Now that monsoon season seems to have passed and the sun is again in full splendor the daylilies have exploded like so many fireworks – particularly when the filtered morning light shines through them.

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Speaking of South Africa (which is currently on the lips of every soccer fan on the planet) photographers Stan Engelbrecht and Nic Grobler are trying to publish a book called Bicycle Portraits chronicling their travels across South Africa. It’s tough to get a book published so in an effort to make it to print they are looking for pledges. Check out this fascinating and new (to me at any rate) approach at Kickstarter. Great portrait photography is a really challenging art form requiring both technical and social expertise. Get a preview of these wonderful portraits on the day one publications website and you’ll see what I mean. Then drop by Kickstarter and pledge your support or post an encouraging comment.

Currently the studio garden is dominated by blues which makes these yellow iris stand out like a forest of little light houses as the morning sun filters through them.

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I always enjoy working on the studio garden but today is one of those spectacular days when I could grab my laptop, sit in the shade of the Lilac and enjoy working in the studio garden. I know I shared Anemones yesterday but the light seemed to be particularly interested in them today. Besides, they’re Cindy’s favorite.

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It was a rainy week weather-wise and a busy week work-wise so the glorious weekend was quite a relief. After their long drink the Snowdrop Anemones are blooming in profusion and reaching for the sky like somebody yelled “Jesse James” at a banking convention.

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I was surprised to see these miniature Iris up already. Perhaps simply because they don’t have as far to go at just about five inches high but I prefer to believe they are just eager.

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There was a brief window of beautiful filtered light this morning before the forces of evil gathered enough power to cloud the sky in an ongoing effort to make sure my parents (who fly in today) never see Minnesota at its best. So even though it is gray outside you can have a sunny spot on your computer occupied by this Vinca Minor which is one of the few things in the garden that seems to grow slowly.

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It’s another lovely day and the crabapple tree in the bsol studio garden is in full splendor. Here’s a new desktop background you can download to help you celebrate Spring wherever you find yourself.

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One of my favorite things about working at BrainstormOverload (in addition to the gourmet hot cocoa) is the studio garden. Like all the other projects at bsol it’s a work in progress but one that is particularly wonderful in Spring when the garden seems to change almost daily. Why am I keeping all this blooming goodness to myself you demand? Good point. In an effort to share this is the first in a series of desktop calendars I’ll post (not daily but regularly) here on our blog. The calendar makes it useful and I’ve always liked the texture of type over a photograph. Each date following a vertical line is a Monday. I’ll also provide the plant name in case you are inspired to work in your own garden which I highly recommend as a terrific creative outlet. I’ll start with the following standard (Mac) screen resolutions. Let me know if the size you need is not represented.

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I watch very little commercial television with the notable exception of the Olympics – which I watch as much of as possible. The experience is made even better because my wife is such a fun Winter Olympics watching partner. Not only does she get emotionally swept up in the events she keeps sharing interesting connections. She helped coach bronze medalist Andrew Weibrecht (top) when he was just a lad of 14 and she baby sat gold medalist Lindsey Vonn (below) at the Buck Hill ski area.