The limelight hydrangea is in full flower. Unlike my Annabelle hydrangea, the limelight always blooms later in the summer. Eventually, these flowers will turn pink. It’s a beautiful plant, lush and full.
In case you’re interested, I filmed a short video yesterday. It’s just a short little tour of the big garden bed and the beds by the porch entrance. Everything is in flower and it was sunny and beautiful so it seemed like a good time. It’s on my Instagram feed.
But you can tell it’s rained a lot (an understatement) because in certain areas of the property, I’m getting a lot of mosquito bites. For instance, yesterday we decided to sit in the Secret Garden for a bit – mostly to see if mama robin objected. She did. So we quickly got up and left so she could relax. I’d say we were out there about 3 or 4 minutes. I got 5 mosquito bites. Yikes. The Secret Garden is at the bottom of a hill and it stays wet longer than any other part of the property, so it makes sense that mosquitoes would thrive there.
Nature update: So far, I’ve seen lots of butterflies, including a black swallowtail, an Eastern swallowtail, a great spangled fritillary, and a few monarchs. This morning, our little groundhog was hanging around the big garden bed and we saw our first bunny in over a year. Unfortunately, the little bunny was in one of my garden beds! I opened the door and eventually, he scampered off, white tail bouncing. Oh what a cutie! And of course, mama robin continues to feed her babies constantly throughout the day. She’s a single mother so she has to do it all. I see more of the babies bodies now as they get stronger and thrust themselves up even higher to get food.
I finished my book this morning and, since I’m reading them in chronological order and I missed the one that was published before this one, I’m going to catch up by reading that next. I’m really enjoying the Ruth Galloway series.
I haven’t begun another painting yet. Just wasn’t in the mood. Today is dark and rainy, so light might be an issue. We’ll see.
By the way, I’m finding the fact that the email versions of these posts have been going out on time consistently lately rather ironic since they will soon be no more. Ah well.
Stay safe.
Happy Sunday.
I did enjoy your garden tour on IG yesterday. Your flowers are beautiful!
Stay safe
Thank you for watching, Marilyn!
Stay safe.
We, too, are enjoying the many beautiful butterflies this year. Soooo pretty. And the bees are beyond abundant as they swarm the Bee Balm. I love when they seem to be napping on the blooms. It does make me so happy! I don’t think we have had enough rain to have a mosquito problem this year. We have 90’s again and possibility (40%) of rain next Thursday. The grass is beginning to crunch again.
I am off to view your video! Take care.
I love when they nap, especially when they crawl into the center of a morning glory!
Stay safe, Chris.
Your video was so nice and slow….as if I was personally there just meandering your gardens. Well done.
I personally haven’t seen many butterflies, but bees abound. No mosquitos though…the one good thing to come out of our lack of rain. However…that’s not good for bats, and others that depend on mosquitos. What an intertwined world in which we live.
The Ruth Galloway series is on my TBR list. Enjoy your day! ;)
So many mosquitoes here. To be expected, but nevertheless, a pain in the tush.
Stay safe, Donna.
sorry about the mosquito bites. otherwise, oh, the power and beauty of nature!!! not that anyone really needs a “study” (just to pay attention to feelings) … but there are so many studies about the benefits of being outdoors and in/around nature. even just looking at photos of landscapes, plants can help lower stress levels, raise moods and more. the older i get, the more i need and crave nature. minus camping, bugs and poison ivy! and mosquito bites. :)
enjoy that new book. hope you can paint today if you want.
must-do chores done at home. figured out a pattern for a craft-y home project that is long overdue. that feels good.
so does having my last scheduled physical therapy appointment tomorrow. :) have lots to do at home, but am at the point where i don’t need a pt there watching me (which, while comforting, has also felt weird). progress! :)
hope you are all having a nice day. stay safe, well and cool!
kathy in iowa
Glad that physical therapy is coming to an end, Kathy!
Stay safe!
Claudia — lovely video of your garden — I am also a ‘mosquito magnet’ haha!! stay safe, healthy
I’ve always been a mosquito magnet – I’m pale, for one thing, and they seem to like pale people. Don hardly ever gets bit!
Stay safe, Linda.
We’re in mosquito mode too, after yesterday’s all-day soaker. But today is gorgeous and the rest of the week promises to be much of the same. All good. My nature is largely the ducks and geese and a rather lively group of blue jays who have discovered my feeder.
Happy week, my friend.
I used to love watching the ducks swim by at the lake!
Stay safe, Jeanie.