Beams Faux wood graining

The Historic Davenport Hotel opened in 1914 as a destination in its own right. It was to be a place where guests could experience a singular combination of world-class service, palatial splendor, and inviting warmth. Constructed in 1914 under the auspices of Louis Davenport, The Historic Davenport Hotel has served as a beacon of culture and refinement throughout the region for the better part of a century.

The Historic Davenport Hotel “The Pride of an Empire”.

The Historic Davenport Hotel has served as a beacon of culture and refinement throughout the region for the better part of a century. In 2002, after the hotel narrowly escaped demolition, Walt and Karen Worthy completed a multimillion-dollar restoration. They spared no expense in restoring its priceless glamour.

The Historic Davenport Hotel opened in 1914 as a destination in its own right. It was to be a place where guests could experience a singular combination of world-class service, palatial splendor, and inviting warmth. Constructed in 1914 under the auspices of Louis Davenport, The Historic Davenport Hotel has served as a beacon of culture and refinement throughout the region for the better part of a century.

The Historic Davenport Hotel “The Pride of an Empire”.

The Historic Davenport Hotel has served as a beacon of culture and refinement throughout the region for the better part of a century. In 2002, after the hotel narrowly escaped demolition, Walt and Karen Worthy completed a multimillion-dollar restoration. They spared no expense in restoring its priceless glamour.

On the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state where I live, there is a definite mid-October transition when mellow, glorious autumn sunshine wanes, and the rains begin; heralding winter and blowing the fallen leaves in a swirl.

Note: I used text prompt in Deep Dream Generator along with my own photo. and refinement in Topaz Studio to create this image.

"And I rose

In rainy autumn

And walked abroad in a shower of all my days ..."

~ Dylan Thomas

Étonnant décor pour ce manège à Florence, Italie.

Amazing decoration for this merry go round in Florence, Italy.

Pour Lou

A voir en grand, better in large !

CREATOR: gd-jpeg v1.0 (using IJG JPEG v80), quality = 90

Even though winter is not my favorite season to say the least, I still marvel at the subtle colors that I see each day. This is a close-up photo that I took of some ornamental Kale on my porch. I loved its lacy leaves and creamy white color. So I took it on a trip to Deep Dream Generator and added some refinements and texture in Topaz Studio. The result satisfies my love of winter colors. I hope that you like it!

"I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles."

~ Anne Frank

"Nature always wears the colors of the spirit."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thanks so very much for your visits, faves, and kind comments, Flickr friends - I really appreciate them all. Stay safe and keep well😷❄️👍

The Phoenicians transformed the inhospitable island, which they called Motya, into one of the most affluent cities of its time, naturally defended by the lagoon as well as high defensive walls. Ancient windmills and salt pans were used for evaporation, salt grinding and refinement, and to maintain the condition of the lagoon and island itself. Recently the mills and salt pans (called the Ettore Infersa) have been restored by the owners and opened to the public.

Beams Faux wood graining

The Historic Davenport Hotel opened in 1914 as a destination in its own right. It was to be a place where guests could experience a singular combination of world-class service, palatial splendor, and inviting warmth. Constructed in 1914 under the auspices of Louis Davenport, The Historic Davenport Hotel has served as a beacon of culture and refinement throughout the region for the better part of a century.

The Historic Davenport Hotel “The Pride of an Empire”.

The Historic Davenport Hotel has served as a beacon of culture and refinement throughout the region for the better part of a century. In 2002, after the hotel narrowly escaped demolition, Walt and Karen Worthy completed a multimillion-dollar restoration. They spared no expense in restoring its priceless glamour.

Something different today. Something dark and eerie:

Here, as always, is the MJ prompt.

The images are the result of refinement with the help of weighting "::2 and ::3". The chaos parameter c30 in combination with s1000 makes for a certain self-willedness of the AI.

..........

