Pressed Flowers from the Holy Land

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I have a weakness for interesting paper items and pressed flowers so when the two come together resistance is futile. I purchased this small pressed flower card for one dollar from a loose collection at my new favourite store in the known universe, Uncommon Objects. I have been there twice already and plan to make at least one more visit before leaving Austin. Uncommon Objects is an unique antique/beautiful junk store in that the items are very carefully displayed by theme and colour just the way I arrange collected junk in my own home. Even if you can’t afford to buy anything it’s worth a visit just to browse and ponder thousands of interesting objects all arranged like a museum but with a designer’s eye for detail.

I found this card among a collection cards representing native flowers and plants collected in Bethlehem and artfully arranged into rather unnatural shapes and designs. The cards do not have any identifying information such as plant names or dates so my assumption is that they are made to function more as souvenirs of the region rather than learning aids. When I went up to the counter to purchase my choice the proprietor pulled out an old and delicate book of pressed flower arrangements with much more sophisticated, ornamental arrangements, but unfortunately the price was “ever-so-slightly” out of my price range.

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Bromeliad (Cuba)

Photo by Gayla Trail

I spotted this bromeliad growing out of a wall. It was so interesting to see them growing outdoors and to observe how they respond to a dry period.

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Davin took a photo of me standing next to the same bromeliad because I have this dumb tourist thing about having my picture taken with plants I like. Some people reserve these sorts of “I was there!” snaps for popular destinations, I on-the-other-hand want to remember the moment I saw my first flowering agave, tree fern, wild-growing orchid, or tillandsia etc.

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Cactus Garden (Santiago de Cuba)

Photo by Gayla Trail

I took this photograph only two months ago in Cuba, which is kind of hard to believe given that it feels more like 2 years ago! I decided to pull this photo up today as a reminder to myself of what it was like to experience sunshine, warm breezes and so much greenery. Thankfully I am going to Austin, TX in a couple of days and am literally counting the hours and minutes until my feet touch the ground without the aid of moon boots and several layers of protective clothing. And to top it off I will be visiting a number of fantastic gardens to photograph for the Green Minds Project. I can’t wait!

More from the Cactus Garden outside Santiago de Cuba: 1 | 2

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Looking to The Chinese Garden (Vancouver)

Photo by Gayla Trail

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Assorted and Sundry for 08/02/28

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