The Craftiest Workshop

When there is not a lot going on and you are into the lazy warm weather of summer, it is nice when you make or discover things that are cute or unexpected.

We have had a mix of warm calm days and windy cloudy days. We find that both the squirrels and birds look for clean drinking water on the warmer days. Here is our “not as friendly” squirrel drinking water from a soup bowl on the deck. We knew it was not friendly squirrel as he bypassed us holding peanuts and went straight for the water.

Another pleasant surprise has been the Northern Flickers being quite active close to the house just inside the tree line. I hear all the different sounds they make; the newest to me is the sound the babies make…annoying but interesting. I caught one sitting in our kiddie pool that we use to collect a bit of extra rainwater. It was taking sips of water then checking its surroundings before grabbing another sip.

We have noticed that friendly squirrel goes AWOL when the weather is warm. He comes out in the cooler evenings or on rainy days. There is no hesitation for him as he runs to me and straight up my leg. He didn’t like the texture of my rain jacket though and stayed below my waist.

We have been having a bit of “Ontario” summer weather. We will have a warm day and then a thunderstorm will roll through late afternoon into early evening. I have captured some nice sky shots. This one is me watching a storm just north of us.

And another storm to the north but much darker.

Yesterday we had a beautiful rainbow after a nice steady rain and rolling thunderstorms. I am not sure I have ever seen a full rainbow from end to end before. I took a panoramic shot of it. It is a bit hard to see the colours.

Chris pleasantly surprised me with a gift. He was asked to make a stained glass project and it inspired him to work on a few other stained glass projects. I had requested more garden picks and I had specifically requested a bumblebee. He isn’t sure if he will allow me to put it out in the garden so, for now, it will hover over one of my geraniums inside.

I decided to make a sign for the garden gate this week. I braided some embroidery thread and screwed in two eyelets to tie the thread onto. Chris commented that he doesn’t think this will keep out the birds. I am not sure anyone will see it but us but it makes me smile.

Our first sunflower is open and the rest are beginning to show some yellow. I can’t wait until my nine headed sunflower is open.

There are so many ways to find beauty and joy in summer and bring a smile to your face. I hope you are finding ways to find joy this summer.