IMAGE: a semi-transparent ghost::2 appears | GENRE: Horror | MOOD: Eerie, Disturbing | COLOR: Desaturated with a spectral blue tint | BACKGROUND: Decrepit room with peeling wallpaper and shattered furniture | SCENE: A distorted found footage image capturing a realm where the living and the dead::3 In the corner an antique mirror::2 | DETAILS: Dust-filled air, foggy::2 twisted and contorted shadows | RENDER: Disturbing and nightmarish | LIGHTING: Flickering, eerie light casting long, unnatural shadows | COMPOSITION: Disorienting and unsettling | FOCUS: In the corner, an antique mirror::2 reflects a twisted reflection::3 an apparition with hollow eyes that seem to penetrate the very essence of one's sanity | SHOT: Close-up shot | CAMERA: DSLR | LENS: Focal length 50mm | TAGS: Horror, found footage, paranormal::2, apparition, descent into darkness --ar 16:9 --s 1000 --c 30 --v 5.1 --style raw

Close up view of a Gardenia flower in my garden.

Bright white with sweet fragrance, Gardenia flowers are associated with several meanings including purity, love and refinement (Flower Meaning).

Thank you all for your views, faves and/or comments! It’s greatly appreciated! Enjoy your day! :-)

The Confectionery Colombo (founded in 1894 by Portuguese immigrants Joaquim Borges de Meireles and Manuel José Lebrão) is located in the historic center of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Source: pt.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confeitaria_Colombo

* I'm grateful for visit, faves and comments of my photo.

Tel un clavier aux touches inversées, ce Phalarope a déployé son charme, son élégance et son raffinement devant mes yeux ébahis!

Like the inverted piano keys of a keyboard this Red-necked Phalarope displayed all his charm, elegance and refinement before my astonished eyes!

Phalarope à bec étroit

Red-necked Phalarope

Phalaropus lobatus

Baie Missisquoi

Merci pour votre passage, vos favoris et commentaires. Je lis chaque commentaire attentivement et ils me font grandement plaisir!

Thank you for your visit, favorite and comment. I read closely each comment . They are sincerely appreciated!

Charlie saw a YouTube on glowing mushrooms, so this was really a proof-of-concept for him along with a little Photoshop lesson. We only had a single hand-held exposure to use as the source (so it's more Photoshop than photo) but if he maintains interest we'll head out with the tripod and small flash to do multiple exposures the "right" way at some point. Forgiveness if it lacks refinement; I don't usually do this kind of thing.

I hope everyone has a terrific weekend ahead...

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion, to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly, to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart, to bear all cheerfully, to all bravely await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony. — William Henry Channing

Thank you Lawrence for inviting me to participate in this wonderful campaign! ♥

Flowers get all the approbation

they bloom with such refinement

and die with such grace

I think the grass

is lovely too

standing tall with indifference

knowing it's job

is overlooked

and unappreciated

not unlike an artist

or a mother...

[Apika] The Oracle

Magic Cards & Moths

Exclusive for

Astral Dreams Event

ROUND 3 - 28 August - 20 September

→ ADE Main sim

--------------------------------------

Keeping quiet very often is of absolute refinement

Ok so I get excited, so excited about photography......and I may have a tendency to rush in many stages of the whole process ( while paradoxically being a bit slow! )

So a huge pointer I've gratefully received, is to step back from my images, leave them to come back to and slow the whole process down 😊

Just a little refinement on a Sunday afternoon. This was shot at Boldt Castle in Thousand Islands, NY.

Something different today. Something dark and eerie:

Here, as always, is the MJ prompt.

The images are the result of refinement with the help of weighting "::2 and ::3". The chaos parameter c30 in combination with s1000 makes for a certain self-willedness of the AI.

..........

