Sunshine and smiles

With our heat wave still with us, and a new job, 

today is about flowers in our garden,

 Every thing is perfect

 Colourful

 Full of blooms

 Some new this year

 Some on their second year

Hubby worked hard in the garden over the weekend, removing unwanted decking, the whole of the area was covered. Now we have to dig down for hard core and concrete over the top. makes getting the bike into the garage much easier, this has been on our to do list since we moved in.

Hubby is a perfectionist, which I love, he lifted each board, cut it and then replaced, ensuring every thing is sturdy. We are lifting most of the paving steps in front of the garage as well, so job not finished yet, I was is helper, sorting cut wood and picking up tools and providing loads of glasses of cold water and even the 1st glass of cold beer when the job was done.

I have had three days on my new job, it's a small office with just 5/6 staff, we are all a similar age, and it is so very different, quiet, slower pace, the lady I work with is brilliant, helpful, under standing with every one. I can really see me liking this role. It is on the Naval dockyard at Portsmouth and until my permanent passes come through its a pain each day getting on site. But walking from my car to the office each morning to the sound of gulls, in this beautiful weather is bliss. On my 1st day my new boss and I chatted about my hours, 8am to 4pm, he suggested I start and leave 15 mins early each day, to beat the rush of every one going home at the same time. So I am home each evening just after 4pm.
So I am very happy here, sorry I have done no stitching, most evening are outside pottering in the garden, drinking chilled wine or cider shandy's, life is feeling good at this moment.

Over the fence

 This rose is in Win's garden, stunning I see it every time I walk down my drive, Win loves her garden and grows all her bedding plants from seed, at 96ish that's not bad going and her gardens are the best in the street.

 Over the back fence, our neighbour has a kiwi tree, this is the blossom, so very pretty.

 This year I intend to harvest some kiwis, the ones hanging inside our garden and see if I can ripen them, they start falling off the tree in December, but are rock hard, but I have seen on the net various ways store and ripen them. Every year nothing is done with the tree's this part of their garden is left to go wild.

 Also over our back fence, behind our garage is this tree, the bees love it, I don't know what it is called.

 Strawberries and raspberries are ready for a raid from Josh and Sammy

 In my green house all the plants are coming along well, this very hot week has helped, 1st cucumber is forming along with peppers and tomatoes.

 Our magnolia tree gives me two main task each year with picking up the large petals and leaves, but now is the time it throws down it's seeds, and they are big, each over 2" long, I pick them up each morning, below is today's bunch.

I have done no sewing, it's just too hot and the tennis has been so exciting, I spent all afternoon and evening yesterday, glued to the TV, both "gentleman's" semi finals were really gripping and it was a shame to have two losers, the tennis was just brilliant. We have popped into town this morning to get our shopping and now home for the afternoon, ladies final, then later to a BBQ. Tomorrow men's final, so another afternoon at home, and later out on the bike.

Don't you just love summer 

It's not about need

I went out with a friend on Tuesday, to a craft shop and garden centre

 As my title says, it's all about want, I love this pot, which looks like a milk churn, and the dahlia inside, I was looking for a pot for my lemon grass, The churn was empty and I put them together, they look good with grandad by our back door. The dahlia is Scarlet/Yellow, the flowers almost look unreal.

 The shop purchased lemon grass has rooted, so I have planted it into this pot, it's for my patio table to help keep flies away. I will let you know if it works, we have loads of flies, inside and out, another by product of having so many cats next door.

 Not done much stitching, but the door is coming along well, with my garden, tennis and friends stitching time is limited. Did not get much at the craft shop, my stash is big enough, just a few plastic trays for my storage drawer and a couple of threads.

Yesterday I spent the day with Sammy and Fliss, after school we went with Josh to the beach, had loads of fun and ice cream, followed by a fish and chip tea, took the boys home at 7pm, Sammy was worn out, he now uses the big slide and there are loads of steps each time. Loads of laughter, and Grancha popped along on his bike.

Door to the garden

My door is coming along well, I did not have the correct colours for the door, so I choose from my stash, The yellows are very pale so stitching is a bit harder than expected. But with the tennis so good I am not stitching as much as normal.

 Purdy in the garden, she loves where this chair is placed, it is under our bird table, and the birds and squirrels all ignore her and feed. It is a sunny spot.

 My Jasmine has flowered, but I am disappointed, the flowers are white, they were shown as cream, oh well not much I can do, I will enjoy them any way.

 Up date on Pintrest gardening, back in May I put 4 rose cutting into potato's and planted them, no roses, but soon and unexpected crop of potato's, I did not think I had room to grow potatoes, I think we will get just one small meal from these. The shop purchased lemon grass has rooted well, so today I will purchase a nice pot for them.

 This week we had had some wonderful sun sets, 

I'm going to Hobbycraft and a garden centre with a friend today, can't say I need anything, but I will want things. Tomorrow I plan to have time with grandsons, after school, I am taking them to the beach and out for tea, I am hoping to go somewhere other than McDonald's. Thursday hubby has day off, so after his game of golf, we are off on the bike and out for dinner. Friday I am with a friend in hospital.

So busy week, before starting work on Monday. Loads of tennis on TV, no plans for this weekend, all the finals to watch.