Wednesday 23 July 2014

Poolside.......


We are so lucky to also have a beautiful place to sit and muse...here at home.
Our backyard is like a tiny oasis...full of beautiful lush plants...wildlife...and sunshine.
Take a stroll with me...and see how it is...poolside.








I believe my wee friend Red, planted this sunflower seed for me in my planter...

It is getting so tall...

Can hardly wait for it to bloom!!! 


The Daylilies are nearly finished their blooming...

Perhaps next week, all the stalks will have to be chopped off...

And the leaves cut back....not my favorite gardening task...but very necessary... 


The Purple Coneflowers are opening up....love these flowers...so pretty!
 













The Balloon flowers are really good this year...

Lots more buds to open....

See how they look like Balloons? 

Such a gorgeous deep bluey-mauve...






Goose Neck Loosestrife coming into full bloom...

These last for weeks, and the leaves in Fall are a beautiful yellow colour...

Hope I got the name right....anyone??

Lilies have not opened yet....but look at all the seeds!!!









Strawberry plant has revived, and looks like some new foliage...

Wonder if I will get anymore berries??































My grasses are getting big!!!

This is Oat Grass...

And it is getting its tiny stalks of Oat like plumes... 
This guy has attached himself to one of the garden mirrors...

Guess he wanted to get a look at himself!!

 Finally had the new decking and new wall painted...

Picked the same blue as the cottage...we liked it so much!!




Ivy looking good in my Frog planter...

The Ivy growing all around the fence, is actually starting to put out berries....

Thought this was a wee bit early....
 
 As the sun sets on another day...in our backyard oasis...

Thanks for stopping by!

Miss V is due up from her nap...glad I got this post done...

We will be taking her out to the backyard...to enjoy all that it has to offer...

She can play with her boats and beachball!!

                                       *********************************

Hope you are all having a great day....

Bit cooler today....windy...some cloud...I'll take it!!!

It is fish night here....picked up some Perch...it is soaking in buttermilk...amazing what the buttermilk does...plumps up the fish, and makes it so flaky...I have fried rice cooking...and I think some bok choy on the side....nice and healthy!!


Enjoy the rest of your day...

Thanks for all your lovely comments on the b'day party...still smiling about that one!!


                        Cheers!    :o)
                          linda
               

45 comments:

  1. Lovely pictures of your oasis, Linda .... thank you for sharing ;-) Bok Choy ... have had it in Asian dishes ... how do you prepare yours? Steam or sauté?? White AND green leafy parts??

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    Replies
    1. Sauté....with some moisture....white and green....
      Thanks for taking the tour!

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  2. You've given us very good value for money tonight with that interesting series of photos.
    Such detail and colour Linda - really good. Yes I am persuaded to buy a really good digital camera.
    I'm interested in close up and action shots with lots of definition. Might go to Bristol on Saturday.

    Have you ever stopped to wonder - Isn't all this around us fantastic with such design and purpose? - even the snail - consider the shape of the shell - quite remarkable really, all of that captured in your photographs.

    Enough of my thinking, I do sometimes! . . . lol

    I'm opening a can of beer - cheers, Eddie

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    Replies
    1. Hi Eddie...
      Thanks for the kind words...and the answer is "yes".....I do stop and wonder...and that is what I really love about photography....very rewarding..indeed!
      Do you drink the heavy dark beer?
      I prefer a golden beer, myself!
      Cheers!

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    2. I like all beer and lager, in moderation of course.
      In pubs (I think you call them bars) I often drink Draught Guinness. Not sure whether you have that - it is Irish beer and black. I like lighter beers as well and of course some lagers. Now I am single again I quite often pop out to the pub.
      Are you off to the cottage tomorrow?
      Cheers!

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    3. Oh yes...we have Guinness here...snd pubs!
      My boyfriend loves to order Rickards Red...me...not so much!
      Yes...hope to get away late afternoon....

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  3. Love the Loosetrife, not come across that one before.

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    1. Oh dear...I forgot to add another "s"....Loosestrife....geesh!
      It is a lovely perennial....love photographing it...

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  4. We've noticed lots of berries on the plants too...I think it's Mother Nature's insurance, in case we have winter like the last one!
    Jane x

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    1. Probably right Jane...
      Our Maple trees gave us millions of "keys" this Spring....
      Fingers crossed this one won't be as harsh....

      Delete
  5. See, Red isn't so bad after all, he was just doing some gardening for you!!!! Dinner sounds delicious! xx

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    1. Hahaha! You are absolutely right Amy!
      The perch was very delicious....tender and flaky...YUM!

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  6. Beautiful poolside and back yard ! Lovely photos , Supper sounds good . Thanks for sharing , Have a good day !

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  7. what a stunning poolside you have with all those colorful plants - you do not need to go on vacay!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha!
      We go to our cottage every weekend...and Florida for February...that is the real vacay!

