I haven’t gotten piddly done this weekend. It’s hot outside and my body seems to have geared into neutral. I feel like a slug on tranquilizers.
Many of you asked the name of the painter who did the painting just above my computer. The one below is not my painting, but one I found online, minus the frame. Mine is at the frame shop, as of yesterday. I’m having it properly dry mounted, matted and framed with a lovely distressed blue frame called indigo.
I couldn’t identify the painter for you, since the name was mostly covered up by the frame. I had a feeling it was a Monet copy. And I was right. So for those of you who would like to look for it online, it is actually The Beach At Adresse. Mine will be back on the wall in 3-4 weeks.
I am relieved to say that Clyde is getting back to his old self, somewhat. He misses Bonnie, as we all do. But now he has finally gone back into the guest room, which was their territory. Which he has refused to set foot in since Bonnie inexplicably went missing a couple of months ago. Poor baby. When I see him in there alone, I just want to cry for him.
I spent much of the weekend toying with my blog colors and banner. I was missing my signature reds. So I at least got that much accomplished.
I have to cut the various sweet potato vines back every few days, or I wouldn’t have room to walk through the yard.
The hyacinth bean vine has covered up most everything around it now, including the old vintage watering can underneath.
And the other day I found that it was growing up through one of my chairs on the pavilion.
Summer for us here in East Texas has pretty much come to the point where we go out when we have to, and stare at our gardens from the comfort of indoor air conditioning the rest of the time. Just a fact of life in this hot climate.
Our time to enjoy the outdoors commences again in what the rest of you probably consider the fall season. For us here it is merely less hot, and a very brief prelude to winter. Such that it is.
Happy Sunday Friend.
Your garden looks beautiful. We’ve been out weeding and trimming too. It’s funny how things get out of hand so quickly.
I’m glad Clyde is feeling better. It’s so hard to lose a pet member of your family. I told about our dog Katie dying two weeks ago today. To make matters even worse, our dog Molly died last Sunday. They were 15 and 15 1/2 years old so it wasn’t terribly surprising. Very painful though!
Hi Brenda, glad to hear that Clyde is adjusting, poor thing. I am sure he misses Bonnie as much as you do. It has been pretty hot and humid here in MIchigan too, we crank up the air and stare wistfully out the window at the garden. I hope you have a great week. I still keep you in my prayers.
I love the hyacinth bean, and until the last few years, it’s not been hot enough for them here.
What do people do who have to work outside there? How do they survive? It get’s hot up in the Okanagan, up to 45-46 C, and I don’t know how they do it there.
I am so glad that Clyde is perking up, it’s so sad. And how do you explain anything to them. Please give him a big hug for me.
Jen
Hi Brenda, I like your new blog banner. I too am watching my garden from indoors. I only go out at night to water my poor heat exhausted plants. I’m longing for the day when I can enjoy the mornings or evenings without sweating! Oh well, I shall be indoors sewing instead!
I think it is hot all over! When we lived in Florida I spent as much time outside as inside between working in sales and playing tennis, so I got used to the heat.
But since we have been in the mountains of NC I got used to cooler summers. This year we are in the 90′s which is unusual. We did have a wonderful rain this afternoon and it was lovely sitting on the back porch reading.
I am glad to hear that Clyde is doing better,,,,
Hugs,
Penny
I love the vibrant potato vines. I am a huge fan on French Impressionistic Art and love your Monet print.
I like the new look !
Its my favorite color !
Kids are both gone,were alone with the MIL gremlin, she is calmer these days, makes things easier for me.(Love that new pill)
My daughter adopted another tuxedo cat while she was home this one is a male, her female cat was NOT happy,so the two are in separate rooms to be introduced slowly,or I may get the little guy he is so affectionate I wont mind having him.
Our temp is mid 70′s not too hot.
Diane
A slug on tranquilizers is a good analogy!!!!
It is hot in Kansas..way over 100 heat index. Work outside in the morning and then I am finished.
Love to read your blog.
The potato vine in the red pot is stunning!
So sorry to hear of Clyde’s (and your) loss. My cats are treasures to me.
