Each year my city celebrates Spring with a month long flower festival - Floriade. A park close to the centre of the city is taken over with spring blooms (and a multitude of temporary stores). It is free to enter which is undoubtedly the reason that so many enticements to spend, spend, and spend some more are part of it.
There is food and drink for sale, ranging from fast to restaurant quality food. You can buy jewellery, clothing, soap, curry pastes, ornaments, skin care and more. There is even a store where garden implements are sold. I have almost total sales resistance except where books or plants are concerned. Floriade is a low cost entertainment for us. We pay for a trip on the Ferris Wheel I featured in my last post, and I pick up some fridge magnets.
We went early this year, and there are still things yet to come out. Just the same there was a lot of colour and scent.
As I so often say, come wander with me.
These fat cats are ring holders.
Balloons.
Cormorants who were entirely unphased by the activity.
Each year, students from our Institute of Technology make gowns from floral material to display at Floriade. I suspect they would be itchy, heavy and essentially unwearable, but I enjoy seeing them.
As usual, I bought some fridge magnets and a couple of bookmarks, which I am happy to post to anyone who would like one. First in, best dressed.
Tulip Top Gardens next - and as usual, it did leave Floriade in the dust.
There is food and drink for sale, ranging from fast to restaurant quality food. You can buy jewellery, clothing, soap, curry pastes, ornaments, skin care and more. There is even a store where garden implements are sold. I have almost total sales resistance except where books or plants are concerned. Floriade is a low cost entertainment for us. We pay for a trip on the Ferris Wheel I featured in my last post, and I pick up some fridge magnets.
We went early this year, and there are still things yet to come out. Just the same there was a lot of colour and scent.
As I so often say, come wander with me.
These fat cats are ring holders.
Cormorants who were entirely unphased by the activity.
As usual, I bought some fridge magnets and a couple of bookmarks, which I am happy to post to anyone who would like one. First in, best dressed.
Tulip Top Gardens next - and as usual, it did leave Floriade in the dust.
I see the Pansy Dalek lives on!
ReplyDeleteLove to see the fashion from the field and some of the quirky things. But I think TT is more likely to push my buttons
dinahmow: The pansy Dalek has changed, but I was glad to see it again. TT most definitely was our favourite. By a long way.
DeleteI am sure it is a fine event to visit despite the inducement to buy stuff, and as you say you can be stern with yourself and keep your money in your pocket. As for the bookmarks, I don't wish to be greedy, having already received two from you, but if no one else claims them................
ReplyDeleteDavid Gascoigne: If no-one has claimed the bookmarks by say Sunday I will happily add to your collection. It is a nice event, but I think it would be improved with less emphasis on consuming (which is my personal prejudices speaking).
DeleteIt is impossible to pick just one flower as a favorite. Each flower show, every spring always makes me smile.
ReplyDeleteThe 4th flower down--the white-- is the most engrossing for me.
Just like my corellas.
Susan Kane: I really liked the Bellis Perennis too. At our excursion to Tulip Top Gardens I picked up some red and some pink ones - which the vandal birds attacked before they even went in the ground.
DeleteHow wonderful to have spring in the fall! Thank you dear
ReplyDeleteCloudia: In a few months I will be revelling in winter from your side of the world.
DeleteSo wonderful to see these gorgeous spring flowers as we begin to enter fall colors. I love your sweet pictures! ;-)
ReplyDeleteDJan: Thank you. Autumnal colours are very special too.
DeleteYou have 'stingless' bees?! Wow. Also 1500 bee species is nothing to sneeze at!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the 'wander', EC!
Bea: We do, and I suspect most people don't even recognise them as bees.
DeleteLooks like a lot of fun. I like seeing blooming flowers. I could end up buying a lot useless things there, I don't have the resistance you have.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day
lissa: I am trying hard not to add to the collection of things at home. Books and plants are my downfall.
DeleteFunky balloons.
ReplyDeleteQuite the display of new flowers.
Now, you're going to have to post some of those interesting facts about Australian bees.
Alex J. Cavanaugh: Our native bees are special - and under threat.
DeleteBy your photos, Floriade looks better this year. I really like the mass planting of poppies.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: Floriade has fallen a long way from its heyday I think. Each year there are less flowers and more stalls - most unrelated to gardening in any way. It continues to be popular though.
DeleteI have pretty good sales resistance also, but I'm not sure I could have left all those fat cat ring-holders behind!
ReplyDeleteInteresting about the bees. I was just reading an article on a study that showed the honeybee is not as good a pollinator as the wild or native bees, and they are posing a threat to wild bees because they gather so much pollen, especially with the increase in hive-keeping. It makes me look at our non-honeybees in a much different light.
Beautiful flowers! I love the field of yellow and orange poppies. I think they are poppies? You have put your closeup lens to good use in some of these shots, too.
