks incredibly beautiful. You will take lots and lots of photos (and share them) won't you?

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  9. I'll bet that bouquet of chocolates didn't last as long as the flowers! ;)

    What a pair of posers the kingies have turned out to be!!! They'll be hiring a manager soon, and might even turn up on the Victoria's Secret catwalk!

    Have a great week ahead, EC. :)

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    1. Lee: I haven't started the chocolates yet. Which is amazing. And yes, the Kings do pose. Beautifully. Frequently.

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  10. It really looks like the parrots did pose. I haven't seen chocolates done like that before. Very clever.

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    1. Andrew: I hadn't seen chocolates presented that way either. And thought is was a great idea.

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  11. My favorite flowers are camellias & birds of paradise--it looks like you have the real birds of paradise there!!

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    1. fishducky: My favourite plant changes with the wind - and the season. The skinny one's uncle has bird of paradise plants (we can't grow them) which try and take over his garden. That poor man. How he suffers. Not.

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  12. Birds, chocolates and flowers pretty much all the good things in life.
    Merle.........

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    1. Merlesworld: And cats (can't forget the cats) and books and....

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  13. Tis still very much winter here, albeit I have seen a few daffodils popping up their heads.

    Even though I don't like chocolate myself, I love the bouquet. What a novel idea. And as for those King Parrots, oh my!

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    1. Wendy: It is a clever presentation isn't it? It is still chilly here (some would say cold) but the garden is definitely saying spring is on the way. And the King Parrots are, at the moment, a daily delight.

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  14. Your pictures have brightened my day as always! thanks........

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    1. mohave rat: I hope the rest of your weekend remains bright.

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  15. Newly bloomed flowers are extra delicate. So beautiful. How nicely the parrots posed. They're anything but camera shy, huh?
    I love the chocolate bouquet. In spite of the clever presentation, those chocolates wouldn't have lasted long in my possession. Yum.

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    1. Myrna R.: This pair have very little shyness. They will both eat from our hands, and are happy to have their photos taken. I hope their offspring (also around) learn from them.
      The bouquet is still intact. Which is surprising.

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  16. Spring is coming - thank you for the lovely reminder (taster?).

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    1. J Cosmo Newbery: It is coming quickly - though today the winds are wintry.

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  17. You can't go wrong with a bouquet of chocolates. A beauty like that one would last longer than regularly packaged chocolates do within my reach. I wouldn't want to mess up the presentation...not too quickly anyway.

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    1. Rawknrobyn: Having taken a photo of the chocolate bouquet and preserved it that way I feel free to dive in.

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  18. Yes, spring is on it's way, slowly... I saw my first daffodil on the edge of the forest yesterday morning.
    Our white double camellia is putting on a show - as are your own delightful beauties.

    Beautifully presented chocolates. What a delightful gift.

    The parrots are charmers - the male is definitely showing off "his best side" for the camera, as he jauntily tilts his head :)

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    1. Vicki: We have a few daffodils out now - and many, many more in bud. I think that soon they will start coming out in a rush. There are only two of our camellias in flower - but many buds.
      And the King Parrots have certainly charmed us. Big time.

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  19. Mistress Mary, quite contrary,
    How does your garden grow?
    With silver bells, and cockle shells,
    And pretty maids all in a row.

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    1. Joanne Noragon: I hope your much deserved holiday was blissful. My contrary self says you can hold the pretty maids in the garden - more silver bells and cockle shells please.

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  20. Yay ~ spring blooms ~ looking forward to those pics in a few weeks with hundreds of bulbs in flower. Portraits or mug shots of those parrots :)

    BTW ~ came across this today in my news feed and thought you might like another author to add to your "stack" hehe

    http://thawinedarksea.blogspot.com.au/2014/08/the-fear-and-gong.html

    Have a great week EC

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    1. Carol in Cairns: You are an evil temptress - and I need no more temptation. And, of course, will go and check out your recommendation.
      There will be photos in plenty.
      And a great week to you too.

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  21. Those king parrots are smiling!
    Love the camellias, yesterday I saw some very lovely yellow ones with ruffled centres and now I wish I'd taken photos. Where I was is so far away, I couldn't possibly get there again on my own.

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    1. River: Ooh, yellow camellias. We have only pinks, reds and whites. And the Kings were definitely smiling - as was I.

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  22. Beautiful early spring flowers, and posing parrots! It's nice to see the euphorbia flowering - it doesn't seem to be a fahionable shrub these days, judging by its absence from gardening centres, but I love its lime-green flowers.

    I have camellias and freesias out, but the daffodils are only just starting to show buds. I look forward to seeing all of your multitude of daffs :)

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    1. Alexia: I love the euphorbia - but have to be ruthless. It multiplies very happily. I like its strappy leaves, its lime-green flowers and its drought resistance.
      And there will be many, many photos as the garden begins to bloom.

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    2. I was out in the gardens here this afternoon, with my camera of course, there are many euphorbias all coming into bloom now.

