June days are upon us, with the taste of summer lingering in the warm air. The sun gets so hot, and the fact that there has been no rain for months means it’s time to get excited for monsoon season, not too far away.
Lime popsicles are the treat of the hour, and the garden bath gets a new home…
It didn’t move far from its last home.
Just across the garden, under a different big tree, right by the gypsy wagon.
It is at this time of the year, when the ground warms to baking, that cold tap water loses its chill, and garden baths are just the ticket to staying cool.
Treating yourself to a little decadence under the trees…
The summer sun in late afternoon covers everything in filtered haze.
Heat mixed with extra warm sunbeams shooting through leaves.
The glow of summer.
Bees and butterflies and hummingbirds flutter by, too quickly to photograph on these sweltering days.
Large blooms beckon them.
We watch.
The cardinal and his girlfriend sweep in for seeds on the porch.
The pyrrhuloxia drinks water out of the pup bowl.
We sit, silently, watching…
More and more zinnias bloom.
I feel part of my heart is found amongst the zinnias, in their ridiculously perfect petals and vivid colors, they win me over every year.
I am thrilled to find that a double cosmos rose bon bon has reseeded itself from last year.
This is very exciting, since I couldn’t find the seeds on-line again this year.
Blue bachelor’s buttons peek out, as oranges and reds try to steal the show.
Afternoon sun is slow in going down.
Slow slow, summer slow.
As you well know…
Beating down on giant sunflowers.
Summer is here, here.
It’s early.
It always is in our neck of the woods.
Summer.
A time to make memories.
Barefoot days, lollygagging.
What are days like where you are?
It is hot and dry and no rain at all here.
Send down the rain pretty please??
Summer reminds me of coconut tanning oil, radio tunes, wavy hair, make-up less face.
Glistening coolness from water misters on the porch.
Swinging while feeling wilty and oh so warm, but good in its own way.
I think its time for some bubble wands.
Yes, it is.
Any special plans this summer?
I think I might get to move stuff into the cottage soon.
Mister Lovee has been sealing the floors, and painting last coats on walls and such.
So close.
It’s been a huge project of over a year, and I am so grateful to him.
I will always remember these days, watching him work in the cold and heat. Always.
Fulfilling a girl’s silly whim.
How can I ever thank him?
Must think on this.
Any idears?
You know, besides behaving and being nice and such?
Love, V
ps: In working on my Mad Tea Party plans I have a question.
When do your children go back to school?
Is it in August? Around what time?
Thanks!
Love the flowers- especially sunflowers. They do mean “summer” to me. As a teacher I return to the classroom the last week of July, with students arriving the second week of August. It’s easy to celebrate the Mad Tea Party a little earlier and keep it in the blog queue so it posts with everyone else’s though.
It has been too hot too early for us here. The dogs need time to get used to the heat. We may have to do some creative shaving – longer on top and shorter below, to help with the cooling and insulation from the heat.
Being in “farm country” kids do not return to school until after Labor Day.
As for ideas of how to thank him…I am sure you will dream up something wonderful.
Those flowers are stunning. I wish I had a garden to escape to and be surrounded by nature’s confetti.
As for thanking your Mr – food always does the trick around here 😉
We have had some hot days, a few unseasonably so, but thus far the temps are not to be complained about. It has been a nice Spring. With summer fast approaching the hot, humid days are on the way and it is far from my favorite time of year because of that. We blessedly received a couple of inches of rainfall last night after a 2 week drought. Hopefully more will fall today. It was lovely driving to work with the windows open and clouds making the countryside look subdued and restful.
I’m determined to enjoy this summer more than ever before. Rather than complaining about the things that make summer miserable for me: the heat, humidity, dry temps, sunburnt laws and high electricity bills, I am instead going to be thankful for God’s blessings: fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, gorgeous flowers and shade giving trees. I’m going to continue to rise early and have my devotional time out of doors so that I can enjoy the nice early morning temps. I’m going to continue running early in the morning 3-4 days a week as well, not only to continue my fitness improvement but again to have that time to be in nature and to see how lovely summer can be.
I’m going to scale back my busy-ness and try to focus on using my time in worthwhile ways, balancing work with play. I want to read summery books and plan parties with friends and court my wife as if we had just met rather than just celebrating our 23rd anniversary.
I want to come out of the other end of Summer not just ready to embrace Autumn, but with the satisfaction that comes with a summer well-lived. I think a re-read of Bradbury’s Dandelion Wine might be in order, to kick things off right and also as a way to say goodbye.
First day of school in The Valley of the Sun is August 8th. I am looking forward to the Tea Party! Are you thinking after school starts?
