The arrival of August

 

For those of us in western Newfoundland, August has brought with it cooler temperatures and a few rainy days. The garden has been beautiful all summer; the roses are almost gone now, but that little bush has had so many blooms and has been beautifully fragrant! 

And after living with the newly painted 'Persian Cat' white walls in my cottage for over a month, I have come to the conclusion that I don't care for just white. I need some colour! The committee had given me half a can of blue paint so I could paint the closets; but there was enough to also paint 2 of the walls in my bedroom . Ahhh! Much better.

I found a can of mis-tint blue/grey paint for 50% off at the local hardware store which I used to paint the hallway wall that entends into the living room; and then using the Persian Cat paint, I stencilled that wall in a mandala pattern. I'm really pleased with the result. (I ordered the stencil off Temu; but since then, I've heard such horror stories about Temu! All has been fine so far for me. But had anyone had a negative experience with them?)

I found the wave painting at the
local Sally Ann for $10.

I used to use stencils back in the 80s; it's a great way to add colour or just interest to a space. Have you ever tried it? In the meantime, I have lots of other decorating ideas on my list. But I need to pace myself as up-and-down on step stools and lifting my arm overhead to paint takes a toll. So, those ideas will wait until fall.

My daughter and I went to see the Barbie movie last week, and we loved it. Have you seen it yet? I loved that it was full of positive feminist messages and was so funny and fun. Also, I recognized some of the clothes from my eldest daughter's 1980's Barbie: Ken's shiny silver jumpsuit from the dance scene and those matching hideous multi-coloured roller skating suits. Hahaha! 

I'm still walking Rusty's Run every day. But I decided to walk to the beach once day, about 45 min each way. Getting there was fine; but even after sitting for an hour, the walk back was really difficult and I think I overworked my calf muscles as I was sore for a few days. I guess I really do have to listen to my doctor's advice and stick to 30 minute walks. Well, most of the time anyway! 😜 🤷

The raspberry u-pick has just opened up. So this week, I'll probably make jam. And bread 'n' butter pickles are also on my to-do list. I've run out and am missing them a lot.

 

I hope it's cooler where you are now and that you get to enjoy the rest of summer.

Namaste, y'all!

Welcome to July!

My apartment is painted, and just about everything has been put back in place.  I did some fun tweaking and added some summery cushions and a throw. (Now my area rug doesn't quite 'go' with everything ..... so do I need a summer carpet?) Hmmm! I shall be scouring the thrift stores and FB marketplace.

The weather has been what I consider perfect with temperatures mostly in the mid 20's (80's). I've finished working on the community garden, and it looks so lovely! The Peonies are in full blossom, and the Roses, Lillies and Foxglove are ready to open any day. Summer has finally reached Newfoundland.

Canada Day was a fun day with family and their friends' families; there were lots of happy, sticky children, laughter and great food. I spent most of the day in the pool repeatedly catching my 2 yr old dare-devil grandson who would recite "Weddy, Set, GO!" and then jump off the side into my arms. Hahaha! My arms ached so much. 

Although the black flies can be a challenge, I'm still walking brookside every day, and I love watching the changing flora and fauna. Things change on a daily basis. One day, the path itself was strewn with white and yellow pollen -- like confetti at a wedding. The next week, the ferns were covered with fallen blooms from the trees. The ditches are full of color! Purple Lupins & Vetch, yellow somethings, Oxeye daisies and bright, beautiful reddish/orange Fireweed.

I almost always bring home a bouquet. 

Today will be in the high 20's; so it's a picnic and swim day with my eldest daughter and wonderful 10 yr old grandson. Being a grandma is one of the best things about aging for me!

Namaste y'all! Stay cool and hydrated, and seek out the small joys!

 

Spring Spruce Up

Due to my life-of-leisure lately (laid off, collecting EI and working casual), I am way ahead of my usual spring spruce-up game. The gardens have been weeded, fed and mulched; they are looking mighty pretty for Nova Scotia in May!

The front bed is bidding goodbye to the last of the tulips and hello to the primrose and grape hyacinth. The planter under my Newfoundland flag contains basil, thyme and Italian parsley. I don't get a lot of direct sunlight, but I'm hopeful that the herbs will continue to grow throughout the summer.

