Lace and Sunshine

A little lace

It couldn't be more gorgeous out. It's about 84f, a little humidity, but a lovely breeze that is just heavenly moving the air around.  The barn across the street is looking especially wonderful today, surrounded by queen anne's lace in full bloom. 

The field on the other side of the barn has even more queen anne's lace, blooming as far as the eye can see. So pretty swaying in the breeze.

Other etsians (people with shop on etsy :)love queen anne's lace as much as me, like PineandMain, offering these lovely Steubenville Fruit Bowls.





Copyright PineandMain, 2011

And this dreamy photo by Cottagelightstudio.


Copyright Cottaglightstudio, 2011

 Or these lovely note cards by paperinkandearth.



Copyright paperinkandearth, 2011


Look at this fantastic watch, the creation of purplepetalstudio! LOVE this idea.



Copyright purplepetalstudio, 2011



I love the way the same thing can inspire so many different and varied creations.

Sunshine

There's been a lot of sun lately, and I'm loving it after the long winter and the seriously wet spring that wouldn't give way to summer until July. I am loving every minute of it.  I finished the weeding in the east garden and as promised, here's some pictures of the garden complete with mulch. As I mentioned, will still have some trim and siding to finish on that side, so it doesn't have the best back drop. Luckily, the blooming rose of sharon distracts attention for the unfinished stuff.

Before Weeding and Mulch

After Weeding and Mulch

Better? Right? Well, I mean, other than the dead lawn. Every one's lawns are crunchy here at the moment. The trade off for lots and lots of hot sun.

The piece de resistance though........the rose of sharon. Saucer sized hibiscus. So very pretty indeed.  I took the first one in the evening two nights ago.  The second, just a few moments ago in the glorious sunshine.



Copyright Pamela J. Bates, 2011



Our plans for the day include laundry (what a perfect day for line drying!), yard work, and perhaps we'll get those office shelves up. If not, 'tomorrow is another day'.

What are you plans? Is it sunny where you are or are you trying to avoid the raindrops?

Have a great Saturday in your corner of the world.





Monday, Monday

Wouldn't Sunday be so much better if Monday wasn't to follow? Anybody on that bandwagon except me? 

We did enjoy the day, but you just want it to last forever. Watered the gardens and happened to find my rose bush out back blooming again, beneath the poke weed. I think the shade from the poke weed was making it happy this week.

You can see some of the poke weed in the foreground, bottom right. Those green pods will turn into purple berries that the blue birds LOVE come fall.

I weeded for most of the afternoon. Never got beyond the small east flower garden, which wasn't even really looking like a flower garden. The grass next to it is toast from the heat. (Seriously, the earth was like concrete from the heat and lack of rain.) And the only place grass was growing was in the flower garden. Why is that?

Please note: lots of crab grass and weeds in the garden.

Yes, we still have siding to finish on the east side of the house. Eventually, when we get the mudroom built, it will happen. Someday. For now, it's kind of an ugly backdrop for the garden, but there are worse things in life.

Went as far as I could and then, like the lawn, I was toast. It was still hot. But got most of this little flower garden weeded.  Will attack the rest later.

I know it's hard to tell, but there are way less weeds in this garden now. Promise. The wheelbarrow is full. I've only the far end to finish. Then another round of mulch. I'll take a picture after the mulch as I'm sure that will make it look much, much better. Plus, the Rose of Sharon at the end is about to burst into full bloom. That will be a show!

I know you'd never guess (wink, wink), but with the heat we've had, there have been some really wonderful sunsets this week. Last night was no exception.

It started off so soft and pretty.

It quickly went to hot summer sunset.

Always a lovely way to end the day.

From my from my perfectly imperfect weed-ridden garden, dead-grass corner of the world to your corner of the world, have a marvelous Monday.

Where does the day go?

It's Sunday and it's almost 1pm. Haven't gotten a ton done yet......breakfast,dishes, some Bates Mercantile Co. stuff for etsy, took the trash out, but not much else. The bed isn't even made. Ah well, who cares, it's Sunday!

A quick post so I can get outside to weed and enjoy the glorious sun and pool.

Yesterday we took a ride, just to feel some air moving. Passed these horses on Frying Pan Lane (isn't that a great road name?) and wanted to get a shot. I usually make Gar stop at the side of the road so I can talk to them for a minute. Yesterday there was a guy on a motorcycle behind us. He came out of nowhere and was behind us too close, so Gar didn't want to pull over quick and stop short in front of the guy. So all you get is this driveby shot. It makes me smile though, because both horses look like they're in the same exact position and because you can see part of me in the rearview mirror!

They're usually more than happy to saunter over to the fence for a chat.

Spent time in the yard yesterday........ well, mostly the pool, but I did get this shot of my Stella D'Oro lily before I hopped in.

Wish me luck on the weeding.......it's a jungle out there.

Happy Sunday. Relax and enjoy it, for tomorrow is Monday.