It’s been months since I’ve done one of these Five Things Fridays, but it does seem a good way to catch up a bit with some of what’s on my list, between Here and There:
1. Here. The garden, of course, was overgrown when we got back from our month in Europe, and much weeding and pruning and general direction was required for many wayward plants. But delight abounds, nonetheless. The romneya couleterii, for example, which I understand is often called a California tree poppy, and is much more common in that state. . . . here, it’s still relatively unusual, and I love it’s crinkly, dramatically large white petals and that golden globe at the centre. So cheery! And although it grows outside our fence, the deer don’t tend to chow down on it. Another big plus!
2. There. In Peschici, I was delighted to watch my kids and their partners as aunts and uncles and my granddaughters as cousins.
3. Here. Also happy to see the Oak-Leaf Hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia Snow Queen blooming — it really lightens up a shady part of the garden. And although it’s inside the fence, the deer managed to chomp it down to almost nothing summer before last, and it blossoms, as hydrangeas do, on old wood, so last year was a write-off. But it’s bounced back very nicely (and Pater’s added a rope-line all around the yard to make those pesky deer jump really, really high should they want a meal here).
4. There. Door details — I’m a sucker for these. Poor Pater: perhaps you can imagine how slowly we progress down some streets, me trying to be a tiny bit discreet with my camera but unable to resist grabbing these images. . . .
5. Here. I finished my Rams and Yowes throw way back in June, but it was last seen here being steeked. It’s all cozily edged and blocked and just waiting for the first chilly fall day, so that its comfort can be fully appreciated. Even in the July sun, I’m loving it!
So there we are, Five Things, Here and There, and it’s Friday, mid-July. Let’s all go have a Lovely Weekend, m’kay?
I am so thrilled to see that throw! I've been wondering about it. And I didn't realize that Nola was in Italy too. (I must admit that I find it challenging to keep it all straight and I know that one of your daughters opted to stay home. I thought that was Nola's mum.) After 2.5 weeks away, my gardens (which I had pruned within an inch of their lives the weekend before going away) looked like weed beds with a few plants thrown in. I was shocked by the degree of disorder. I'm still pulling it back from the edge. Alas, I'm so hateful of TO right now (after the winter and given its totally hideous architecture) that I find it hard to care about the garden.
I realize I'm going on here, but I've never seen so many dead plants and bad looking gardens as I have this year. It's like our city was visibly destroyed.
Both Nola and Harriet (and families) came to Italy.Our middle daughter stayed home — her first (and only, she's pretty clear!) baby is expected in August.
It's hard to transition from European architecure (more decorative, more cohesive, arguably more suited to place) back to ours (and yours, of course, is quite different from out here in LotusLand). And you folks had a really long, really bad winter. Hope you can begin to enjoy your garden soon — I remember when you were putting it all in, and I know it's gorgeous, especially as it matures.
The warmth and love among your family members really shines through in these photos! Just wonderful. I didn't know Romneya's were common in California. I'd never seen them before our landscaper (himself a transplanted Seattle-ite) planted ours in 2010. They are so transitory here, 2-3 weeks max but I enjoy them so.
Thanks, Sue — I can really see and remember it as I review the photos.
You'd know better than I about romneya in California– do you get a big burst of them in those few weeks? Mine tends to be a bit desultory over perhaps 6 or 7 weeks.
Your throw is beautiful. I so admire accomplished knitters. The cousins are so sweet together. I'm loving watching the same dynamics with our family. Bon weekend.
Thanks, Lorrie — I do see the same dynamics in the pictures you post of the cousins in your family. Enjoy this cooler weekend, maybe some rain for the garden!
Lovely door pictures, you are a woman after my own heart.
Your garden looks so lush. Our small city garden barely survived ten years of drought, which began just after we redesigned and replanted and it's only now beginning to recover. I'm not a good gardener. I feel so guilty about replacing plants that have struggled to survive, even though they don't look their best. I do enjoy pottering about pulling weeds and dispatching snails though, which is a bit contradictory.
Beautifully even knitting and what patience to tackle that complicated pattern.
It's interesting to see the family likeness in your children and grandchildren. Where does the red hair come from? I'm the only redhead in our family and I'm told it comes from my great grandmother.
Lilibet
I have more door pics coming, so glad you like those!
As for the gardening, I'm not so good at turfing out poor performers either, preferring to give them time to show their stuff. Sometimes, though . . .
As for the redhead, her mother (my daughter) and her dad both have red hair, although neither's is as bright. And my husband's mother had red tints, as apparently did my maternal grandmother. . .
Such wonderful pictures ( and descriptions). I love that throw – you are one fast and talented knitter:)
Thanks! It's not really a throw that requires talent, just persistence. The talent is all in Kate Davies' brilliant design!
I just adore your blog. You are so honest, so amusing, so thought provoking….and you are just three years younger than I am so I can so relate to everything you write about! You have amazing energy and multiple interests….your family is very lucky to have you! Janie
hear, hear
Oh my goodness, blushing! Thank you Janie and Ceri!
Always enjoy your garden pictures!! Each May I want to expand our gardens, each July when the heat and humidity hit, I am glad I didn't. What a lovely throw, you are indeed talented. I look forward to more photos of Italy, we are headed there in October.
I must say, most of the garden was put in before we started being away so much in May/June. At this point, I find July's drought is always a bit tough to keep with, never mind getting rid of the weeds that took advantage of June's rain and sun. . . .How long will you be in Italy for? Itinerary?