 









The side bed next to the brook is filling in. The sunlight only reaches the tree-garden bed for short periods during the day, but the creeping phlox is beginning to bloom and Astilbe, faux Sunflower, sedum and other plants are showing their wee faces. In that area, it's a futile fight against nature, I know; but somehow, I love its wildness.

I've also been painting the entire main floor, ceilings and trim -- something that's not been done in total in the 8 years I've lived here.   I've had some help with that; also, because I want to retain some feeling in my hands and fingers (carpal tunnel), I've made sure there were 4-5 days off in between painting sessions. I choose a lovely light, airy color called "Bluegrass White" by Dulux. (A lot of color for white, huh?) I've been gathering new cushion covers for the past year or so with the intention of changing up my color scheme a little; and I've shopped my house for other "new" do-dads. 

The 2 red cushions were thrifted. The elephant is from Wicker Emporium ($12 on sale); and the anchor was a recent purchase online from Rosegal ($5)

And I just found this beauty at Frenchies last week for $4, cushion included.

What a difference a color change makes! Besides the downstairs looking clean and fresh, I feel more energetic and positive every time I look at it. As they say:  "A change is as good as a rest"!

Next chore are the 3 decks. I'll hire someone to scrape and then I'll tackle the staining. And when I "shopped" my paint can area of the basement, I was lucky enough to come up with just enough stain and paint in all the right colors. Nice to know that won't cost me any money. (Must keep in mind the summer wine supplies, huh.)

Now to get back to sprucing myself up! Several weeks of painting and gardening have ravaged my hands and nails. I guess I need a week of soaking in the bathtub with wine spritzers. 

Not a problem at all!

Get me out before I'm pruny!

Weekend in Review

The sun showed it's pretty face 2 days in a row.  So, here's how I spent my weekend.

Saturday first brought a wave goodbye to Nagisa who went out for the day.  Then there was a quick stop at a yard sale (where I came away with a lovely stack of magazines for $1); then there was a hair appointment followed by a visit to the first Farmer's Market of the season:  a visit to the Market and not a working date.  How lovely to be on the other side!   

When I got home, I watered the flowers, began a little herb garden in my deck planters, and prettied up my heart-rock collection under the hanging planter. Gotta spread the love before they even get in the door!  

As that was such an exhausting way to spend Saturday morning, the doctor ordered this for the afternoon: 

 Num-nummy Gin & Tonic.  And YES!  I ate the whole bowl!

Sunday began with a 4 km walk and an iced coffee for the 2nd leg; then a quiet breakfast on the deck ... all before 10 am.  Then there was laundry to do and 2 lasagnas to make and freeze and a student to drop off at an afternoon party. 

I really was exhausted after that.  So, the doctor once again gave the order.  But this time, I made do with an orange juice spritzer. 

This is what the sky looks like from my reclining deck lounger.  My goodness!  Yesterday the leaves on the Virginia Creeper weren't open.

I love Sunday evenings like this.  My feet are aching and my body is deliciously tired and I accomplished loads yet spent hours at a time just relaxing.  What a smart doctor I have.


FYI - I haven't had a physician for almost 3 years now!  

What's on the Table this Week? GOT Feast!

I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before, but my middle daughter and I are avid fans of "Game of Thrones" -- the books the HBO TV series, the merchandise, any shape or form of GOT is great with us.   Molly's birthday is on the 30th and we always get together on Sunday evenings for the latest installment of Season 3. So, amidst bathroom renovations, working 2 jobs, feeding 2 Asians and exercise class, I decided I should create a birthday feast inspired by our favorite series.

I instructed those invited to "wear the black".  Her boyfriend forgot, so he because the self-appointed photographer. 

Chief cook at the castle, the Faire Maiden Molly and 2 scurvy knaves were all more than happy to partake of feasting.

The feast was amazing.  From the top left and working clockwise -- Lemonsweet; wines from Dorne, Lys and the Arbor; honeyed chicken; Cersei's green salad with apples, pinenuts, pomegranate seeds & feta cheese; meat pies and (missing from the picture due to much gorging of selves) spiced squash, buttered carrots, Sansa's lemon cakes and Arya's fruit and cheese tarts.

We took a couple of hours to eat with resting in between courses!

