Pink Hollyhocks Climbing to The Sky

How much do I love this photo? via

Beautiful Hollyhocks

These hollyhocks are a beautiful study in pink and green, aren't they? Sorry I haven't been posting as much as usual. I've been mowing and weeding and all sorts of cottage catching up. Front and back mowed yesterday and today and it looks fabulous. Real estate continues to keep me busy too. Fall is definitely in the air and we are having a very cool August. 

I really enjoyed the second episode of Broadchurch last night. I've been searching for more full episodes for those of you who don't have BBC America. So far, no success. The DVD has been released in the UK so it's only a matter of time before it's available here. It really is a wonderful series. Good night, see you tomorrow.

Stunning Hollyhock

This photo leaves me speechless. Isn't it stunning? via

Beautiful Oakleaf Hydrangea

I took this photo yesterday at my friend Kelly's house. Her oakleaf hydrangeas have really taken off this year and they are beautiful. I learned through some internet research that this variety and the Annabelle are the only two varieties that are native to the US. I love planting shrubs that are natives, don't you? I want to plant several of each and the Annabelle will be in honor of my mother Anna.

Lacecap Hydrangea

My lacecap hydrangea is blooming! So happy. my iPhone photo

The Milkweed is Blooming

My milkweed is blooming and it's so pretty. I adore the pink stems. I'll keep you updated on the progress of the pods when they begin to form. my iPhone photo

Gorgeous pink Cosmos

Photo by crescentmoon on Pixdaus. Now that my peonies are gone, this photo makes me wish I had a nice stand of cosmos. We all went back to bed and now we are all up again. I watched a movie, put it on pause halfway through, cooked breakfast and ate it while finishing the movie. It was The Clearing with Ann Mearin and Robert Redford. I tuned in after the first 20 minutes and didn't miss too much. It was very good. Then I dozed off again and now I feel great and ready for a nice afternoon. Tabitha wants lunch and Webster wants a walk so I must tend to them both. See you later.

Rain Beaten Peonies

The unrelenting rain of the past two days really did a number on my peonies. They will look better when I trim them and pick up the fallen petals. I'm so glad it finally stopped. It is still very overcast but the sun is supposed to shine brightly later. If it doesn't, that will be fine as long as it doesn't rain again. Enough is enough. Hark---I see the sun and it's beautiful. Have a great weekend.

Webster, The Guardian

Webster loves to sit outside and guard the house. He doesn't need a leash because he knows he would never find a better home. He's very protective and he knows the boundaries. He doesn't like for other four legged animals such as the fox trespassing on HIS terrain. He will chase them to the edge but he won't go off the property. He is the best dog ever. He has misinterpreted the name of the lush flowers nearby. He thinks they are 'Pee-on-these' so he does. Ha.ha. Click photo to enlarge so you can see how lovely the peonies are since they have opened fully. It's raining softly now and many white petals are on the ground so they are on their way out. Boo Hoo.

Peony Update

Since my peonies opened several days ago, there has been quite an explosion. Thankfully, we haven't had any rain to destroy them. They are a delight, aren't they? How does your garden grow? my iPhone photos

Red Clover at My Cottage

This red clover in my field looks very much like rose colored chive blossoms. I'll see you tomorrow. Have a good evening with sweet dreams. 

Pink Roses in An English Village

These roses are too beautiful for words. The climate in England was kind to rose species brought in as guests from far off lands in times of old and they soon became residents, grew up, bred and cross bred. via

Ants on Peonies

I've always wondered why ants like peonies but I don't know the answer. They just do. I took this photo just a few minutes ago on this cool Tuesday morning that feels like a Monday. I have to get this show on the road pretty soon because I have to go to an office meeting. See you later. my iPhone photo

First Daisies 2013

I took this photo on a late walk with Webster this morning. It is a very cool 60° and breezy on this overcast day. So far, no more rain has fallen and that's a good thing. My back field that has not been cut in over a month is full of wildflowers with the daisies being my favorite. I love the clovers too. I have both red and white. I've heard the white clover is best for the bees since their tongues aren't long enough to get the nectar from the red variety. It's raining again, but very softly. I was doing some hand trimming in the front and had to stop. I am determined to finish in between showers today. my iPhone photo

My Budding Peony Plants

Peony bud at my cottage this morning after a day of rain yesterday.

My peonies are doing so well this year. This is their third year at my cottage since I dug them up with permission from a lady who was having a garage sale prior to selling a house. She was the daughter of the deceased owner and she said her mother would be pleased someone wanted them. I have three plants and each variety is different. They get so much more sun this year thanks to Hurricane Sandy.

Lilies of the Valley at My Cottage

They are finally starting to spread. I brought three pips from my old house and stuck them in the ground. Why didn't I dig up more you ask? Don't ask me but I wish I had. They seem very happy now that they have some breathing room and I think they will love the wood chips. I finished pulling up all the thistles in a back flower(less) bed and did some serious weeding. I'm going to put a very thick layer of wood chips there too. I felt a few raindrops and came in for a tomato sandwich. It's raining softly now. I just looked at my thermometer and it's 66° which is perfect for working outside. I'll go out again after the shower. Enjoy your weekend.

Pink Hollyhocks

My favorite old-fashioned flowers. Don't they look nice outside the window of this log home? via

Leaves as Art

Beautiful. I love Nasturtiums. via

My own iPhone photo of Japanese Maple leaves. They are arranged in place by Mother Nature on a tree my mom planted on her birthday several years ago from a seedling she found growing wild. The tree has gotten quite large and I think of her every time I look in the back yard.

Photos Around The Cottage Today

Ladies Mantle with Raindrops

Webster enjoying the wood chips

Old sewer tile pipe used as a downspout extender

Wisteria

Lilies of the Valley

Finial

Windows of Amsterdam

In case you need a reason to visit Amsterdam that doesn't involve tulip fields. I've never been, have you? via