The Sweet In Betwwen

After a July of storms and heat waves, this first evening of the August long weekend has come in soft with an apricot sky. We've been sitting outside for hours, appreciating our long days of northern light.

Of course I had to get up take pictures...to deadhead...to clip...to tie up...to rotate pots.... But finally, glass of wine in hand, I have settled to pretend this is going to last forever. 

Happy, sweet, blissful summer to you all. 

And now they're gone...

At last, I get to enjoy being out in my garden listening to the birds.

We were really pleased with the work the landscapers did, and they were very pleasant guys. But we are glad they are gone. :)

My south facing bed is about 2 - 4 ft deeper. And that can only mean one thing--plant shopping!!!

I did get one little treat for a shady corner of the patio, and that is this sweet meditation Buddha. It makes a very soft musical sound so nice to have it close to the seating area. I added some aqua sea glass to the bowl the lotus flower spills water into. The flower has orange LED lights in it under the water so I am really looking forward to seeing it later this evening.

I better enjoy this quiet evening before the planting begins!!!

I hope you are all enjoying this kick-off to sweet summer! 

Update: I captured a short clip of the fountain at night. I think the water looks like liquid flames. I like!

http://vimeo.com/99002679

The landscapers are here, the landscapers are here!

My beloved garden is torn to bits right now, but all in a good cause (I hope!)

The moving and expansion of our cobblestone patio has the garden looking like a construction site, not the place of peace and tranquility I generally strive for. But I must say, so far, these strapping men are moving at an amazing clip. As I see the precision and care in their work, I can feel excitement rising up to meet the anxiety. It will be fine, I keep telling myself. 

Soon, we will have a better placed patio, more soccer ball kicking expanses, and a deeper south facing bed to add more sun loving beauties. Patience is a virtue, right?  *breathe*

It's raining...It's snowing....

...At least my garden's growing!

Yes, the weather is terrible (-5c tonight!), but my garden is showing signs of life nonetheless. I am so grateful for all the bulbs we planted last fall. Most of them are still little green stems--brave souls--and determined.

Most exciting for me, however, is that teeny deep red spot in the bottom right photo. That, my friends, is one of the five hellebores I planted last summer---wooooo hoooo!!!

If I jump up and down and pump my fist in the air like I'm at a big-hair band concert, you will know I have FLOWERS. Oh, and I will publish photos, of course (of the plant, that is! ) :)

Wishing you all the best with your spring dreams.

I am where Spring lives

Spring break finally arrived & we packed up our little family and flew west to where Spring lives. I know you understand why I had to touch green, even for a little while, before I go back to our "SPRinter" season.

Wish me soft days.