desert (not so) solitaire.

January 29, 2013

nybg - desert nybg - desert nybg - desert nybg - desert nybg - desert nybg - desert It’s the colors I like best. All those aquas and pinks and purples. I’ve never thought of myself as a pinks and purples girl, but one look at these desert colors and I’m feeling a change of heart. Two weeks ago I boarded the 4 train and rode an hour northward to the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx. The trip didn’t include a rucksack or stargazing or encounters with wild animals (unless you count the small humans in strollers). I didn’t become the wizened desert woman of my dreams, but having even a small bit of time with some of these desert ladies was enough to shake some winter blues and encourage me to at least entertain the thought of saving for a plane ticket to see the real thing.

ps. More about my visit to the gardens coming up on Gardenista.
pps. If you haven’t read Desert Solitaire, you might consider it. Top 20 favorite books of all time.

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22 Comments

  • Reply tinajo January 29, 2013 at 2:09 pm

    Truly lovely colors and beautiful pics!

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  • Reply Erin January 29, 2013 at 2:30 pm

    It's one of my favorite books, too.

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  • Reply Clare January 29, 2013 at 2:30 pm

    I'll be making the trek from DC to NYC yet again this weekend,and I may have to add the Botanical Gardens to my list! Those cacti look lovely

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  • Reply Caroline January 29, 2013 at 2:31 pm

    I love dessert solitaire.

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  • Reply sweet harvest moon January 29, 2013 at 3:08 pm

    Beautiful colors!

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  • Reply Kate January 29, 2013 at 3:13 pm

    Living in Park Slope I can absolutely confirm that small people in strollers (or scooters) could as encounters with wild animals!
    xx,
    Kate at ummmnowwhat.blogspot.com

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  • Reply Karin - The F Girl January 29, 2013 at 3:18 pm

    Beautiful. So elegant, even though they look so.. prickly at the same time šŸ™‚

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  • Reply Milynn {Love + Whimsy} January 29, 2013 at 3:57 pm

    Gorgeous!

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  • Reply cevd January 29, 2013 at 4:17 pm

    We were assigned Desert Solitaire in the seventh grade. I did not read it. In fact I have the worst memories of the parts I pretended to read. Should I read it? I would never have thought!

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    • Reply Erin January 29, 2013 at 7:08 pm

      hmph….i can imagine it might be a bit much for 12 year old. i'd give it another shot…read the first few paragraphs and see what you think. i adore them.

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  • Reply Jennifer Allison January 29, 2013 at 5:03 pm

    photos digested (thank you!) and book on order from paperbackswap. the day is off to a delicious start. šŸ™‚

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  • Reply Mary January 29, 2013 at 5:38 pm

    Thanks for the book recommendation! Have you ever done a favorite books post? I'd be interested in seeing them!

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    • Reply Erin January 29, 2013 at 7:09 pm

      i haven't! might have to start compiling that one!

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  • Reply thenerdykatie January 29, 2013 at 6:02 pm

    Those are totally frame worthy, I love the hint of purple on the cactus.

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  • Reply Bethany@OurSoCalledLife January 29, 2013 at 6:39 pm

    Beautiful! I like it!

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  • Reply Neurotic Workaholic January 29, 2013 at 7:28 pm

    I like those colors too. After several days of seeing black winter coats, gray streets, and snow, it's nice to see pictures of nature with color instead.

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  • Reply Chasing the Desert Sky January 29, 2013 at 11:48 pm

    For a minute I thought you were a native here- New Mexico! I see these colors very often, in nature and the xeriscaping with many cacti and succulents. I will have to read the book.

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  • Reply Michelle Justine January 30, 2013 at 12:14 am

    beautiful colors! I based my wedding color palette off of desert scenery!

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  • Reply Nat January 30, 2013 at 6:04 am

    Beautiful photos! I just adore the desert — so calm and pretty to look at.

    xoxo
    Nat
    modernbuttercup.blogspot.com

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  • Reply AmandaWhite January 30, 2013 at 3:34 pm

    I just LOVE your blog! It's one of my daily reads- so well written and inspiring. Thank you!!

    Amanda

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  • Reply Broomfield Xeriscape April 15, 2013 at 9:59 am

    Wow, so lovely, I will look forward to have them at my yard, they are perfect for my xeriscape garden.

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