Thanks for sharing, EC. And I am still enjoying the Floriade magnet you sent me a couple of years ago, so I will step back and let someone else enjoy the beauty of one of your purchases.
jenny_o: I would be happy to add to your magnet collection, and so far there is little interest.
DeleteOur native bees are not well known, and reduced habitat is having its usual dire effect. I hadn't thought about the impact of 'farmed' bees, but I am sure it does impact on them. Sigh.
The poppies were a highlight.
I love the flower photos, EC. How I miss spring. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteMarie Smith: I hope your autumn is beautiful and your winter gentle.
DeleteSuch beautiful photographs, how I would like to visit your country. I especially admired the clever floral arrangements the students created.
ReplyDeletelostinimaginaryworld: Thank you. Those costumes required considerable ingenuity and skill didn't they?
DeleteI love the two bottom left fridge magnets, either one of those would be welcome, if they aren't already asked for.
ReplyDeleteLove the cormorants being unfazed.
The beds full of orange and yellow are like rivers of sunshine :)
River: No-one has asked for them, so I will very happily send you one.
DeleteLove the rivers of sunshine description.
And today I was planning my spring flowers--for next year!
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: What are you planning? I am already considering new additions for next year.
DeleteSo very pretty. One time i saw a flower show and this is better.
ReplyDeletemessymimi: Wait until I show you Tulip Top Gardens.
DeleteThank you for the wander, I did enjoy it. I was in NYC one year and they had gowns made of evergreen on display during the holidays. They were truly amazing and smelled great.
ReplyDeleteTruedessa: An evergreen gown WOULD smell amazing. I would love to see that.
DeleteThese are lovely photos and what a beautiful day you had for this event! I love the magnets and the cat ring holders made me chuckle. How is your cat?
ReplyDeletee: We were really lucky with the weather. The next day winter returned, with icy winds. Over the weekend we had some rain as well - which while welcome would have dampened the viewers spirits. Jazz is mostly doing MUCH better - which is wonderful.
DeleteSo many wonderful things to see--- the flowers, the fat cats, I like them all.
ReplyDeleteBill: There was a lot to see - and to smell.
DeleteBeautiful! And I love the fat cats. I want one.
ReplyDeleteOlga Godim: Those fat cats had charm didn't they?
DeleteI could wander in the gardens with you for hours. Loved the cats:)
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: Except for NightFest (held over some weekends) the event is free, and it is certainly family friendly. We go each and every year and do wander for hours. It was better some years ago, but still has beauty.
DeleteWhat a beautiful event, so full of colors! I would love to have a walk there, so pretty☺
ReplyDeletenatalia20041989: It is a beautiful location too, and is a delight the whole year round.
DeleteSounds like such a fun event. It would be somewhere I'd have fun going.
ReplyDeleteNatalie Aguirre: You would not be alone. It attracts tourists in droves, and is a must-see for many locals. Us included.
DeleteThis is an envy-worthy post. Without much rain, the flowers here look a little sad.
ReplyDeleteI love the bench with floral arbor and the dress the students made. Of course I had to make the beehive pic larger so i could read the facts.
Thank you.
Rick Watson: I was fascinated with the native bees too - and need to find out more. They were very busy around the display too.
DeleteOh I love those fat cat ring holders. Some of those flower beds are spectacular in color. Cormorants seem unphased by much of what humans do. Our Fish and Game in Oregon went after them with glee up near the Columbia's mouth, killing hundreds upon hundreds, oiling their nests and shooting them in the air from boats. Now they've moved to avoid the murderous fish and game folk to piers and docks, eliciting complaints but what are they to do? Our fish and game is best at killing things, then later when the consequences aren't good, side stepping blame. They're awful.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: To the best of my knowledge our cormorants are left alone (probably because there is no commercial fishing on the lake). If there was, someone would undoubtedly step in, to the cormorants detriment.
DeleteBeautiful! The bulbs I ordered to plant in my front and side yards are on the way. I hope that I will have my own Floriade 2020 in the spring!
ReplyDeleteCindi Summerlin: Good luck. I am looking forward to seeing photos in the fullness of time.
DeleteHi EC - glad to note Jazz is doing better - long may it last. Floriade does well - it must take a lot of organising, planning and then planting etc ... I guess more cash comes in from the stalls etc -and perhaps more people come if they can get fed as well. It does look as though in a few days it'll be fuller of colour ... but thanks for sharing ... love the views - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: Floriade has been free for most of its history (and loud complaints meant that charging entry fees didn't last). I can understand the food, the snacks, the drinks but I do think that the clothing, furniture, jewellery link is a bit of a stretch.
DeleteWhat an amazing amount of work to set up. No wonder it lasts a month! Glorious.
