The good, the bad and the lovely ~

My week started off  in a stressful way with a very sick Miss Twiggley. I woke up one morning and found her sleeping under the bed - not a normal thing for her to do this time of year. Then I saw that she hadn't eaten, both signs of illness in a cat, or at least the cats I have lived with.

I quickly got her to the veterinarian where she was diagnosed with a high fever and an intestinal infection. After four days of antibiotics and a lot of anxiety on my part, she is finally feeling better, her fever is gone and she is eating again. I just hope it doesn't return. 

my beautiful girl

Now for some of the good parts of the week.

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The poppies have all bloomed, they were beautiful this year. I have been waiting for them to dry out so I could collect the seeds. It is so much fun to turn the pods, which I am saving for dried flower arrangements, upside down and watch all the the tiny seeds fall out. As my very nice friend and exceptional gardener, Ralph said, "It's like shaking a pepper shaker"! I will plant them in the fall and hope that they will do as well next spring as they did this year.

I am trying to finish the new drapes for the entry hall. I was held up waiting for the gimp trim I had ordered to arrive. I found what I think will be a perfect accent trim online here. They always seem to have the trim I am looking for at very good prices.

The zinnia seeds I planted have germinated and put on their second set of leaves. I love the old time Pink Enchantress but this year I am also trying a new offering, a bi-color zinnia in pink and chartreuse. I am looking forward to seeing this new zinnia bloom, the photos in the seed catalog are gorgeous.

I also sowed sunflowers and nicotiana Sensation seeds. Nicotiana  used to be available in six packs but for some reason they haven't been available the past few years in my local garden shops. It makes a lovely, colorful and fragrant summer annual.

Lastly, 

I leave you with the picture taken in the front garden...roses, Queen Anne's Lace, Foxgloves and Cleome. I have had never planted Queen Anne's Lace before, goodness what I was missing. There will be a lot more next year!

I hope you have a lovely, peaceful, and relaxing week.

Thank you for visiting.

Pretty ~

Climbing Pinkie rambling with abandon along the deck railing in the back garden.

Such a pretty and such a reliable rose. She seems bred to delight, both in the garden...

and in the house.

We had a delightful surprise of rain today which kept me out of the garden but that was okay as I have been busy working on the new drapes for the entry hall. Sewing on a rainy day is almost as nice as baking. And now I won't have to water for a few days, always a good thing!

Thank you for visiting.

An introduction ~

Just is case you haven't met, I would like to introduce you to Sally...Sally Holmes that is.

Sally Holmes is a vintage rose with large, tightly packed trusses of ivory single 5" flowers of 8 to 12 petals  beautifully complimented by bright yellow stamens. 

This rose can be grown as a large shrub or a small climber. I have been growing her as a climber in this spot along the driveway at the entrance to the front garden for several years. Two years ago I had to drastically prune in order to install the new arbor I made to replace the old one that had fallen apart so she took a real hit. Now, between the rain and another year of growth she is well on her way to a
 complete comeback.

For some reason this rose blooms a bit later than most of my other climbing roses which makes it even more special. And it does have an excellent repeat throughout the season.

Such a pretty Grande Dame of the garden.

Last weekend I spent some time cleaning out my fountains and starting them up again. I have one in the front, which you can see in a couple of these pictures and another in the back garden. I had forgotten how nice it is to be working in the garden to the accompaniment of softly trickling water -small pleasures.

Thank you for visiting.

I wish you a rosy day.