Bluebells, Cockleshells.....

Pretty maids all in a row.

I dug up these wild bluebells (harebell or campanula) years ago and planted them in my garden. Yes, I know, you're not supposed to do that!

There's a huge patch of them on a bank by the roadside not far from here and they make a lovely display. There are a few whites scattered in between the blues.

They combine well with the yellow lilies. You can see that lovely peony bush in the background, with Sweet William behind it. We've had heavy rains again for the past couple of days and they're not looking as good now....you know how rain ruins peonies. We're sick, sick SICK of it! The lawn is shaggy and the gardens are soggy. There's flooding in some areas of the eastern side of the US. I think Washington DC had about 6 inches in a short time. Texas had wicked rains last week. Last night we'd had almost 3 inches since Sunday night. And it's still raining!!

We went to a lovely picnic on Sunday which a wonderful friend puts on annually and invites our whole church family. We all bring a dish to pass. For the past several years she's had rain and some cold temperatures...not ideal picnic weather. Sunday's weather was lovely, not much sun, but mild temperatures. The rain didn't start until Sunday evening. What a break!



Grady likes to lie on the crushed stone to keep cool. He doesn't do too much damage, usually only crushes a couple of flowers. Mothballs don't seem to discourage him at all. He just lies right on top of them :)



Annabelle says, "Oh look what Grady did to your flowers Mom!"