In a summery guise

Our bedroom is much the same, regardless the changing seasons. At Christmas time I might have a stocking or two or hanging from the bed's end post. And I might change the wing chair's loose cover (from vintage white to floral. And back). But that's about it.



For as long as I can remember (or at least as long as I have been writing this blog) our bed has been adorned in a creamy hand stitched hexagon quilt, with a crochet trim. I love the quilt, and so far have not felt the need to change it, come rain or shine...



Yet all of a sudden a change was what I needed, just the same. Now I do not have a stack of large quilts, suitable for a double bed, hanging about. So a single one had to do. And it does. A light, slightly floral 'diamond' quilt at the end of the bed. And the room does feel just a little bit more summery.

Yesterday

Yesterday. A glorious summer's day...



Nowhere I'd rather be than right here...



At home. Loving it...

Irises, lilacs and rhubarb

I think it is safe to say that summer is here. The days are sunny, bright with a bit of breeze followed by occasional showers.



The garden is starting to look quite lush, even though there are not many flowers about yet (my garden really is a midsummer/early July garden when it comes to flowering). Yet good old trusty irises are some of the first ones to flower.



Yes, I know the potager is still looking rather bare. Most of the seeds sown in May have germinated, but the seedlings are still very small (and in desperate need of a good watering, I can see...)



These lilacs are really my favourites, and they have put on a good show this spring. While the lilacs in my previous entry were in situ when we moved here 13 years ago, these ones were planted by us during our first summer here.



Today I harvested the first rhubarb of the season. They have already been cleaned, cooked and are ready to be frozen, to be enjoyed during the cold winter months. Even though some of it will, no doubt, end up in a pie or two long before that...

Out and about...

I have been out and about since my last entry... or rather, I have spent a most lovely week in Ireland. I seem to visit the oh, so green island somewhat frequently and have become quite fond of the place. In late spring/early summer the gardens are delightful. This time I made it to the annual garden show Bloom in Dublin (the Irish equivalent of the Chelsea Flower Show). Unfortunately I left my camera behind...



Another lovely place to visit is the Gardenworld in Kilquade. This time I did bring my camera, and these two photos are from there. A place well worth a visit for any keen gardener.



And now that I'm back home, I've spent the day removing dead roses from my garden. I kind of knew they were lost before I left for Ireland, yet hoped that somehow they might have revived during my absence. No such luck, unfortunately. The same goes for three apple trees and numerous shrubs. The winter, and especially spring, were just far too cold this year.



Lilacs, on the other hand, are in full flower at the moment. I do love them, and their fragrance, so much so that I nearly forget about the lost roses, fruit trees and shrubs. Nearly... but even with the losses I do love my garden, and every new season in it. Gardens are full of hope, and a gardener needs it in copious amounts. Yet the joys far outweigh the losses, I like to think...

A good day

A good day. That's what this day has been like. And not just this day, but the whole weekend. Sunny, warm and delightful, just what a weekend in May is supposed to be like.



The weekend has been spent outdoors, gardening, taking long walks with the doggie... and relaxing in the hammock. The latter being my most favourite activity so far!



The doggie has been known to join me in the hammock, but not today, as it was too warm for her. She preferred the shady ground, while I did my best to gently swing in the breeze, inhaling the lovely scent of the blossoming bird cherry tree.



I do love the sunshine, the blue sky, all the greenery around me, everything finally waking up after the long winter slumber. And it feels all the more special because of it. I do love the month of May. Did I already tell you that...? Probably did...

Looks like spring

It looks like spring... finally! It has been very slow in coming this year (as seen in this entry earlier this month). But now it seems we are on the right track, so to speak.



The potager's walkways have been cleared, the borders have been given a fresh layer of top soil... and last, but not least... all the vegetable seeds have been sown.



The lilacs are about to bloom (my favourite time of the year!), while some of the plum trees and not least the bird cherry tree is already in full bloom, spreading its heady scent around the garden.



A few years back we planted a hedge of May bushes either side of the flower borders heading to the potager. When I set to photograph the blossoms today, my four legged companion decided it was her turn to be the star instead!



How I love, love the month of May. It started out as a bit of a disappointment (weather wise), but has come up trumps in the end. It has certainly been worth the long wait.

So how many does one really need then...?

I've been at it again. I just don't seem to be able to help myself. So much fun, and such a quick fix. New cushion covers, that's what I'm talking about. Back in January I wondered whether a girl could have too many. And I believe we agreed that no, she could not.



But the question today is how many does she really need then...? It seems, in my case, the answer is endless amounts. Yet I do have to admit I (at times) despair at the piles of soft furnishing I have around; cushions, quilts, blankets, tablecloths, slip covers... you name it, and I seem to have got it.



Yet there is so much fun to be had in swapping things around. By changing a few cushion covers you get a whole different look to a room. And when I make them myself (mostly out of recycled fabrics) then it really should not be a problem, right? Only I seem to be running out of storage space. Never mind, today I've made yet another one!