Anyone who knows me understands my love of gardens. Each year the growing season brings beauty and wholesome produce into my life. Years ago after back surgery, I began writing to escape pain. Since then I've found many ways to manage it besides writing. Life is all about managing, isn't it? From work...to time with family and friends...to Twitter, Facebook, e-mail and daily life crises. Relaxation is the key for me.
One of my favorite relaxation pastimes is growing, then appreciating our butterfly garden around our patio. If you've ever watched butterflies cavort in the sunshine, you know the beauty of the sight. The season began with dark pink cone flowers attracting butterflies. Next the purple butterfly bush developed full blooms that drew these wondrous creatures. Now zinnias are becoming bushier. There are pink, purple and yellow pompom zinnias as well as regular blooms in all shades of pink, yellow and orange. The fuchsia phlox are also a big hit with these fragile, beautiful creatures.In my romance KIT AND KISSES, KIT not only is a cat mom, but she also likes to garden and has planted a butterfly garden. Little does she know that her garden and the butterflies can create a bond between her and the hero's special needs sister. It might even lead her to happily-ever-after.
Here are a few photos I shot. Photography has also become a hobby because I want to capture the beauty and memories for as long as possible...the butterflies, the flowers, the summer.
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| At night when the butterflies are resting, the patio is lit by my solar butterfly. |
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| Miss Paddington enjoys the butterflies from the living room window. |
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In my romance KIT AND KISSES, my heroine has a butterfly garden that forms a bond between her and the hero's special needs sister!
Now on sale at $.99 for a limited time on Amazon!
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USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 89th novel will be released in 2016.
Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens. And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.
Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens. And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.
Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below.
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©2015 Karen Rose Smith
72 comments:
Absolutely beautiful, Karen! Thank you!
I love the pictures of your gardens.
I love the pictures of your gardens.
Lovely blog! Love the pics.
I love the pictures and I love Butterflies. Every time one lands on me I have good luck :). So beautiful
debbiec1313@yahoo.com
Beautiful pictures! I love butterfly gardens!!
I really enjoyed your post today. I love butterflies and cats. I look forward to reading Kit and Kisses.
Beautiful pictures, Karen! I love the idea of a butterfly garden!
Beautiful butterflies. When my sister's husband passed away 5 years ago from cancer he told her watch for the butterfly. I will visit you always in the form of a butterfly. Well every summer there is one that is always there visiting her it even lands on her finger. She calls it her butterfly Jerry!!Thank you for sharing..
I love the pictures of your garden, so pretty!
I love butterflies ... and photographing them also!
Beautiful garden. I saw my first Monarch this summer after not seeing one for at least 4-5 years. I tend to get more moth visitors.
I love butterfly gardens--they benefit bees, too! And, gardening can be so therapeutic.
Denise
I love the pictures of your flowers and kitties...
I love butterflies.
I love the flowers and the butterflies. I try to grow flowers, but the deer keep eating them. I'm glad you have luck with yours.
ayancey1974(at)gmail(dot)com
I love butterflies. I use a lot of them in the greeting cards that I make.
Thanks for the article about butterflies.
Have a great fall - summer is almost gone.
thanks.
I love butterflies. The pictures are beautiful.
I love the pictures of your garden and your kitties.
me and my daughter go on walks searching for butterflys! She has her little net and is very gentle!
Your garden is so pretty, I love all the flowers. thanks for the pictures.
Penney
A butterfly garden is a great idea. I would love to do one when I get into my new house. It's beautiful.
I love butterflies and your photos are so beautiful!
I've planted many plants to attract butterflies. They are a joy.
I just love butterflies, they are so beautiful
I love all the pictures~ especially the kitties!
I love to watch the butterflies and the hummingbirds
fun pics
butterflies are simply gorgeous and majestic
I love those lazy days of summer when the butterflies flit around the different flowers and partaking of the pollen generated. The beauty of each pattern on their wings is a gift given us by Mother Nature. Thank you for the chance to win your beautiful giveaway. robeader53@yahoo.com
You have an amazing eye for photography. Thank you for sharing these pictures, they're beautiful.
You post such pretty pictures as i see them outside i think of your pictures plus with the cat so cute
My mother and I both have butterfly gardens. I have ordered her special canvas prints this year for Christmas of butterflies as they hold a special place in both our hearts. Each time a close loved one has passed away- we have seen different butterflies that to us let us know that they are still around. With my grandfather, it's Monarch Butterflies, with my aunt- black and orange, my father- black and blue, etc.
Butterflies are special for our entire family. Each time someone has passed away, different butterflies seem to "appear" during the funeral and thereafter we feel it is our loved ones showing us they are still around.
