Friday, June 27, 2008

Surreal Magnolias

Today's Wonder of the World is...the Magnolia Tree and It's Sweet Smelling Flower!


Aren't magnolias amazing? We have tons of them around Greenville and Greer, and they're all in bloom right now! The picture above was taken outside my church, while tons of people were walking by and my son was closing his eyes and saying, "Mom, please..."

I've discovered that to make him stop, I just have to turn the camera at him.

Ha. Caught you Sam.
And yes, I let my son wear Crocs to church. Rubber shoes, no socks. I've done worse.
Back to magnolias...
There were so many pretty blossoms

Even when they're a little misshapen they're beautiful.

I love the cones/pods/fruit best. (I'm not sure what you call them so I'll cover all bases.)
To me, they look like a Dr. Seuss character with those crazy curls!

(That's a public flickr shot. Thanks, flickr.)
Can't you see it? Maybe my photo paintbrush can help you see what I'm thinking.
See?

Hey! That was fun! I've discovered a whole new way to procrastinate!
This could be dangerous.

But I will not go off on a Dr. Seuss tangent. Let's stay with magnolias, shall we?
I love their delicate petals. When I was little I used to press my fingernails into them and make little brown arcs, where I had wounded the petals. I sound like an angry child. But I wasn't.

When I worked at a preschool a couple of years ago, the children would collect the pods and the leaves on the playground. They'd turn the waxy green leaves over to their brown leathery sides, and use them for pretend dinner plates. The boys turned the pods into grenades. A few did, anyway.

In the fall, the pods look like victims of a horror movie.

But I think they're beautiful then too. (Thanks again flickr and southernbornandbredgirl!)
What? Did someone say something?
Oh, it's Miss Magnolia Podhead, and she's saying something to you...

"Just don't think about the horror movie thing, my dear. Think of those blood red seeds as fruit, not as my brains oozing out of my head because aliens shot me up with a gamma ray."

Anyway, back to Magnolias (and out of striking distance from my bizarre imagination...I think the heat must be getting to me!)

I'm not the only one inspired by magnolia trees. Look what I found!
Where else? ETSY!
Remember the Etsy post, HERE?

I saw these cute little baby booties at Joujoux's shop. HERE!
Those things are so cute that if somebody out there doesn't buy them up quick, I might just have to buy them myself! And I don't have a baby to put them on!

So hurry! Because my bored nine year old has taken to dressing our dog, and I'm thinking that those shoes might just fit.

Tanner says, "Don't buy the shoes. Those magnolias look yummy!"

Take care friends!
Have a Wonder-full Friday and come on back tomorrow for the Mad Tea Party!
Love, Becky

15 comments:

Barb said...

I wish we had Magnolias here in way too hot Az. Love the pictures, love your little creation.

I think Tanner would look quite dashing in those little shoes. Actually, I may need to get those for my youngest granddaughter!

hugs,
Barb

Unknown said...

The magnolias are lovely. I LOVE the Dr. Seuss-head thingy...THAT was hilarious!

Cindy said...

Love Magnolias. It's absolutely one of my favorite scents. And love those baby magnolia shoes. Heck, I would love a size for me!!! : D

c

Cathy ~ Tadpoles and Teacups said...

We had a Magnolia tree when I was growing up. It was one of my favorite hang-outs.
C

Rosemary said...

Wow Becky,
I love those. We have them here, but yours are much prettier and larger. By the way, I made my husband watch that musical in the mall last night. He thought it was great!!! The looks on those faces!!
Have a great weekend!
Rosemary

Susie Q said...

Oh how I always loved magnolias. Such gorgeous blossoms. Now, that Dr. Seuss Blossom lady is just to perfect!

Oohh..gorgeous booties! I wish they came in adult sizes!

Tanner is so sweet. Smooches to him.

Guess what I am reading??
It was written by someone named Rebecca something or other. Maybe you have heard of her??

I LOVE the book!

Love,
Sue

Susan Sandmore said...

Ah, the many uses for a magnolia tree and it's droppings. Don't get me started! Best thing about magnolias--they're easy to climb. Best thing about climbing a magnolia? Instant Southern Novel material.

"Where's Lil' Lurleen, Ma?"
"Shoot, you know every time them hogs get loose she's up the magnolia quicker 'n y'all can say 'boo.'"
"Well, I swanee if you ain't right."

Rebecca Ramsey said...

Hi Barb! He might look marvelous for a split second, but the shoes wouldn't after he was finished with them!

Hey t-chic! And Cindy. And I second you on the shoes my size!

Cathy, Magnolias are a wonderful place to hang out. It is really cool under there.

Hi Rosemary. Glad he liked it!
SusieQ, I'm glad you're enjoying it!

Susan you are right on the money. The only bad thing about having those trees on the playground was that they were so easy to climb! Very tempting to the little guys.
And I am in awe of that dialogue. So funny!

May Vanderbilt said...

You crack me up! That Dr. Seuss thing is just genius.

I too love Magnolias. In fact all the hipsters in San Francisco are naming their baby girls Magnolia. How about that?

StitchinByTheLake said...

We used Magnolia leaves in the window sills of our church (with a candle in the middle) for my daughter's wedding. They last a long time and are just beautiful to decorate with. Enjoyed the post. Blessings, marlene

Siddhartha said...

Lovely flowers, and your dog looks cute with the dresses.

Sherry said...

The scent of magnolias is one of my favourites -- and the flowers are so beautiful...even when the curly bits look like a Dr. Seuss-ian (that was excellent by the way -- I could see it when you said it but when you added the photoshop creation you could really tell!). The baby shoes with the magnolias are adorable...oh to have had a little girl or a little granddaughter -- maybe I'll have the latter someday!

Rosie's Whimsy said...

I must rush right over to that Etsy shop! I have a baby girl granddaughter being born in 16 days!!

paris parfait said...

Love all the Magnolias - especially the ones on the shoes! :)

Life on the Edge said...

I don't know if I've ever seen a magnolia tree. Had no idea that you could make weird brown pod things from it!

Love that Dr. Seuss head! Too funny!

Kady