Dreaming of summertime.

 

Should I let them grow.  They're blocking the barn door.

I noticed the seedlings early in the Spring but I didn't have the heart to pull them out

Besides,  I was hoping that it would be the elusive peach colored hollyhock which has disappeared from my garden.

I decided that one door is not so important when there are 5 other doors in and out of our Barn.

 I can walk through them.  They don't mind

 

I never know what color they will be

Did you know that Hollyhocks make great cut flowers? 

Have a wonderful weekend dear friends. 

It's going to snow around these parts. 

Gina 

The making of a kitchen

The Beginning

An idea is born.

Many choices are considered.

New ideas are added.

More decisions.

My client was happy to participate. 

More ideas.

This design was our starting point.

Even more ideas considered.

Hundreds of tiles later...a new kitchen. 

In the meantime a friend needed a new banner designed.

The same feature tile ends up with a totally different idea.  

Already working on the next project.  

The weeks are flying by.  I picked a few hollyhock blossoms and covered them with sand. 
Will see what they look like in a few days.  

This time of year they will dry in about 3 days. 

And they will look like this.  
(I will show you).

Wishing you have a wonderful weekend, 

Gina 

https://normandylife.blogspot.com/

We have our Pond back

After more than two months of occupation by wild Canada Geese

We have our pond back.

Between eight and nine families would cruise the pond.

Looking like they are getting ready for  Machiavellian maneuvers.

Every few days a new family would appear.
And, they would stay.

When small, they look like little monsters.

It didn't take them very long to find Clyde and 
Lola's (our resident geese) feeding trough. 

Something their parents have never done. 

They didn't used to come to our pond. 
Every now and then a family would land on their maiden flight and almost immediately fly away again.

Back at the house.

Poppies are blooming and

Salpiglossis.

Salpiglossis in many colors.

More poppies.

the lowly Petunia

I'm glad the geese are gone.  They thought nothing of  marauding my flower beds during the night.  

Hollyhocks finding their own places.

All is quiet on the Pond.

Just the way I like it.  

Have a great week dear friends. 

Gina 

Have you noticed?

I'm taking a break.

See you soon. 

Have a great remainder of the week. 

Gina 

Mon Bouquet du Jour

Meine Sonntag Blumen

This is the year for Hollyhocks. 

This wild female duck laid her eggs in a secret spot. 

And 24 days or so later, she marched her day-old ducklings past my window. 

All in a single file with a purpose...to get to water and our pond. 

The tiny little ducklings must have walked more than a mile.  

picture added 7-31-2017

This mother duck is special. First she avoided all predators by laying her eggs in a safe place and now, weeks later, all eight of them are alive and well. 

A Herculean feat.  

Have an extra special week dear Friends. 

Gina 

http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

All they need is

Water, water and more water.

deep water at the base of the plants.  

Do not spray from top with water.

That way you will avoid diseases and rust. 

Blooms will be large, and on strong plants. 

If you want to revisit your hollyhocks in winter, why not dry a few blossoms. 
Here is how

Dry them in a bed of builders sand.

Soon, they will shine another blooming season. 

Have a great week dear friends, 

Gina 

I had to do it.

Traveling these days is not easy.

But Italy was calling.

Innocently, I was checking air fares.

Important tip:

When booking flights check  the "Flexible Dates" box and 
"First/Business Z" category (Delta Airlines) 
You will find days when prices are $500 to $1000
lower.

The destination?  Italy, of course. 

Relais Sant Elena in Bibbona has room for us. 

I need one more pasta making lesson.

And another visit with my favorite friend Mario in his studio in Montelupo, Fiorentino.   

I just had to do it.  

Click, and it was done.  

 It was only 3 months ago, we said that we wouldn't get on another long flight. 

How soon one forgets. 

We will take care of our garden before we go.

and harvest our garden, preserve fruits and vegetables. 
Then in September, we are off. 

Have a great week ahead, dear friends.  

Gina