Mid Summer Garden Work

 My favorite rose of the moment...Lillian Austin

Taking a break from garden carnage to have a cool drink and breath.   Two days till vacation at the beach, and life in the garden needs some control!!!  I rather love it though really.  Whacking, prunning, planting, weeding, dead heading, lifting and rearranging.  I have friends that are flabbergasted that I keep such a large garden in their opinion.  My last garden was three times the size on 3/4 of an acre and every square foot planted. 

 What they don't get is that first I love being in the garden, whether it is to do a morning or evening posy walk, pluck a flower, arrange a bouquet or grab an herb for dinner.  Second, it is one of the few forms of exercise I truly enjoy.  I am bored, bored, bored out of my brains in a gym.  My daughter just went to one that was like a movie theater in every room...well maybe.  Still a bunch of other stinking sweaty people around me panting and huffing...I don't care how cute of an outfit :) I would much rather be outside accomplishing other tasks.

 My lily walk on the north side...the scent is intoxicating!

   The only thing that would complete this for me is a pool.  If we can ever figure out how to put one in the ground with out spending a fortune. Prices have literally tripled since we installed our last pool. And yes swimming is one of the other forms of exercise I enjoy! Perfect combo really!

 I will be back later with the actually pictures of the carnage...back to work for now :)

The Whirlwind Hit...

 Yes, I did recover from the plague :)  We drove to Seattle and back in about 24 hours this past weekend. We had two family meals.

One celebrating Jenna's Associate Degree from Bellevue College at The Beach House in Kirkland, right before her graduation ceremony on Friday night.

  Then I threw her a party via the dollar store and Costco that night at her house with all her friends.

 The next morning found us all in down town Seattle for a special early Father's Day breakfast at Portage Bay

 It was quite a feat driving over with Meg and the babies from the Tri Cities.

  Josh and Olivia making it up from Portland, with Frances their new puppy.

 We all spent the night in some hotel rooms in Kirkland.  After breakfast Megan, babies and Jenna headed to  Sea Tac to pick up Tyler who rerouted his flight from Illinois so he could help drive the babies and Meg home. If you want a fun read about his storm chasing adventure en route to Lake Michigan with his sister check out his blog at Mind Your Own Beeswax, he is hysterical.

 I was so proud of my family all making a very special effort to get to Seattle to honor Jenna Dear.  Then on Monday morning she hopped in the car and came for a visit for this week, as next week she starts a new job and moves in two weeks into a new residence. Oh and did I mention we picked up our new chair and ottoman in Seattle....I know I know not such a big deal, but it took me four years to complete my great room and this was the last piece.  I am so happy to be done with the decorating in that room. I am a slow mover on these things =/  ( I will post a picture, just don't have one yet)

In a just over a week we will all be gathering again for the 4th of July in Cannon Beach on the Oregon Coast. Then home to a another surgery for Dan.  I haven't mentioned much on the blog, but it has been a hard year for Dan with his health.  One year ago, Dan had a hip replacement surgery.  He never really recovered. It turned out his body was allergic to the metal they used for his replacement. He has been in a lot of pain all year.  We are praying and believing that this re-do will solve all his health problems with this hip.  I would really covet your prayers. Chronic pain is not a great way to live, and cobalt chromium in his blood stream is affecting other areas of his health.  So this summer will definitely slow down after all this for a six week recovery period. I am believing God by next spring we will be able to go see our friends in France, with Dan up and about and pain free!!!

Bubonic Plague

Over the weekend while visiting Portland, I think I picked up the Bubonic Plague...at least that is how I have felt for days!!!  Oh ugh, sick in the beginning of summer. This is the first moment I have felt like doing anything besides watching the new cooking channel.  I kept falling back asleep nicely while watching re runs of Julia Child and Ask Aida, all the while gazing out at my garden in full swing, and not having one ounce of energy to even do one small posy walk.  Oh well. I finally decided to see the doctor today, and he said it was a sinus infection on top of just a rotten old plain sore throat. I guess that would at least explain my really fuzzy brain...and something about bulging ear drums. My throat is still sore, but my brain is less fuzzy with some nasal spray stuff he gave me.

I have not forgot about blog land and my promise of a give a way. Alas, I must wait for some more energy and brain cells to pull it all together. Perhaps next week my friends.  Thanks to all who dropped by with a comment through out the weekend.

Ahhh I have so much life to catch up on...Jenna dear is graduating in just over a week and I haven't figured out any kind of plan yet...

UPDATE  June 11th: Nasal spray worked wonders...I am feeling much better and able to think again. Never had a sinus infection before...who knew it could make one feel so lousy.

The Mother Load...Elizabeth Goudge

Down town Portland...five blocks from our hotel I finally got a chance to visit Powell's Book Store.  Went right to the classics and found five...count them five Elizabeth Goudge books. I couldn't help thinking of Sara, who introduced me to this author.  I bought all they had.  I found at least two that I already own, but at these great prices I am thinking BLOG GIVE A WAY!

Powell's City of Books is a book lover's paradise, the largest used and new bookstore in the world. Located in downtown Portland, Oregon, and occupying an entire city block, the City stocks more than a million new and used books. Nine color coded rooms house over 3,500 different sections, offering something for every interest, including an incredible selection of out-of-print and hard-to-find titles. 

So stay tuned next week for details, and of course a tour of funky down town Portland, OR.

One fun thing the sun came out...apparently they have had quite the soggy spring.

The Last of the Big Flush

Cinderella just starting to strut her stuff. This is a climber by Kordes

This is a lovely old bourbon rose called Mme Isaac Pereire Rose

My peony border has gone crazy

Nothing like the old girl Sara Bernhardt

Krinkled White

A peek down the pergola

This one is a hybrid tea I found named after me...Cynthia

The red oriental poppy is a very bold thing in my garden, I am never really sure if she is going to survive my shovel pruning or not.

My southern view off my porch.

I feel hugged by heaven this week, surrounded by the scent and the beauty of heaven.

Enjoy your first week of summer!