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Friday, June 17, 2016

Busy Bees

 

Summer days are here


and the garden is looking like a jungle -


from the lavender


to the fortnight lilies


to the Matilija poppies beneath the living room windows.


The sidewalk between the lavender and the Matilija poppies is completely covered and almost impassable. 


 I have to be gentle as I walk past the fragile poppies, but I have to be particularly careful around the bees.


The bees love our garden and they aren't especially happy when I snip off stems to use in my bouquets.


I managed to get to my little potting bench to freshen up all my wilting bouquets, 


 without upsetting those bees.


After the bouquets were arranged and set around the house,


I decided to dress up this old bench for summer.


A little fishing line and a bunch of mini beach balls from Oriental Trading Co.


and things are looking fresh and summery.


The bees and I were both busy in the garden - I just wish they would help me pull the weeds and tame the jungle.

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33 comments:

  1. Poppy @ With a Dash of ColorJune 17, 2016 at 10:20 PM

    Loving all the vibrant colors in your beautiful garden! The Matilija poppies look SO pretty and delicate! love love love the beach ball garland idea for the pretty little bench! Happy weekend! Hugs, Poppy

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  2. Castles Crowns and CottagesJune 18, 2016 at 3:16 AM

    teeeeeeheee....like some housekeepers who say, "I DON'T DO WINDOWS", bees buzz, "WE DON'T DO WEEDS!" Gotta hand it them however, their work is never done from pollenating our some of our important food supplies to just simply loving that blue....my neighbor a few doors down has the most impressive BLUE garden. Goodness, it is fabulous. Bees galore buzz there and it's a happy place.

    Carol, your lavender, wow - it must smell fantastic as you pass and just gentle brush by it! And isn't this just a super start to summer? I will savor each day and so far, I have and it's fun.

    Off to clean and prepare for guests today!

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  3. Castles Crowns and CottagesJune 18, 2016 at 3:18 AM

    P.S. - love, love your bench with the beach balls and the photos, SO RICH in color!

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  4. FlowerLady LorraineJune 18, 2016 at 4:06 AM

    Great summer photos of your gardens.

    Have a wonderful weekend ~ FlowerLady

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  5. handmade by amaliaJune 18, 2016 at 4:52 AM

    And I thought the bees were disappearing. You've certainly been busy Carol, it is looking lovely. I espceically like the cheerful bench.
    Amalia
    xo

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  6. Patty AntleJune 18, 2016 at 5:23 AM

    The beach ball banner is adorable! Love your yard!

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  7. ANNEJune 18, 2016 at 5:49 AM

    Your garden looks wonderful! Have a happy weekend!

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  8. Jackie @travelnwriteJune 18, 2016 at 7:08 AM

    Just spent three days 'de-jungle-ing' our Northwest garden as our walkway had become impassible with spent daisies. Nothing better than time in the garden and love the photos of yours. Thanks for the day-brightening blog post!

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  9. bobbieJune 18, 2016 at 7:25 AM

    Yep ~ the bees are loving my lavenders, too. Your garden is looking so lush and bright ~ great pix!

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  10. craftylesJune 18, 2016 at 7:35 AM

    Your flowers are so pretty. I love how you decked out the bench for summer. Beachballs-great idea!

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  11. MelanieJune 18, 2016 at 8:06 AM

    Your flowers and gardens are so beautiful. I bet the bees are very happy. Love how you decorated that bench with the mini beach balls. Very clever, colorful and happy!

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  12. Linda @ A La CarteJune 18, 2016 at 8:48 AM

    The beach balls are too cute on the bench. Love the look. Oh your garden! We have bees and wasps around our flowers. Gotta be careful out there.
    hugs,
    Linda

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  13. podsoJune 18, 2016 at 2:16 PM

    You have a great eye for decor--even to the garden bench! I guess we can be thankful for the bees and they provide us the flowers. You would think you've had a lot of rain with how lush everything is!

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  14. DanielaJune 18, 2016 at 2:18 PM

    I'm always delighted by visiting your so lovely blog, my Beautiful Lady, I'm so grateful to you for another wonderful post, your flowers and your bench has won my heart !

    Enjoy your weekend, dear Carol, may it be as joyous as ever before,
    sending my dearest love to you

    Xx ~ Dany

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  15. 20 North OraJune 18, 2016 at 3:39 PM

    Put those bees to work! LOL

    Have a great weekend. Beautiful photos.

    Judy

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  16. Linda @ Itsy Bits And PiecesJune 18, 2016 at 4:01 PM

    It is all so lovely and summery, Carol! Love those mini beachballs!

