Japanese Camellias

 

These photos of Japanese Camellias are from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. 

They are early bloomers

– opening from January to March

– so I always check them out when I visit the early blooming cherry trees.

 Not surprisingly, given their looks, they are often referred to as winter roses.

Despite their name, Japanese Camellias are native to China, not Japan, and they can be traced back to the Song Dynasty (960-1274.)

While they may grow in the wild in China, they are happy in many places.

Most notably Verbania, Italy on Lake Maggiore, where they have bloomed for over 200 years, and attract over a million visitors a year.

The Camellias at Brooklyn Botanic Garden are also lake side. 

 But these are in a sidewalk garden on 74^th Street.  And they are fabulous too. 😊

Here are some spring flower blogs…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2012/04/cherry-blossoms.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2013/03/pink-magnolias.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2014/03/white-magnolias.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2014/04/dark-pink-magnolias.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2016/11/crabapples.html

 

Cheers!

PJ

 

© 2024 PJ Lehrer

Embroidery: Empire State Building Butterfly

 

This entry in the butterfly series features a photo of the Empire State Building at sunset. 

It was taken from the roof of a tall building on 43^rd street during NYC’s snowiest winter ever – 1995/96.  It was freezing on the roof at sundown, but I had my long undies on and was fortified with some oyster stew from the nearby Oyster Bar.  😊

The Bird-of-Paradise is from San Diego.

And here is the butterfly drawing.

Here are some links to previous embroideries…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2024/02/embroidery-chinatown-butterfly.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2024/01/embroidery-guggenheim-butterfly.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2011/12/pink-hibiscus.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2012/07/embroidery-chat-eiffel.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2012/07/embroidery-tall-coral.html

Cheers!

PJ

 

© 2024 PJ Lehrer

Ireland 4

Since I didn’t make it to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade this year,

 

I thought I’d post some more photos from Ireland. 

As always, Edward deserves credit for many of our travel photos. 

We decided years ago to share our copyright to make things simpler.

But I still need to highlight this photo of his from Glendalough – it’s a favorite of mine.

It’s hard to believe that it has been 23 years since our visit. 

My memories of the places we visited - like the Rock of Cashel - are so clear.

I wonder how much Ireland has changed.

I imagine that the tourism boom must be taking place in Ireland too.  

I’m sure everyone is having a great time.

Previous Ireland blogs…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2012/03/erin-go-bragh.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2017/03/ireland-2.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2022/07/kilkea-castle.html

Erin go bragh!

PJ

© 20204 PJ Lehrer

Chinese Lunar New Year Parade p2

 

The Lunar New Year is celebrated on the first new moon of the lunar calendar.

In addition to the Chinese, many other cultures use the lunar calendar

 - including Buddhism, Islam and Judaism.

This was the 26^th edition of New York City’s parade,

which is the largest lunar parade outside of Asia. 

 Unless you ask San Francisco.

Apparently, a sighting of a lucky mascot,

i.e. a Dragon, Phoenix, Unicorn or Dragon Turtle will bring luck for the year to come.

 So, I should be all set.

No word on whether looking at photos counts too. 😉

Here’s a link to the previous blog, some other Chinatown blogs, and one from the Met…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2024/03/happy-year-of-dragon.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2023/01/chinatown-5.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2022/10/chinatown-4.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2023/02/kimonos-at-met.html

Happy New Year!

PJ

 

© 2024 PJ Lehrer

Happy Year of the Dragon!

The Chinese New Year began on February 10^th and lasts 15 days.  It is the Year of the Dragon – the luckiest year out of the twelve signs in the Chinese horoscope.

New York City’s parade to celebrate the event was held last Sunday.  A good time was had by all. 

I have been meaning to attend for years since the visuals were bound to be fabulous.  

 But February is a tricky month weather wise and last year I had a cold.

This year however,  the stars were properly aligned. 

I suppose that’s because it’s the year of the dragon 😉

The parade was filled with dragons. 

 I can’t say if there were more than usual this year. 

But I can say that they were very picturesque as hoped.

And the costumes did not disappoint either.

I’ll post a second set of pics next week.

Happy Lunar New Year!

PJ

 

© 2024 PJ Lehrer