"Pretty" Pitiful

At the risk of using a double negative...

no one can say that I'm not an optimist.

I mentioned last week that my poor hydrangea bushes have taken a terrible beating in this heat. Same thing last year. I'm seeing that most plants and hydrangeas especially, aren't fond of 100+ temps and drought. I water them every day, sometimes twice a day but this wicked weather is just not conducive to pretty, luscious, colorful blooms. They started out white, then started to immediately dry up. But then just the faintest tinge of color started showing up. (Believe me, there have been some posts from you all out there that have caused severe bloom envy!)

 Not to be outdone by this danged heat spell, I cut what few little attempts there were for blossoms and tied them together to dry on the sunporch. Which by the way can be hotter than Hades in the summer...no AC, and my husband frowns on paying the electric company an arm and a leg just for the perk of having it comfortable...wah wah wah.

So, I'm looking on the positive side

 and remembering how much I just love those blooms come Fall; 

all dried and "Autumn-y" with browns and ambers.

I'm hoping if I praise those sad little bushes

that they'll hang in there and keep trying.

...on the other hand,

my geraniums on the deck have done well

as they get afternoon shade and a lot of TLC.

 These next two photos were from May.

Can you see that brown patch on the upper right?

yep, that's the yard.

so sad.

We've managed to miss every little local pop-up storm.

OK, out to water these babies.

joining in at:

Cottage Garden Party at Fishtail Cottage

Sweet and Simple Friday at Rooted in Thyme

Shabbilicious Friday at Shabby Art Boutique

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Hope you're having a good Sunday,

and staying cool.

xoxo,

Where I Create...

Welcome to my studio;

I'ts the place you'll usually find me.

A place where I can "perch", and be the "queen".

It hasn't changed too much in this last year, except I think I may have added a suitcase or two for more storage. That's my idea for stashing supplies; trunks, suitcases, "train cases", and hat boxes. I love old luggage and containers, so they are filled with ephemera, prints, paper, ribbon, jewelry findings, sewing supplies, and any number of odds and ends.

This room is my little escape and sanctuary.

Filled with bits and pieces of the things I love.

Mementos from friends

odds and ends...

A place where I create jewelry

and photograph it for my Etsy Shop

Much loved collections...

and where I write a personal blog on my spiritual walk with God

A place to dream and pray...

and look toward what the future may hold...

  

full of the familiar and much loved.

A desk full of ideas and inspiration...

and a must-have comfy chair and ottoman.

And what's a retreat unless you can have

your sweet companions there to enjoy it with you?

Hope you enjoyed the visit.

You can see photos from Where Bloggers Create 2011 here

Drop by Karen's at My Desert Cottage

to share with more of our blogging friends.

I'm also joining in on these great parties:

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

Faded Charm for White Wednesday 

Share the Love Wednesday for Very Merry Vintage Style

xoxo,