Still Life

Peonies

The peonies are now officially in bloom here. The big gorgeous blooms and the fragrant aroma beg to be cut and brought in the home. I obliged.

Psssttt.........come closer.

................closer............

...........a little closer............

 .........oh how I wish you could smell them. 

Heavenly.


In other garden news, we have a garter snake living on the west side of The Bates Estate. I've dubbed it Henry/Henrietta since I don't know if it's male or female. I'm thinking female since I also saw a baby in the grass the other day. Today H/H was in the flower garden. Not terribly happy I was following close with a camera trying to get a shot.

Honestly though, there is no need to stick your tongue out at me! Cheeky snake.

It's another beautiful day here today. We are taking them as they come. Feels like the humidity is ramping up.  I'm working on the pool, but we still have more de-leafing and filtration to do. I am hoping by the weekend I'll be able to take the inaugural dip of the season. 

Did anyone catch the USA v Ghana World Cup Match last night? Well, let's put it this way.......my man Clint Dempsey came through with a goal 30 seconds in. It was a great match. Ghana is a tough team that came back to tie in the second half as we were nearing the end. Ugh. Luckily, our man Brooks came of the bench to score - the first USA goal by a replacement in World Cup history. Way to go Brooksie. Nice header! We held on to win so we were quite happy with  that result. And that has been your Tuesday World Cup update. Thanks for tuning in.

Lots of design work on the desk today. Mostly logo revisions and some ad design.  What's happening in your corner of the world?

Ciao for now,

Around The Estate

The Back 40

We jokingly call our place The Bates Estate. Not sure our little cottage could ever qualify as an estate.  In fact, when we first moved in our house was so small, our garden was bigger than it.  We have since added on giving us just enough room, well at least enough room for me to walk around the bed without turning sideways.  When the warm weather hits, we spend a lot of time outside. We often end the day with a stroll around the yard, as we did yesterday. 

It's Spring.

The apple blossoms are popping.

The the deer have been 'trampaging' (that's sister Di's word combo.... trampling and rampaging) the veg garden and my flower garden.

It was like they'd had an open house. Even chomped my Admiral Nelson lilies. Personally, I think the chipmunk mounds I'm dealing with were enough.

We sat out on the back stoop last night listening to the birds and watching the sunset which was reflecting more to the East last night.

Sunset Meadows

Pretty pink against the blue sky, and the Pamela Jean sailing in the wind.

Soon the bluebirds will be perching on the mast while I swim about the pool. Not soon enough, but soon.

Have a lovely Monday. It's supposed to hit the mid 80s today and I'm loving being in my flip flops.

Peace out,