Company here and gone and more rain!

While bringing in armloads of wood this morning to get the fire going and get rid of the chill, I was thinking here it is the middle of July and I'm doing this!! We may get a bit of sun on Saturday. Maybe!

Monday was a beautiful day. Laurie arrived from St. John's and Hilary, Cameron and Jasper (the dog) arrived from Ontario. The cats were not happy to see a dog in the house. They took off for parts unknown and I found them on top of cupboards, in closets, etc. I have to say that the dog was very well behaved and didn't really bother the cats. He's a real sweetie.


Tuesday....rain! Wednesday....rain! They were going to stay until Thursday but decided to head for St. John's yesterday. I may see them again on their way across the island when they go back home. It was great to see them.

Two young squirrels were on the feeders yesterday and I'm wondering if they aren't the off spring of that nursing mother that I had here for days. I managed to get a few pictures. They were just so cute.



A female Pine Grosbeak was here the other day with the male. First time I've seen her this summer.
The Oriental Poppies have bloomed and are now starting to fade and the roses are blooming. It seems to have been a hard season on the plants. So much rain and not much sun. Or maybe it's just me thinking that way because I haven't been able to do much outside given the bad weather.

I did take this picture of some wild flowers the other day. I thought they were very pretty.

The was a Hummingbird Hawk Moth in the garden a few days ago. I get a couple here every summer. I took some photos but unfortunately they all came out blurry. Oh well, I must keep on trying.

First Flutter and Dragon.

Around the Garden.

Finally we've gotten a couple of days of sun and today promises to be the same. Needless to say I've been spending some time in the garden. I can't seem to catch up. All the terrible weather has put me behind. The annuals that I bought and potted up have, for the most part, given up. They are looking stunted and pathetic. Too much rain and no sun for such a long period of time. I'm afraid they are past recovery. The black flies and mosquitoes however are thriving. Driving me indoors at times.

A busy time coming up. The parents are coming on Friday for a few days, then Monday the granddaughter, her partner and Jasper the dog will arrive. I think I'm going to have to sit the cats down and explain about the dog coming. This is not going to go over well with them. I'm told that he's been to school and is a very good dog.

And, so, some pictures around the garden.




Most of these pics are from the wild side of the garden.






Chicken having a nap in among the St. John's Wort.
And, though not in the garden, a picture of one of the boys.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad.

Yesterday was my parents 68th Wedding Anniversary and still going strong.

And so, Another Wet Day.

Every morning I get up, look outside and let out a big sign! It's been raining for most of the month and I and many more are quite fed up with it. There is nothing but mud and water on the ground. The wearing apparel each day is rubber boots and rain gear. So much to do in the garden and it's been impossible to get at it. One bright spot, they say we will get some sun tomorrow but then rain for another week.

It hasn't stopped the birds from coming around.

Many of these, White Throated Sparrow, I believe.

The Pine Grosbeaks have arrived.



This wet little squirrel was licking water off the tree trunk.


One good thing that happened this past week was a visit from my daughter and grandson. They stayed for a few days and it was so good to see them. Andrew had flown in from Ontario the week before.


And lastly, we have this strange creature. I think it's a wonderful old thing.

Where is Summer!!!!!

The new construction on the house is almost over. Walls and ceilings have been plastered and the painting has started. A couple of more days and I expect the flooring will be put down. I will be so glad when it's all over.

I have a line up of people waiting to come out for a few days here and there. My grandson is flying in on Wednesday so he and his mother will be arriving next Monday for about four days. So, mad rush this week to get everything done. Then a friend of himself is coming for a couple of days, my parents want to come out soon, my granddaughter, her partner and dog are coming in July and we got a phone call from a friend in the states that he may be here in July and that's just the ones I've heard from so far. It's funny, some summers we hardly see anyone and other summers there are so many people coming and going that I don't know where to turn.

The weather has been miserable. We've had a few glimpses of the sun but not much. Temperatures are low as well. +3 C when we got up this morning. Never the less the perennials are growing like mad. I think it's this wet weather that they are liking.

The rhubarb is just about ready to be picked.


The chives are about to flower.


The bun keeps getting fatter and fatter.

And the frog keeps grinning and grinning.


And this fellow is feeling quite laid back.

Two of the fairies have arrived in the garden.


Oh and mustn't forget....I got my first bee picture of this season. On one of the warmer days this past week, there were a few humming around the lungwort.

Dog, Doors and Squirrel.

The construction is coming along well. We still have no hot water but I expect the tank will be up and running sometime this week. Still, there seems to be a fair amount of work yet to be done. I suppose considering there is only one man doing the work, there's been an awful lot done. He comes with his dog Benji every day. Benji is a sweetheart.


The windows and patio doors were put in this past week and this was a big plus for me as I could see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.


Yesterday was sunny and warm so I spent some time in the garden. Went to the library in the afternoon and also stopped off at the greenhouses where I bought another lot of annuals. Came back home and managed to get some of those potted up before it was time to get supper on the go. There doesn't seem to be enough time to get everything done.

I had put some leftovers on the platform feeder and it wasn't long before this little cutie arrived.

"What's this?'


"Oooh, sandwich!"


"Yummy!"


Praying for more tomorrow, lol.