Olallieberry

In the Garden

Just a few "bee" shots from the garden over the past week now that the sun has decided to make a very welcomed and timely appearance. I love how lush and moist everything is--a nice respite from the typical dry, unbearable heat we normally experience in summer. The bees response to the sunshine is to immediately get busy. Here they are working the chive patch, see the one in the third picture with her little tongue sipping nectar from the flower?

As for me, this very moment I am officially on vacation... whoohoo!

I'm iching to dig into some good projects and a few ideas I've been kicking around. I know I keep saying this, but I really really mean it and I can't help but think that saying it will surely make it so! My time here has been so limited the past while; I can't wait to be spending more time in this space. 

P.S. - Thank you for your very lovely comments recently, you are the best!

Sweet Summer

Summer has arrived so late this year; I can't believe the lilacs are still in bloom! I remember the year we got married the lilacs were blooming well in time for our mid-May wedding. It was a perfect day with just a few fluffy white clouds floating in a clear blue sky, and a light breeze barely rustling the spring leaves. This year it's just been rain, rain, and more rain. And cold. Did I mention the cold? I'm getting a bit worried about the bees, they really do need some warm, dry weather so they can get bustling. They really want to-- get bustling that is-- but the inclement weather has held them fast and firm.

School is out next week and then everyone starts summer vacation. I'm taking a bit of time off work too, then a bit more during the latter part of summer. It's been a very busy year with lots and lots of changes, and I'm about ready to collapse into some cozy, homey, 'round-the-house puttering just to recharge. Maybe I can finally get at more of those unfinished projects that have been piling up since last year. And cook something barbequed. And then there are deck plans... oooh I hope the weather cooperates!

Rain

Lots of rain always makes for good gardens, good baking, good projects, good reading, and...

...very grumpy kittens.

Most Days

"I'm bored."

"??.. What was that??"

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"Hmmph... whatever...."

"...I'm bored."

Spring

It's been rainy and overcast all week long. We really needed the moisture though--spring has been very late in coming and everything in the garden is waaaay behind. The bees have been foraging furiously at every pause in the rain. Yesterday the sun peeked out for a couple of hours and they immediately went into overdrive trying to catch up on lost time. Every moment counts toward building up their food stores and increasing their chance at surviving our long, cold, Canadian winter.

As for me, the rain has provided an opportunity to catch up on some of my unfinished projects, namely this little quilt. Being my very first attempt at stipple quilting and, since the thread I'm using is the same colour as the quilt top, all of the loopy goof ups and skipped stitches should go relatively unnoticed. In theory at least. Anyway, this is going to be a great summer quilt, perfect for lazy afternoon naps and leisurely outdoor reading sessions. The Mr is finally making deck plans, and I'm following suit with deck furniture. I'm thinking something loungy and poufy, something to curl up on and enjoy the summer breezes, a place to drift back and forth, in and out of reality. I am so looking forward to summer.

Thank you all so much for sharing your wonderful bee stories! I had no idea so many of you had bee interests and experiences, either personally or through someone you know. We are closer than we think :) Have a wonderful week!

xox