It's a sure sign summer is winding down
Although in California we will still have warm weather and a heat wave or two through October, we know the new school year is going to start soon when our Hydrangea stops producing new blooms.
The flowers begin to dry on the stalk and that is when I harvest them. I have tried other methods of preserving the blooms, but I found that waiting until they take on an aged look works best for me. I simply cut them with long stalks, strip the lower leaves off, then place them in a tall vase to finish drying out. They will look good until next summer's harvest.
I'm already feeling a bit melancholy with school approaching. It means time spent with College Girl will evaporate as she is buried in studying, writing papers and attending sorority events. Going to be checking last minute things off our 'summer to do' list in the next few weeks. For example, some of the things on our list are:
- make a new main dish recipe ✓
- watch the sunset ✓
- have a picnic
- try a weighted hula hoop ✓
By the way, the weighted hula hoop is a blast!
Oh, the summer night
Has a smile of light
And she sits on a sapphire throne.
B. Cornwall
sharing this post with:
Mosaic Monday
Amaze Me Monday
Twirl And Take A Bow
You're Going To Love It
Show Me What you Got
Yes, I am begrudging admitting that summer is winding down too. I like your idea of a last minute - let's get it done - list.
ReplyDeleteMy hydrangeas are starting to look like this, too, and I have to get out there and cut some to bring inside. I love when they look like this, but I like when they are new and fresh in their pinkness, too. : ) I used to get melancholy when it was time for my kids to go back to school also.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy every precious moment as summer lingers a little longer.
ReplyDeleteBecause it was so rainy and so danged HOT I am not rushing Autumn at all this year, it is finally lovely outside and I am going to savor it.
Take care, and enjoy that list with CG!
even in their last throws the hydrangeas are beautiful. The colours of yours are much more vibrant then mine. Enjoy your last days of summer with College girl.
ReplyDeleteAnd have a great week. I am linking up to you through Mosaic Monday.
Beautiful blooms, they are such a pretty colour!
ReplyDeleteAt this time of year nine o'clock is now nearly dark. I miss those long, long and light evenings.
ReplyDeleteLots of beauty in your post! Beautiful flowers my friend!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous hydrangea, they are one of my favorite flowers! Your last shot is breathtaking...so pretty! Thanks so much for sharing at Amaze Me Monday, so great having you at the partay!!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Cindy
Oh, I too feel melancholy over the shorter days-but these gorgeous hydrangeas are a real lift and inspiration!
ReplyDeleteSweet Hugs,
Jemma
There it is,my favourite flower, and by the armload you say? Gorgeous post.
ReplyDeleteYour hydrangeas are lovely! They are some of my favorite flowers, and yours look beautiful in these colors!
ReplyDeleteYour Hydrangeas are wonderful. I love the colors!
ReplyDeleteHi: I going to do that too, to my Hydrangeas. Never thought to do it that way. Have a wonderful week. Blessings, Martha
ReplyDeleteLove your hydrangeas! I wish hydrangeas like our Utah climate better. Thanks for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteLove your hydrangeas! I remember my first dried hydrangeas!! My hubby and I were at his cousin's wedding in South Carolina. They had these gorgeous hydrangeas...I picked some and left them in the back of my car in the window (a very happy accident) they dried beautifully! Now I have a ton of my own...and they have not started to turn yet :0) I love yours!!
ReplyDeleteHugs!!
(I am playing catch up on my favorite blogs today).
Heather
Such pretty hydrangeas!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy the last of your summer!
Beautiful hydrangea arrangement, and sunset photo! I can see summer is winding down around my home too!
ReplyDeleteHi Shawn! How are you doing? I know how you feel - summer is flying by way to quickly and Katie will be going back to school in 2 weeks! YIKES!!! I am trying to enjoy every minute! And Anne will be starting back to school the following week. where does the time go? I love how you preserve your hydrangeas and wish I had seen your blog before ours totally died! I will most definitely try this next year! Oh, and I love your sunset photo and quote, too!
ReplyDeleteStopping by from mosaic Monday, your lovely hydrangea caught my eye. Love. Love hydrangeas! Thanks for the tip on when to cut them, we are one a new property and I planted 3 hydrangeas last year! Looking forward to drying some of the blooms. From Alberta... Take care!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog post but can feel your sadness at the summer slipping by. I had my Gina here from Seattle for two weeks and when she went home on Tuesday, I just cried. Daughters are the best, huh?
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are so pretty.
The end of the summer is the saddest time of year to me! It's been so cool here this summer it almost feels like we missed it all together. I love that quote at the end -- always looking for good quotes for my chalkboards!
ReplyDeleteYour hydrangeas are gorgeous Shawn!!! Great post honeybee!
ReplyDeleteOOOOOHHHH your flowers looks so WONDERFUL!! Love it!! I have one dried flower like that to in my living room, hope it will stay well for a long time because it is so BEAUTIFUL!!
ReplyDeleteLove from The Netherlands,
Leintje*
Yeah, it is sad to see Summer go. My stepson stays with us for 8 weeks in the Summer. It never lasts long enough. Lucky for us, August and September are our best months (in Seattle), so I still have a few more weeks left. Your flowers are lovely! Photog Show and Tell is live, so don't forget to come on by and share this or any other photography related post!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
~Bethany the ngnrdgrl