IMAGE: a semi-transparent ghost::2 appears | GENRE: Horror | MOOD: Eerie, Disturbing | COLOR: Desaturated with a spectral blue tint | BACKGROUND: Decrepit room with peeling wallpaper and shattered furniture | SCENE: A distorted found footage image capturing a realm where the living and the dead::3 In the corner an antique mirror::2 | DETAILS: Dust-filled air, foggy::2 twisted and contorted shadows | RENDER: Disturbing and nightmarish | LIGHTING: Flickering, eerie light casting long, unnatural shadows | COMPOSITION: Disorienting and unsettling | FOCUS: In the corner, an antique mirror::2 reflects a twisted reflection::3 an apparition with hollow eyes that seem to penetrate the very essence of one's sanity | SHOT: Close-up shot | CAMERA: DSLR | LENS: Focal length 50mm | TAGS: Horror, found footage, paranormal::2, apparition, descent into darkness --ar 16:9 --s 1000 --c 30 --v 5.1 --style raw

Something different today. Something dark and eerie:

Here, as always, is the MJ prompt.

The images are the result of refinement with the help of weighting "::2 and ::3". The chaos parameter c30 in combination with s1000 makes for a certain self-willedness of the AI.

..........

IMAGE: a semi-transparent ghost::2 appears | GENRE: Horror | MOOD: Eerie, Disturbing | COLOR: Desaturated with a spectral blue tint | BACKGROUND: Decrepit room with peeling wallpaper and shattered furniture | SCENE: A distorted found footage image capturing a realm where the living and the dead::3 In the corner an antique mirror::2 | DETAILS: Dust-filled air, foggy::2 twisted and contorted shadows | RENDER: Disturbing and nightmarish | LIGHTING: Flickering, eerie light casting long, unnatural shadows | COMPOSITION: Disorienting and unsettling | FOCUS: In the corner, an antique mirror::2 reflects a twisted reflection::3 an apparition with hollow eyes that seem to penetrate the very essence of one's sanity | SHOT: Close-up shot | CAMERA: DSLR | LENS: Focal length 50mm | TAGS: Horror, found footage, paranormal::2, apparition, descent into darkness --ar 16:9 --s 1000 --c 30 --v 5.1 --style raw

This square is very typical of classical French urbanism, with the famous Vendôme Column erected in its center in 1810. It is also called the Austerlitz column, and it stands in the 1st district panorama, with a statue of Napoleon dressed as Caesar on the summit.

It is considered one of the most luxurious squares of Paris. Designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, it shines on the whole world.

It is a center of French jeweler’s craft, and with the Rue de la Paix and its many couturiers they symbolize French refinement.

129

Located in the altitude fields of the "Serra da Bocaina", the "Casa de Pedra", as it is currently known, was built by Dr. Lassance, a resident doctor from Rio de Janeiro, in the beginning of the 20th century and its apogee in 1914.

Once ready and decorated with the richest imported refinements, the house was not much to the liking of his wife who was not interested in the patrimony.

The abandonment and vandalism were destroying the beautiful building that is now in ruins, and today is only a reminder of the golden days of "Bocaina".

"Serra da Bocaina" National Park, São José do Barreiro, São Paulo, Brazil.

Какого цвета слово георгин?

Шар золотой, и пурпур, и рубин,

И киноварь, что значит кровь дракона.

Он царственного бархата кармин

И золото октябрьского трона,

И пламенем исполненный камин.

Осенняя червонная корона –

Созвездие пунцовых георгин....Георгин на языке цветов означает – каприз, непостоянство. Дарящий георгины говорит: "Ты мне очень нравишься, но я ничего не обещаю", "Я не готов к серьезным отношениям", "Зачем все усложнять?"

Японии, наоборот, считают, что георгин символ всепобеждающей силы жизни; новость; хороший вкус, величие, благодарность.

Маги утверждают, что, увидев во сне свежие яркие георгины, можно надеяться на счастливую судьбу...Гаснет день...

Словно в песне старинной,

Выхожу я в заброшенный сад

Посмотреть как цветут георгины,

Строгой прелестью радуя взгляд.

