Roses and lilies aren’t the only thing happening in the garden. In fact, this time of year is probably the best in terms of abundance of blooms.

The daisies are starting to die off now, but they were absolutely spectacular this year.

The Yarrow is new to me this year and it’s been fun watching it bloom and fade

I have bee balm in purple and pink. Only the pink has bloomed, but I think it’s my favourite. It reminds me of fireworks

My blue sage is doing beautifully this year

As are both my lavender plants (purple and light pink)

I’ve got Tickseed out front and out back and it gives the gardens a gorgeous bit of bright yellow cheer.

And last… my coneflowers have started to bloom!

These will bloom right through to fall.

July might be a beast in terms of heat, but it’s a beauty when it comes to the garden.

July is usually the time when my lilies are at their best.

This plain white ones are classically beautiful in their simplicity.

The trumpet lilies are similar, but with a slightly different shape, and just a touch of pink.

My plain orange ones have a definite pop!

And the “Salsa Dance” version take that pop and amp up the wow factor.  (I have a yellow version of these too, but the squirrels broke them all this year before they could bloom)

These pink ones are my favourite though. I love their soft shade and little black freckles.

The orange daylilies are going gangbusters this year. They’ve really benefited from the wet spring.

And the Stella d’Oro daylilies never disappoint. They are a much smaller daylily – great for small spaces.

And last… one perfect white Cala lily has bloomed in my pots. I hope there are more to follow… there’s definitely more lilies to come. Stay tuned!

Momma always said you should eat your greens…

But I’m not sure she meant THOSE  greens, Relic…

With 12 days to spare, I finished up Dave’s birthday socks. The pattern is Petty Harbour, a freebie that’s very easy, and gives a nice bit of texture – perfect for an endless man-sock.

The yarn is our Alley Cat BFL, that I dyed up just for Dave. The colour is “grasshopper”, a nice semi-solid summery green – perfect for his July birthday. I’m lucky that Dave is not too fussy about colour when it comes to his socks – I can get away with making pretty much anything but pink (or pink-like shades, such a peach, coral, lavender, etc.). It can get quite tiring making man socks in nothing but blue, black, brown, or grey.

And now these are tucked away safely until his birthday… and I’m onto a new knit! Details soon.

One of the reasons for the trip north last week was also pick up a custom woodwork piece I’d commissioned from my brother.

Several of our neighbours have plant stands like this an it works especially well with the shape of our walkways. My brother loves to play with wood and was only too happy to make it for me. He was going to paint Welcome on it as well, but I told him not to worry – I had something special in mind…

I can’t take credit for it… I found the image online. But it was PURRFECT! I was going to make a stencil and paint it myself, but Mom suggested vinyl. Neighbour Krista has a Cricut printer and very kindly did the hard work for me! It’s certainly easier than cutting it by hand!

I was planning on buying a new potted plant for it, but had hung gnome Winston there just to get an idea of size. He looks so at home, I think he’s staying for the rest of the summer.

It’s so good to have talented friends and family!

The other day I was out poking around in the garden. I was pulling weeds out of the parsley planter, when I noticed something…

And then I saw a second one!

And then a third!

Three little Eastern Black Swallowtail caterpillars. This is the butterfly they turn into.

I’ve never had caterpillars in the garden like this, so I decided to document them. Dave got me a big rubbermaid tub to put their planter in (to keep them safe from predators).

After a couple of days, we had to go out and buy them more parsley plants, as they’d quickly eaten my paltry little patch. We planted some sturdy sticks in with the parsley, as they quickly approached the size they would be ready to make their cocoons.

A day later, one was missing. He’d managed to get out, and unfortunately, he overheated on the patio stones (It’s stinking hot here).

The other two were actively trying to escape, so I pulled the planter out of the rubbermaid tub and set it by the garden. As much as I wanted them to make a cocoon in the planter, at least being near the garden would give them a bit of a chance if they decided to leave.

An hour later, another one was gone. But there was still one left! And he was on a stick in the planter, in “chrysalis” position!

I was hoping to document the process to cocoon, but it’s a slow one, and apparently most of the magic happened overnight, or early the next morning. When I next came outside…

And now we wait… 10 to 20 days to a butterfly! I really hope I can get it on film for you all!

Before my vacation last week, I think I mentioned my one goal was to complete the Rainbow in the Dark top. When I had the setback with the purple blocks, I didn’t think that was going to happen. But late in the week, I sucked it up, got ripping, and sewed everything back together properly.

This one was a little too big for the design bed, so I had to get creative.

And after an afternoon of steady sewing…

The completed top fit the bed much better. Finished, it’s about 72″ wide x 84″ tall. A nice decent size to throw on the bed for an extra layer, or toss over a family on movie night. I’m keeping the binding simple with plain black (I have to pick some more up on pay day – this used up what I had in my stash) and Mom has a nice chunk of a simple white plaid with red and blue stripes for the back.

Hopefully I can get it quilted this weekend and in the mail shortly after.

Yes… it’s been three years since this adorable little ball of black floof…

…wandered across my path, and effectively took over my life.

Now he’s a magnificent ball of black floof!

As you all know, a little bit of a ham. But he is also 100% sweetness.

Our life just wouldn’t be the same without our Lord Burton Bearbottom.

While the flowers are blooming beautifully, the edible parts of my garden are just getting started.

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Those pictures include Sweet Banana Peppers, San Marzano Tomatoes, Loch Ness Blackberries, and Everbearing Raspberries, and of course, strawberries!

 

Beware of invasive species…

… they will make themselves at home and crowd out your other plants.

 

(In his defence, the plant was dying before he sat on it… I just haven’t gotten around to putting something new in the pot.)