After a month of travel, short trips, then home for a couple of days to do laundry and yard care before setting out again, it's good to be settled at home. I read recently that satisfaction is found most in the small details of life: a walk along the beach or in the forest, a cup of morning tea savoured on the patio, or holding hands with a loved one. I do enjoy travel, but I'm just as happy at home.
Catching up on the garden and life has diminished my online presence. That's not a bad thing, but I have missed blogging and catching up with you on your own blogs. My days have been full - family visits, dinner with friends, and of course, gardening. I find that if I go out to do just a few things, I am reluctant to go back indoors. It's best to get the indoors done first, quickly, then enjoy clipping, weeding, and digging to my heart's content.
How lovely the hydrangeas are just now. We have several kinds. These lace caps caught my attention with their creamy centers and dark prominent flowers.
Through my open window I can hear the sound of birds twittering in the trees and shrubs. Do you use the Merlin app? I downloaded it after reading about it on another blog. It identifies birds by sound or photo and has revealed to me that there are many more birds around our garden than I can see.
The David Austen Lichfield Angel rosebush is enormous and laden with a bounty of faintly fragrant creamy blooms. The flowers are so heavy that the branches bend down to the ground. We've propped up a few to prevent breaking, but I'm going to do some research into how best to care for this plant.
Cosmos planted from seed are now adding a bright spot to the garden.
It's a banner year for blueberries. We have six bushes and have already picked over 22 pounds of them, and there will be more to come. The birds have eaten another couple of pounds and then there are the ones that go immediately from branch to stomach via grandchildren hands. I'm weighing my garden produce this summer, just for curiosity's sake. Pulling out a container of frozen berries in the winter is true luxury. We eat them with granola and yogurt, or I use them in baking.
Another little ordinary delight is cutting bouquets for the house. Multicoloured snapdragons are the latest. And sweet peas. My parents are coming for a few days and I will be making a bouquet for their room this morning.
Wishing you everyday delights.
Your snapdragons are so cheerful! I have the best scented sweet peas this year. The only problem is that for some reason they are all white. I know what you mean about the garden tempting you to stay, I find that once I'm out, there are just so many little things to do,
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy seeing the pretty flowers from your garden.
ReplyDeleteAs the kids would say these days, it's good to log off and "touch some grass". HA!
Those roses are so beautiful. All the flowers you shared are pretty. How nice to have a fresh bouquet for your folks. Enjoy your visit!
ReplyDeleteHow fortunate you are to have both of your parents able to come for a visit. Such a blessing. Enjoy your home and your time with family, my friend.
ReplyDeleteYour snapdragons are lovely. When I went to buy mine at the nursery I had a hard time finding any (the ones I sowed did not come up) Unknowingly I picked one pack of six very frilly double snapdragons. I'm loving those the most.
ReplyDeleteThat rose bush is amazing. It's hard to prop them up though, without the prop looking too obvious.
Lace cap Hydrangeas are so beautiful; too bad I'm out of space.
It's always lovely to come home after travels! I think I agree with what you read: " . . . that satisfaction is found most in the small details of life." And now I am thinking about some small details that have brought satisfaction to me recently.
ReplyDeleteAs always, there are lots of beautiful things in your garden! It is lovely to be able to gather some of them to bring inside. I know that your parents will appreciate their bouquet! Enjoy your time together!
I love the bouquet and the flowers name snapdragons! I wish I had blueberries in my garden to make nice desserts and jam. I must prepare the grandchildren’s arrival but this year it will be difficult for me to stand and walk a lot.
ReplyDeleteOur HOME holds a special place in my heart too...the garden is a haven and the bounty of veggies and fruits are such a wonderful reward. I have that Merlin App too and we use it a lot on Pender when we are at the cottage as there are bird songs that we do not recognize. Enjoy your week Lorrie!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely bouquet 💕 And what a lot of blueberries!
ReplyDeleteHome sweet home 💜 Coming back is always the sweetest part of a trip.
I popped in here from Cheryl's blog, and I'm so glad I did. The pictures of your flowers are just gorgeous. Those roses are definitely dreamy. Thank you for the reminder that we can find deep satisfaction in the everyday things. In the small details.
ReplyDeleteThat is a lot of berries!! Your flower photos are gorgeous. I'm happy for you that you can be home and in the garden at this season when one doesn't want to come in <3
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you about home and all its simple beautiful pleasures. Travel is fun but homecoming always the best and escaping into the garden. I’ve just breakfasted on our first homegrown blueberries which were delicious. We only have one bush but it is laden too this year. Those roses are stunning. I love all the David Austen roses. B x
ReplyDeleteI feel exactly the same - lovely to go away but it is so good to return back home again. Have a wonderful time with your amazing parents - what an inspiration they both are.
ReplyDeleteYour garden always brings a smile—those roses are absolutely stunning!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to be able to gather a few blooms to brighten up the home. I’m sure your parents will feel the love with that beautiful bouquet.
Lichfield Angel is so beautiful. It sounds as if you have had busy and happy times but as you say being at home is equally as pleasing as is finding joy in small, everyday things:)
ReplyDeleteI like how your ordinary days look and sound! Have a wonderful visit with your parents!
ReplyDeleteHello Lorrie, your photos are absolutely stunning! And your description of the birds chirping makes me feel as though I am right there with you enjoying these beautiful views and hearing the birds! Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of ordinary and ordinary days. It's in the day to day life that I find most of my happiness.
ReplyDeleteI've found Merlin quite helpful.
ReplyDeleteYour snapdragons are lovely, such beautiful colours.
ReplyDeleteI wish you a lovely visit with your parents.
All the best Jan