Observations

 

Butterflies drinking from the Milkweed; Dragonflies resting at the pond; Jays and Hummers at the feeders; Kitties basking in the garden beds; And me - just being me!

Stargazers

A little late this year, but this morning they started to open. My most favorite fragrant lilies.

Beaches

 

I don't go to the beach like I used to, in the days of sun and tans and margaritas. It seems a lifetime ago, yet today, as I sit and watch the ocean and hear the waves, it all comes back to me: the smell of coppetone, the cry of gulls, hibachi coals, salt breezes, sand. How time changes things, and yet keeps it the same.

Butterflies

A few new decorations to share with you. A new bird feeder in the vegetable garden, and 2 butterflies. Chris's sister-in-law bought me the big butterfly on the garden post in front of the new bird feeder, and I bought a matching one to hang on the outside wall of the spare bedroom. I love butterflies Angie!!!

Grossbeak for Lunch

This is a daily visitor to one of my feeders - he always announces himself when he arrives, well at least I think it is a "he", don;t have my bird book handy to see if it is a female. I should have used a zoom or cropped, so you will need to click the picture to enlarge.

All Around the Garden - Circle Tour

Thanks to my sister I have a great collection of photos that she took of our garden this weekend. Chris was away fishing so I had the pleasure of mys sister Pat for a long weekend. Naturally she took these pictures after she worked like a slave helping to weed-whack and water and generally spruce up the place for a garden group of 12 that were coming on Sunday. Thanks Pat, for the photos and for creativity and garden keeping. Can this be an annual event? Please click on the "title" link above and select slideshow.

Butterfly on Milk Weed

 

I just love my purple milk weed! I let it grow on my patio through the paving stones because I can easily watch the butterflies that come. I hope you can spot the pretty one I took this morning. They love the plant (some call it a weed). I also have heaps of it in my perennial garden so no shortage of butterflies. Let me know if you want any seeds, they are prolific and easy to grow.

Smoke and Pines

This morning we could hear Smoke meowing and crying but couldn't find him or see what the trouble was. Finally we looked up, and found him out on the limbs of a pine tree. I zoomed in got this shot of him. Such a silly kitty, he gets himself into these jams all the time, but always manages to get down in the end.

Pea Process

 

Chris harvested his first bowl of fresh peas yesterday. He picked a bowlful, shucked them all, blanched them and has frozen his first 3 bags. There are lots more peas to come!

Veggie's For Supper Tonight!

Our first cauliflower and zucchini from Chris's garden. He is an amazing farmer! I am going to roast them both with a little olive oil and hy's!

Water Lillies are Blooming

 

I have 3 of my water lilly plants in bloom at the moment. 2 yellow flowers, and 3 pink ones. Unfortunately these are not great shots, so you can't see the colors. I should have waited till the sun was off them. Oh well, you get the idea. I also included a picture of my lucifer crocosmia plant blooming in flame at the side of the pond. If you click on that photo you can enlarge it. The dragon flies and plentiful again this year.. and it is fun to sit and watch the pond activity.

Funky Garden Shack Update

 

Well here she is, all 4 sides of her. She is a work in progress and has become a very happy shack. Where she used to sit and look depressed all day, she has come alive and is the shack she always wanted to be: Funky and Alive.

Summer Flowers

 

This morning I captured a few of my favorite bloomers. Clockwise from top left are: blue campanula out in the front garden; yellow spikes from the ligularia in the perennial garden with fox glove in foreground and flanked by budlia; my very giant meadow rue in the woodland garden which is reaching 7 feet tall under the cedar and ever so delicate; the moss path; and the blue cranesbill, also in the perennial garden. Will try to capture some more later.

Beginnings of a Harvest

 

Clockwise from the top left we have the peas, the brussell sprouts, the cauliflower, and the rhubarb. None of which are ready to harvest yet.,.. but what fun the wait!