Saturday, June 19, 2021

The Beauty of Spring-Into-Summer

More blooms! My garden and peonies are faded now, but I managed a few pix before the passed their peak.


I seem to have three colors -- the white, this pale pink...


...and this glorious hot pink! 


I will miss that beautiful perfume coming through my living room windows!

My neighbor Rosie's garden is -- well -- fabulous, as usual. She called me over one evening to look at her poppy -- she'd been trying to grow them for ages. (I've tried too -- none came up.)


It was closed but when I went over the next day, wildly open and beautiful. Don't you love the black flower shape inside the petals?


They look lovely with her pretty purple petunias. (Say that three times fast!)


She has a different variety of peonies, and these are just as pretty! 

I don't know what these are but they're so graceful!

On completely unrelated topics, I finished my Nancy Drew jigsaw. I got the 500 pieces because of limited space, but it's also available in 1,000 pieces and larger. The pieces are very tight and when I got to the last piece, it didn't fit -- which meant that something was wrong somewhere! I only had to go back about three pieces to find it under very close examination! It was a fun puzzle -- I'd recommend it.


And, if you're looking for an easy-peasy cold summer dinner, here's an idea for you -- developed because we had leftover salmon and BBQ ribs (which our neighbor brought us, though the salmon was almost done in the oven!) Take the Asian salad-in-a-bag (I like "Taylor's" brand) and add to it whatever protein you like. I had a huge chunk of the soy salmon, very thinly sliced ribs (about 3/4" square) and thawed some salad shrimp from the fridge, already precooked. It doesn't look like much here because my salad bowl is VERY big! But it was a super hearty, very filling meal.

And, on that note, I'm off to to enjoy a gorgeous day at the lake. Summer is here!

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52 comments:

Mae Travels said...

I love salads made from leftovers! Great idea.

Your peonies are beautiful. We managed to see the ones at the Arboretum, which has a historical collection that's huge.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Ricki Treleaven said...

You are my soul sister....I love Nancy Drew (the puzzle is awesome) and your peonies are so lovely....they might be my very favorite flower.

R's Rue said...

I love the pale pink peonies best. Enjoy your day at the lake. Have a beautiful day.
www.rsrue.blogspot.com

Stevenson Q said...

What amazing variety of beautiful flowers you have dear Jeanie!!! I miss it in here so much, glad to be back!!! Those flowers don't grow here in the tropics but I do remember seeing a huge field of poppies on our drive from LA to San Francisco :)

Computer Tutor said...

What a beautiful yard. It would be restful to wander through.

gigi-hawaii said...

Those flowers are magnificent and you photographed them well. I like your recipe for the salad and protein.

Monica Hein ~ Beauty Diary said...

that salad looks so yummy :) love the pictures of the flowers

DUTA said...

Gorgeous flowers, all of them!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Jeanie

Your flowers look beautiful, I love the peonies and the pretty poppy. Is the last flower the columbine? It is pretty too. Dinner sounds yummy. Take care, enjoy your day! Happy Father's Day to Rick and happy weekend!

Linda Sue said...

WOW delicious flowers! My eyes feel satiated1 I have some left over ice cream, think I could make salad out of it? I think so...along with ice cream soup- the perfect meal.

Martha said...

The flowers are all so gorgeous Jeanie! That puzzle looks like a hard one, but they are always fun to do. Your salad sounds delicious and so perfect for a summer meal! Enjoy the weekend. :)

William Kendall said...

Those flowers are a delight.

junemac2 said...

Oh wow what a feast for the eyes with this array of flowers. The poppy is amazing and love your gorgeous pale pinks.... super beautiful. The puzzle looks fun. I must try puzzles sometime.
Hugs and Happy Summer from June x

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Your peonies are beautiful! That salad sounds good too. Have fun at the lake.

gretchenjoanna said...

Fabulous!! I've never grown peonies, but if I did, I'd want them to be just like yours. <3

Sketchbook Wandering said...

jeanie, those flowers are vibrant, as are you!!

Mereknits said...

Oh my those poppies are just so stunning. Hope you have a wonderful day at the lake.

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

I love poppies and peonies. I need to get down to the flea market next week with hopes that they've got a flea market going and that the peony guy is there.

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, your peonies are beautiful! Enjoy your time at the lake...relax, read, and rest!

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful flowers peonies and poppies are always so good to see! Enjoy your summer, have fun, hugs, Valerie

Iris Flavia said...

Poppies are my favs!
But they´re all beautiful and yes!!! Summer is here!

My name is Erika. said...

Your peonies are gorgeous Jeanie. Mine are fading too. It is just too sad how short of time these flowers hang around. But then the next ones come along...Love the puzzle and your salad looks yummy and a good way to clean out the fridge. Hope you are having a great weekend. Andy more strawberries? Hugs-Erika

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Miriam's peonies put on a great show this year, but they have now flopped over and look quite sad. They will have to gather up all their energy and get ready for another performance next year. They don't have centre stage for long but when they do they are the stars.

Miss Val's Creations said...

Beautiful flowers Jeanie! Peonies were a favorite of mine up north but I don't see them down here. The climate must not be right for them. The color of poppies is fabulous! That salad does look delicious and nutritious.

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Gorgeous flowers, love those peonies. Have fun at the lake!

handmade by amalia said...

A tasty salad, a beautiful garden and a fun puzzle - glad I stopped by.
Amalia
xo

Divers and Sundry said...