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  17. JunkchiccottageJune 18, 2016 at 4:20 PM

    Carol,
    Love your summer back yard flowers. So pretty. I bet the bees do love your back yard with all the good choices.
    Love love love that bench decor. So adorable. Just made me smile. Have a great week end. Happy Dad's Day to Steve. Enjoy.
    Kris

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  18. DawnJune 18, 2016 at 4:59 PM

    Everything looks fantastic and beautiful. I've never seen lilies like those before....stunning! I'm wanting to plant poppies in hopes they'll just grow wild in the meadow and take over without any work.

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  19. Mary@mydogsmygardenandmaryJune 18, 2016 at 6:46 PM

    Oh Carol, your back yard is stunning and I love all the flowers. I also have lots of bees on my Lavender bushes. Need to get out there and cut some. I have been down with Bronchitis and with all the terrible fires I can't go outside as I am high risk. This morning I went out in the back yard and watered the plants in my night gown. I am just waiting until the sun goes down so I can water the from patio flowers.

    You are lucky that your weather isn't in the 100's.

    You make sure lovely flower arrangements. And that bench looks terrific.

    Happy Fathers Day to Steve and have a wonder Sunday.

    Mary

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  20. At Rivercrest CottageJune 18, 2016 at 7:43 PM

    It's always beautiful around your place. Love seeing all your plants.

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  21. Pam RichardsonJune 18, 2016 at 8:23 PM

    Carol, such a beautiful garden. The bees seem to love the lavender and the foxgloves in my garden! Love the beach balls on your bench, so cute and summery! Blessings, Pam @ Everyday Living

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  22. Row homes and CobblestonesJune 18, 2016 at 9:22 PM

    And what a beautiful jungle you have! I adore your garden and I love the photo with the bee. I think we have wasps starting to build a nest and we have to go out and locate where. YIKES! Carol you grow happy flowers and your decorations look festive and fun.
    xoxo,
    Vera

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  23. SarahJune 18, 2016 at 10:10 PM

    Life is definitely good at your house! ;-)
    Buzzzzzz!

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  24. AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNaJune 19, 2016 at 5:12 AM

    What a cute banner on your bench! I love the look of the jungle. The weeds just blend in. I know because my middle garden is just full of flowers waiting to bloom and I don't want to pull anything in case it's not a weed! The bees are quiet right now in my yard.

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  25. Daytona DamselJune 19, 2016 at 6:31 AM

    What a beautiful jungle. As always, lovely pictures. Debbie

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  26. ConnieJune 19, 2016 at 8:37 AM

    Hi Carol, another beautiful post; I get excited each time I see that you have published a new one. We all know how important those little bees are to having a lovely garden and a lovely garden is what you have. I am always amazed at all the different flowers you have and how marvelously they grow. That's your wonderful California climate. That and all the care to take with them. They say the more you cut your flowers the more that they will bloom. We all should be taking a tip from you and cutting more bouquets. Enjoy your beautiful garden. Oh, and happy Father's Day to your Steve :)
    Keep Smiling,
    Connie :)

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  27. KathyJune 19, 2016 at 9:08 AM

    Your garden pictures are always so beautiful and that close-up of the bee is amazing.

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  28. Burlap LuxeJune 19, 2016 at 9:27 AM

    My favorite is the Matilija poppies beneath the living room windows. That deep sea blue up against the whitest home speaks to me right outside here in your garden.
    Love your gardens, and what joy it must bring you when you can stand back in all it Awwwww-ness!!

    Xx
    Dore

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  29. Celestina MarieJune 19, 2016 at 7:24 PM

    Hi Carol, another inspiring post from your lovely garden. Your photos are amazing. Have a nice week ahead. xo

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  30. JeannaJune 20, 2016 at 12:18 PM

    A gorgeous garden. I love the bench decorated for summer, great use of little beach balls and fishing line.

    I wish I had some busy bees to pull the weeds from my flower beds too!

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  31. Down by the seaJune 21, 2016 at 12:56 PM

    I can see the bees are enjoying your garden as much as you! The way you decorated your bench made me smile, it is so beachy and fun! Sarah x

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  32. Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. OlsonJune 21, 2016 at 9:14 PM

    I have a jungle going on here as well Carol. Can't even find space to walk on the top of the rock wall. I did climb up there tonight and cut back all of the spent poppies and trim the jupiters beard. I love that we both had bees on our minds. Our garden is full of them as well.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  33. CarlaJuly 20, 2016 at 6:38 AM

    Yeah me and bees don't get a long. I try to keep my distance that's for sure.
    Love your bench redo

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