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  23. A chocolate bouquet! The flowers are gorgeous, as are your pics (as always.) It's nowhere near fall, unfortunately, here - Monday is supposed to be 101. I die now.

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    1. Riot Kitty: 101? I would be inside, skulking, sulking and hissing and spitting. Eeeeuw doesn't begin to cover the way I feel about those temperatures.

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  24. Another delightful mix of garden, birds and chocolates! My jonquils are just about finished but there are many, many other bulbs coming on. As I only planted the last of my freesias last week, I'm hoping they survive summer and flower next year. So much to do and my old knees are not helping, but the garden is such a joy I have to keep on keeping on.

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    1. Carol: The garden is an addiction isn't it? Our jonquils are still coming on, the freesias are up - but nowhere near flowering, tulips ditto. The hyacinths are starting to flower. The liliums are in bud - which they shouldn't be.
      And I can't tell you how relieved I am to hear that someone else bites off more than they can chew, and how sorry I am to hear that your knees are giving you grief.

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  25. Still can't get over how you have wild parrots visit you in your garden. Awesome!

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    1. The Furries of Whisppy: It is a privilege and an honour to see them. And yes, we are awed too - every day.

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  26. Beautiful blooms and parrots in all their glory! May you have a long, dramatic spring filled with gorgeousness...and a very short summer. :)

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    1. River Fairchild: I would certainly raise a glass (or three) of punch to a short summer. Very short.

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  27. I love the pictures as always. Spring flowers are always so special. I just can't get over the colors on those birds. I know I have said that so many times before. But they just facinate me.
    We are very dry here. I am so surprised that the flowers are doing well. But the garden isn't doing as well. I hope we get the rain they are predicting tomorrow. We have been skunked so much lately. (anticipated rain has been going around us). Oh well we will survive. I hope you have a wonderful day. I bet each day brings you new surprises in the garden. All your work putting in all those bulbs is paying off!

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    1. Teresa: We are dry too. Very dry. Rain is forecast - but the weather boffins are strangers to the truth.
      Each walk in the garden reveals something new (particularly new weeds). Voyages of discovery.
      Here's to rain - for both of us.

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  28. Soosie so nice to see spring blooms again...it will be 2 and a half seasons before I see them again. On one of my Sunday posts I will link in.

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    1. Donna@LivingFromHappiness: Spring isn't quite here yet, but she is coming. And I look forward to you linking in with Sunday Selections.

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  29. Lovely parrots. :-) I envy you that bouquet of chocolates!! I love Spring but I love Indian Summer the best.

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    1. Roland D. Yeomans: The chocolate bouquet was an unexpected treat. Spring is good, but you can keep Summer (even an Indian one).

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  30. Another lovely variety in Sunday Selection today. A clever presentation on the chocolates, the birds are always cute and your flowers are gorgeous!

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  31. Beautiful flowers. It's so weird that the seasons are different for different areas of the world. We're nearing the end of summer here in Nashville, Tennessee, so the pretty flowers will soon die, making way for beautiful autumn...my FAVORITE time of the year.

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    1. Stephanie Faris: Autumn is one of my favourite seasons too - and the photos I have seen of your part of the world are just glorious at that time of year. Bliss.

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  32. Apart from the bulbs, I have my daphnes flowering as well as orchids. On the farm it is too dry for camellias and rhodies. Joiks, My roses haven't been pruned yet and spring is bursting out all over although we still have heavy frosts at night.
    So sorry I have been a friend in absentia for so long, hope to be able to repair the fact soon.

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    1. Arija: My orchids are in bud, but won't flower for a while. The daphne died, and I haven't yet replaced it. And I haven't pruned our roses either. Thanks for the reminder.
      You have been busy, and unwell, and are welcome whenever you come by. At your own time.

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  33. Your winter sounds as short as our summer; our nights have gotten much cooler already. I wish (once again) that some of the world's extremes could be evened out.

    Those parrots always look like they are smiling; budgies do that too!

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    1. jenny_o: Winter was very brief this year. Unusually brief. And yes, some global moderation (in rather a lot of things) would be more than welcome.
      Budgies do indeed look like they are smiling. In our of our homes wild budgies used to fly over - flocks of up to a hundred or more. Bliss.

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    2. I would love to see a flock of budgies!

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  34. Nothing a lot to report , but for one dead pigeon today and G Tom has returned after two days abscence chasing the fair sex (am I allowed to say that?) After a feed he has slept for the past ttree hours.
    Still waiting for rain.

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    1. Vest: We are waiting for rain too. Is it time for G Tom to have the snip? It would make him safer - and perhaps more pleasant as well.

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  35. Can I have some of those chocolates, please?
    I try to figure out which of our months your August would correspond to - February? We often have daffodils in February, but then we don't have the typical Northern hemisphere February; our climate is more Mediterranean (and that is a good thing in my eyes). I love your flower picutres - and oh those parrots are just too cute.

