Bumble Bee an Image of Summer

It's great to hear bees and bumble bees buzzing around the shrubs in the garden.  This morning my variegated privet was covered in bumble bees gathering up the pollen from the tube-like white flowers.  All this insect activity is part of the joy of being outdoors in the summer.

Over at Truly Madly Kids, Image of the Week has gone on its summer holidays to be replaced by Image of the Summer, so you will be seeing a few images over the coming weeks representing what summer means to me.

Swallows

This morning started out very misty, a typical start to a sunny autumn day.  If the weather wasn't enough of an indicator, the swallows had gathered on the wires ready to fly south for the winter.

I love when the swallows arrive early in the summer and am always a little sad to see them go, because the days are really beginning to get noticeably shorter now.

What are your signals for spring/summer and autumn/winter?

The View - August 2013

Although I haven't been keeping up with Lucky Snapping in 2013 very well.  I do try not to miss out on 'The View' at the beginning of every month.  After some of the best summer days we have had for the last three years, August has begun with some rather mixed weather. Torrential rain, humid air followed by spells of sunshine with a strong breeze. 

 

My tubs and pots are in full flower now, the pink scabious has been excellent, with a long flowering season. The perlagonium has finally bloomed with two tone flowers and the mixed tubs are overflowing with colour.  My herbs have also flourished.

I am hoping we get a few more weeks of warm weather to warm our bones and top up the vitamin D levels to get us through the winter.  This summer has made me realise just how much I have missed warm summer days and just how good they make me feel.

The Silvery Tay

The River Tay from Riverside, Dundee looking towards Tay Road Bridge and Fife

River Tay from Riverside, Dundee looking towards Tay Rail Bridge

I had to visit Dundee today for work. It was a glorious day and as I was leaving I had the chance to stop by the side of the River Tay and take a couple of photographs.  I thought I would share them with you.

Summer is here!

Summer took a little longer to come to Scotland, but today was a beautiful warm day and we were able to sit outside until 8pm.  Lynne was asking me about my planters and really a week has made a phenomenal difference, here are a few photos to show you.

I believe we are to have more glorious weather for the rest of the week and maybe even into next weekend.  Enjoy!

Wild Flowers

It was a glorious summer day today, I spent most of the day outside and even wore my shorts!  I picked some wild flowers from the hedgerow around the farm before they wilted in the heat, they are so pretty I thought I'd share them with you.

Totally Gorjuss Challenge 88 - Summertime

We haven't had much of a summer so far, last weekend was as good as it has got!  Yesterday, we had thunder, lightning, rain, hail and sunshine and today it's warm and muggy and we've just had a heavy shower of rain. 

I've made two cards for this challenge both very different, the one below was almost a by product of the second crd as I had intended to use the 'summer' lace word on the other card and sprayed it.  But then it just didn't work and I liked the sprayed paper so much I decided to use it as a background.  If you look carefully you can see the outline where the word was placed.

Dylusions Spray Ink, Summer 'lace' paper, Graphicus Stamps. flowers and button from stash.

Stamp from this month's Craft Stamper, coloured with Inktense pencils, striped paper freebie from Crafts Beautiful.

If you'd like to join the Totally Gorjuss challenge then click HERE