GAILLARDIA

Gaillardia, commonly known as the blanket flower, is a genus of vibrant, daisy-like flowering plants known for their hardiness and ability to thrive in hot, dry conditions. They are popular in gardens for their long blooming period and ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme

KEW BOATHOUSE

Historic Studley Park Boathouse, Kew, is only 10 minutes from the city centre and offers visitors the opportunity to dine in the restaurant, relax over a lighter meal in the indoor/outdoor café, or have a light snack from the kiosk while enjoying sweeping views of the Yarra River and natural bushland. You can also hire row boats, canoes and kayaks from the oldest operating boathouse in Australia. Open every day of the year except Christmas Day. Kids love the place as there are activities, animals and wide open spaces to play in.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

and also part of the Roentare’s Water Meme

YULETIDE

Yule or Yuletide ("Yule time" or "Yule season") is a festival observed by the historical Germanic peoples. Scholars have connected with it the Wild Hunt, the god Odin, and the pagan Anglo-Saxon Mōdraniht. It later underwent Christianised reformulation resulting in the term Christmastide. Holly and mistletoe are symbols of Yule.

Terms with an etymological equivalent to Yule are used in the Nordic countries for Christmas with its religious rites, but also for the holidays of this season. Today Yule is also used to a lesser extent in the English-speaking world as a synonym for Christmas. Present-day Christmas customs and traditions such as the Yule log, Yule goat, Yule boar, Yule singing, and others stem from pagan Yule. Today the event is celebrated in Heathenry and some other forms of Modern Paganism.

The image below is a digital mosaic I created with Photoshop.

This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme,
and also part of the Seasons meme.

CHRISTMAS CHEER

A Salvation Army brass ensemble spreading Christmas cheer and collecting some donations for much needed relief this festive season.

Donate here.

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme

LADYBIRD

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

A YEAR OF SKIES

This post is art of the Skywatch Friday meme

LILIES AND ROSES

We are finally having some hot Summer weather in Melbourne and the garden is full of roses and lilies.

Within the garden's peaceful scene

Appeared two lovely foes,

Aspiring to the rank of queen,

The Lily and the Rose.
                                      (William Cowper)

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

AT THE CHURCH

The Holy Trinity Church in Kew

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme

WATERSIDE HOTEL

The Waterside Hotel is a multi-level hospitality venue located at 508 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000. It features a classic pub, a Southeast Asian restaurant, a rooftop bar with city views, and several event spaces. It is situated on the corner of Flinders and King Sts, in the City.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme