Outside my window the faintest streaks of orange and pink are quickly fading into darkness. And it's only 9 pm. By the end of August our days will be about 1.5 hours shorter than at the beginning. It seems that the garden is well aware of the shortening days, too, and everything is in a hurry to ripen. There are many apples on our two trees this year and we'll be picking them in a few weeks. Apple Crisp, Apple Pie, fresh crunchy apples - such a delicious fruit.
One of my hydrangea bushes produces enormous mopheads in a variety of colours - brighter then softening to these purple and blue hues. Just a single mophead is filling a low vase on the coffee table, like a pot wearing a flowery hat.
When I paint I use a scrap of watercolour paper to test my colours. I had the idea to draw designs in those daubs, and quite like the effect. It's now a bookmark used by my husband. I think I'll plan on doing more of these.
The roses are showing off just now with plentiful large blooms. Secret, above, glows in the evening light and smells wonderful. Another rosebush, Boscobel, is covered in coral-pink blossoms. Last summer when granddaughter Cora took a sniff, she said, "It smells like baked raspberries." Quite descriptive for a three-year-old.
After reading about planting flowers among vegetables to encourage pollinators, I seeded some cosmos at the end of a couple of beds. They are blooming profusely now and are constantly full of bees.
This morning I picked a pound of green beans, several tomatoes, much basil, and two fistfuls of sweet peas. With some of the basil I made a puree and froze it in ice cube trays. The rest I set on a platter to dry. There is much more basil in the garden and I'll be making pesto later.
A few weeks ago my eldest daughter and I were chatting and I mentioned seeing an advertisement for 40% off David Austin roses at a local nursery. Cristal jumped up, "Let's go!" So we did, each bringing home two rosebushes. There wasn't a great selection, but we chose Harlow Carr, a pink rose, and Molineux, the yellow one above. How pretty it is.
I am taking a blog break for a couple of weeks and look forward to catching up with you all on my return.
I intend to copy your bookmark idea! Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteOh I do love the colour of your sweet peas and the new rose. What a very talented artist you are and I love the book mark. Very simple but clever. I may copy the idea. Have a good break. B x
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely things you have in your garden, Lorrie. Most of my flowers have finished now, the heat has been too much for the Sweet peas, sadly. I have Molineux also, and the flowers are beautiful, but mine has quite fragile stems.
ReplyDeleteApples, hydrangea, roses, watercolours... such lovely pictures ♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteHave a good one and we'll see you when we see you!
Lots of pretty things to see here. Enjoy your break.
ReplyDeleteYour garden flowers are beautiful and your painting and bookmark are lovely. Have a good break:)
ReplyDeleteHave a fun break...hope you're getting to go somewhere interesting. We'll be so glad when the weather breaks and we can camp!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the break. Make the most of that diminishing light!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea making daubs of paint into book marks. Your flowers are all gorgeous. The new roses will fit in perfectly. Enjoy your blogging break.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you'll have plenty of apples for apple pies and other treats!
ReplyDeleteThe bookmark is wonderful!
Your hydrangea is fantastic!
Have a great Sunday, Lori!
Hello Lorrie, your photos are beautiful and your painting is gorgeous! You are very talented. Hope you are doing well.
ReplyDeleteI have been noticing how the days are getting shorter here too. Funny how that sneaks up on us every year.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to anticipate the many upcoming treats with your apples.
Your watercolor painting is so nice and what a clever idea with the bookmarks.
I hope you are enjoying your blogging break.
Love the pretty purple hydrangea bushes!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your blogging break!
I love your clever bookmark, very pretty indeed. I have a pile of them that have been sitting unused since I switched to e-books. I miss them and the feel of real books.
ReplyDeleteSweet Peas are the best!
Amalia
xo
Everyone of your photographs is so wonderful, from the apples, love/love the book mark idea, flowers, new roses, and produce from the garden!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYour harvest basket not only looks delicious but so beautiful! Wow
ReplyDeleteYour basket with the harvest looks so colourful.
ReplyDeleteI do like David Austin roses.
Have a good blog-break and 'see you' soon.
All the best Jan