Oh Vanessa, I love all these shots. The lighting reminds me of a favorite Nie Nie post entitled A Slow Cooker Kind of Day.
To thank The Mister, you must speak in His love language.
**blows kisses** Deb
First, thank you for your ever so sweet words! We must always focus on the blessings, right? My kiddos go back to school the end of August. They just enjoyed their first week off.
XO,
Lisa
P.S. I always think cookies make a proper thank you!
thank you so much for a peek into your warm summer! it is COLD here in the northwest corner! i am so waiting, waiting, waiting for the warmth of the summer sun. the sun is weak and cloud-hidden. how i WISH i could send you some of our rain! but you wouldn’t like it, as it is a cold late-winter kind of rain… your blog ALWAYS picks me up, and your flowers smile at me. thank you, dear!!
oh my! i didn’t even get my URL typed correctly… so here is another try at it…sigh.
Mister Lovely should have a crown, chalce, chair and his very own spot, that is all his…
Keep Cool….🖤Debi
How is it that you can encapsulate so perfectly the feeling of summer? If not for this post I might nearly have missed it! Beautiful flowers.
How to thank Mister… That’s a tough one… My suggestion: do the traditional things such as make his favorite meal, write him a heart felt thank you note, do little favors-both that he asks and the unexpected ones- here and there; But those things will never encompass the vast gratitude I’m sure you feel for him and what he’s done, and so I think the only way to convey that, from your heart to his, is to enjoy that little cottage that he has built with his hands for you. And tell him often your appreciation, tell him specific things that you particularly love as you discover each one, and tell him of your experiences in the cottage, the feelings of joy or creativity or stillness you have while being there. (I’m sure you already were doing all of this anyway!) I’m very excited for you for your cottage, and for Mister to be finished with the labor! Labor of love I’m sure;-)
I think the school year begins August twenty-somethingth in my neck of the woods. Too soon, always too soon!
Zinneas are my favorite: in fact , after stopping here to say hellO I am offto plant two flats of zinnias around the birdbath. It will be the view from the kitchen window
Two flats: one mixed colors
One: all pink. Because pink zinnias are my very very favorite.
There will be zinnias in the household all summer
It sounds like you are appreciating every dewdrop and every flower petal. And oh that bathtub!!!!!
Love
kj
OH I love the pink ones KJ!! I throw seeds about, so I never know
what colors I am going to get – I cant wait for purples and pinks
toemerge;)))
My children go back to school September 🙂 The week after Labour Day. Just kidding, I obviously have no children. But I go back to college the week after Labour Day LOL!
Beautiful post. Can’t say I have enjoyed Summer much so far as it’s about 95 and sunny here, but I do enjoy the thunderstorms such heat and humidity bring. I mostly have been a Summer grump since I have just been diagnosed (officially, by a doctor and everything) with allergy to the sun! I am a vampire I suppose 🙂
Oh, summertime is here again, that’s for sure and certain! I love your garden, it is just gorgeous and magical!
I’m just hoping this summer isnt as hot as last year. We need some rain! And I’d like for my garden to actually produce 🙂 last year it all just wilted fantastically! Not sure if we’ll have any trips, but hopefully lots of little adventures!
We’ve had enough rain over the past 2 days to share some with you. I’m wishing it to your place. We needed it so badly already because we are already behind in rainfall for the year. It feels like summer started here months ago. We were already having days in the 90s during April. Air conditioner has been on for months already.
The heat has brought out the rose of sharon-the bushes are so full of blooms.
My hubby starts zinnia seeds in the middle of winter in little seed starter packs. he loves them. They are full of blooms right now. I love their pretty little blooms of all colors and shapes. The lilies have been blooming like crazy.
August for school here. My granddaughter will be in the 5th grade. That is way too hard to believe.
Pictures of some of our flowers on my blog:)
It’s actually not too hot here yet, surprisingly. (Whoops, I just jinxed it.) My summer involves painting (I just finished painting something from Tangled–I quite enjoyed it!), reading, finishing summer homework (does it ever end???) and watching movies. Oh, and going to Disneyland in 13 days :)))))))) Can you tell I’m excited?
Well, I’m off to watch Pinocchio! 😀 Hope life is less sweltering soon!
P.S. School gets back for us on August 20.
I simply can’t wait for the Mad Tea Party. I’ve been reading Alice to get me in the mood.
How lovely your cottage is almost complete. So very nice of Mr. Lovee to work and work and put the finishing touches on it. I would say, take him to his favorite restaurant and buy him his favorite ice cream. Men are so hard to buy for sometimes! Especially if they already have most of what they want!
It is nice you have porch misters, those help so much to keep things ‘feeling’ cooler.
