ORANGE, ORANGE & ORANGE...

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2011

ORANGE, ORANGE & ORANGE...

Three things come to my mind when I think "orange".

The first is so obvious

The second maybe a little less so

The third is obvious to Dutch people and since I have good friends among them, it is so for me too.
By the way, hi MJ !

This flag is one of the oldest flags in constant use and originated with Prince William the First, the Prince of Orange, in the latter half of the sixteenth century. It derives from the flag of the Prince of Orange which was orange, white and blue.

Orange is the glorious colour of the Dutch national football team (one of the best in the world and certainly one with a high level of fair-play - says my brother)

Their fans are probably among the most high-spirited and funny supporters

Aren't they funny ? Their joy is really contagious. They dare even more, in the same playful spirit !

Talking about The Netherlands, how could I not think of their flowers ? First among all: tulips.

Nature has been generous with this colour

Beware ! Some of these mushrooms can be as deadly as they are beautiful !

Better to be on the safe side and have traditional food if there's the least doubt

No need to emphasize how healthy orange (and yellow) food is. See an example

Of course, how could I not think of Canard à l'Orange ? But as I'm a vegetarian, I have my own special recipe (and photograph)

Marmalade (preferably bitter) is my absolute favourite

and I love thirst-quenching icy orange drinks in the Summer

...but orange is also the basic ingredient for many a cocktail and long drink, not to speak about the all-time famous Cointreau !

The colour orange is said to bring optimism. It certainly brightens the first dark and colder days of Autumn and makes of them - sometimes -  a lovely season.

Oh..look..a maple leaf ! *waves hallo at Canadian readers, one especially*

*

Orange enlivens the gloomiest of all months with Halloween celebrations and symbols, starting with pumpkins

for the joy of children

...and not only the children

It radiates warmth

Didn't this ginger kitten find just the right spot ? Wouldn't you like to be in his place ?

Nature has been prodigal also in the domain of animals: on ground 

In the sky

In seas and oceans

...and in some unexpected other places

...but less generous with the human species. It's been said gingerheads (also known as redheads) will become

genetically extinct in 500 years *sigh*. Better to have fun till it lasts!

 

Orange generates joy, energy, good humour and positive thoughts.

A touch here and there and a room is totally different

Ehm... I thought I said "a touch" ! This is definitely a little too much. See what I mean:

Even a strict-looking office can be brightened with some orange accessories and supplies

It's, with yellow, the colour of summerwear and beachwear par excellence

but not so much so in underwear

To be worn with a sense of daring in gowns

outfits and accessories

However,  I prefer - once again - just a touch or an accessory rather than a complete outfit.

YSL

Ravishing and rich in some traditional dresses

whereas it's the colour of  some monks (the fabric of their tunics was coloured with saffron as it was the cheapest of  dip-colouring). It has since, by analogy, become one of the colours that recall meditation.

With some measure, it can be worn by men

Gems really look like small fires

In sportscars etc it looks quite aggressive

(except in the case of Judo where orange marks the third step, after white and yellow)

It's the colour of dreamlike countries

of  wide and wild horizons

of endless landscapes at the end of the day

of unfathomable beauties sculpted by elements of nature

of  voyages into the unknown

Au revoir...till the next journey into colours