Late Summer - Five on Friday

Can you believe that July is almost over, Dear Friends? 

I'm sure that many of you are looking forward to

 some cooler temperatures! 

For us, in the Puget Sound region of Washington State, 

we are just getting started. 

It has been a very cool July, but the weather has changed

and now we are finally getting some much needed sunshine. 

I have been making the most of this time of year, 

so let me show you what I have been doing. 

A couple of months ago, Ramblin' Man 

cleared some woodlands of damaged trees

and leveled a site for a new tool shed that

he wants to build. 

We were so surprised to have all kinds of wildflowers

pop up in the clearing, including sunflowers!

No doubt the seed was buried by some
enterprising rodent, carried from the bird feeder! 

I am letting them go to seed
so I can grow more next year. 

1.

One thing I always do this time of year, 

is save seeds from my favorite plants. 

Sweet William is one favorite plant 

that is easily propagated from seed. 

This pretty flower is biennial, blooming

the second year after planting. 

An added bonus - slugs and deer don't like it! 

Whenever I find a plant like that, I am very happy! 

It has a long bloom-time from early May to the end of July

and can take full sun to partial shade. 

Another plant that is easily grown
from seed are Foxglove. It's also a biennial

and is not bothered by slugs or wildlife, 

but is deadly poison. 

Just remember that there are many plants

that are poisonous and all young children

should be educated. 

Another plant I propagate from seed is Forget-me-not. 

It all started with one tiny plant that I bought from 

a church sale. 

Now I have them growing everywhere in early spring, 

including the most surprising places. 

We have found them growing along all our woodland

paths, in the lawns, and under trees. 

They make excellent potted plants, too, 

and somehow find their way into 

my plants on the deck every year. 

The little seeds stick to my garden gloves :)

Of course, seed gathering requires seed packets! 

It's fun to make pretty Seed Packets to share 

with friends and loved ones. 

Click on the link for my tutorial.

2.

Another favorite activity in late summer
is pressing flowers and leaves.

Here I have some Dusty Miller
all ready for the press.

These Dusty Miller plants are several years old
and bloom with pretty yellow flowers.

When picked and placed in water,
the flowers will last a long time.

They can even be dried in place.

The leaves make wonderful pressed 'trees'
for Christmas cards!

Here I have some pansies from earlier this spring.

Ramblin' Man made this large press for me.

I cut corrugated cardboard as 'spacers'.

This allows air to circulate.

Thin, flat flowers and leaves are best.

I use artist's sketch pad paper, cut to size,
to place the flowers on to 'blot' moisture.

I try not to overlap the flowers.

I cover them with a second piece of artist paper,
then a piece of corrugated cardboard.

I label each batch with name and date.

I use sticky notes and tags.

Pressed flowers will last for years
if stored flat on their papers
in a cool, dark drawer.

All put together tight. The flowers will be
ready in about 3 weeks.



I use them to make note-cards.

A little bit of scrapbook paper, bits of
burlap, ribbons or buttons,
some ink-stamps and pressed flowers
make mixed media cards.

Dusty Miller is featured on the top card.

Scissors with a decorative edge
cut borders.

Simple cards with keepsakes
from the garden <3

3.
Another thing I love in late summer are berries!

Blueberries are so plentiful and inexpensive
in the markets right now, so I have
been freezing them on trays and bagging
them for baking and smoothies.

They are wonderful fresh in shortcake!

or
Blueberry - Lemon Tea Cake

I have a new recipe to share with you
next week - Blueberry Peach Crisp.

I can't tell you how good this is!

4.

Summer is also a time for drying my roses. 

There is something so romantic
about dried roses.

They are so pretty as they dry.....

And as they are gathered in baskets
waiting to be used.

I use them to fill baskets and urns,
adorn packages, make wreaths,
and make home-made potpourri
from the petals for jars and sachets.

5.
But by far, my favorite thing to do
this time of year, is taking woodland walks.

With my best friends.

Every evening we
take a little walk to discuss our day.

A time for reconnecting.....

And as the shadows get long at the end of the day
we count our blessings
for having this time together.

Each day a precious gift.

xoxo

What are your favorite thing to do
on these long summer days, my friends?

xoxo

Today I am joining Amy at Love Made My Home
for Five on Friday

Won't you join the fun?