      Delete
  8. Beautiful blooms! Looks like you had the perfect weather for taking pictures, too!
    Dinner sounds yummy....we had grilled salmon...one of my favorites.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup....took them yesterday....today I was busy with my sweetie...miss V!
      I looked at the salmon...but the perch caught my eye....haha! "Caught" my eye!
      I am hilarious...or is that delirious?

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  9. Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever learn to stay home and just take time to really enjoy my own back yard.
    Of course, I don't have a pool... but I am thankful I no longer have the "lake" that used to be there.
    I do however, like the Great Lake that is a bit farther to the north and that's kind of like my backyard...
    :0)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should! You have a beautiful property....and a fabulous veggie garden!
      Lake Ontario is spectacular...you are lucky to live so close....
      Lake Erie on the other hand is AWESOME! Hahaha!

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    2. Yes, Lake Erie is pretty awesome.
      :0)

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  10. What a fabulous backyard you have with the pool and all the pretty flowers! I know Miss V must find many adventures! I love your lilies...so many pretty ones. I've just learned to pinch the dead blooms off, didn't know that after all these year!

    Your dinner sounds scrumptious!

    Jane xx

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thanks Jane....
      The day lilies were beautiful this year...but the cutting back is a real pain in the a**!!!
      Oh well.....the garden is surely worth all the hard work....

      Delete
  11. What marvelous photos. The up close and personal just pulls me into each one. You are going to have one BIG sunflower. Thanks Red! I'm going to soak my fish in buttermilk tomorrow...I've never tried that.

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    1. Oh, you'll love it Wanda...then some Panko and seasoning.....awesome!

      Delete
  12. Linda, I really admire your photographs. Every single one has a unique and special viewpoint. Hard to choose, but the snail one has great appeal. And the flowers are always fantastic.

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  13. Thanks so much Patricia...l do love taking pictures...sometimes I surprise myself, and get a very unique shot.....keeps me out of trouble!

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  14. Wonderful backyard Linda, so lush and full of plants ... and a few critters. We have gifted sunflowers right under the plant tables, in fact growing through the slats on the table. Just been outside doing a bit of deadheading and planter maintenance, have neglected it so far this week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "gifted"...that is a great way to look at it!
      I did some of that the other day...more next week!
      Enjoy your weekend!

      Delete
  15. HI Linda!
    Oh gosh, those pictures are incredibly gorgeous! I bet Miss V just loves taking in all the sights and sounds of your poolside retreat. Simply stunning! Thank you so much for sharing, Linda...

    P.S. Have you showed her how to "pop" Balloon Flowers? Kids get a real kick out of it, lol...

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    Replies
    1. You will have to tell ME how to do that ~~Louise~~..I have never heard of that!

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    2. Hi Linda,
      Here's the link I shared on my blog for Garden Tuesday. I'm pretty sure it tells you how to "pop" them. Basically, all you do is gently squeeze the sides and they POP! Any child I have ever shown was quite fascinated. http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/balloon-flower/growing-balloon-flowers.htm

      Delete
  16. Oh Linda, your backyard is a beautiful oasis in the city. The flowers (and your photos) are beautiful. My tall orange lilies are about to bloom and my one day lily is loaded this year. It's been a great blooming summer here with all the sunshine. Have a great day. Hugs. Pam

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    1. Hope you are enjoying your visit with your sister!

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  17. good grief charlie brown!
    how in the world did i miss the birthday party post? after waiting for it with bated breath!!! LOL.
    she is such a little lady.
    and this post with the glimpses of that crystal blue pool through beautiful foliage.
    i swear. this will sound weird. but sometimes when i visit here i leave feeling almost like i've been on a vacation to a beautiful exotic place! LOL. i do. hope you don't start charging admission.
    xo♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I should start charging! hahaha!
      So glad you enjoy my pictures...makes it all worth it!
      Enjoy your weekend.....

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  18. Cooler here yesterday and today, as well.

    Great photos. Have a wonderful weekend
    and boogie boogie.

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    1. Oh I will boogie boogie Ivy....having friends out to the cottage! YAY!!!

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  19. I'll try the buttermilk soak next time I grill fish

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    1. I only do the buttermilk soak when I am roasting the fish...not sure how it would fare on the grill....
      I also roll in panko crumbs.....let me know if you try it....

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  20. Just found your blog and so happy I did! Guess I'm your newest follower. :) Your photos are gorgeous...I just love flowers and having them inside all the time is a dream of mine. Miss V is adorable! Enjoy every moment you have with her.

    Stop by and say hi when you can!

    xo
    Pat

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    1. Hi Pat...thanks for stopping by...just home from the cottage....on my way to see you!

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  21. I am in love with the balloon flowers - such a pretty colour and shape. And Mr. Froggy looks hilarious with ivy coming out of his mouth - too funny! Thanks for taking us poolside... wish I had one!

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    1. You are welcome Suza...glad you enjoyed the tour!

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