Time in the Garden

I love this hot weather and the longer days!  I have spent most of my time in the garden or at the allotment.

All that rain had encouraged the weeds to grow on the allotment, so I have been digging them up and planting runner beans, dwarf beans, lettuce, tomatoes, courgettes, pumpkins and other squashes.  I have also been sowing various seeds and planting flowers in between the vegetables.

There has been plenty of wildlife around, such as this Beetle - Pyrochroa Serraticornis and I have heard my first Cuckoo of the season whilst working at the allotment.

The hedgerows are full of May/Hawthorn blossom

and heavy with scent.

 In the woods we have seen lots of fungi.

 Back in the garden and love is in the air!  These bugs are Eurydema Dominulus

and of course there are snails! Lots and lots of them!!

 The first of the roses are blooming.

Petunia Melissa in the hanging baskets.

 When planting my pots for the summer, I couldn't quite bear to throw out the winter pansies and greenery, so I have re-potted them and used them to "pretty-up" the compost corner.

Whilst I was in the garden, Ella was on guard on the fence

 and Maurice was doing what cats do best! :)

 I have moved some of the Basil from the greenhouse into the kitchen.

I still have lots of planting to do,

 but at least I have potted up my tomatoes and chillis.  I still have lots of flowers to plant in the garden, but I have run out of space!  When the Hardy Geraniums have finished flowering I will cut them down and then I hope to have room for my bedding plants.

 Yesterday I put the bunting up that Joanne kindly made for me.

It looks good from both sides.

During this hot weather I have been glad that my kitchen is north-facing, as it doesn't get too hot in there, until the oven is turned on, so I have managed to fit in some baking.

Peanut Butter and Choc Chip Cookies

 Lemon and Almond Drizzle Cake

Chelsea Buns

Banana Loaf

Boiled Fruitcake

And also in the kitchen are these.  I couldn't resist! ;)

As well as the Bank Holiday and Diamond Jubilee, it is half term next week and I have lots planned.  Therefore I won't be on-line next week, so I will take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful week. 

Best wishes, Pj x 

God Save the Queen Swap

Recently I took part in The God Save the Queen Swap arranged by Lynda of Hookin' With Laalaa.  My swap partner was Joanne of Rose & Dahlia, a blog that was new to me.

   This was the parcel that I sent to Joanne, decorated with a crocheted brooch and a card.

I had decided to make everything for this swap, with the addition of some choccies.

A tapestry Union Jack key fob/luggage label,

 with a crown on the reverse.

 Bunting in London fabric.

A red, white and blue lavender sachet, with lavender from my allotment.

 A bracelet of glass, blue pearls and a golden crown.

 A knitted tea cosy.

 This is the parcel that the lovely Joanne sent to me,

with a crocheted brooch and gorgeous card.

 Inside were :-

Two tea cloths.

 My husband does most of the drying up so I think he will like these! :)

 A stamp cross-stitched using tapestry wool, beautifully made.

Bunting, I think this will be great for my son's birthday as well as the Jubilee.

Union Jack cupcakes cases,very useful as I might be known to make one or two cupcakes occasionally ;) .

Several lengths of ribbon

 and a tin of shortbread.  Yummy!

 Thank you Joanne for my gorgeous gifts, I love them all.  I thought we had chosen some very similar items - the crocheted brooches, bunting and edibles from M & S.

Thank you also to Lynda for arranging another great swap.

This Morning in the Garden ...

Today is another gorgeously hot day here.  The past few days have been scorchers, so I have risen early and pottered in the back garden or worked up the allotment, before the heat has hit.

 

When the temperature has cooled, my evenings have been spent back at the allotment and afterwards in the garden,

but apparently someone doesn't think it has been hot enough!  Yesterday I found Ella curled up in the greenhouse!