Long time, no see! Well, truthfully, I’ve been here, but I haven’t been able to blog as I usually do. First a book review and then a sponsored post. But, like the proverbial bad penny, I’m back!
About that book review, today is the last day to leave a comment. I pick a winner this evening. Just scroll down two posts – it’s worth it. I really loved this one.
Oh friends, I’m in the middle of morning glory nirvana. Monday: 9 blooms. Tuesday: 16 blooms. Today: 16 blooms. This particular batch of seeds has been stellar – a bumper crop of morning glories. May I share some photos with you?
I love all the stages of a morning glory.
This was my view this morning. In the early hours of the day, they’re almost purple. As the day goes on, they morph into that beautiful Heavenly Blue color.
Goodness, it’s a lovely way to start the day.
On the porch, everything is still going strong. All the hanging plants are full and lush. And on the bench, six different pots of impatiens have come together to form this:
A giant mass of beautiful blooms.
The miniature rose plant that Don gave me on Mother’s Day is still blooming:
All in all, a very satisfying scenario here at the cottage, even though many plants in the garden beds are now fading. We’ve had gorgeous weather, although today is supposed to be humid and very warm. But it’s only for a day. The light is turning into that golden light that Fall seems to do so well.
I’m back to trail walking, after some rain and hot temps and computer issues (and three round trips to Danbury, CT) kept me off the trail for a few days. Yesterday, I mowed, which was the equivalent in miles of a trail walk. In effort? A whole lot more.
And the new computer? Lighter-weight than my older one. The retina display is incredible. Everything is so crystal clear, it’s really amazing. It’s also much faster. I guess you can say it’s been a high tech month here at the Hill/Sparks house. Don got an upgraded iPhone, I got an iPad (though I find I don’t use it all that much) and we both got new computers. Let me assure you, this is it for a long time! We’re grateful and all of it – except maybe the iPad – was desperately needed.
What else? I’m reading Martha’s Vineyard – Isle of Dreams by Susan Branch and am thoroughly enjoying it. I’m about to put Little Z’s dollhouse from IKEA together and I’m searching for some sturdy, basic furniture for it. (He’s only five, after all.) Hopefully, we are going to head back down to Florida next month for a visit, because, as of December I am booked through May. We need to spend some time with family and walk on the beach and watch Little Z in the pool and hug my furry nephew Max. My other nephews will be away at school.
The morning glories gave us an unexpected extra:
Incredibly intricate.
Oh, and birds! I saw a robin – just one – about a week ago. A catbird was taking a bath the other day. The doves are all still here, as are the finches. This morning I could see that a bird had recently been in the birdbath, getting a good splash of water. So, many of them are still around. That makes me happy.
Happy Wednesday.
I am so in love with your Morning Glories! Those colors are so pretty. I can feel a bit of Fall in the air also. Still too hot in the afternoons but mornings are so nice! I need to get some photos taken for a blog post and today the light seems good for it all!
hugs!!
Take some pictures, my friend! Hope all is well!
And a really nice Wednesday it is at your cottage! I have an iPad Air and I love it – much lighter than a laptop when travelling and I can watch movies, etc. and catch up on one of my favorite blogs – yours! Enjoy.
Mine is just a basic iPad. I don’t think I’d lie blogging on an iPad, unless I got a wireless keyboard. And great news! The new computer is much lighter than my older MacBook Pro. Huzzah!
Gorgeous flowers Claudia. I’m so glad you’re happy with all of your new technology. It’s funny, I found when I got my first iPad that I never opened my laptop for over 6 months. That’s when I gave it away to a friend and I’ve never looked back! I guess everyone is different. I’m on my second iPad now and love it. How nice you’re going to visit Meredith and her family again. I know they’ll be so happy to see the two of you. I just love that little guy.
Blessings,
Betsy
Well, with blogging every day, I just can’t do it on an iPad. I like the iPad for reading blogs, but not for writing. I have a feeling it will come in handy when I’m sitting in rehearsal studios for hours and hours. That’s a time when I don’t want to lug the laptop along with my script, etc. and the iPad will be just right.
Can’t wait to see my Little Z! He said he wanted to come visit us in “N as in New York” last night. We told him we’d love to have him here anytime, but in the meantime, we’re coming down to Florida to see him.
Love your morning glories—it’s a real MG morning all around these parts. I had six on my struggling, long-suffering vine. But, lo and behold, my shady pergola vine even popped out its first four blooms today! Miracle.
All of your flower photos are so beautiful, but that spider web is magical!
I didn’t think I’d managed to get that shot, but I did!
Those morning glories were certainly worth the wait…my impatiens are still blooming out at the mailbox…I will be sad when they are gone…Oh boy..we are going to visit our little guy again..I can’t wait to see that cutie pie again!
Me either, Nancy!
Yes…the light is changing! Fall seems to have kicked into high gear all of a sudden. I would be lost without my iPad…I use it for everything …I don’t use a laptop. But, then I’m not a blogger, and I’ve heard it’s difficult to blog using an iPad. I’m loving your morning glories…keep those pics coming! I’m enjoying my lime lights. I have 3, that are in 3 different locations, and are in 3 stages of color. One has turned that dusty pink, one is green, and one is still white, just now changing to green…kind of fun to watch! ;)
If you’re a blogger, the iPad is only a hassle. At least for me, and I know for many, many others, it doesn’t work. But I can do plenty of other things on my iPad. I use it mostly when I’m downstairs, away from the laptop.
