...I left Vancouver and set out for our place by the lake thinking that I'd be back in town after a week or so to collect a bunch of stuff so that I could do some work up here, such as cut pillowcases, cut fabric to make bundles, etc... Well, guess what?! I haven't left yet because summer and, along with it, summer living has set in over here in a big way! We've had quite the stretch of lazy hazy summer weather with barely a cloud in the skies. In fact, this weekend was supposed to be quite rainy (always needed in our province to ward off forest fires!), but it sprinkled a bit in the early morning today and the sun is back out again!
So what have I been up to at the lake? Well, aside from having fun in the water and hanging out with friends and family that have come to spend time with us, I've been in my garden weeding (always weeding it seems), deadheading, planting, watering, amending the soil, trimming and so on... I'm realizing that my garden is rather large, very untamed, always under assault by one invasive plant or another, in desperate need for richer soil (it pretty much sits on rock with barely any topsoil in places) and under the sun for most of the day (great for growing flowers but always thirsty for water), so it will definitely be a real work in progress for what I figure will be quite a long time... (But then a garden is by its nature always changing and it never really stops being a work in progress, doesn't it?!)
My lake garden, which is in its third year, is starting to show signs of becoming more established; no longer is it only home to seeded fast-growing annuals such as California poppies and cornflowers, but now summer-blooming perennials such as yarrow, larkspur, black-eyed Susan are well-rooted and soon enough will even have to be divided! Happily this year, one of my favourite summer flowers, sweet William, have been popping up all over the place and the roses, which I've had to protect with chicken wire from the deer, are starting to get tall and soon will be clambering through nearby shrubs and trees. I will start taking more photos of my garden as well as the house indoors as I'm planning on adding little decorative touches here and there; the wall boards have only been primed and the wood floors haven't been laid yet and since I don't know when all that will happen, I've decided not to wait any longer to do a bit of decorating!
I plan on finally going to Vancouver this week (I will have to literally tear myself away from here if the sun keeps shining) to pick up all I need to put together fabric bundles so for those who have been asking about them -- they are coming! I want to start posting more regularly even though my internet access here isn't as simple (and cheap!) as in the city as I have to use my phone as a hotspot. (I've kind of disconnected myself a bit since being here as I've pretty much stopped doing my regular blog-browsing and email-answering so sorry if I haven't answered you, but I hope to get back into it this coming week.) Nevertheless, I'll have lots to show you once I start taking more of the photos mentioned above and I plan to be back blogging in hopefully less than three weeks this time! 'Hope you're all enjoying your summer and thanks so much for popping by!
It's so nice that you have the option to go missing for a while. I'm hoping for a bit of time at our lake too...if I can gather two girls up for the same few days (tricky). We've had a cooler summer and I'm not complaining one bit...no need for air conditioning, windows open and nice fresh air...perfect! Love your garden. xo
Posted by: leanne | July 20, 2014 at 06:38 PM
Your garden looks lovely and the final picture, of the lake, is gorgeous. How lucky you are to have such a place to run to!! We just had 12 yards of good soil delivered for out yard. I totally get what you are talking about with the garden!
Posted by: Annette | July 21, 2014 at 07:03 AM
From your photos it's easy to see where you get your inspiration for color combinations. So nice!
And good for you that you unplugged from the net for the most part while away. Whenever we take a trip where web access is none or limited, I find that I don't miss it very much.
Welcome back!
Posted by: Helen in Colorado | July 21, 2014 at 08:02 AM
Sounds like a wonderful summer! I agree, gardens of whatever variety need tending always. (whether they get it or not is the question here.) ; D Your flowers are beautiful! Enjoy!
Posted by: Angela-Southern USA | July 22, 2014 at 11:41 AM
It's always nice to hear from you. Your pictures are lovely :) So glad to hear how much you are enjoying your time at the lake :)
Smiles, DianeM
Posted by: DianeM | July 23, 2014 at 02:06 AM
Such a beautiful garden... I am endlessly attempting to drag ours from the field it recently was - and constantly wants to revert to - into a pretty cottage garden! And I do wish my washing on the line looked this stylish...
Posted by: mrs robinson | August 04, 2014 at 12:13 AM