Summer at Home

 

Summer is sizzling and sends me indoors during these warm days. 

It's a good time to check off some things on the "to do" list.  Grayden and I work on these jobs together.  You know, the things that don't get done but once a year if we're lucky.  Cleaning windows, cabinets, waxing furniture, recaulking the bathtub, washing rugs, curtains, etc.  All the things that are not done more regularly.  

I'd much prefer playing in the garden, but a clean home does make me happy.

Bringing in a blossom here and there brightens up the table. The hydrangeas are having their heyday!  Our pink ones (due to our alkaline compost) have been especially lovely this year.

Maybe it's a good time to relax and prop your feet up and read and enjoy a cup of tea.  I drink hot tea all year, but I can add ice if you'd prefer.

Housework, if you do it right, will kill you!  Erma Bombeck

Don't worry Erma, we know when to stop.  

Joyous Days

 The late spring days have brought many joyous times to us.  In late May we had a lovely visit with our daughter and son-in law.  Their son lives with us and is pure joy.  Believe me, he is a great help to his grandparents and has taken on the duty of mowing our lawn.  Hey, we'll take all the help we can get!  Samuel's 26th birthday was celebrated while his parents came for a visit.  When family is visiting I never seem to remember to take photos!

Chocolate cake and chocolate chip mint ice cream was requested by Samuel for his birthday.  No one was sad about that request!

We enjoyed several days with Noel and Peter.  They share our love of daily walks and joined us each morning after breakfast.  It was so good to visit with them.  All of our family is completely vaccinated and that makes this Mama and Grandmother very happy.  

During this week, we attended the graduation of our middle grandson, Alex.  Their graduation was held outdoors at a very unusual venue--Richmond International Raceway!  

 With 408 graduates, there was plenty of room.  

 Though difficult looking through a fence, we watched with pride as Alex received his diploma.

Goodness, it seems like yesterday we attended Grady's graduation.  Here is Alex, Grady and Miles.  Miles will be a junior next year.   

After the ceremony, we all went out for dinner.  After this past year of separation,  we were so glad to spend more time with our family.  

Hello Old Friends

Hello to all of my friends here.  It's been quite a while since I shared anything on my blog, though I have visited with a few of you.  This past year seems to have left me lacking in Joy which is the whole idea of my blog.  I am blessed beyond measure and am quite surprised at my lack of enthusiasm.  Maybe it's old age creeping in or just the same ole same ole around here.  I'm sure you didn't come here to hear complaints so I'll gather a few photos and try to get my groove back.  I truly have enjoyed sharing here and getting to know so many new friends.

My passion for gardening always seems to help my spirit.  We have been blessed with close to 5 inches of rain this month.  After a very dry May, this has been needed sorely.  It's really not a good idea to go into summer with a deficit of rain in our hot, humid area.  I do hope the abundance of rain has not affected you with flooding as has happened in our state.

The Jackmanii Clematis has certainly been happy with all the moisture.  She shares her home on the other side of the trellis with the Pinkie Climbing rose.  Grayden made this trellis for us over 30 years ago.  It's made of copper tubing and has turned verdigris that blends nicely with the climbers.

 The above photo was taken last month.  The roses are now over for the time being.  Yesterday I deadheaded and fertilized all the roses so I should get more blooms.  

The Eastern Redcedar is loaded with berries.  I enjoy seeing the different textures on this juniper (juniperus virginiana) which is actually not a cedar at all.  It's quite popular in the eastern part of North America.  I'm sure most were planted by the birds as they are seen along fence lines.  If you have fruit trees it is not a good idea to have redcedars as they seem to be the host for cedar apple rust that will destroy them.  But the redcedar has many good qualities that include great places for wildlife to rest.  It will grow in very poor soil as well and is known to live a very long time.  Some have been known to be around for hundreds of years.  They are often seen in old  cemeteries and on old undisturbed properties.

This year looks like it's going to be great for hydrangeas.  I love picking a blossom or two and bringing it indoors for the table.   

The Lacecap Hydrangea is enjoying the extra raindrops that fell.

You can spot the Oakleaf Hydrangea on the upper left.  She sure loves the hot, humid summers here.  The white vinca are beginning to grow as well as all the volunteers from past years!

Our resident bunny let me approach him very closely this morning!  We have observed him most mornings munching on grass and enjoying whatever he wants in the perennial garden.

Maybe he'll join me when I'm weeding this bed!  Can you spot him?

Thank you for stopping by, my friends.  I hope the upcoming summer days find you well.