SANTA FE IRIS SHOW 2012....

 Yup, Ive got HOPE--hope that all my little Irises will be big winners at the Santa Fe Iris Show.....

 Sylvia also has HOPE--that her lovely arrangements will be well received today because.....


 Today is the Santa Fe Iris Society presents it's annual show--this years theme:  NEW MEXICO CENTENNIAL 1912-2012--AND COUNTING.....

 Now, when you arrive at theShow, you are met by club volunteers like Barbara armed with her big books.........

 To look up hybridized irises and to be sure that they are being entered under the correct names......

 Occasionally, even Karen gets a doozie that takes extra research..........

But eventually, each specimen gets named and entered into the Horticulture Division......

 Club volunteers like Betty and Rosemary keep things rolling smoothly........

 And with constant shifting, everything gets properly categorized......

 Yesterday, the club--including Henry, gathered to set up the tables and get most of the major organization done.........

 So that now, all we're waiting for is the flowers...........

 A few lovely entries..........

 Here, Barb works on my only horticulture entry--Flight of Angels...........

More placement discussion..............

 Kathy works with a smile.......

 Some gorgeous entries..........

 And would you look at the SIZE of those babies..............

 Rosemary pitches in.................

 It's not too late for a few dutch entries.........

 More lovelies..........

 Shelby admires some of the donated prizes..........

 Some beautiful blooms--up close and personal............

 When you are admist the iris like this, their perfume is heavenly..........

 A lovely pink............

 A lovely member............

 Interesting patterning..............

 "I've got that one."  "I've got that one" "I've got that one."........

 My Flight of Angels makes the show..............

 A  pretty "yeller" iris............

Iris grower extraordinaire--Pat...........

 And we can't ignor the Artistic Division!  Sylvia and I served as co-chairmen of this division.....

 And as always, Dwightie showed up to help out.............

 And the arrangements come rolling in.  The theme for the artistic featured all the special celebrations in various New Mexico cities...............

 This is Sisi's entry in the "Whole Enchilada" section..........

 That honored the Whole Enchilada Fiesta in Las Cruces..........This is mine..........

Protection for the exhibits.....................

 This is a wonderful entry in theUFO division................

 Honoring the UFO Festival in Rosewell...........

 The UFO section features arrangements depicting motion............

A pretty girl is like a melody...........

 This is Sisi's entry in La Cosecha--a section honoring the Harvest Festival at Las Golondrinas Ranch in La Cienega.......

 My entry made from all my left over iris..........

 Maggie's entry in one of the most popular divisions:  Turtle Dance--honoring the New Year's Feast at Taos Pueblo..........

 This section was for a design in the oriental motiff--this is mine........

 Another beautiful "Turtle Dance"...........

 This is Sisi's entry in Turtle Dance............

Shelby--one of our most talented designers........

 Another of our most popular sections was "Stalscite/Stalagmite"  a bi-level design featuring two containers...................

 This section honored all those interesting formations at Carlsbad Caverns, Carlsbad, New Mexico......

 This is mine................

 This is Kathy's...........

 Maggie holding her nosegay for the FOR MY GAL section celebrating the wild and wooly Old Lincoln Days in Ruidoso.........

 Sylvia's nosegay even featured a locket with that famous resident of Lincoln County--Billy the Kid in it...........

 Bursting my buttons with my Whole Enchilada entry.......

 Sylvia and Barbara--all ready for the judges............

 This is Sylvia's entry in the tray section "Que Viva" celebrating the Fiesta de Santa Fe.......

 Maggie's entry features a little Mexican Hat...........

 And mine includes confetti filled casccarones..............

This is the blue ribbon winner in this section.........

 This elegant design by Sisi was the only entrant in the "Mass Ascension" section.  Because the show as a late one, not very many folks had extra flowers left for this modern arrangement celebrating the Albuquerque Baloon Fiesta..........

 Since we were co-chairs and wrote up the schedule, we were especially pleased with the artistic division...........

 Now for the awards............The most glamorous award--"Queen of Show"  won by Golden Panther.......

 Grown by John and Rosemary........

 John accepts another award for Horticultural Sweepstakes........the silver medal..........

 And by the way, John and Rosemary also won the People's Choice for the fans favorite for this gorgeous entry.  It was also MY very favorite as well......

 And the Peanut Gallery went WILD!!!...........

 Shelby graciously accepts her award for Artistic Sweepstakes and Best Arrangement of Show.......

 The People's choice for their favorite arrangement..........

 Somewhat less graciously accepted by yours truly..............

 So if you came to the show for the fabulous horticulture, or the interesting arrangements, or the informative educational educational exhibts, The Santa Fe Iris Show has something for everyone........

So, Thank You to all the exhibitors and helpers and..........A GRAND TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!!