This week the prompt at Illustration Friday is fuel. Coffee is the fuel of choice around here.

My barista-husband buys green beans from Sweet Maria’s and roasts them in the oven. Yum.

About four years ago I bought him a little coffee plant. This year it produced its first berries!  I was told that in five years we’d have enough beans for one cup o’ joe. I can’t wait!

who loves dahlias.

I love Philly. One of my favorite spots there (or anywhere for that matter) is the Magic Garden. Walking through is a jaw-dropping experience….literally.  I saw many people walking around with their mouths open! My first impulse is to say that words cannot describe it. However,  if you click here you will get the full, fascinating story of mosaicist Isaiah Zagar and how he created this wonderland as well as many other murals and community projects in the South Street area.

When I told a friend that I had been to the Magic Garden she replied, “people take pictures there don’t they?” That was certainly my impulse, but I take pictures everywhere. I think with something this complex and awesome you almost have to narrow your field of view from time to time. I recommend that you go and just wander around, take some pictures if you want to, then find a place to sit, put away your camera and immerse yourself in it.

These girls, um… I mean, Men in Black are promoting the fabulous new book; The Atomic Weight of Secrets (Or the Arrival of the Mysterious Men in Black). This novel is the first in a trilogy about a group of young inventors written by dear friend Eden Unger Bowditch. It’s primarily for tweens, but I loved it too. Check out the fun website, then get yourself a copy!

sigh

I visited the dahlias at Cylburn for the first time since the hurricane. There was far less damage than I expected. I spent about an hour setting them straight and tying them back up. I think they’ll be just fine. Whew.

I hope Irene keeps her distance. Stay safe everyone.

The dahlias are happy about the heat. I went to Cylburn today and expected them to be sad and parched, but they looked great! I am ever so grateful to my new dahlia partner, John Krick, for all his help.

A wasp on Queen Ann’s Lace.

Stacks of clay pots always look like big brown crayons to me.

I can’t stop thinking about the Thousand Islands. There are more than a thousand of them. As a matter of fact, they are actually the Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Three Islands.  In order to be counted,  an island must be above water level all year round, have an area greater than 1 square foot and support at least one living tree. I’m especially intrigued by the islands that have just one building on them.  The types of structures vary dramatically, a tiny fishing shack on one,  a glorious castle on another. Some even have little bridges connecting them.

This week the Illustration Friday prompt is a very timely one for me. We have some big decisions to make.  The topic is Stay, but I think I’d like to Go.