Something's blooming

It seems as though the spring flowers bloom
just a bit later each year.  I was determined to find
something though (and wanted to test a new
wide angle/macro converter lens for my DSLR).
Not a lot going on at the botanic garden, but
I did find this sweet little flower (and a lot of buds).

[To see more Mellow Yellows, visit Gemma's meme.
Also linking back to Macro Monday.]

In Santa Croce

There's a lot to see in the 15th-century Basilica of Santa Croce,
in Florence—including the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo, art by
Canova, Cimabue, and Donatello, and frescoes by Giotto.
My favorite spot in this vast church is the sacristy, where the frescoed
chapel and gilded altar are seen through an ornate iron gate. 

To see more churches from
around the world, visit
inSPIREd Sunday.

I know which one I want ...

You're in Paris and you've stopped at
a little sidewalk café for some
people-watching and a sip of something.
What'll it be: café or rosé?

[To see more of The Weekend in Black and White, go here.
I'm also linking this (subtle) Weekend Reflection back to James's meme.]

Skywatch Friday

This is only the second Skywatch Friday post
I've put up since January 24!  But finally
it's light when I leave work and (mostly) warm
enough to enjoy a dramatic sky set off by 
the cables of the Brooklyn Bridge.

[To see more Skywatch Friday posts, go here.]

Thursday Challenge—"communication"

At the rue Mouffetard market, in Paris:
I saw these dogs' humans greet each other
warmly, then stop for a little chat.  Looks like
their pups were happy to see each other too.

[To see more of the Thursday Photo Challenge, visit Dale's meme.]

ABC Wednesday—K is for "knock, knock"

Who's there?
Paris.
Paris who?
Paris the thought . . . 

 . . . that if someone decides to
fix up this beautiful old door in
the Marais they would ever paint over
that gorgeous filigree.  (Believe it
or not, I've seen it done plenty of times.)

[To see more ABC posts, go here.]

Buon Compleanno, Venezia

Happy 1,593rd (!) Birthday to Venice.
Took this shot of San Giorgio Maggiore
(island and church) from the campanile in
Piazza San Marco.  I'm hoping that one
of  these days, I can take the boat over there
 and climb up in that campanile to
capture the opposite view.

[To see more Ruby Tuesday posts, go here.
For more of Our World, go here.]