September 2023

The other day when picking beans I sensed for the first time this year that ‘end of summer’ feeling, a kind of turning point, a subtle shift in things, the dewy cobwebs all over the lawn in the mornings and the gentler golden light glowing on fruits and berries. The garden produce has been good this year, helped by frequent showers, and the greenhouse is full of tomatoes and peppers, with accompanying pots of basil and tarragon, my two favourite herbs.

This is my busiest month as I have to complete the collections of Christmas cards ordered by shops and galleries, all needed at the end of September for display from October. It is always a bit of a race to get all the different designs made in time as well as keeping up with the orders for ‘everyday’ designs which are pretty steady throughout the year. October will be more focussed on keeping this website topped up with Christmas cards and seasonal framed pieces, which I always enjoy as we glide through the Autumn days towards Christmas.

September is a beautiful month, one full of changes: first school, back to school, new school or leaving home for some, the seasonal shifts to earlier sunsets and cooler days; it can seem like summer in the morning and winter in the afternoon! But whatever September means for you I hope the month brings plenty of good times ahead, and thank you so much for coming to my website, every sale is very much appreciated.

August 2023

August 2023

What a summer! Recently we have had many days of cloud without a hint of sunshine, along with constant stiff breezes from all directions and showers every few hours. Not much fun for a gardener, but the plants seem happy with it. The lavender is now full of bees and butterflies once more and our ‘bee hotel’ is busy. Until I was given one of these I had thought they were unlikely to be attractive to solitary bees, but how wrong I was! I look every day and watch a variety of odd-looking bees exploring the bamboo tubes before backing into one of them to lay an egg; eventually the tubes are sealed up with mud or cut leaves. After going through the stages of egg, larva and pupa, the adult emerges by chewing its way out.

The pond is full of life too, and on the rare sunny days, as if by magic dragonflies and damselflies arrive. I find these little creatures lift the spirits even in difficult times. My grandchildren in Wales call such creatures ‘minibeasts’ which is new to me!

July 2023

As the 2022 film title says: Everything everywhere all at once! That is how it feels here just now, as every time I set foot in the garden I see another job (or ten) to attended to; the fullness and exuberance of all the flowers and vegetables in the July garden never cease to amaze me. I am making pesto this year for the first time as the basil has grown so large and leafy it seems a pity not to save some for future eating. Weather still very mixed up here on the east coast with cool days of cloud and wind followed the next week by brilliant sunshine and intense heat; a variety of clothes kept handy for what the forecasters term ‘changeable’ weather!

As usual in July I am preparing framed works for an art exhibition in the nearby village of Grainthorpe over the Bank Holiday weekend. It is a lovely festival, do come along if you are in the area. www.grainthorpeartsfestival.co.uk

July is also the month I begin to design and stitch for Christmas!