High 80 F
Low 65 F
Click on pictures to enlarge for better viewing
This past weekend was finally a pool weekend. The sun came out on Saturday after a gray beginning and then the kids started to arrive. Can you remember the fun you had as a kid at the local pond or pool? Watch me, watch me is the classic line and Tucker is watching little Meena intently. Even my new granddaughter, Hailey, had her first swim
although she appears a bit concerned with the whole situation even with her own personal lifeguard. The garden surrounding the pool is blooming in spite of the lack of attention to the perennial border this year. There seems never enough time or energy to get all the gardens in shape.
The vegetable garden is finally producing squash, broccoli,
lettuce and the beans are in bloom. This bean (I will have to look up the name)
is as pretty in flower as the package suggested. I am enjoying the lettuce 'Merlot' planted under the walking stick kale which gives it the shade it needs during the longest days of the summer. There are leeks interplanted also to maximize space and color impact.
The containers have filled out quite nicely
and today is the first day that I have had to water them given the rain we have had this year and the moderate temperatures. What is better than a day at the pool with the kid's fashionably clad in lobster hats, laughing, swimming and eating strawberries
while Tucker swims to his heart's content?
It looks like a lot of fun and the garden looks lovely!
Posted by: Sheila | July 20, 2009 at 04:19 PM
Layanee, I don't know what kind of shape you want the gardens to be in, but I'd gladly take them as is! They're absolutely beautiful in the photos, as is your grand-daughter!
LAYANEE SAYS: Some are 'best from far away' meaning that you need to stand far away so the weeds aka native plants,don't show.
Posted by: Heather's Garden | July 20, 2009 at 09:12 PM
I could see that the planters are doing nicely in the first photo. I remember those days of going swimming no matter how cold the poolwater would be. Your garden is such a delight. Tucker appears to be taking his lifeguarding duties seriously.
LAYANEE SAYS: It is a serene escape and I am very fortunate.
Posted by: Lisa at Greeenbow | July 21, 2009 at 05:55 AM
Isn't she precious...Layanee, Hailey is adorable and not looking too pleased by the water experience! The gardens look wonderful...and it seems to me the warmth has brought the daylilies into beautiful bloom! have a sweet week my friend~~gail
LAYANEE SAYS: You are right concerning the daylilies.
Posted by: Gail | July 21, 2009 at 09:39 AM
That does look like fun. I'm really enjoying the look of 'Merlot' lettuce too this year. It hasn't bolted yet, but it did get bitter after the 90+ days. Nothing's cuter than kids, babies and dogs, and your photos are priceless.
LAYANEE SAYS: Love the merlot...both the lettuce and the wine.
Posted by: Mr. McGregor's Daughter | July 21, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Your Hailey is just adorable, even if she's not all that thrilled with her first swim! Great pictures of everyone and everything!
LAYANEE SAYS: Cindy, I remember our travels with great fondness. Texas twang and smiles. Thanks.
Posted by: Cindy, MCOK | July 22, 2009 at 12:25 PM
What fun! I'm glad you can finally use the pool, hard as that is for me to imagine, as we're going on three months of hot weather. I love that photo of Tucker swimming.
LAYANEE SAYS: Finally the pool is a necessity. For a few days anyway.
Posted by: Pam/Digging | July 25, 2009 at 01:05 AM
My brother called this afternoon (from Vermont) and was just harvesting his early spring peas! We always joke that he has two seasons: winter and 4th of July. I'm glad you got a pool weekend - and I'm sure that Tucker was glad too!
I've got some rampant bee balm too - although mine is long gone and is leaning over and smothering everything...not good.
LAYANEE SAYS: That sounds about right for Vermont. The rain has made the bee balm very happy.
Posted by: Pam | July 26, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Your garden looks so beautiful to me- especially all those purples and peaches, Layanee! Your grandchildren have a wonderful place to visit.
The umbrella effect of the Walking Stick Kale over the Merlot lettuce is almost tropical.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
LAYANEE SAYS: The Walking Stick Kale should just get bigger and bigger. I like that it looks tropical as you suggest.
Posted by: Annie in Austin | July 27, 2009 at 10:28 AM
There are some summers that I wish desperately I had a pool but this summer has not been one of them as inviting as yours looks. It's been cooler and wetter than normal by far. It looks like everyone is having a great time at your house on this day tho and can I just say how fabulous your containers look? I have serious envy. The one in the second to last photo is incredible.
LAYANEE SAYS: As I type this it is in the 80's in the evening and very humid so a dunk in the pool may be in order. Thank you for the kind appreciation of the containers. I always seem to pick oranges so next year, pink and purple...in different containers I hope.
Posted by: Kathleen | August 10, 2009 at 12:45 AM
Layanee, I've had such a great time tonight catching up with your posts. I can't believe how many I'd missed! It was good to see all the Spring Flingers have so much fun. Your photos are fabulous!
Your little Hailey is adorable. Makes me think of our Kathy (youngest) the first time I put her in a pool for a swim. She was not impressed :) The lobster hat is a riot. What a great shot of the little guy with strawberries still coloring his teeth :)
We wouldn't have used a pool much either so far this summer, but yes, today was hot and humid here too. I enjoyed it, except for more rain and thunderstorms in early morn and late afternoon, which kept me from gardening. At least I had the some sunshine in between, and managed to get a little done in the soggy soil.
Love that Merlot lettuce under its Kale "umbrellas".
We ate our first sweet corn last night and tonight, and fresh, new potatoes the night before that. Yum! Oh, and beans!! Love them fresh from the garden.
But I'm afraid the veggie garden is a weed patch and the tomatoes have blight. Bummer!
You're absolutely right...there's never enough time or energy to keep the gardens in shape...but you sure do a great job. Yours are gorgeous!
Those containers are beautiful, and I've loved all the photos of Tucker. What a sweet guy he is, and obviously a wonderful, and much loved companion.
I've written a book! I should try hard to keep up better in future.
Happy August :)
LAYANEE SAYS:It is good to hear from you. Life does get in the way of reading doesn't it? Sounds like you are reaping the rewards of the vegetable garden but I know what you mean about the weeds, they do seem to take over this time of year.
Posted by: kerri | August 10, 2009 at 09:51 PM