So much torrential rain, just look at the water running off the gutter outside.
A rust free hollyhock, rare around here.
An antique brazier I bought many moons ago, worked a treat, its maiden burn, for me anyway!
Releasing five ducks, they came in as tiny chicks.
Now they’re little thugs! They bullied everything in sight! I’m glad they have a strong survival instinct though.
Toys don’t last more than five minutes around here.
I had a visitor, my lovely Emmi, aka, Baby Bear. She still loves and remembers her foster mummy.
Her mummy, Laura, our dog sitter, brought me a racing pigeon that had been walking into a pet shop that she works in occasionally, in Wales, it was after the birdseed.
Poor thing, he’d been hanging around for weeks before she managed to catch him. Starving he was, you should have felt his breastbone. I’ve had him for a week, as the rescue is flooded, another week should see him fit for release.
The spider lilies did grow, despite Buddy sitting on their pot!
And Finally…
Hubs and I saw Elvis Costello this week, he’s still got it.
Also saw Ab Fab and Tarzan, at the pictures with daughter, not at all bad either.
I long for rain like that!
(summer and I really don’t get along all that well 😉
I love that you rehabilitate wild birds! What a wonderful feeling that must be when you release them and see them fly free!
I’m not a fan of hot weather either!
It’s always a great feeling seeing animals back in the wild. Thanks Jaime.xxx
I couldn’t agree more re the pige….they are supposed to be really intelligent, Ahhh….thanks Casa.xxx
I don’t think it’s possible for any animal to forget you! Smart bird to walk into a pet shop.
Glad to see a hollyhock without rust. I had to give up on growing them entirely.
It is rare to see a hollyhock without rust, I end up cutting the leaves off, I am tempted to stop growing them.xxx
Loved this post and your selection of photo’s and captions …
Ducks are great
Spider Lily looks amazing
Elvis Costello to round up your post … can’t be bad!
Have a brilliant weekend – but will it be rain free I wonder?
All the best Jan
Thanks Jan. Elvis is still a fabulous act he was really entertaining. Oh….when will the rain stop? xxx
How big Emmi has grown – you can’t believe that she was such a small pup not so long ago. Great pic of releasing the ducklings – it must be a worry when you set them all free again as to how they are going to get on. That spider lily is totally beautiful – I must look out for one for my garden. Oh glad you enjoyed Elvis Costello, didn’t realise he was still going – he must be at least ninety now 🙂
Emmi is a solid mass of muscle now, it is hard to imagine her being that tiny little pup. She’s such a sweetie though which is good given her breed.
Oh….I worry myself to death when releasing critters, you never quite know how it’s going to go, those five were utter thugs, that did surprise me!
I hope you do get a spider lily or two, the flowers last quite awhile and are really gorgeous.
Lol….I think Elvis must be ninty, I hardly recognised him.xxx
Wow, how lovely to see Baby Bear all grown up……what a character to add to your manager…even though it be temporary:):) You are simply amazing….or Ab Fab……
Yes, the rains have been truly torrential…..I got caught, in what is called a shower, the other day and was drenched to the skin within two minutes…and that was with an umbrella…which of course did not good at all…..
Despite the little beggars….your gardens are looking wonderful….wishing you, hubs and the furies and happy and peaceful weekend….Janet. xxxx
Baby Bear certainly is a big girl now, yet it only seems two minutes since I was fostering her, where on earth does time go?
Oh….I know how you felt getting drenched, I did too, ‘orrible!!! Thanks so much Janet!xxx
Never a dull moment with dogs and ducks! The Spider Lily is lovely, and fancy surviving being sat on by Buddy! Now that is resilience for you!
I enjoyed seeing Ad Fab!
Lo….I’m amazed those lilies grew, the poor things were so stunted to begin with and he even had the audacity to nibble the growing tips!!!xxx
A rust-free hollyhock is a wonder anywhere! And with all your rain, too. I remember coveting a small forest of them at my uncle’s house-in-the-country and tried growing them, but got instead a rust magnet 🙁 Yours is a beauty. I love that rich coloring. And the lavender blooms on your hosta — so pretty!
I can’t believe how grown Baby Bear is looking! And so happy to come for a visit. Did the four-legged residents welcome her?
I’m always surprised to see a hollyhock without rust, they are plagued by the stuff. I often cut the leaves off which looks a little odd. I am having a good hosta year, it must be the frogs, we seem to have a lot more than usual.
Buddy was with me when Emmi arrived and given how excitable he is I thought it was best to keep my three out as Emmi gets a little possessive over toys and refuses to share.Buddy would not appreciate that……he’s a toy freak too. xxx
That top photo cracks me up. Studied casual — the essence of summer lolling.
I love seeing the ducks released, too. They certainly can be assertive, can’t they?