Brenda, I love your header. I guess one of these days I will learn how to add the table of contents type stuff to my sidebar or under the header. I planted a sweet potato vine last year in a planter for the first time and that stuff will take over quickly. I love the look of it and it did well in the drought we had last year. I did not plant any this year and through out what I had last year. I think you need to get Clyde a new roommate.
It is good to hear Clyde is doing better.
I love seeing photos of your home and garden. Missourians are seeing their gardens from indoors, these days, too. What did we every do without AC! Of course, they all say it’s not the heat it’s the humidity, but in this case it’s the heat and the humidity!!
I like how your banner turned out, Brenda. Lookin’ good!
Brenda, Your garden is looking wonderful and no worse the wear for the summer weather. I guess things around here just aren’t used to the extreme heat as the lawns turned brown due to lack of rain. It has been an unusually hot July. I guess what they say about time helping to heal a broken heart also applies to kitty cats…hugs to you and Clyde.
♥, Susan
Great job on the new header, Brenda.
It has been hot & HUMID here too. We have been getting some afternoon thunderstorms which cool things off for a little while.
I can relate to the sweet potato vine problem. I have it in 2 pots on my patio and it is taking over. Hard to see what else I have planted in there. I guess I’d better get out there and give it a haircut.
Keep cool. Glad to see that Clyde is getting back to his old self. Poor guy.
Oh your Clyde is so sweet, he has the markings of my Murphy I had for many years.
Your garden still looks amazing even with the heat. We have been hot and humid here in the Chicago area and we need some rain for the plants and trees.
Love that picture of your kitchen, it looks very inviting.
Londen
I just love seeing pictures from your home and garden. In the fall when you’re back outside enjoying things we’ll be back indoors trying to stay dry. I think your blog looks great! I can’t believe how much time I can spend playing around with the blog layout, colors, etc.
LOVE the new banner!! I am loving the addition of more red as well. Sorry to hear that Clyde is missing his friend, but glad he is perking up a bit…
Hope you have a great week!
Hi Brenda:
I love your new banner. It’s beautiful, and perfectly “red” you! I feel bad for Clyde, too. My heart aches for you and Bonnie is never far from the forefront of my thoughts. Thanks for sharing photos of your garden, too. Always a comfortable view. Especially when it’s hot here in FL, too!
xoxo
Hugs, my friend
Donna
I love the new banner. I missed the red and the inside of your home. It looks like a painting.
I promise to go to the post office tomorrow and mail your box….now I said it and I don’t break promises.
we are hot in Ohio, can’t imagine how hot it is there, Stay cool.
((((HUGS)))
What a colorful life you have created. Indoors and out…very nice.
Have a great Monday!
Susie
I love all the colors especially the reds at your cozy little cottage!
Poor Clyde…makes my heart sad.
I am sooooooo loving all your sweet images..you always cheer me up! xoxoxo
Happy new week to you and Clyde!
Hi Brenda,
I always enjoy coming by and seeing all of your neat pics! Your garden is just amazing and you have the most charming home. I know how your kitty feels. My Lily is so missing Cocoa. I am thinking of getting another kitty soon.
Take Care,
Cindy
Poor dear kitty. Time eases a broken heart for us, hopefully the same is true of our animals.
Your banner is so clear & pretty, you did a great job.
Stay cool,
Julia~
I kept hoping Bonnie would come back. Good to see Clyde is adjusting.
Love the new blog look! Fresh and bright! We have had a cooler than normal summer but it’s still sunny and beautiful so we aren’t complaining. I hope you get to enjoy sitting in your lovely garden again soon. Wishing you a wonderful week. – g
I do love that painting! Paintings of water are always a favorite. Poor Clyde…so hard to watch pets morn.
Your backyard oasis still looks so pretty.
-Rene
Hi Brenda!!!
I’m happy that Clyde has begun to feel a little bit better. Poor little kitty, I’m sure he will always miss Bonnie, but it’s a great sign that he went again into their territory.
Have a happy new week!
Hugs!
PS: love the new layout!
Mara
Have you thought of staining your deck & arbor?
Waited years to do mine. And REGRET not having done it sooner.
Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
Sweet Clyde. He must miss Bonnie so much, but at least he has come back to the guest room and found some comfort there. Like the new blog banner – you’ve been having fun playing with the blog, I see. Yes, it is too darn hot to do much but check the garden out in the morning and retreat inside the rest of the day.
xo
Claudia
Hi Brenda! Thanks for the update on Clyde. I have been concerned about him. Perhaps he is starting to come out of his grief. Please give him a scratch behind the ears for me! It’s hot here too right now and I know how you feel about the garden. At the moment I water the window boxes, am thankful for the in ground sprinklers and just breeze through to get back inside. Stay cool!!
Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
Hi Brenda, I’m happy clyde is getting better! I love all your photos. Everything is so cheerful…Kathy
Our summer has been unseasonably hot. Can’t remember the last time the air conditioner was off!
I had no idea that potato vines could be cut back, without hurting them. And the other day I caught my hyacinth beans trying to latch onto the van in the driveway!
Your backyard is dreamy. In fact, your whole life looks dreamy..
Your kitchen is the coziest!
It’s hot here too, Brenda, too hot to be outside.
I’m glad to see Clyde is doing ok now.
Hugs,
Donna
your pics. always look so good. I love your kitchy kitchen area too sweet and the garden…yummy. comfy. Goodness. Hope you have a great week ahead.Mica
Glad to hear Bonnie is doing better. Time heals all things or at least makes things seem not so terrible. Your garden is beautiful and we are spending a lot of our time on the inside looking out right now. Got up at 6 am to do a few things in the yard! By 8 it was too hot. Mimi
Hi Brenda. I laughed out loud 3 times while reading your post. We have the same hot misery here in MO. Temps in the 90′s, heat index in the 100′s, humidity thru the roof. I only go out to water in the evenings. And then come in sweating. July is almost as bad as January as far as getting outside. Your pictures are so stunning and colorful.
I had the same type of weekend…it was strange and I blamed the weather! Yes…it is hot here in AR too…summers here are like winters up North…you just have to “hole up” until it’s over! Except I need to mow and REALLY don’t want to go out in that heat…what’s a girl to do?
Stay cool and so sorry to hear about Bonnie….poor Clyde…glad he’s perking up and has you.
I think your plants and flowers look wonderful. It’s so ding dang hot that I stopped adding to my patio. Like you said, I get out when I have to and try to make it early mornings and then hibernate in the afternoons. Thank God for A/C!
Have a wonderful week ~
Pat
O so glad that Clyde is doing better…bless his heart..he had to learn life does go on, I guess. I know he must miss her. And, wherever she might be, she misses all of ya’ll, I know.
Our weather has been cooler than normal..due to the rains, I guess. We’ve not hit a hundred yet, I don’t think.
O, I know how hot it gets where you are…barely can catch my breath down there. I sweat (not GLOW) so much when I’m there..
Tell me what kind of camera you have, please ma’am. A point and shoot? I think my little Canon has died..I forgot and left it outside (VERY unusual for me) and the sprinkler soaked it good. I am just sick!! It’s a 400 dollar camera and I am just beside myself. I will take it to see if it can be repaired but bet it will cost as much as Bill gave for it.
bwaaaaaaa
I was excited to see your hyacinth bean vine. I have them twining all over an old bike in my flower garden.I bought the plants in PA in the spring because I don’t see them here in NC. I was introduced to these plants by an Amish friend who has them growing each summer on a 10 foot section of fence leading up to her front gate. Too pretty!
Oh, I’m happy that Clyde is adjusting. He is so pretty. He reminds me of my small, former kitty named Wheatie who was his same colors. I miss her every day. She was the cutest cat I’ve ever owned.
XO,
Sheila
I was enjoying your Friday post but couldn’t comment! I hope everything is OK with you! I’m going to follow your links! Thanks! ♥
Sorry about Bonnie, it is hard to not know. But I understand, had a bad day today thinking of Caesy♥
Love your blog look! I also havn’t done much but work lately!
Hugs, Lisa
Brenda, I’m so glad to read the update on Clyde. I hope he continues to adjust to his new ‘normal’. Give him a little hug for me.
Our weather here in FL is very similar to yours. I don’t do any garden work unless absolutely necessary. It is brutal in the heat. I have one sweet potato vine in a pot that has to be watered every day. Time to trim it back some! Next season I want to plant some in the ground–always love how yours looks.
I enjoyed my visit with you this morning.