More This and That

It's a holiday Monday here in Canada ( Victoria Day) so my DH and two of my sons finished putting the corrugated metal on the shed roof. So far the sun hasn't peeked through the clouds but at least it's not raining. We did have a lovely, much needed rain last week.

                 I brought in a bouquet of Peony blooms. They smell wonderful.
 

Next to eating, play fighting with an empty milk jug is one of Bracken's favourite things to do. He can demolish one in a short time as he grabs hold and shakes it energetically.

It being a holiday the littlest has been spending time with me and showing me how to play Beyblades.
He patiently explains about fusion wheels and performance tips all of which goes right over my head. Luckily he's content for me to simply nod and look as if I get it.

I hope your week is off to a great start. It's hard to believe that this is the last full week of May. The month went by so quickly I found.  Thanks for visiting!

     Granny Marigold

Foxgloves and Iris

Foxgloves and Iris are doing great in my garden this year. I can't remember a year when I had as many self-sown Foxgloves. They pop up and I can't bear to pull out even one.

This is the first year I have this white Iris and by sheer luck I seem to have put it right in front of the white Peony.

There is a peach-coloured Foxglove in front of the roses. It's hard to see it's true colour here but
I bought it last year but it didn't bloom until now.
 I haven't grown Poppies for years but I see I have an occasional red one that still pops up.

            

I think this is the loveliest time of the year. We're in for a cooler week so all the blooming flowers will last longer than when it gets too warm. It's dry though and we could do with some rain.
I hope you have a good week.

        Granny Marigold

This and That

When I'm stuck for a title I'm afraid I resort to This and That. Which sums up today's post. 

A few pics from Mother's Day... my youngest son and myself.....

             Lovely tea from one of my daughters......
 

        Silk tea bags almost too lovely to use.   Blood orange jelly.

            A teddy bear to add to my collection. This one came with a very special rosary.
 

At a garage sale last Saturday I bought this cute quilt. It needed a good wash and some sunshine to dry it. I hung a clean sheet over the lawn swing and draped the quilt over it. I have a clothes line but it is in the shade. 

. This pretty quilted pillow sham came from the thrift store. I don't know if you can see the three ribbon rose buds in the middle.

                 A new look for a few dollars. Can't beat that.
 

I have been busy washing shelves, organizing and generally keeping busy. I thought I'd have boxes and boxes of things to send to the thrift store but so far I've only filled one single box. 
Our weather is perfect... sunny but not so warm that one doesn't feel like doing much.
The week is going by so quickly. I make myself a list in the evening of what I plan to accomplish the next day. Keeps me motivated.
Hope your week is going along well too. I love to hear what you're keeping occupied with!!


Granny Marigold

Flowers

I brought some of the pink roses in and put them in old salt shakers. I love the way they look.

"After all, the only real roses are pink ones. They are the flowers of love and faith"    Anne Shirley

The blue Iris is the only one that I have that is fragrant. It sends up very tall stalks which often need staking and sometimes need bringing inside where they can spread their lovely scent throughout the house.

 The Clematis is doing well this year.....

         and the purple Iris. Also needing a string to keep it off the ground.

These are the rose bushes that gave me the 5 blossoms that I cut. They are so full of blooms that I have planted another one beside these.

         A white Iris just beginning to bloom. This is its first year so only one stalk. Behind it is a volunteer Hollyhock.

Hostas and Astilbes love the shady front of the house. The Bleeding heart does well too.

Tomorrow my DH and his younger brother are leaving on a trip to visit family in Manitoba. They are taking the camper van and will be gone at least ten days so I'm full of plans what I want to accomplish. I will keep you posted.

Thanks for coming by.     Granny Marigold

Time for a bath

No fancy Dog Spa or such for Bracken, just a good old fashioned bath. Mind you, he had floating pink Clematis petals in the water. He wasn't impressed.  Nevertheless, he smells and looks a lot nicer now.

Shortly after I snapped this picture he was off running around like crazy and shaking. Then he came back for his treat.

Thanks for dropping by.



Granny Marigold

Roses and more

My Rugosa Roses are starting to bloom. They are such a hardy bunch and smell divine. They sure are prickly though. I used to have a yellow one but it didn't do well at all; now I have various shades of pink.

            I believe this purple flower is Campanula Glomerata. Lovely but invasive.

These tiny white stars pop up everywhere. Again, I'm just guessing, but I'd say they are Allium Mollis. I don't remember ever planting them but somehow they got here and I welcome them.
 

Here are a few new additions purchased today. I've started potting them up but it was 30 today (86F.) and a bit too hot to be outside for long. Tomorrow is supposed to be cooler so I'll finish the job then.
 

Thanks for visiting . Hope you had a lovely day.


Granny Marigold

May Day

I like this page from Edith Holden's Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. I have probably used it in previous years but who gets tired of it, right?

 We had a beautiful day, quite warm and sunny. Had a nice walk before it got too warm.
Do you see the Great Blue Heron sitting on a log in the lake hoping for lunch?

This morning we saw the first goslings of the season.  There were nine or maybe ten. They kept milling about and it was hard to tell. I didn't get a picture but these off the internet will do. Take my word for it, they looked just like these!!

I hope your merry month of May got off to a great start. I have lots of plans of things to plant and more organizing and uncluttering. What plans do you have for this coming month?

Thanks for visiting. 

             Granny Marigold