Merry Christmas!

Magnolia seed burr

A warm Merry Christmas to my online friends!  I've been a bit out of commission, but will be back on track soon.  If I haven't stopped by recently, please know that my thoughts are with all of you. 

~ Elizabeth

Magnolia

Magnolia, originally uploaded by Elizabeth Smith.

Magnolia has become a popular landscaping tree here in Southwest Florida, although it has a native range of Central Florida up into North Carolina and Texas. I always think of this tree as representing the “Old South” along with Spanish moss-draped live oaks.

The flowers can be huge!  And the scent - like a slighty lemony peony - is clean and not cloying.  Besides these creamy-white velvety blooms, magnolias also have glossy, thick leaves and a distinctive seed cone. You can see an example of these seed cones, or "burrs" here on this blog, and another one here on my Flickr page.

I’m trying out my calligraphy on this journal entry, inspired by other journal keepers who use words beautifully: Pam Johnson Brickell  and Gay Kraeger. I might add that I was also inspired by the rediscovery of my old Sanford calligraphic pen! I’m a bit out of practice, but it’s surprising how quickly those skills come back.

You can click on the image above to view it larger on my Flickr photostream. Thanks for stopping by, and please visit Pam and Gay for further inspiration!

Magnolia seeds

The magnolia trees are dropping their burrs here in Southwest Florida. I always thought they were called cones, but I read recently that some people call them called burrs.  The name burr sounds more appropriate somehow, even though this one is nearly 4 inches long (not including the stem).  if you'd like to know more about our magnolias, Floridata has a nice page on them.

I haven’t had much time to draw lately, and I miss it. Circumstances in my life have changed for the time being, and the hours in the day are just not long enough. I’m in the process of figuring out how to add more creative and daily sketch time, but so far it’s fallen to the bottom of the list.

It’s an evolving process, and right now my compromise is to work on small things in small chunks of time. Working in a small journal (this one is 5 by 8 inches) seems to be a perfect solution for now.

I won’t be able to read and comment on blogs and images as much in the past, my friends, but please know that when possible I’ll be enjoying them!