И как будто застыв в изумленье

От своей неземной красоты,

Молчаливо приемлют почтенье

Величавые эти цветы -

Как надменные, знатные гранды,

Что идут, не касаясь земли,

Как на старых полотнах инфанты,

Как портрет королевской семьи.

Алла Волчек.

................What color is the word dahlia?

The ball is golden, and purple, and ruby,

And cinnabar, which means dragon's blood.

He's a regal velvet carmine

And the gold of the October throne,

And a fireplace filled with flames.

Autumn Crown of Hearts –

A constellation of crimson dahlias. Dahlia in the language of flowers means – caprice, impermanence. The giver of dahlias says: "I really like you, but I don't promise anything", "I'm not ready for a serious relationship", "Why complicate everything?"

Japan, on the contrary, believes that the dahlia is a symbol of the all-conquering power of life; news; good taste, greatness, gratitude.

Magicians claim that, having seen fresh bright dahlias in a dream, one can hope for a happy fate.....The day goes out...

As if in an old song,

I go out into an abandoned garden

See how dahlias bloom,

Strict charm pleasing the eye.

And as if frozen in amazement

From his unearthly beauty,

Tacitly accept respect

These flowers are majestic -

Like haughty, noble grandees,

That they walk without touching the ground,

As in the old paintings of the Infanta,

Like a portrait of the royal family.

Alla Volchek

These flowers grow in my garden, the same grow at my friend Steve! Proudly arching their backs,

dahlias strive upward.

So that even over the fence,

to see their beauty with your eyes....

Rishton is one of the most famous and oldest centers of ceramics in Uzbekistan. Legend claims that the art is over 800 years old, passed down from generation to generation.

A fine quality reddish-yellow clay deposit 1-1.5 meters deep and 0.5-1.5 meters thick underlies almost the whole Rishton area. The clay can be used without refinement or addition of other types of clay from other regions. Besides clay, the potters of Rishton extracted various dyes, quartz sand, and fire clay from the surrounding the mountains.

The history of producing ceramics here goes back to the seventh century. In the late 19th – early 20th centuries, almost all the population of Rishton were potters. Its clay is suitable for making the whole variety of ceramic goods and the repertoire of ornamental patterns in the Rishton ceramics is one of the richest. Today, over 2000 craftsmen use both traditional techniques and modern machinery to produce over 5 million items per year. The traditional design has a blue-green glaze, called “iskor”. In the 1960s, this technique had almost died out, but has now recovered, thanks to the efforts of the artisans themselves.

Main languages spoken in this area are Tajik and Uzbek.

This is a flatbed machine used to edit positive workprints of films. It was used by most studios back in the days for their film montage and editing needs before the non linear editing systems and the digital era altogether.

Here is an excerpt from wiki about this process.

"Before the widespread use of non-linear editing systems, the initial editing of all films was done with a positive copy of the film negative called a film workprint, by physically cutting and pasting together pieces of film. Strips of footage would be hand cut and attached together with tape and then later in time, glue. Editors were very precise; if they made a wrong cut or needed a fresh positive print, it cost them money for the lab to reprint the footage and push the editing process back farther. With the invention of a splicer and threading the machine with a viewer such as a Moviola, or "flatbed" machine such as a K.-E.-M. or Steenbeck, the editing process sped up a little bit and cut came out cleaner and more precise. All film studios and production companies who produced films for television provided this tool for their editors. Flatbed editing machines were used for playback and refinement of cuts, particularly in feature films and films made for television because they were less noisy and cleaner to work with."

Villa Carlotta is a palace and museum in Italy, located on the shores of Lake Como in Tremezzo.

Giambattista Sommariva, politician and patron of the arts, bought it in 1801 and transformed it into a true museum, making extensive renovations in the gardens.

The Villa received its name in homage to the other owner Charlotte, Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen (daughter of Princess Marianna of Prussia), who received the palace in 1843 from her mother as a marriage gift.

Although the palace is beautiful and contains some furniture and works of art on two floors open to the public, it is really the garden that attracts attention.

