This and That

     The hydrangeas this year are stunning. This beauty belongs to my friend Donna. The rich hues are reminiscent of a Jinny Beyer's palette. (For those who don't know, Jinny Beyers is a very well-known quilter and fabric designer.)
     Speaking of colors, last week I tried my hand at some fabric dyeing. Since it was my first time, I experimented with some fairly small pieces.

I envision perhaps using sections of these pieces in some small art quilts. Tomorrow if the sun cooperates, I may attempt some sun printing.

     Finally, I took this weirdly amusing photo last month when I made my first and only trip so far this summer to Peaceful Meadows in Whitman.  The ice cream, as always, was creamy and delicious, and I got a kick out of these new cow heads. I wonder what the real cows think of them???

Sunset over Squantum

     Our Wednesday night quilt group was meeting in Squantum last night at Maribeth's house. We were sitting at the table when I caught a glimpse of the sky through her screen porch window.  I grabbed my  camera and dashed outside. Magnificent!!!

 

     The palace has announced that the little prince has a name; it's His Royal Highness George Alexander Louis Prince of Cambridge. May this future king be blessed with a very long and happy life.

Love Gone Wrong

     I spotted this sad sign of the times the other day when I was shopping. Who and why would someone display such a bold proclamation??? The broken heart was a nice touch!

Wiltering, Withering, Blistering Heat

     I'm not sure that "wiltering" is even a word, but I could have sworn those three words began Diane Sawyer's ABC's News broadcast this evening. Then again with this heat wave, my hearing could be a bit off. :-) It's far too hot on the sunporch, so I have moved my gardenia back inside where it's cooler. It needs lower nightly temps to set blooms. About fifteen to twenty years ago, I had central air conditioning installed, and it's truly wonderful during these sweltering days.
     Yesterday, my cousin and her two little boys came for a visit and brought with them a "Goofy Gecko" sprinkler which kept them cool. They are two of the cutest little guys in the whole wide world, and it was great fun having them visit.

Turkey Trot - Part 2

     Here's one more family photo of Mrs. Tom and her little ones that I took yesterday. 

     Though it was warm, I did manage to do some planting and weeding yesterday afternoon. I love the red beebalm and blue balloon plants that are putting on quite a show in my small garden.

     My larger garden is also coming along nicely. I've added more coneflowers and some rudbeckias. The rudbeckias, which are yellow, daisy-like flowers with large maroon centers, were on the markdown shelf at the local home improvement center.  I think with a little TLC they will do just fine and come back even better next year to provide color to the front corner of my garden.

     Finally, nothing says summer like homegrown tomatoes. There are three pots on my patio with these tiny tomatoes. I'd like to have a vegetable garden as well, but my small garden is the only spot that receives full sun all day, and I've always had flowers there. There is also a big problem with tree roots. Having said that, perhaps next year I could build a small raised bed along the fence. It's something to consider.

New Neighbors Out for a Stroll

     I awoke this morning to the sound of raindrops falling on the roof of the sunporch which meant my plans to spend the day gardening were cancelled. Then glancing out the porch door, I spied in my neighbor's backyard, Mrs. Tom Turkey and her poults who have been roaming around our neighborhood for the last week or two.

     

     After thoroughly checking out my neighbor's yard, Mrs. Tom then decided to explore my yard.

     Mom flew up and over the fence while the babies came through the space where the fences meet. Mom's attempt to take a drink from the bird bath only succeeded in knocking it over.

     The babies stayed hidden in the plants growing along the fence. The best part . . .  two hummingbirds were flitting about from one stalk of bee balm to another and the mist and drizzle were no doubt doing absolute wonders for my complexion. It was a lovely way to start the day.

Fields of Daylilies

     The daylily fields are abloom at Tranquil Lakes Nursery in Rehoboth, MA. I had a gift certificate which had been given to me by two friends four years ago when I retired. We had taught together at many Weymouth schools through the years. I had been planning to redeem the certificate each summer, but Rehoboth is not very close and something always got in the way. Today dawned too warm and humid for gardening or the gym, and so I decided today was the day. The fields at the nursery were awash in color, and it was hard to make a selection. I chose this daylily named "Shepherd's Light." 

It's a lovely, large yellow daylily, and I planted it right in the front of my garden for a brilliant spot of color. I also purchased two coneflower plants; one a very deep pink and the other an orange shade. Coneflowers are great for cutting; they are one of my favorite garden flowers.

     As you can see, I decided where to hang the floral crayon art that my cousins had made for my birthday. Don't these pieces look cheerful!

Independence Day 2013

      Red, White, and Blue . . . Some friends came over to celebrate America's birthday with the traditional hot dogs, beans, potato salad, lemonade, and pie.  Emma was sporting her festive, patriotic  scarf.

     It was a very, very warm Independence Day. The forecasts indicate that the next five days will be in the nineties which means I won't be doing any gardening for a while. We really can't complain though as some parts of the country are facing even higher temperatures. 

     Here's a photo I took a few moments ago of a tuckered out Emma. 

Floral Crayon Art

   
     Yesterday was my birthday, so my cousin Kristin and her two adorable little girls came to visit and to take me to lunch at the Chateau in Braintree. Look at the beautiful art pieces they created for me. The above piece was made by Lucy, age seven.
     This piece was made by Trixie, age four, with some help from her mom.

     Kristin also made one.

    This art project looks as if it was lots of fun. They are so colorful, and now I have to decide where to hang them. I'm considering staggering them on the wall next to the staircase or as a three section panel in my sewing room.  Wherever  I hang them they will surely brighten each day.