The spider lilies are beautiful. We have a native species here: Hymenocallis liriosme.Both the petals and sepals are slightly different, but they’re clearly in the same family.
Now, here’s my confession. I had to look up Elvis Costello on the Wiki. I’ve heard the name, but I’m still not sure I’ve ever heard any of his music. Sigh. I try to keep up, but I fear I’m losing ground steadily. 🙂
Ducks sure can be bossy creatures, I was surprised how aggressive ours were, especially as they were the new kids on the block.
Your native spider lily is just lovely, thanks for the link,
Elvis C has had some cracking little hits, he’s been bouncing around for years now. Thanks Linda.xxx
Nice post and great images. We had our share of rain in the last couple of days.
Thanks Peter. Hopefully your weather, like ours, will improve.xxx
Lovely pics….really like the patio with blazing fire and everything. The dogs always make me laugh….bless ’em…. Never heard of such a thing as a spider lilly….very pretty though. Good to hear your news and well done going to see Elvis Costello….!!xxx
Thanks Rosie, I just love sitting out around a fire with the stars above my head. Elvis was great, I think you would have enjoyed him.xxx
Elvis C has a lot going for him.
Love the Spider lily, a great pic too.
Hasn’t Baby Bear come on….a great smile from him, a Big Bear now. Did he bring his own bed? if so, this wasn’t a flying visit.
All your birds seem to thrive. You have the magic touch.
What’s your favourite place for getting the doggy toys?
Baby bear has certainly come on! Thankfully it was only a flying visit, four dogs would be a little too much methinks. I usually buy the toys from a pet shop but often buy charity shop teddies for coppers as they only last an hour. xxx
Ah, the spider lily is gorgeous! And I do love hollyhocks. I planted your seeds and got none, but I wonder if I didn’t store them properly through the winter? But yours looks beautiful! And no rust; how did you manage that?
Hooray for the duck release and pigeon rescue! And the pups look like they’re having a wonderful playtime, although I know what you mean about toys. I still buy them, though.
That brazier is lovely, one of those great “finds” when you’re treasure-hunting. Yay for you!
I would LOVE to see Elvis Costello. Have been looking forward to seeing AbFab; can’t wait.
Finally, happy to see sweet Emmi/Baby Bear and hear she’s sweet as ever; aren’t reunions lovely?
Thanks for a post so full of good news and wonderful photos! Joy to your week’s end, Dina!
Oh, what a shame the seeds didn’t come up for you. Your seeds are now sturdy little plants and our planted out, they haven’t flowered yet, maybe next year, I can’t wait!
I spend a fortune on toys, even the kong ones don’t last more than half an hour, but the dogs do love them so like you I’m always buying them.
I hope you enjoyed Ab Fab, such fun! Thanks Kitty.xxx
Your spider lily is so beautiful, well done ! Hopefully your pigeon will find his own way home.
I think the bird was lost as it was hanging around the shop for weeks, I’m hoping it stays around the garden where food is plentiful. I really am enjoying those spider lilies.xxx
Really enjoy seeing the pix with explanatory captions. Not too much reading for a tired woman like me!!
After reading your last post I’m not surprised you’re tired. xxx
Lovely to see Emmi all grown up and how lovely that you still get to see her. Will you be able to trace the owner of the pigeon or will he be able to find his own way home once released?
I do enjoy keeping up with Emmi, she’s such a lovely dog and really enjoys being here. We don’t contact the owners of racers, in the main they don’t want failed birds back so we just remove the rings before we release them.xxx
A most enjoyable post and lovely pictures. There’s been far too much rain here as well. Good to see pictures of Emmi. xx
Thanks Flighty, we certainly are having an odd summer! xxx
Em is lovely. As are all your bits and bobs.
Emmi is a lovely sweet dog, it always good to see how she’s doing.xxx
Great fun…Summer is here….so clear…from the post. Love the spider lily. Hugs!
Our summer seems to be over! I’m hoping to see the sun back at some point. Thanks Bushka.xxx
Glad to see Emm looking so well. The spider lily is really unusual.
Poor Emmi, she still has issues with her hips and may still need surgery. I am pleased with the spider lilies, I think I’ll plant them out in the autumn.xxx
I covet your Bonzai tree and your antique brazier and my heart bleeds for that poor little underweight pigeon hanging around a pet shop for seed! I have a hollyhock (just the one mind you!) about to flower and I can’t wait to see what colour it is. E and I passed a whole border of them on our walk yesterday – they were just glorious. Well done raising and releasing the thuggy ducks! xx
I bought the bonsai trees about 18 months ago, they were in a terrible state but have really come on now. It’s lucky that Laura caught the pigeon when she did, it wouldn’t have lasted much longer. It’s gaining weight beautifully now. A border filled with hollyhocks sounds lovely!xxx