As I said earlier the ample garden and woodland surrounding the palace, in addition to offering a pleasant atmosphere for tour and relaxation, are very beautiful and interesting.

And they also include some tropical plants (various palm trees) as well as exotic flowers (orchids, bromeliads, succulents). A small and well maintained Botanical Garden.

This square is very typical of classical French urbanism, with the famous Vendôme Column erected in its center in 1810. It is also called the Austerlitz column, and it stands in the 1st district panorama, with a statue of Napoleon dressed as Caesar on the summit.

It is considered one of the most luxurious squares of Paris. Designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, it shines on the whole world.

It is a center of French jeweler’s craft, and with the Rue de la Paix and its many couturiers they symbolize French refinement.

213

Westport (Irish: Cathair na Mart, meaning "stone fort of the beeves", historically anglicised as Cahernamart) is a town in County Mayo in Ireland. It is at the south-east corner of Clew Bay, an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast of Ireland. Westport is a popular tourist destination and scores highly for quality of life. It won the Irish Tidy Towns Competition three times in 2001, 2006 and 2008. In 2012 it won the Best Place to Live in Ireland competition run by The Irish Times.

The design for the town was commissioned in the 1780s by the John Browne of the nearby stately home, Westport House, as a place for his workers and tenants to live. John Browne cleared the original village of Cahernamart, that had 700 inhabitants, to make way for his gardens at Westport House.

The current town centre was originally designed by William Leeson in 1780, in the Georgian architectural style. Its layout follows the medieval principles of urban design introduced by the Normans in the 13th century. A particular feature is the incorporation of the river into the composition, contained for two blocks by low stone walls producing, on each side of the river, tree lined promenades (The Mall) with several stone bridges over the river Carrow Beg. The layout further includes several tree lined streets, addressed by the narrow fronted commercial buildings typical of Irish towns, though with many here remaining of a singular refinement and charm. Some modern interventions, such as the Garda station, are less successful in maintaining the original continuity of the urban fabric.

The famous pilgrimage mountain of Croagh Patrick, known locally as "the Reek", lies some 10 km west of the town near the villages of Murrisk and Lecanvey. The mountain forms the backdrop to the town.

No no it is not a SINGER but a Sincere. The refinement of the "industrial counterfeit" of the old time in a street in Saigon.

“I'm becoming more and more myself with time. I guess that's what grace is. The refinement of your soul through time.”

Jewel

When someone is inspired to create a Poem, he/she is uplifted!!

When someone is uplifted, he/she is temporarily found in a very original, private, personal world of Beauty (or not…), inspiration, and refinement, extreme pleasure (or not…). He/she feels strong emotions and sensations, while creating his/her poem; a huge creativity!!

Poetry in Nature is the creation of Mother Nature’s upliftment!! Which creates enchantment, creativity and inspiration in certain humans..

Lake Genval in Autumn is a Pure Poetry!

Versailles

Isn't elegance forgetting what one is wearing. Yves Saint Laurent.

TD : 1/200 f/8 ISO 400 @28mm vintage Pentax-M prime lens on Sony Alpha 6000

Happy New Year to you all!

Wishing 2023 a better year than 2022 for everyone!!!

Photomanipulation

This photo is rendered by Midjourney AI with text keywords "Happy New Year, cityscape, people celebrating, cinematic lighting, hyper realistic, fireworks", with some montage works and refinement being added.

The Château de la Bourdaisière is a magnificent castle of the XVth century. François Ist built it for his mistress. It became then the favourite place of residence for famed Mlle. Gabrielle d' Estrées, favourite of Henri IV. Today, a tourism site for relaxation but also discovery, the Château de la Bourdaisière offers outdoor activities, rooms, and reception rooms, but also place for exhibitions and luxurious gardens which shelters an extraordinary kitchen garden of 1 hectare. Bourdaisière provides you with 11 rooms and 3 apartments in the Castle and 6 rooms in the Pavilion Choiseul. Rooms are spacious, quite differently decorated in the same spirit of taste and refinement of these women who made the history. The lounge is decorated with a herbarium

The watercolor painting created digitally fomr a digital picture, depicts a stunning old brick building located near a serene canal in the historic district of Ghent. The building, which is currently known as S Rijks Middelbare School, exudes a sense of timeless elegance and refinement.