ReplyDeleteJacqui Murray: Welcome and thank you. There is a heap of work involved in setting it up, maintaining it, and indeed in restoring the park when the festival is ove.
DeleteSuch great photos and very colorful.
ReplyDeleteJamie Ghione: Thank you.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteI really liked the poppies - were they Iceland poppies? (I would have to have bought a fat cat ring holder, even if I didn't need one! Although, looking at them, if I wanted one, I could make a needle felted version perhaps?! There's a project for a rainy day...)
Thank you for taking us along. I look forward to the Tulip Top photos.
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: I would LOVE to see a felted fat cat ring holder. If you do make them, please, please post photos.
Deleteahhh spring. Lovely colors. We've hit our dry season...the taps just TURNED OFF from one week to another...so it's browning up here
ReplyDeleteAuthor R. Mac Wheeler: Floriade is watered from the lake. Without that, it would be a very sad display. My city, like too much of the country, is in a vicious drought.
DeleteSuch lovely flowers and wonderful colors. Lucky you heading into spring,
ReplyDeleteRasmaSandra: Spring is lovely. Sadly her ugly sister Summer is hot on her heels.
DeleteSuch beautiful flowers. Can't wait to see the tulips.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: I hope you will like them as much as we did.
DeleteAdore the fat cats! So many beautiful flowers all around. You have the most wonderful excursions. :)
ReplyDeleteRiver Fairchild: Thank you. We are very lucky to have so many mini excursions within reach. And watch this space for Tulip Top Gardens which is always a treat for both of us.
DeleteBeauty personified in so many ways.
ReplyDeletePresently, I have Mum and Dad McDuck and their 12 little ducklings wandering daily up and down the yard out from my cabin, grazing as they go. I've got my fingers crossed no predatory creators attack the little McDucks.
Lee: That is quite a family and a fine tribute to the duck's parenting skills. I hope that their diligence continues to pay off.
DeleteHello Sue. What a wonderful time you must have had. So enjoyed the pictures of the flowers, the dinky little gifts, the fashion...all beautiful. I'll have to plan a trip to coincide with Floriade one year.
ReplyDeleteDenise Covey: If you do make it down for Floriade, please let me know - and reserve some time to go to Tulip Top Gardens.
DeleteWandering around in the midst of all those flowers would be enough to lift anyone's spirits. I really like those floral gowns, too. (MUCH prettier than Lady Gaga's meat dress. :) )
ReplyDeleteSusan: You are so right. I had forgotten about the meat dress and would MUCH rather wear (or even be close to) these beauties.
DeleteOh what a wonderful festival!!
ReplyDeleteSo many beautiful flowers...and those floral dresses are sensational...oh WOW!!
Really wish I were there...😊😊
Do hope all is good with you, my dear friend.
Sending you much love and hugs ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Ygraine: I wish you could be here too. I hope you are doing better, and have no more medical appointments this week. Hugs.
DeleteI love that pic of the flowers and the water and the boat. Perfect.
ReplyDeleteI envy you the festival. I would cherish Spring in Ireland, flowers everywhere. Not so much on this rock I live on :)
XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: Celebrating spring this way was a stroke of genius (one of the few) by our local government. It has been running for well over twenty years now.
DeleteDear EC, I read this posting on Floriaid 2019 as well as the one before. Once again, I'm aware of some of the differences between where you sojourn and where i do. Of course, now that I don't drive, I don't get to see the cultural events here in the metropolitan area of Kansas City. At the Union Depot, which is now a museum, they have a Stonehenge exhibit with all sorts of artifacts and explanations for how it was built and what the culture was like at the time. But I have to miss things like this because I don't really know anyone who enjoys such things. That's one of the reasons I miss driving (I could go by myself) and also miss Minnesota. But the bottom line is that I have come to appreciate Missouri. I began to look for the good here and I found it. Peace.
ReplyDeleteDee: I am so very glad that you are finding good (and beauty) in Missourri. I am a firm believer that beauty pops up everywhere to reward those with open eyes, hearts and mind. Hugs - and peace too.
DeleteDon't you love that circular-floral bench?
ReplyDeleteHope today is a great day for you and Jazzman and that your stomach is behaving.
Sandra Cox: I suspect that there were many selfies of people on that bench. Memories to treasure. The Jazzman is asleep beside me, and has had a good few days. My tummy is also better than it was. Most of the time.
DeleteNow I'm imagining sitting on that bench, wearing one of those dresses and it all being beautifully uncomfortable. When you're there EC do you notices the fragrances too? I'm wondering mainly about the flowers but I guess the candles etc would make a difference
ReplyDeleteKim: I do notice the scents. In other years they have had beds of hyacinths, but not this year. The smell of fast food is strong, and drowns out the flowers in some areas. It is still (mostly) lovely though. I can just see sitting on that bench, and admiring the birds on the lake.
