Pop!

The California Poppy makes the hillsides of San Diego so beautiful in the spring...they just POP, don't they? (Sorry, I had to say it, couldn't help myself!)

Lisa and I ventured out on a mini-photo shoot. After a ten minute walk along a beautiful trail we came upon this glorious patch of golden flowers! I'll admit that I laid flat down on the ground for this shot....course I came home with dirt all over my clothes. You'd think I was a preschooler or something, wouldn't you? (Matt's preschool teacher used to say, "it's okay to get dirty, your mommy has a washing machine." So I guess since my mom has a washing machine it's okay, right?) Did you know that this poppy is the official flower of California? (Okay not this EXACT one! The species in general.....) Its golden blooms were deemed a fitting symbol for the Golden State in 1890.

The California Poppy is drought-tolerant, self-seeding, and easy to grow in gardens. It grows well in disturbed areas and often recolonizes after fires. (That's why they are so abundant here - this hillside was burned in the last wildfire!) California poppies were used medicinally by Native Americans and the pollen was used cosmetically. (Anyone need some orange eye shadow?...cheap?....)

"May all your weeds be wildflowers"