The painting is composed in a way that perfectly captures the unique character of this historical gem. The canal is visible in the foreground, its calm surface reflecting the tranquil surroundings. The brick building is situated on the opposite bank, its façade rising majestically into the sky. The intricate brickwork and ornate detailing of the building are beautifully rendered, highlighting the rich architectural heritage of the area.

The muted tones of the painting add to the nostalgic feel of the piece. The sky is a soft shade of blue, with wispy clouds drifting lazily across the horizon. The water is a gentle shade of green, reflecting the verdant foliage of the trees lining the canal.

The S Rijks Middelbare School building itself is the centerpiece of the painting, with its tall windows and imposing façade dominating the composition. The warm hues of the bricks contrast beautifully with the cool blues and greens of the surrounding scenery.

Overall, the painting is a captivating portrayal of one of Ghent's most beloved landmarks. Its timeless beauty and exquisite attention to detail make it a true masterpiece.

20220413_RX_06983

Photo manipulation of an image of a tractor to achieve various painterly, artistic and abstract effects using a combination of filters from Topaz Studio 2 and refinements in Lightroom. The resulting image emphasizes details in the main subject, but the whole picture has been softened and generalized.

Westport (Irish: Cathair na Mart, meaning "stone fort of the beeves", historically anglicised as Cahernamart) is a town in County Mayo in Ireland. It is at the south-east corner of Clew Bay, an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast of Ireland. Westport is a popular tourist destination and scores highly for quality of life. It won the Irish Tidy Towns Competition three times in 2001, 2006 and 2008. In 2012 it won the Best Place to Live in Ireland competition run by The Irish Times.

The design for the town was commissioned in the 1780s by the John Browne of the nearby stately home, Westport House, as a place for his workers and tenants to live. John Browne cleared the original village of Cahernamart, that had 700 inhabitants, to make way for his gardens at Westport House.

The current town centre was originally designed by William Leeson in 1780, in the Georgian architectural style. Its layout follows the medieval principles of urban design introduced by the Normans in the 13th century. A particular feature is the incorporation of the river into the composition, contained for two blocks by low stone walls producing, on each side of the river, tree lined promenades (The Mall) with several stone bridges over the river Carrow Beg. The layout further includes several tree lined streets, addressed by the narrow fronted commercial buildings typical of Irish towns, though with many here remaining of a singular refinement and charm. Some modern interventions, such as the Garda station, are less successful in maintaining the original continuity of the urban fabric.

The famous pilgrimage mountain of Croagh Patrick, known locally as "the Reek", lies some 10 km west of the town near the villages of Murrisk and Lecanvey. The mountain forms the backdrop to the town.

1939 Bugatti Type 57C Gangloff Stelvio model. Named after the Passo dello Stelvio pass in the Eastern Alps, the Type 57 Stelvio was Bugatti’s factory-designed four-seat Cabriolet. Bugatti’s ultimate pre-war roadgoing model, the Type 57 was the successor to the swift and comfortable Type 49, but it shared little except for the bore and stroke of its inline-eight-cylinder engine. The design was steadily revised between 1934 and the end of production in 1939, with regular refinement to its specifications, including the late-in-life adaptation of Lockheed hydraulic brakes. Optionally available beginning in 1937 was a supercharged engine, identified as a Type 57C, which could boast over 215 horsepower—a significant improvement over the output of a stock Type 57.

Most of the Type 57 Stelvio bodies were manufactured by the Swiss coachbuilder, Gangloff in it's Colmar factory (just down the road from Bugatti's Molsheim factory), who modified the design in detail from car to car. Some of the bodies used faired-in headlights where the majority had external units.

