Sunday Summary

Gosh we are already a whole week into to September.  I really don't like how quickly the year is going.  It has already started to feel decidedly chilly and has gone down to 7 degrees during the night and wasn't much more than that when I woke up this morning.  Far too early to have the heating on yet though, and anyway we have to get the thermostat automatic switch fixed as it stopped working earlier on in the year.  More jumpers for now and I think I will replace the summer bedding with the winter duvet. 

I really haven't done much in the garden this summer due to my ill health, but have managed to get out a couple of times in the last week to do some long overdue weeding and cutting back.  The roses haven't done as well this year as in previous years.  Whether this is because I gave them a real hard prune last year, or just because of general neglect or the weather I don't know.  The whole of the rose garden really needs a bit of an overhaul.  Extensive weeding and new bark, but unfortunately our local garden centre where we use to get all the bark is closing down.  A real shame as we used to use it a lot.

The Marigolds are putting on a delightful display outside my bedroom window and I just love their cheerful sunshine colour.

There is one on either side of the window.  

They are really stunning.

The sky was an amazing blue this morning.  A real nip in the air, it was pretty cold when I took the dogs for their walk, I actually put a hat on!

The neighbours apple tree.  Wish we could reach the apples as they will all be wasted.  For some reason our trees only produced one apple this year, despite having blossom on them.  That is ONE apple out of THREE trees!  

The Maple is looking so green.  DH is currently pruning it a bit to let some more light into our garden as it has grown really quite tall.  

After a couple of chilling nights I decided it was time for the winter duvet.

Not wanting to feel quite like winter yet though I chose some pretty spring/summer print vintage sheets

and a light butterfly duvet cover.  This duvet is very light, but oh so warm, so I was quite snug last night.

Stanley had another good groom this morning after his walk.  He is moulting like made.  He looks a bit funny here as I'd taken his collar off to groom round his neck properly and only just put the collar back on so his hair hasn't settled round it properly,

Such a handsome boy,.

This rather large spider was seen strolling across our wall the other evening.  I'd already captured one earlier in the day and put him out!  

Talk on Tuesday.

A few photos from around the garden yesterday.

Cheeky frog - never tire of checking on these guys.  After not having any in the pond last year, it is a delight to see them this year.  The pond is looking more 'natural' as well now and seems to be fulfilling its role as a nature/wildlife pond exactly how I had hoped.  Just wish a few things would grow round it, but so far, pretty much everything I have tried planting has died.  I am considering putting things in pots as well, and perhaps digging them into the ground and seeing if that makes a difference.

Some of the cornflower seeds I planted a while back are now flowering and ever so pretty.

I didn't realise I had caught a fly when I took this photo!

Close up - I don't like flies in any shape or form, but can't help admiring the 'engineering' of them.

Our buddleia in the back has started to flower, so hopefully we will see some butterflies soon.

It was very hot yesterday in the shade!

It has been a little cooler today - still over 24 degrees, but not as hot as 30 degrees.  It has clouded over a little as well.  We have trimmed the hedge today.  I use the 'Royal We' in that hubby trimmed the hedge and I did a bit of sweeping up.  Looks much tidier now.  While we were out there working, Mrs Blackbird was keeping close in case we turned up anything tasty for her.    Guinea Pigs have also been cleaned out which they are very pleased about.  They love fresh hay.

As I am typing this I can hear the parakeets in the tree down the end of the garden talking to each other.  I haven't determined yet how many there are that stop off each day, but at least two.  I have never known them to hang around for so long.

Some more garden photos...

The clematis on the side fence round our back.  It is looking lovely.

Absolutely thrilled to discover new growth on my bottlebrush that I thought had died after the snow earlier this year.  

It is wonderful to see.  Glad I didn't just dispose of it like we were originally going to.  Pays to procrastinate sometimes.

Some more of my roses.

Some blackberries growing beside the Cavy Shed.

Flowers on my other beans.  Can't think of the name of these right at this moment.

A bit of colour by the pond.

Victoria plums.  Good to see a nice crop on this tree.  They make the most amazing jam, and taste great as well.

Finishing up with the stunning Stanley.

Thankful Thursday

A mixed bag of things to be thankful for...

Some sewing accessories, trim & fabric plus a ball of wool at reduced prices - most at least 50% off.  I needed some more press studs and needles and the Christmas fabric will come in handy later on in the year.  The wool is already currently 'on the needles'.  

A lovely yellow jug, a 'just because' purchase, yellow being one of my favourite colours (yes I have more than one!)  I thought this would be useful for custard.

I believe this dates to around the 40s and 50s from what I have been able to find out, but I could be wrong.

A cute fun mechanical watch - yes an actual wind up watch in great condition found in the local charity shop.  I have been wanting a 'tick tock' watch for ages.

The lovely Stanley, who is growing into a beautiful dog with a lovely nature.

Cuteness overload...

A new family member joined us this afternoon. 'Oakcroft Starlit Virtuoso'

Percy welcomes him with sloppy kisses...

...and more sloppy kisses...

Percy shows him the garden...

...and then he investigates on his own.

Simply beautiful!

It was a bright sunny morning.

Our Cherry tree is looking gorgeous.

We decided it as the perfect day to go and see the Bluebells again over at Ashridge Estate.

The rest are just pictures - it was so beautiful, although the blue sky had become a bit cloudier.

The lambs have grown!

Percy enjoyed himself.

A lovely morning indeed.