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    1. Carola Bartz: Our spring officially starts in September. We often have some early bulbs the month before, but this year have been a bit earlier still.
      The King Parrots are gorgeous aren't they? And the chocolates pretty special too. I still haven't broached them though.

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  36. Blooms, birds and chocolate. Doesn't get much better than that! Seems we will be having an early autumn. The leaves have started changing colour, and the temps go way down at night. I'm happy about the weather, but my 128 tomatoes in the garden are still green .Can you say "fried green tomatoes"!

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    1. Karen: Lots and lots of fried green tomatoes. I have made green tomato chutney when the weather has got the jump on me.
      I am glad that you are getting some relief from the heat though.

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  37. Chocolates flowers and colorful birds! Oh joy!


    ALOHA from Honolulu
    ComfortSpiral
    =^..^= . <3 . >< } } (°>

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  38. You have an excellent taste for flowers. But you know that my absolute favorites are the ones of parrots. They have my dragon heart. :)

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    1. Al Diaz: They are stunners aren't they? And visiting every day at the moment. Joy.

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  39. Those parrots are amazing. I just love them. The first two flowers ... roses? So pretty.

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    1. Carol Kilgore: The first two flowers are camellias. The ones which have survived the depreciations of the amazing parrots (and their family and friends). Sadly, quite a lot of my obsessions would like to destroy/eat other obsessions.

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  40. Lovely pictures! I'd like to receive the candy bouquet for sure too!

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    1. Bookie: It is still too pretty for me to devour. Such a clever idea.

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  41. I've gotten a candy boutique before, too. they are awesome!!

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    1. Tammy Theriault: I had never even heard of a chocolate bouquet before, nor seen one. To be given one was a treat.

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  42. Nothing wrong with a bouquet of flowers :)

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    1. Mark Koopmans: Nothing at all. Or with a bouquet of chocolate. I am more than happy with any bouquet...

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  43. They have the same pose, haha, love it! The flowers are gorgeous, and the bouquets of chocolate are cool. :)

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    1. mail4rosey: The King Parrots KNOW how beautiful they are. And pose for their photo opportunities very happily.

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  44. Those flowers are gorgeous and we await further pics as your garden comes into full bloom. Please tell me what the flowers are in pic #4.
    Those birds are truly magnificent and you are so fortunate to have them pay you constant visits.
    I love the idea of the bouquet of chocolates...I'll tuck that one in my memory for future use. Thanks for the idea.

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    1. Mimsie: The fourth photo is euphorbia. Very, very hardy. Drought resistant. Self seeding. It is hard not to love them.
      I think I will broach that chocolate bouquet tonight. Perhaps.

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  45. Bright splashes of color in your world. Have a wonderful week!

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    1. Terri @ Backward B Ranch: Lots and lots of colour - and blue skies to set it off. Have a wonderful week on your side of the world too.

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  46. The parrots are wonderful! And I'd love to get one of those bouquets. :)

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    1. MorningAJ: Welcome. And the parrots are a daily delight. A greedy, messy daily delight.

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  47. Those King Parrots are absolutely beautiful :)

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    1. Optimistic Existentialist: Aren't they? And they know just how beautiful they are.

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  48. How delightfully colourful and CHEERY!

    I've always wondered, why do fashion people design dark-coloured clothing for winter? Why not use bright colours which are so uplifting?

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    1. Guyana-Gyal: Fashion design is a mystery to me. No comfort, no colour, no practicality far too often.
      And colour is such a gift.

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  49. Pretty birdies! They go perfectly with the pretty flowers :)

    Stopping by from Untethered Realms :)

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    1. Gwen Gardner: They do go well with the blooms. And are camoflagued in the camellia bushes surprisingly well. And destroy the same camellias with apparent glee.

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  50. Stunning birds. OMGGGGosh.
    And the chocolates are displayed beautifully. I LOVE! xxxxx

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    1. My Inner Chick: An amazing gift wasn't it? And yes, to the birds. Stunning every day.

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  51. All beauties! What a nice gift. And the flowers are so delicately beautiful.

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    1. Lynn: I am still really impressed with my bouquet.

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  52. Oh wow! Love the parrots. Are they yours? Super cute!

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    1. Dawn@Lighten Up!: The parrots are their own - but very welcome visitors. Very, very welcome visitors.

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  53. Bouquet of chocolate, now that's something! I think about people giving others flowers, on special occasions. And all I think is dead plants. But a bouquet of chocolate, that makes me crazy. I LOVE chocolate! Did you eat it yet?

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    1. Strayer: So far the chocolate blooms still live. Not for much longer though...

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    2. Slay them, EC, and eat them. Eat them alive!

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  54. Such cleverly presented chocolates - lucky you EC!
    Gorgeous blooms to make anyone smile and oh! my favourite parrot of all. Every single time I see a bloggers photo of a King parrot my heart squeezes, I miss them so much!

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    1. Rose ~ from Oz: I am sorry. I don't mean to yank on your heart strings.

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