You could throw some ice cubes in your outdoor bathtub water to cool it down. Hee! Hee!
Your zinnias are so gorgeously colorful~
hugs to you,
***** ; )
Miss Teresa
Amazing words, lovely flowers and awesome photos. Like I said before…. I would love to walk through your gardens.
A good & cool day to you my friend mIzZ V…
Ohhhh your Zinnias are a kaleidscope of colors blending together bEeautifully… need to plant some too..I can’t wait to see sunflowers in my little garden – which I’m just starting now (wish me luck), I know I know I’m a late starter but I’m going to give it a try and name the garden “Ann’s Garden – a little piece of heaven” in honor of my grandma who had a farm with many many gardens, raised chickens to sell their eggs & many other pets too ;O)
I too can’t wait for “TEA”…many things are being prepared for it and I am reopening my blog for it too…there are some surprises too… as for school here in the north-east party of the states we usually start after Labor Day…
Well I’m off to plan plan plan away for festivities that need to bee planned… Have a honey of a day everyone & may sweet things come your way! ;O) xox
You can have the gift of our rain! It’s all rain rain rain here in Devon, England, infact it’s rain rain rain across the whole of the UK has been for weeks. And so cold I am wearing my granny’s old tweed jacket again. Could we swop weather for a day do you think Vanessa? I’d like to try yours. Emalina x
ps. how about cooking Mr Lovee Fillet Steaks with Bearnaise sauce and Pommes Frites, followed by Caffe Affogato: make strong filter or expresso coffee, pour enough for 2 small cups into a jug, and add 2 teaspoons sugar; place a large dollop of icecream into 2 glasses – pour over some of your fave liqueur,or brandy, Armaretto or Cointreau; top with the coffee and some fancy little biscuits. A meal, a thank you and a seduction all in one! x
A perfectly beautiful post, but it sent me scrolling back to discover what had happened! I am soooooo happy you’re OK now, and feel like such a deadbeat for not keeping up with posts lately (I’ve been away).
I hope you’re soon fully recovered, and able to spend time in your new cottage.
The Mad Tea Party sounds fabulous (as always) and please do count me in whenever it happens!
Hugs,
🖤 Carolee
I was just regaling my sweety with tales of your garden tub… and I was so convincing, she promised me one of my very own, whenever we finally own a home ourselves! =D
Such happiness… The weather here in Bellingham is bi-polar… One day we have gorgeous blue skies & hot sun & the next it’s grey and chilly and raining… I’ll work on sending you some. ^-^
I can’t wait for Mad Tea Party details! Most kidlets head back to school at the end of August or beginning of September. Unless they’re in a year-round school… then things are just a bit confusing… o_O
I can’t wait to get home tonight and write a blog post and clean my house and maybe have 2AM tea with my plants? Who knows…
I’ve been reading all the posts I’ve not read yet, and am now feeling like painting and tea partying and creative mess making (more so than usual), so I think I’ll at least poke at my poor, neglected blog a bit tonight. ^-^
Hope your lime popsicles are as tasty as they sound!!! Yum! =D
XOXO
Oh yes… and one way to show your thanks to your super amazing and totally awesome Lovee… You could have a slumber party for two in your new cottage? And then cook him a tasty breakfast and serve breakfast in bed. ^-^ Or wherever you sleep in said tiny cottage. =D
And bake him a special pie or cake… Write him a love song (then sing it to him!)… If you don’t want to sing, just write him a love poem… perhaps an epic ballad of his splendiferousness? =D
I am sure you will think of something completely perfect to show him how much all his hard work means to you. You’ll know it when you see it.
XOXO
Such glorious flowers! June brings with it such loveliness, doesn’t it? 🙂 My mister has been tinkering about as well – he just recently created a most adorable birdhouse. And some potential residents have already been checking out the new digs. 🙂 I have only furry babies, so whenever you choose to host the Mad Tea Party should be a-ok with me! xoxo
Beautiful images! I thought I missed the tea party as i have been quite ill, and my mom was just diagnosed with stage 4 breast CA (she found the lump 2 years ago and did nothing about it)…she is 85 and is a walking time bomb anyway with her heart. She also informed us her mother died of breast CA…so my sister and I all this time thought there was no family history of breast CA… Mom had her reasons for not telling anyone, but to us they are stupid to her, it is what it is.
I am so used to having the tea in June, I thought I missed it.
My kids are grown. I was hoping to take my mom with my girls and maybe my feuding sister (doubt that) to an actual tea house and share that time on my blog for the tea. My oldest daughter is leaving for GA the end of July. So I have to do it soon. I guess I can save the pictures and post them for the tea party 🙂
Let me know if I can do anything to help you.
Susan