Almost everyone I know who has an iPad says something similar – they’re fun at first but then it tends to be forgotten. I’ve never bought one because I don’t see anything the iPad does that the laptop doesn’t. Except for the fact that it’s marginally-smaller, I can’t see an advantage over a laptop. My MacBook Pro isn’t much bigger and has always worked out fine on those rare instances when it’s actually needed to be “mobile.” But I’d LOVE to have the retinal display. When I bought my Mac, I asked my nephew if I should spring for the retinal display & surprisingly he said he didn’t think it was worth it. He said the normal Mac screen was very good on its own. VERY unusual for him seeing that he ALWAYS wants the very latest tech stuff as soon as it’s available. So I didn’t get it. But I would really love to have it now. I imagine movies, videos, photos are amazing with retinal tech. Anyway, have fun with all your new goodies for as long as you can. There’s undoubtedly something coming down the pike right now that will make them “old” soon enough. 💻
Oh, I’m not forgetting it! I use it when I’m downstairs and not on the laptop. But blogging on an iPad? Only in a dire emergency! It isn’t conducive to blogging. Where I will use it the most is when I’m in rehearsals for long hours and I’m killing time or doing research. When I walk back and forth to rehearsal or travel into NYC, I don’t necessarily want to add the laptop to my scripts and books. But the iPad will be perfect then.
I love the retina display! Everything on WordPress is crystal clear in a way I’ve never seen before. It’s really incredible!
i am happy about your happiness!
kathy in iowa
Thank you, Kathy!
Lovely flowers, Claudia. Hope you get a few weeks more. I love my iPad, and hardly use my MacBook, unless I have to update one of my spreadsheets or write a letter or edit photos. I read a lot of needlework blogs and do email on the iPad. I love its size and how portable it is. Most importantly (other than it’s the last gift my late husband gave me), I can take photos and bring the iPad to my Dad, who is in assisted living. It’s easier than lugging my MacBook and Dad can more easily see the photos on an iPad versus my camera screen.
If I was just reading blogs, the iPad would be fine, but it sure doesn’t work if you write a blog! And I also edit photos for the blog. So blogging and everything surrounding it gets done on the laptop. Reading blogs is fun on the iPad, and like I said in some earlier replies, it will be wonderful to take along to rehearsals.
Ohhh! That web shot took my breath away! Your eye sees the world in such a beautiful way, AND you have the skills to allow the rest of us to see what you see. Thank you. Fall is my favorite time of year no matter where I live. Yes, the land is getting ready to rest, but before it does it showers us with beautiful flowers, and where you live you also get beautiful fall leaves. All of this technology can be wonderful but it seems to me to be a bit of a time and $$ suck. But without it I would not be enjoying your lovely blog. hehe So if our biggest challenge is what device to use I would have to say that life is not so bad. Carry on, Claudia. Yours is the only blog that I look at every day.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Teresa!
Technology is definitely a $$ suck, but I sure love my computer and my iPhone and my iPad!
It’s sorta nice to know where your life is going over the next few months, isn’t it. You have a lot of plans.
I know nothing much about morning glories; they are indeed glorious.
P.S. You oughta see my shiner (from the bad fall-down-go-boom); impressive.
It is. The trip will be in October – November is for my birthday and Thanksgiving. December – obviously Christmas, but also the start of rehearsals for Comedy of Errors. I had a bad shiner when I was a kid, but I don’t really remember it, just being embarrassed by it! Feel better, my friend!
I am quite envious of your plethora of MG blooms!! I had zero yesterday and 1 today. I certainly do appreciate and enjoy each one, but would love to enjoy and appreciate them more than 1 at a time!!
It has been quite a technical month at your house!! I’m sure you will enjoy them all for a long time ahead. After a while, they really do become a necessity. It is a lovely sunny humidity free day here!! Sounds like we don’t have any hot days ahead in the next couple of weeks. We got through the one you are experiencing a couple of days ago, so you should have some lovely days ahead!! Enjoy your Wednesday!
I normally only have one or two at a time. I did plant these seeds in fresh top soil and I think that made a difference. I’m going to add top soil to the chicken wire fence garden next year because I think that little area needs more nutrition.
Oh how beautiful your morning glories are! The color is spectacular. I have a desk top computer for my writing but use my IPad to watch Netflix when I don’t care for what Carl is watching on tv. I love storing pictures on it too. Cloudy and overcast this afternoon but even here in Florida there are tiny changes indicating that fall is near.
We watched an episode of Inspector Lewis on my iPad the other day, Janie!
Do you read Susan Branch’s blog? They’re currently on the QE2 going back to UK. Interesting stuff and great photos.
Oh yes, I read her blog. And follow her on twitter.
Lovely flowers! It’s sunny and warm here today, but the leaves are falling faster than they turning. My daughter apparently needs her state of the art mobile and laptop for university and research work, but I go home from my (quite adequate) work computer to my late father’s old laptop. It’s hopelessly out of date, but I can’t seem to part with it. Every time I use it I think of my dad writing his books using the same key pad.
FYI, I saw some nice “child friendly” wooden furniture on The Dollhouse Company’s website the other day.
Well, of course you use your dad’s old laptop – there’s sentimental value there!
Thanks for the tip, Barbara, I’ll check out The Dollhouse Company.
The morning glories look as though they are lighted from their centers, very pretty.
They are so lovely, Jen.
Love those impatiens! My morning glories still have not bloomed. :(
I just finished A Great Reckoning -Louise Penny. Wow! I have thoroughly enjoyed the Gamache series but this one really caught my heart.
I agree. I think it’s her best one yet.
Hello right back to you! Take care!
You too, Doris!
What gorgeous colors in those photographs, Claudia. That precious little rosebud…..
Isn’t it sweet? Hoping I can keep that plant going over the winter, Nancy.