Exotic plant 04-13-18

Instead of Friday Feet I am showing a plant that has become increasingly popular in Orange County, CA, in the past ten years or so.  The name I hear the most is "Pencil Cactus", but it isn't really a cactus but rather a succulent.  It is easily propagated by cutting or breaking off a piece and sticking it in the ground.  Soon there is another whole plant growing.  

It is also known as "Sticks on Fire" and the "formal" name is Euphorbia tirucalli and it is native to Africa.

The wonderful thing about it is that growing in the full sun the "sticks" are a beautiful glowing red/orange.  It can be a house plant if kept pinched back or turn into a tall tree.  Some people have a skin reaction to the milky sap of the broken branches. 

More info: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphorbia_tirucalli

Here it is as a multi-trunked tree and also in mid-winter when it doesn't get a lot of sun. This specimen is about 15 feet tall.  On the left is a palm tree trunk. 

Here it is as a small bush, perhaps two feet tall and in full sun all day.

#   #   #

Pelicans at Dana Point Harbor 04-12-18

These pictures were taken by an amateur photographer at Dana Point Harbor.  He has since moved out of the area, but I cherish the outstanding photos he took on his beach walks.  These are brown pelicans which prefer the ocean waters.  Locally in the Anaheim Lakes we have white pelicans who have not yet left for their northern territory, but it is hard to get close enough even for a telephoto image.  Fascinating birds. 

  

#   #   #

Quilts at Surfside Quilter Guild meeting 04-10-18

The Surfside Quilters Guild meeting today in San Clemente, CA, featured speaker Jean Impey who spoke about CREATIVITY.  This is a new presentation she has originated and it was very educational.  She showed a Power Point program detailing many aspects of creating and also shared some of her diverse quilt creations.  

If your guild or women's group is looking for new, innovative speakers check out Jean's website:  www.SewJean.com

Here are a couple of the quilts she shared at our meeting.

A busy village with pink trees.   Jean Impey

Jean Impey   - Detail showing a bird in the window,  Any quilt with a bird is special to me!

Based on "Spider Web"   Jean Impey

We also had some very nice quilts in Show & Tell.  Here are a few:

"Applique Sampler"   Joann Bishop

"Bee Happy"  Janis Toman

"Busy Puzzle"  Donna Matukas

#   #   #

Revisiting a quilt by Ruth Powers 04-08-18

If the robins haven't returned to your area yet, they are on their way.  Harbingers of Spring.   I know there are robins in Southern California, but not in my neighborhood.  Our returning bird is the mockingbird and they have been here for at least two months already.  

This gorgeous pieced quilt by Ruth Powers is currently at Back Porch Fabrics in Pacific Grove as part of the "Birds from the Thomas Contemporary Quilt Collection" exhibit that continues through April 30th.   

"Early Birds" Ruth Powers - Carbondale, KS  2005  49"W x 38"L

Machine pieced and free motion quilted on home machine.  

Cotton fabrics, commercial and hand-dyed.  

I have posted about it twice before.  Check out the following pages:

http://delquilts.blogspot.com/2010/12/quilts-with-bird-images-12-13-10.html

http://delquilts.blogspot.com/2009/09/prize-winning-quilt-by-ruth-powers-09.html

#   #   #