I don't have peonies and don't see poppies around here, so your photos are a welcome delight. That salad looks delicious.

La Table De Nana said...

Salad lover here!!!!!!Good for you on the puzzle!

shoreacres said...

I still can't get over the fact that peonies come in colors other than pink. If I could grow peonies, I'd be surrounded by those white ones. They're beautiful! I suspect there might be a post-Father's Day post in the offing -- I hope you're having a wonderful day!

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

I enjoyed your peonies and your friend's garden - love that poppy. I've never tried growing one - don't think they'd like Florida. Enjoy your time at the lake.

The French Hutch said...

Your peonies are absolutely lovely! And, your neighbor's poppy is gorgeous. Looks like a lovely salad to enjoy and your off to the lake! Have a wonderful time................

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Lovely blooms Jeanie. I do love peonies. The poppies are a beautiful color. We are having a heat wave so it does affect the flowers. I love Taylor's salad mixes. Imuse them a lot during the salad. The Asian, the Mexican is delicious and so easy.

DeniseinVA said...

Your flowers and garden are absolutely gorgeous Jeanie. Loved looking at them. Looks like a fun puzzle! It’s fun to see everything take shape, and happy to see you didn't have to go too far back to make it all fit. Your salmon looks very yummy!

Pam said...

Wow...so pretty. I had my regs come up this yr but I planted seeds from my Zinnias and they just did not do good at all.

Joanne Huffman said...

The flowers are lovely. The salad sounds delicious. Enjoy the lake.

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Have a wonderful time at the lake! Nice to see all your beautiful flowers. The heat has done most of ours in. Happy Summer Solstice!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I have peony envy. I miss mine so much the neighbor cut down when he put in his new fence. Yours are beautiful. Your friend's poppy is gorgeous, too. I didn't realize they were that large.

Your puzzle is lovely. I would varnish it and frame it. It's worth it.

I often eat leftovers, using them in a salad is a great idea. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend, dear.

Marilyn Miller said...

I adore your flowers in the garden.
The salad looks yummy.
Have a wonderful time at the lake. Oh SIGH! Wishing I was sitting in an Adirondack chair by your lake or any beautiful lake.
Happy Father's Day to your Rick.

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Jeanie,
you are killing me with those pretty peonies and gorgeous poppies...My Dad had peonies that I neglected to take some of when I got married and moved here.... And my neighbor Elly had 2 of those poppy plants in her yard that I also neglected to take out before her house sold and now the guy who rents their just mows everything down!!! UGH!!! Sp pretty!!!! Stay safe, healthy and happy!!!
Hugs,
Debbie

mel said...

I LOVE peonies.Our neighbour has some gorgeous blowsy pink ones in her front 'garden' but she always cuts them down (and into the garden waste bag) once they get even a tiny bit droopy. It seems such a waste!

I feel you on the poppies....I emptied two whole seed packets into two different patches in my garden and I think there might be three coming up. I'm going to blame the squirrels for scratting about in the loose soil :) xo

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh, I just came from a blog friend's post who had Peonies on her kitchen table. She mentioned that ants tend to get in the Peonies so not to come to close sniffing them, as their scent is lovely. Her daughter put them in water overnight to get rid of any ants that were creeping inside the Peonies. Your neighbor's garden has an assortment of flowers. I'm looking forward to seeing your Summer lake photos, Jeanie. I'm sure you'll have a bunch, as the lake is the place for beautiful scenery.

~Sheri

roughterrain crane said...

Your garden is full of beauty gifted by Great Nature.

Jenn Jilks said...

How beautiful!

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

Those peonies are amazing. Wow. I've never seen peonies in real life.

Lynne said...

Your peonies are beautiful Jeanie . . .
I think the Peony bushes that have been
around for awhile seem to produce more than my “two year olds.”
I arrived late in the game to enjoy Peonies!
So far I have enjoyed just a few blossoms and buds.
Do you fertilize them? If so, with what?

I too love Poppies. . . . and their rich color.

Thanks for your salad/leftover idea . . .

Enjoy your “cottage by the lake” summer!

Anca said...

I love peonies, they are so cute. I don't have where to put them, as they grow quite big and the raised beds are already packed, but I get some (or my husband buys some for me) from the florist.

Lowcarb team member said...

Such beautiful flowers and glorious colours.

As our weather has been warmer we have been enjoying quite a few salads recently.

I hope you enjoyed your day at the lake :)

All the best Jan

Thelma said...

It's nice to see such beautiful flowers. We're a little later here. My peonies are just starting to bloom.
Happy Summer.

Victoria Zigler said...

Well done on completing the jigsaw. Hope you enjoyed your time at the lake.

thepaintedapron.com said...

What beautiful blooms Jeanie! I see paintings in your future! I love the bag salads, the way you fixed yours up sound really good!
Jenna

Evi Erlinda said...

Those flowers are so gorgeous! Love the layers of peonies. The poopy flower is attractive with the black in the middle.
Enjoy the warm Summer in the lake. Can't wait your awesome shots.

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

Beautiful flowers! Our yard is pretty sad. I didn’t get around to getting hanging baskets and have decided to just skip it this year. We kept waiting for the intense heat and dry spell to end and by the time the heat broke (temporarily) I decided I am just skipping the flowers this year. Too much going on with the baby and toddler. I know hanging plants are about as easy as it gets but the thought of an errand and all the watering makes me tired! But I am loving the flowers in others yard. But a lot has died thanks to all the 90+ days and very little rain.

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