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.

Finding Time To Create

We have never had a puppy so the learning curve is huge and the time commitment is even bigger.

I had time to look at blogs, but I have had little creative time since Friday.

Yesterday I found a few great ideas on some of my favorite blogs.

Today, in between walking Little Lulu, playing with Little Lulu and having her follow my every step, I fit in a few little projects.

Inspired by the bottles in a birdcage at Chateau Chic, I looked for bottles in cupboards around the house to put in my one little birdcage.

I have more bottles sitting on a shelf in the garage and I see a project in my future with those bottles, wire, metal shapes and jute.

Steve and I find perfect sand dollars on nearly every beach walk.

We have taken to picking up the sand dollars, but passing them on to strangers who are searching without luck.

It is fun to see the reaction of shell seekers when we offer a perfect sand dollar.

If we don't find anyone on the beach, we set them on the wooden bench at the end of our lane for others to enjoy.

I still have plenty of sand dollars for decorating and  I like how Beachcomber put shells into mason jars tied with simple rope.

Mason jars, shells and sand dollars, jute - I have it all on hand so it was a quick and easy change to our summer mantel.

Steve swapped the beach painting I loved for our little red wagon (rusted beyond salvation) because the beautiful beach scene went to a show this morning.

Yesterday I saw a beautiful potting bench on Stone Gable and it made me think about the weathered little cart I had seen earlier in the day at our neighbor's yard sale.

When Lulu was sleeping, I rushed over and the cart was still there - for $3.00.

My idea for the cart also involved the weathered wood I saw on Knick of Time.

This morning, Lulu sat at my feet while I painted an old wooden door with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Emperor's Silk.

The door is one of a set that Steve accidentally knocked off its hinges when he was putting away his car.

I saved the doors knowing one day I would have the perfect project for them.

I replaced a white knob with a yellow polka dot knob, added a canvas banner I made several months ago and filled up the shelf with essentials for my gardening.

The little cart and red door are on the side of our house that is rarely seen -  the spot where we store our kayaks, kayaking supplies, extra patio chairs . . .

Installing the little bench has me in the mood for fixing up this side of the yard.

If Lulu cooperates, it just might be tomorrow's project.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I will be at these fun parties

Cedar Hill Ranch - The Scoop

Elizabeth & Co. - Be Inspired

Between Naps on the Porch - Metamorphosis Monday

Boogieboard Cottage - Masterpiece Monday

The Dedicated House - Make It Pretty Monday

Cozy Little House - Tweak It Tuesday