Such beautiful pictures. I love the butterflies. I just bought myself a butterfly coloring book.
Thank you for sharing your life with us. I feel like I'm part of your family!
I'm so happy to see so many people embracing butterfly gardens! Here in Canada I used to see Monarch butterflies by the hundreds, if not thousands, when I was a child, but now I haven't seen a single one in several years. :( The David Suzuki Foundation here is encouraging everyone to grow milkweed in their butterfly gardens to encourage the Monarchs to return and thrive.
I love your pictures, once I get our yard under control I want to get some flowers in to attract butterflies.
I love butterflies, and have a solar butterfly identical to yours.
Love your garden (and cat) pictures. We've left a section of hill pretty wild and the butterflies and bees love us for it lol.
Love your garden. The flowers and butterflies are great.
Love the flowers and butterflies in your garden.
I love that you share your pictures and stories with us. Your garden and the butterflies are beautiful!
Your gardens are so pretty. Butterflies are one of my favorite things about summer!
Of all the flowers I've planted over the years I've found the Purple(Midnight) butterfly bush has attracted the most butterflies in my gardens! I love your gardens and they have given some idea's for next year! Thank you, Karen!
Love the photos!! Gardens and their many creatures are always so amazing.
beautiful but endangered by man's stupidity
Watching the butterflies and the birds does bring a feeling of peace. Your gardens are so beautiful. It must bring you great joy.
Great pictures! I love butterflies and cats, too.
I love such beautiful gardens, especially with butterflies!
charlene
charlene.fraley@yahoo.com
Gardens are so beautiful. My grandmother had a greenhouse and a bridge that went over a creek in her garden. I used to love walking through it when I was a little girl.
Thanks. You have beautiful butterflies and flowers.
My kitties have enjoyed watching the butterflies and hummingbirds through my bedroom window this summer. You posted some beautiful pictures. :)
So lovely and serene! Thank you so much for sharing your little bit of heaven on earth!
Stunning pictures.
My first word was 'butterfly'. Karen, I love your photos. Cats, butterflies and flowers. I have two flower bushes near my mailbox. They attract butterflies and I'm trying to get pics. of my own. It's hard though to tell a butterfly to sit still. Have a great Labor Day weekend.
xo Mel
I've always wanted a butterfly garden. Beautiful pictures.
When I had my first back surgery, a hummingbird made a nest just outside my window. I got to watch her two babies grow up and fly away.
I have always liked butterflies in art works, photos and in person. I recently visited a butterfly exhibit in Scottsdale , AZ where you can walk into a big enclosed area with lots and lots of live butterflies of all kinds. Very enjoyable.
JFWisherd(at)aol(dot)com
Years ago, I worked at a school that planted a butterfly garden to attract them. I took all kinds of classes about butterflies from some Master Gardeners. Now, my allergies and asthma are so bad, I stay inside as much as possible. But I still have that beauty living in my head. They are such a cool insect!
I love butterflies.Thanks for sharing.
I love the butterflies! The pictures are stunning!
Pretty flowers and the butterflies just make it more special. My favorite flower is the rose. So many different kinds and the aroma's are wonderful.
What pretty flowers. My favorite flower is the rose. Such a big variety. Butterlies just make them prettier.
I love pictures of the flowers and butterflies. My favorite flowers are lilies. I downloaded Kit and Kisses (Finding Mr. Right Book 1).
Thank you for your giveaway and a chance to win.
I love butterflies so much but you don't see them as much as you used to
I love butterflies and so glad you included them in your book. The jewelry is so lovely and thank you for the giveaway!
Absolutely beautiful ... I love butterflies. Enjoyed reading your blog, Karen!
This year has brought us many new visitors to our garden & it's all been such a glorious sight!!! Have always been so fascinated by hummingbirds ,butterflies, & dragonflies alike, enjoying their company just relaxing while watching their vibrant colors all around!!! Thanks so much for sharing your stories & animals with us, along with giving us the opportunity to enter your giveaway!!!:)
Very beautiful!
Haven't seen too many butterflies this summer, and i do miss them. your pictures are gorgeous!
thanks for the chance to win some butterflies -- if this winter is a bad as las, i just might wear them in january!
The photos you took are breathtaking!! Gardening is very relaxing, and I miss doing it since moving from a house to an apartment. I've had to settle for knitting and reading instead. I've volunteered to teach a knitting (and crochet) class, which has taken up a lot of my time. I enjoy making items for friends and relatives who have gone through a rough patch in their lives, to let them know I care, and try and boost their spirits. It also makes me feel good, because while I'm working on their item, I relax and forget about my health issues and things happening in my own life.
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