Jeannie, I love your description of your "studying for a half hour the deep
cool green shadows against the rosy, peachy........" ..."and it does not begin to capture the catch in my breath when I look at them."
You describe so eloquently describes the "pure joy" of plein air painting!!
It's a spiritual experience to be a witness to the "awe of nature." Your colors, gesture, and impression are an expression of your experience.
Nature's palette is in constant flux as described by Itten.
"Color's are the children of Light and light is their Mother."
The best gift of all is the time spent with good friends having fun!