Sunny Days

We've had several days in a row where it has been mostly sunny so I've been doing as much as I can outside.  This year has been so unusual. I think I posted that this May has been the coldest in 100 years. 

So I transplanted all my wee plants into their summer containers but have kept the tomatoes out. I'm still putting them out on sunny days and under cover (outside) on cold and wet days.

 Anni from Hootin' Anni's lovely blog expressed an interest in eldest daughter's sketching and painting.  I'm constantly amazed at what she can do mainly because I myself don't have much talent. S has discovered this latest talent now, in her 50's.  Anyway, Anni,  here are some of S's creations. 

This is my garden shed. I have no idea why that weird image insisted on being in the photo. Sorry.

 Coneflowers from my garden.

 The tulips she did for Mothers Day.

She has a hard time doing nothing so while we were having tea and chatting one day she did this.
 

I hope you're having a lovely weekend. IF the weather holds we're planning on going to the Heronry Reserve tomorrow. If we do I should get some good bird pictures as there are a number of feeders right outside the information building and picnic tables nearby so we can sit, have our snack, and watch birds.

Thanks for coming by,  GM

Journals

 It's a very windy and wet day and I wondered what I could blog about. I try to post every second day but I don't always succeed.  I thought today I'd post about keeping a journal.   I looked up the difference between a journal and a diary and got this answer:

A journal is a personal record where you pen your thoughts, observations, and experiences, while a diary is a book  where you note down important things to keep track of them.

 I think what I do is a combination of the two. The journal I'm currently using has had room for 6 years. I'll need a new one for 2023.

 

I'd love to be able to sketch or paint to decorate my pages but since I don't have any talent in those areas I use collage to brighten up the pages. When I have extra time I work ahead so here a few of my upcoming pages.   (My "bookmark" is an old necklace repurposed)

 

I have other books that I use for different uses. This one has lots of lists in it and bits glued in. Things I've cut out of magazines that I found  inspiring.
 

 This one has Random Ideas that I may or may not implement.

 So, do you keep a diary or journal?  If you do, do you try to make it pretty? I just wondered.

Thanks for visiting, Granny M.

Rhubarb and a Cupboard

 

 We have a small patch of rhubarb but it doesn't produce enough for our needs. I bought some from a woman who had advertised on Marketplace.  Hers were advertised as organic and had very sturdy stalks.  There was a lot more than this but I didn't remember to take a picture at first.

 I made 6 little jars of rhubarb/orange/cranberry jam.....

 
...and an apple/ rhubarb crisp. Also froze 3 bags.

We had rain this morning but now (after lunch) it seems to be clearing up a bit.  I'd like to get outside and keep working on my potting area beside my garden shed.  I got another free cupboard ( courtesy of eldest daughter) and that meant some rearranging had to be done. I want the wooden cupboard to be at least partially protected from rain. You can't see it very clearly but the front has tambour doors which I really like.

I hope your week is off to a great start.  Thanks for taking the time to come by.

Granny M.

Saturday Chit Chat

 

 

We have Chickadees nesting in one of the birdhouses in the front garden. I peeked and there are 5 tiny eggs in a soft and fluffy nest.

Some have wondered  about my row of outside tea pots that are on the fence beside the walkway to the back yard.  Here you can see how they're protected from  the  weather   ( not that they're not
weatherproof :)  and also  from being knocked down. The first one has no lid and in winter I had some greens in it. I see some are still there.

Whatever your weekend involves I hope it's a good one.

GRANNY M.

 

 

Bathroom

In the little half-bath off the bedroom there's a long shelf on which I've lined up sea shells. It's been that way for years . I found 2 items at the thrift store, one of which I hung over the shelf.  Someone has put a lot of work into it and no doubt made a few trips to Michaels for supplies.  You can see the 'box'  in the third picture.

A couple of the squares still need something to complete them.
 

Years ago I made some boxes that are sort of the same. Here's a poor photo of the one currently in my dining room.  Sorry it's so dark.

The box is 2 sided and this is the reverse side. I made more of them and when I think of it I change them around. 

The second wall box (I'm at a loss what to call them)  I got at the thrift store is this one which I haven't decided where to put as yet.  This one also is not quite finished The upper left square needs something.

For something other than decor  there are the goslings which are growing from day to day. This morning the group was being shepherded by 5 adults which I found interesting.  Goose communal living.

 

 

Thanks for coming by.    Have a pleasant weekend.

 

GRANNY M

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday

 We had a great time with our family yesterday.  At one point my DH and I were just sitting on the porch swing listening to youngest son playing his guitar and his sisters singing along. Sheila saw us and snapped a picture.

 One of the gifts I received was this gazing ball on a stand.  I know gazing balls are meant to be put in a flowerbed but I think I'll keep mine on the porch. I will try to find a spot that gets sunshine though so the iridescent glass bits can reflect the light.

Eldest daughter painted these tulips, matted the picture and attached dried tulips onto the mat.

 I also received this unusual Geranium. "Crocodile" is a trailing ivy leaf pelargonium that has yellow- veined, green leaves and pink flowers with deep pink eyes.  Mine has no blooms yet but I found a picture on-line.

 I'm looking forward to a quiet week. The forecast is for showers every day with a chance of sunny breaks here and there. During one of those breaks DH and I tied up some Clematis which had grown a lot since we last checked them and needed tying up. I really should have paid more attention and avoided  buying Clematis that grow 15' or more in height. I know I've mentioned that many of our shrubs and perennials didn't make it through the winter. Sadly the Spring Clematis that every year covered the pergola seems to be dead.  We'll cut it right back and hope for the best. It could let out again.

I hope your week is off to a good start. Thanks for visiting.  GM

 

Happy Mother's Day

 

 

 A happy and blessed day to all you mothers and others that deserve to be honoured for your love and caring for children.

It's been an unusually busy week or 2 and after today hopefully things will go back to normal ( quiet).
DH's sister was out from Manitoba for a holiday visiting her brothers and families here in BC.  We had many get- togethers, lots and lots of talking and too much eating!!  Like I say, things will go back to normal tomorrow.  Meanwhile in a few hours our children and  some grands will be here. Luckily I have lots of leftover sweets  and I'm sure many hot cups of coffee will be consumed.  Outside it's cloudy and could rain. Kind of chilly day when you want a hot drink.

A trip to Walmart this past week and a visit to their garden centre resulted in my buying  these roses. I hope to get those in the ground this next week.  I'll need youngest son to dig holes which I'm sure he'll be happy to do.

Today's tea pot

Thanks for coming by,  GM