Rhapsodising in Bloom

Hi All,

I'm so excited-I just won "Doodling in French" by Anna Corba from the stampington.com blog! I've always admired the art of Anna Corba, her clean and simple style. I can't wait to see what is in her new book! Check out the blog. There is much to see there, and new ideas almost every day.

We had some hot humid weather over the holiday weekend, which turned dry and gorgeous most of the week, interspersed with rainstorms. Ideal weather, I think. I love cool breezy evenings on the porch. Summer is not here officially, but it seems to be. I have been wandering back and forth in my sparse gardens, mostly containers, looking at the progress there. Perennials have all come back to life and there are buds and blooms all over the place. I have finally had some luck with my clematis (!) after years of trying. I have lots of blooms on both of them!  Not the gorgeous full vines that a neighbor has wrapped around her mailbox, but blooms, nevertheless! Oops, no pictures yet! But here is my huechera:

This week I got the pleasure of pet sitting at one of my favorite places with the prettiest gardens. I love this place. It has a view to die for and two lovely Australian shepherds. Did I mention the gym, the pool, the greenhouse, the vegetable garden, the raspberry patch...we should all be so lucky!

Poppies!

Her flowers beckoned me as the sun was going down. This little corner garden has always thrilled me in the late afternoon. The sun sets early here, as there is a woodsy hill to the west. The light reflects off the garage and stone walls, flowers scent the screened porch...

 

I don't know what this is but I love it!

Right now, I'm sitting here under the influence of peonies. Their heady scent has inspired this post. I planted this peony about 4 years ago expecting that sweet soft light pink...what I got was this amazing luscious magenta! This year, I finally have enough blossoms to pick a few. I added some clippings from my pink willow for contrast. (The willow is really a lovely pink, mottled with green)

Ooh, flash not working-yucky color!

I am going through an especially busy time right now, and am missing you all. I have lots of artistic ideas in my head and no time to do them yet. I recently spent an evening watching an old mini-series on Netflix and I deconstructed several old Readers Digest condensed books. Their covers are so pretty, I am thinking of using them for a new line of something...even the spines will be used. And I want to try antiquing the coverless pages into book bundles. Karen Valentine of My Desert Cottage gives a tutorial here-looks like fun! Karen has a wonderful blog-check her out!  Hopefully I can get my hands into the mod podge and have some artistic fun soon. Meanwhile...

Another bad photo, but you get the idea!

I hope you are all enjoying warm weather and blooms!

Joyous June!

Sherry

My favorite Time of Day

Afternoon rain, two hours without power. Came home early from work and sat on the porch watching the rain come down. Good book, my cats going in and out. They don't like thunder but want to be near me.

After a while it stopped raining and the birds got louder and louder. The sun came out as the clouds broke up. By 7:30 there was magic in the air. I ran outside and took a few pictures. This is my favorite time of day!

Pictures can't capture the magic of the early evening light-the fresh smell of wet earth and growing things, the flutter of wings as the swallows feed over the driveway and lawn. The sun slants, making whatever it hits glow pinkish gold.

Today's humidity has lifted. The air has changed. My knees and feet no longer ache! I take a short walk and revel in the moments.

This is a super busy week for me. At the office, I have 7100 copies of our quarterly newsletter to package up and deliver to the Bulk Mail Center. I have a website to update, minutes from the board meeting to type, bills to pay - and more - by the end of Thursday.

As secretary of the Alumni Committee of my high school, I've been gathering up registration forms and checks for the annual buffet that we have at a local banquet hall. People call, email and facebook me every day to add their names to the list. The deadline was last Friday, but I take their reservations till the last minute. Then I compile lists and arrange to have tables for each reuning class and get my donation ready for the raffle. When the doors open the rush is on-about 150 people will attend this year and I will try to remember who they all are and have something to say to each one. The event is Saturday--I'll be ready for it!

 Then, blessed relief is on the way! I have a week off, and just in time, too, as I've entered Karen Valentine's "Where Bloggers Create II." (see sidebar) While many of the rest of you will be fluffing your studios, I will be trying to repurpose my whole living room into a really cool place to work. I never use the living part of the room, only the office and the storage space and a couple of overly cluttered tables. Earlier this spring I did a makeover, but it was only 85% finished. But enough said! I hope to make a great space and get way more "into my art!"

Remember the Stoic Robin and her chicks? As of last week they were big, hungry, and loudly peeping. She's doing a great job!

I hope you all have a great week, and as the Mammas and the Pappas used to sing, "Go where you wanna go, do what you wanna do, with whoever you wanna do it with..."

Sherry