Monet

I'm not necessarily feeling blog-like today but did want to mention that the Monet exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden is very pretty. See the garden they put together as Monet's garden was when he was alive. I saw it last week and it was beautiful. Hollyhocks and delphiniums (delphinia?) galore. It was my idea of a perfect garden. Lots of pretty flowers with good height and not too manicured. They were changing the garden over for the summer season this past Monday so I think I'll be going out another time to see it. There is also a building that has drawings, notes, etc. from Monet as well as three of his oil paintings. 

There are lots of water lilies to see but I am not such a fan of these. They are fairly high maintenance if you want them to look nice and neat. The pond needs to be "weeded" This involved high waisted rubber overalls being worn by NYBG staff and I can say it had no appeal for me.

I am in summer mode which means lots of beach time and lots of needlepoint time. And trying to keep my garden fresh with lots of watering but the heat has been rough on everything.

I'd like a mini version of this in a front hall.

Water lilies

Lemon yellow hollyhocks and delphinium in the background.

Not the weather I was expecting for today

However, a great day to do your hobbies. If you don't have any then poor you.

I have a dollhouse that I built from a kit. It weathered various tots playing with it and was a great diversion when they came for dinner. But now it's ready to be overhauled and I am in the middle of that. I am working on the electricity which is the most fun part. To see a chandelier light up a dollhouse room is really cool.

Also a great day for gardening as it's not too hot. And you can get in your bike ride / run without dying of the heat.

To me it is amazing how you can have a bad day (yesterday) and then all of a sudden down the beach here comes the most cheerful, cute 20-something girl and she makes you smile and then smile some more. 

And after good night's sleep your frame of mind is completely changed and life is pretty good. Make sure to observe the funny things around you. For me, this was seeing a wild turkey on the bowling green of a local club. I mean, really. And I did longingly pass a group of foursomes playing tennis. And there were the enthusiastic sailors getting ready to race in what I would call no wind whatsoever, yet enthusiastic all the same.

Here are some summery pictures. Painting by marthamarlette.com.

Simply loving the flowers that bloom this time of year.

This bunch of peonies comprises my entire crop. They have such a heavenly smell.

Hydrangeas from new bush planted late last summer. We're in the pink!

I am still pulling together my little garden and the few pots on my terrace. We're now at the time of year when the mantra "water, water, water" goes into effect.