The rear seat in the Stelvio had to little legroom, it could only be used as an occasional 2+1 with the passenger seat fully forward. It is estimated that Gangloff bodied about 80 Stelvios in total.

The company was founded in 1903 by Georges Gangloff. Gangloff was one of the most important passenger vehicle coachbuilders after World War 1. They produced bodies for Martini, Rolls-Royce, Delage, Ansaldo, Hispano-Suiza, Isotta-Fraschini, Mercedes-Benz, Bugatti, Minerva and various other, also American, makes. Gangloff of Colmar, (they also had 3 Swiss factories) very near to Bugatti's home town Molsheim, also did several 'factory' bodies for Bugatti. Which of the Gangloff bodies are really Molsheim designs, and which aren't, is often not so clear.

AS ALWAYS....COMMENTS & INVITATIONS with AWARD BANNERS will be respectfully DELETED!

Villa Carlotta is a palace and museum in Italy, located on the shores of Lake Como in Tremezzo.

Giambattista Sommariva, politician and patron of the arts, bought it in 1801 and transformed it into a true museum, making extensive renovations in the gardens.

The Villa received its name in homage to the other owner Charlotte, Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen (daughter of Princess Marianna of Prussia), who received the palace in 1843 from her mother as a marriage gift.

Although the palace is beautiful and contains some furniture and works of art on two floors open to the public, it is really the garden that attracts attention.

As I said earlier the ample garden and woodland surrounding the palace, in addition to offering a pleasant atmosphere for tour and relaxation, are very beautiful and interesting.

And they also include some tropical plants (various palm trees) as well as exotic flowers (orchids, bromeliads, succulents). A small and well maintained Botanical Garden.

Ford's slogan for 1936 was strongly pushed in magazine ads:

"Beauty was Built In" touted the continuing aerodynamic styling refinements of that time. . .This one was on display at the Blacktop Nationals car show in Wichita a few years ago.

“She had expressed herself, as women will, in a smug broadside of pastel shades. Nothing clashed because nothing had the strength to clash; everything murmured of safety among the hues; all was refinement.”

― Mervyn Peake, Gormenghast

SL Prompt Project 2022

always pretty.

For Smile on Saturday. Theme: "FLORIOGRAPHY"

Lavender:

It represents refinement, grace, and elegance. Lavender holds a sacred place in nature, and with its violet flowers is often considered the most delicate and precious. Any arrangement filled with these beautiful blossoms sends a message of feminine beauty.

It needs some refinement, but hey who doesn't. ;-)

Have a good weekend.

Le blanc est un symbole de pureté, d'innocence mais aussi d'élégance et de raffinement. La légende de la rose blanche est liée à celle de la rose rouge : Certains s'accordent donc à dire que c'est la rose blanche qui aurait donné naissance à la rose rouge.

White is a symbol of purity, innocence but also elegance and refinement. The legend of the white rose is linked to that of the red rose: Some therefore agree that it is the white rose that gave birth to the red rose.

The Château de la Bourdaisière is a magnificent castle of the XVth century. François Ist built it for his mistress. It became then the favourite place of residence for famed Mlle. Gabrielle d' Estrées, favourite of Henri IV. Today, a tourism site for relaxation but also discovery, the Château de la Bourdaisière offers outdoor activities, rooms, and reception rooms, but also place for exhibitions and luxurious gardens which shelters an extraordinary kitchen garden of 1 hectare. Bourdaisière provides you with 11 rooms and 3 apartments in the Castle and 6 rooms in the Pavilion Choiseul. Rooms are spacious, quite differently decorated in the same spirit of taste and refinement of these women who made the history. The lounge is decorated with a herbarium

“Trials come. Tribulation comes. Fires of refinement come. The purpose of refinement is to bring to light the things hidden in darkness and then remove them”

Robin Bertram

The altar at beautiful St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Sterling,IL.