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.

Easter in Cool

Steve and I took a road trip for the Easter holiday to visit Steve's brother and his wife who moved to Cool, California last fall.

We also got to see both of Steve's sisters and their families along with our nephew, his wife and darling little boy.

After a drive along a narrow winding road we arrived to this view of the back yard.

Next time I will be prepared to take a dip in the pool or be loaded with Skin So Soft so I can sit and read on the bench without being eaten alive by the No See Ums.

The incessant buzzing of the bees in this patch of purple could be heard from the deck.

Oddly enough, in this small town, we actually have friends who live in the same gated community so we walked over for a visit.

I love the variety of trees dotting the landscape

and of course there must be a few palm trees.

We passed gardens carefully planted by the homeowners

and fields of poppies planted by the wind.

Homes are distributed sparsely across the land

and many have stables for horses.

Our friends Joel and Suzette have created a beautiful garden surrounding their house.

But, Steve's brother has planted nothing in the time they have lived in Cool.

Geoff and Joanne have counted on Mother Nature to create a welcoming spot for viewing or relaxing.

We are back at home, behind in gardening, cleaning and blogging, but the short weekend escape to the country was wonderful.