Nectarine Blossoms

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I love this shot. So similar to an almond blossom, but yet so different. Both bloom in January, around Tu B'Shvat, both bloom before they get leaves, both have similar flowers, with similar coloring (though the nectarine's are much pinker where the almond blossoms are predominantly white) and still one ends up providing a juicy fruit where the other gives a nut.
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Sometimes you just have to gaze in silent wonder at what Mother Nature can do. It's not a Valentine, we don't do those here in Israel, but it certainly says love and beauty to me.
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Apricot Orchard

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If you're looking for my OWOH fine art photography giveaway click here.

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Visit Monochrome Weekend for more black and white images from around the world.

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Busy as a...

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Looking for my OWOH photo giveaway? Click here.

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The butterflies weren't the only ones enjoying all those almond blossoms - there were more than enough for the bees as well.
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Visit Skywatch Friday for more skies from around the world.
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Nature's Own Sepia

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Click here to get to my OWOH fine art photography giveaway.

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When I first looked at this shot I thought it might be a good candidate for sepia but it quickly became apparent that nature had already done the job for me.

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I'm back from an exhausting but invigorating two-day conference. It may take me some time to catch up though, I'm hoping to crash early tonight and will be in Tel Aviv half the day tomorrow getting my boobs squished for a baseline mammogram (and ultrasound, but that part shouldn't involve any squishing). Consider this your public service announcement ladies - are you due for yours? Yes? Don't put it off, get yourself an appointment today. For the rest of you - have you done your breast self-exam yet this month? It only takes a few moments and could be the most important five minutes of your life.

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The Magic Carpet is Ready to Take Off - Get Your Ticket to Ride

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Comments on my OWOH giveaway are now closed. Thank you to all 270(!!!) of you for participating here, and to everyone who offered giveaways of their own. I've had a blast. A winner will be drawn and announced in a new post just as soon as I've packed my kids off to school.

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There is something magical happening in the blogosphere this month. The 2010 Global Blog Event One World One Heart is off and running, or rather flying, it is a Magic Carpet ride after all. Created by Lisa from A Whimsical Bohemian this event brings bloggers from the farthest corners of the globe together to share their worlds and their creations in one giant month-long giveaway extravaganza.
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I have no idea how I missed this in years past but I'm so glad to have heard about it now since it meshes so perfectly with what blogging means to me - the chance to connect and create a shared community with bloggers from around the world, to recognize and celebrate our shared humanity. To remember, and to remind ourselves, that what unites us is far, FAR stronger than what divides us.
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Here, around my island (no, not a tropical island (wouldn't that be nice) - my kitchen island, where my life happens - you can see it, right up there in my header) I use photography and writing to create those shared connections, to share with you my life here in Israel - as a woman, a wife, a mother, a photographer, and of course a blogger.
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Now that you're here grab a chair and make yourselves at home, there's always a fresh cup of coffee and a place around the island for friends both old and new.
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And in the spirit of One World One Heart, what could be more appropriate to offer than an olive branch, symbol of peace. I'd like to give one of you an 8x10 inch (18x25cm) print of my fine art photograph The Ancient Olive Tree, seen below, or any of the other fine art and nature photographs offered for sale in my etsy shop (one print in total, to be selected by the winner).
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The technical blah blah:

• To enter, simply leave me a comment here on the blog.
• One entry (one comment) per person please.
• It's not a requirement for entry but if you do know which image you'd choose if you win I'd love to hear it.
• You don't need to be a blogger to win, but do make sure I have a way to contact you if you do.
• Comments on this post will close at the end of the day (Israel time) on 14 February to give me a chance to name a winner on 15 February 2010.
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Good luck, and don't forget to click on the Magic Carpet button on my sidebar to visit all the other giveaway participants.
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Anemones - Spring can't be too far behind!

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I'll be away at a conference for the next few days so it will take me a few extra days to make the rounds this week. Enjoy this little taste of Israeli almost-springtime while I'm gone.
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The sun finally returned and the wildflowers are in full bloom. Better yet, a friend and I played hooky last Thursday and went on a whopper of a photowalk in the fields near her house. We found these anemones (kalaniot in Hebrew, and much beloved), this dandelion, and of course the star of the show, these almond blossoms.
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And if you haven't already, after you're done here don't forget to pop by my One World One Heart giveaway for a chance to win an 8x10 of any of the images in my etsy shop.
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Then, when you're done with that, head over to Ruby Tuesday at Mary's place for lots more ruby red goodness.
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