And what's a "Game of Thrones" party with a dragon, right?  This was our attempt at creating Drogon, the largest and most fierce GOT dragon.  Elly said our Drogon looked like a very old dragon because of his huge hairy eyebrows; but he was quite delicious nonetheless.

This week, it's back to healthy, moderate eating.  And there might be an extra exercise class or daily walk fit in there to offset the wonderful feast food.  Thank goodness for fair spring weather.  

I'm once again able to do my daily after-work garden meandering.  I love seeing how much things have grown while I've been away for the day.  And you know, as soon as the cold weather ended and the sun shone, those pesky little Asiatic lily beetles came out of hiding, so it's my joy to hunt down and squish the little varmints!

I hope spring is bringing you joy!  What ya' been eating lately?

Time to SPRING ahead!

Technically, the time goes ahead at 2 am Sunday the 10th.  But as I'll be sleeping at that time, I think I'll just go ahead and do it now.  

I lose an hour's sleep for an extra hour of sunlight -- not a bad exchange at this time of year if you ask me!

Look what I found in my garden this morning.  I got so excited!

I dug up and replanted all my bulbs last fall, so I have no idea what colors will show up where.  But those wee touches of green sure are a welcome sight.

My brook was babbling, and I think I even heard the earth singing.  Or was that my heart?

Makes me fair want to sit on the back deck and have a cuppa!  (But I'd have to dig out my snowsuit; and in spite of the sun, the deck chairs are still icy wet ..... and I don't think it would be good for my hemorrhoids!)  So, all deck adventures are temporarily postponed. 



It was another beautiful Saturday, so I took  a short walk.  And although the evidence may not be visible after our next inevitable spring snowfall (it is Nova Scotia after all), the proof was there for all Bluenosers to see today.  Spring is just ahead! 

Fertilizer Friday - June 22.12

Friday means joining Tootsie and the other proud gardeners for Fertilizer Friday at Tootsie Time.  Remember to drop by Tootsie's blog because there are so many wonderful plants to see.  She's an avid gardener with much more energy than I have (and her gardens prove it!).

My gardens are doing very well.  The yellow day lillies are waning; but look at that beautiful Spiderwort!  It's one of my favorites because of the profusion of blooms.  The Asiatic lillies are getting ready to bloom; and thanks to my diligence in hand picking and destroying every beetle I found, the plants are looking lovely.  

The back and side beds are also filling in.  My new bed way at the back looks healthy and contains some of the prettiest pansies.  Out of my 4 tea rose bushes, only one bloomed; I think the move upset the plants, but they'll revive for another year.  The dianthus is blooming -- don't you love that dusty green foliage against the pale pink.  My new Canterbury Bells plant has lots of pretty blooms.  The the miniature Carnations that I planted 4 years ago return faithfully for me year after year.  

Now I need some help identifying a plant that was given to me.  It's very pretty; I just wish I knew what to call it!  


Can you help me please?




I have another busy week ahead of me.  My Japanese and Korean students leave over the next few days; both will return in late August, thank goodness!  I do love them!  And my eldest daughter who lives in TO will be arrive on Monday until mid July.  She's a wonderful cook!  Kudos!


Have a wonderful weekend, y'all!  Me?  I'll be armed with the vacuum and Murphy's cleaner during the day, remote and a glass of merlot in the evening.  

Fertilizer Friday - June 15.12

After 4 years and many, many plant re-locations (which still happens), the garden is beginning to fill out.  I've yet to weed and feed two of my garden spots.  But if the weather cooperates,  this weekend I'll "git 'er done".

This plant is one of my new acquisitions this spring.  It's called "Valerian" and the smell is gorgeous.  Didn't even know it would have a scent, so that's an extra to the pretty little blossoms and interesting leaf structure.

This is my newest garden, made up of a lot of the plants that came from the front bed that had to be moved.  I used an old bed sheet as a base before filling it in with lovely compost, peat moss and sheep manure.  Then I ran out of supplies and energy so the back portion is not yet finished.  The bricks in front are supposed to be a "step".  

Poor me!  I don't even remember the names of some of the plants and I do like to know what's growing and blooming.  (I'll have to check my last year notes).