DeleteI haven't even thought of hyacinths for years. As a child I remember growing one in a jar of water, I'll have to look that up - I think it'd be a good present for some lovely littlies in my life
DeleteKim: Hyacinths grow happily sitting on a bed of gravel too. Growing things is a lovely gift.
Deletelaurie: It is truly delightful - and less than half an hour from home.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flowers, and the catz, dig 'em.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: Thank you, particularly because I suspect you are not fond of cats.
DeleteOh, the glory of the flower.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Janie Junebug: In profusion they look truly amazing, don't they?
DeleteEven a single rose in my backyard is truly amazing to me.
DeleteJanie Junebug: I have just been pruning roses and hope to get more than a single rose - but will be grateful for any I get.
DeleteBeautiful flower shots--especially that white flower. I've never managed to get that much clarity in a picture of a white flower.
ReplyDeleteEllen Hawley: Welcome and thank you. White flowers and birds are challenging aren't they - the colour just blows out so often.
DeleteWOW and then some. What are those first 2 pictures? LOVE those flowers but am not familiar with them. Agree on the clothing thing, but they sure are artistic. The fat cat ring holder is adorable. I think one of those might have made a new home with me. Thanks for the visit. Have a fabulous wkend.
ReplyDeleteSandy: The first blooms are a poppy and a tulip, taken looking down into the blooms. I resisted the ring holders, but can see that if I had bloggers to keep me company their stocks would have been reduced. I hope your weekend is wonderful too.
DeleteI love all the flowers.
ReplyDeleteMary Kirkland: So do we.
DeleteI came back here to read your comment but it looks like my comment got lost in cyber space. I probably forgot to click "Send" It was right after jenny_o's comment.
ReplyDeleteSorry about that. I love the post and and thank you for sharing the gorgeous flowers with us. I wanted to know how you cat was doing. I hope he is eating well enough.
Hugs, Julia
Julia: Thank you for coming back - and a big sigh at blogger for swallowing your comment. Jazz is doing better on the whole, and mostly eating quite well. As cats do, he isn't letting me get complacent though. He will eat well for a day or so, and then stop again. When he stops eating he also stops drinking.
DeleteWhat beautiful photos! Like you, I can resist almost any buying opportunity except those involving books or plants; although I would have been tempted by the 'fat cats'. Even though we don't have cats of our own anymore, I'm still a lover of all feline critters.
ReplyDeleteDiane Henders: Books and plants are my downfall often enough so that I feel not pride in my sales resistance in other areas.
DeleteI don't have any languishing photos in my files to offer. But I would like to participate in the creative writing challenge that I read about at Drifting Through Life. I did post a poem about the challenge and River commented that you would be supplying the prompt for October. Not exactly sure how it works. (slow learner)
ReplyDeleteI can't even figure out how to get a few followers. lol I read in your profile that you have reinvented yourself. Maybe that is the secret!! You have a great blog.
nothoughtsnoprayersnonothing: Welcome and thank you (and I love your monnicker).
DeleteI am indeed providing the prompts for the next couple of months, after which they will move on (though I will let you know where to find them). I am looking forward to seeing what you do with this weeks challenge.
Those big fat cat ring holders are irresistable. I probably would have bought one or two, even though I have become much better in my shopping habit. Those cockatoos! They are truly a handful for destroying half of the plants before you even put them in the ground. I loved this trip to Floriade again.
ReplyDeleteI already have two magnets, and I know I'm late, but if no one else has shown any interest in them I would be delighted to receive one. They sit so well on my fridge.
Carola Bartz: I am happy to add to your collection, and will post it in the next day or so.
DeleteMuch as I liked the fat cats I wasn't tempted to bring one home which, judging by the comments here, puts me in the minority.
Oh my gosh, you've gifted us with your bounty of beauty and then you brought back some fond memories of an event we had here a couple years ago. The mannequins dressed with natures gifts! These are just as magical for me!
ReplyDelete21 Wits: Thank you so much. I am a beauty addict and am very grateful to find bucket loads of it - and more than happy to share.
Delete❤️
ReplyDeleteR's Rue: Thank you.
DeleteSimply fabulous.
ReplyDeleteLovely collection of photographs.
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you so much. I hope your October is joyous.
DeleteYou go to such beautiful areas EC!! Truly amazing!! I want one of those fat cats! LOL! the outfits are wonderful!! I'll have a magnet or bookmark, if there is any left. Big Hugs and I hope you are well!
ReplyDeleteMagic Love Crow: There is one magnet left, and I will happily post it to you in the next day or so.
DeleteMi piace vedere i vecchi post, Ho visto tante fotografie meravigliose, stupendi fiori con bellessimi colori.
ReplyDeleteBuona giornata.
Giancarlo: Thank you. I really enjoy these flower festivals each and every year. I hope your day is delightful.
Delete