This bed is one of the closest to the back of the property.  And I noticed a few days ago that the deer had begun to munch on a few of the plants.  So, out came the "Skoot" and I had to spray (which is harmless to the deer but leaves beige spots on the plants).  




Darn you, nasty Bambis!  Why can't you just concentrate on my sacrificial Hosta bed I prepared for you?  Why must you be so dog-gone greedy?





The countdown is on now for my "Summer o Freedom" when the students leave me for July and August.  Ahhhhhh!  

I'm practicing!

Now, let's head over to http://www.tootsietime.com/ to check out the rest of the lovely blooms this week.

In the Garden

After days of rain and drizzle, the sunshine on Friday was very welcome.  Here's a look at what's in the garden.

And the pansies!

And daughter #2 was blooming on Friday!  She graduated from 1st year of college, and she hopes to go back to do a 2nd year.

Congratulations Molly.  I'm very proud of you.

The loveliness of rain!

After a stellar weekend with temperatures in the mid and high 20's (celsius), I awoke this morning to a rain showers.  And aren't they lovely.


Yes, rain can be lovely, let me count the ways:


  1.  Isn't it lovely to fall asleep to the sound of gentle rain.


  2.  It fills up the little brook outside my door and makes it either roar or babble -- both lovely.
  

I

   3.  It's Nature's car wash, especially good when your car just needs a little rinse.  


  4.  It's perfect when your well or your cistern needs refilling.


  5.  Frogs, ducks and minnows love the rain; so do the birds in our bird baths.
 

  6.  It makes everything look clean, fresh and new -- the dirty streets, the dusty park benches, the plastic deck chairs.


  7. It 's so refreshing after the hot, sultry, summer heat that we all know will be here soon.


  8.  The garden loves it.  


I spent every day this weekend in my garden.  It was bliss followed by eptom salts baths and collapsing on the couch.  I had to move one entire bed out front (because I inadvertently planted it on my neighbors property [duplex] and they're selling this summer).  The hardest move was my 3 year old Holly bush; and as I was unable to solicit any help from big-strong males, I tackled it myself.  Ugh!  

Me am strong like bull!

(Me am foolish and full of bull!)

After a lot of starts and stops, grunts and groans, I did it, sprinkling that newly dug (but a little small) hole with bone meal and sheep compost, tucking in all the bits of root that didn't want to fit covering it with lovely black dirt, watering it twice daily, telling it how much I loved it and wanted it to be happy in it's new location -- and then praying over it (as well as the laying on of hands!).  So far, it still looks good.  But I'll keep praying and watering for a while yet!


My knees are creaky, my back is achey, my nails are permanently stained and my gardens are so happy.  Especially with this gentle rain.


It is lovely! 


  

Goodnight John Boy!

My weekend?

Just a glass while I watched Fringe.

It's hard to beat a cheap, youth group sponsored penny
auction and yard sale.
And the pork b'beque was real tasty!

But next to my baby coming home from uni, my favorite part
of the weekend by far was digging in the garden today.
My fingernails are ragged, my back is tetchy,
my knees complain when I walk upstairs and
I'm exhausted.  But just as the old song says:
"It hurts so good"!

Goodnight John Boy!

Fertilizer Friday - Aug 26.11

TGIF! It's my last weekend of total freedom. And although my garden is looking mighty sad these day, I thought it best to take a few pictures today before we get hit by Hurricane Irene.

.

So, I joining Tootsie at Tootsie Time for her weekly Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Aug. 26/11.

.

.

The star of the garden has to be the Coneflowers; that one little plant I put in 3 years ago is looking quite beautiful and lush. The Hydrangea is still blooming; I have one pretty little Hosta that miraculously the deer have eaten, one pretty little Snapdragon, one Coleus (badly in need of watering), and 2 little Gernaniums that are still blooming.

And the lower left picture shows my Holly plant with berries beginning to turn red. Eeek!

.

"I will not say the 'F' word; I will not say the 'F' word!"

.

Tomorrow calls for sunshine -- the calm before the storm. With any luck, I'll be hosting my own yard sale and will be able to get rid of that pile that I've been accumulating in the basement.

.

If Irene is headed your way, I pray God's protection on you. Stay safe and dry.

And a wonderful weekend to all!

.

.