Monday, June 18, 2018

Summer Is Here!


 How is everyone? The official Summer Solstice begins Thursday in the Northern Hemisphere and y'all know I will be celebrating it big time:):)  Of course, with temps in the 90's the last two days - 95 F today- 35C (Mon.) with a feel like temp of 103 F (39 C) degrees summer is in full force already!

 Update on the second finch nest:


This past Saturday AM there were two that hatched, and on Sunday afternoon...


all five were out though you can only see the three hungriest:):) So far they are thriving.

 We also got a real surprise from nature right outside our back yard!


 First time ever in the 35 years we've lived here! There is an alley and then this hill at the back of our place. Behind the fencing are Moravian College dorms. Moravian has decided the last two years to spray the hill with chemicals rather than have it cut back a few times a year. It makes me sick seeing this and of course I don't go outside for a day or so afterwards. And we aren't getting anywhere in trying to stop it. This poor thing was trying to reach in at the bottom of the fence to get something green. There is some wooded area and a creek nearby but we also are surrounded by streets and traffic so I hope this one does OK.

 For T Stands for Tuesday I will share a breakfast I enjoyed at a favorite place in Cape May:


 A breakfast veggie wrap, with lots of coffee on the side:) I can only ever eat half at one sitting because it is a very generous portion with lots of veggies, scrambled eggs and a bit of feta cheese. I couldn't eat the home fries that come with it so hubby volunteered to eat half of them in addition to his own:):)

 Here is a journal page meant for the Simon Monday Challenge (Transport It), and Art Journal Journey hosted by Gill this month with the theme of "Inspired By":


 My inspiration is not only from my love of France and my French family there but also it has been so much on my mind as I just sent my Mom off to see the family for a month. She flew overnight Sunday arriving in Paris mid morning Monday, had a driver take her to the Paris- Austerlitz train station for a 2 1/2 hr ride south to Chateauroux where my cousin picked her up to take her by car to my aunt's (her sister's) apt. Talk about planes, trains and automobiles! I did talk with her briefly and all went well but she is exhausted. Since I couldn't go with her I had her take a poupée (paper doll) of me:)
 The background is a calendar page from last year that I sanded and aged a bit. Vintage image is Design Originals. I also used the edge of an old airmail envelope, paper doily, washi tape and French ribbon bit.

 I will also join in at Paint Party Friday.

 That's all I have for this round. I'll be seeing you!

       " Summertime is always the best of what might be."  Charles Bowder

39 comments:

  1. Lovely art today, Linda. Your journal page is fabulous. It's been YEARS since I've seen a Design Originals sheet of paper. I didn't know Suzanne McNeill was still making papers and paper packs. I really like the air mail connection, too. It's a lovely page and so perfect for Gill's theme at Art Journal Journey.

    Wow, I'm now starving. I just realized I haven't eaten today, so that wrap looks wonderful. Feta cheese is one of my favorite cheeses, too. Thanks for sharing this and your coffee with us for T this nearly Tuesday.

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  2. Thanks for visiting, Linda, love your summer flowers! Cape May? I’m in your “neighborhood”. We have bluebirds like your finches, hope they all make it. Looking forward to shorter HOT days with the solstice. I like your “Poppy Love” a lot!

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  3. It's a shame that people are poisoning the land with spraying, hope the deer survives. Your breakfast looks very tasty! I am sure your mom will enjoy her time in France. Your journal page is beautiful. Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

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  4. we have had hot summer temps and humidity here since the beginning of the month so for us I think the summer soltice is just a formality lol
    that's terrible about all that spraying-I can't believe that is even allowed as it effects everyone in the area-wildlife usually seems to adapt to their surroundings though-so hoping the deer finds safe travels.
    I have been enjoying your photos of the baby birds-how fun to watch.
    wow that was allot of traveling for your Mom to get to her destination-hope she has a wonderful time there.
    Happy T Day Hugs Kathy

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  5. The finches are so sweet - amazing! Fingers crossed for the deer. The brakfast looks so yummie, veggie wraps - I love them! WOW!A fantastic page ist this - Thank you very much for joining in at Art Journal Journey again with it dear Linda! Great to hear your mother arrived safe!
    Happy T- Day , Summer Solstice and PPF for you .
    Happy creative week my friend!
    Hugs, Susi

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  6. I love all the flowers tumbling out of the window box, Linda.

    Your finch photos are swesome. Those are some huge hungry mouths to feed. for the size of the chicks.

    I'm shocked you can't stop such extensive chemical spraying. Really shocked!

    Your veggie wrap looks delicous and healthy.

    Your Paris page is fabulous! I hope your mom hasa wonderful visit. That's so exciting! The last time I saw Paris - never (grin).

    Happy T-day! Hugs, Eileen

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  7. Wonderful art projects, I love your fabulous French themed page. Hope your Mom has a good visit with your family there.
    The baby chicks looked so sweet, I can imagine them making quite a noise now when mom comes back to the nest with food.
    Happy T day wishes Linda.
    Yvonne xx

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  8. i´m always looking Forward to the News at your finch nest:) isn´t it such a joy to watch nature? the more disappointing the spraying Actions of moravian!
    the Food Looks good, i think i would love to have it for lunch... and your French inspired Journal page is just awesome!
    have a good week - and happy t-day ♥

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  9. Your mom is lucky. Wouldn't a trip like that be great? I bet you wish you could go along and see your family but life always get in the way at times, doesn't it? Those little finches are really something. They grow so fast, don't they? Summer has suree really arrived even here, but it is exciting after such a long winter. I am ready for sure. Hope that deer isn't eating all those chemicals, but what a cool sight. Stay cool. And happy T day. Hugs-Erika

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  10. The weather has definitely been summer like of late with the hot sunny days we've been having 😁. It's nice to see the wildlife and those little birdies are so cute and fluffy ...lol 😉. Wow, that veggie sandwich looks so delicious and is making my mouth water, I bet it tastes so fresh and yummy! Such a beautiful page to remind you of Paris and your family too. Happy T Day! J 😊 x

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  11. aww that bundle of fluffy-feathers is adorable, I hope they continue to do well - you certainly see some fantastic wildlife on your doorstep.
    The use of those chemicals nearby must be very worrying - its sad that they cannot find a better and healthier way of clearing that land.
    Pleased to hear that your Mom has arrived safely in France and I hope she has a wonderful time.
    And last but not least - ooh la la what a beauty! love the vintage imagery - thank You Linda for sharing your beautiful page with AJJ.
    Happy Tuesday.
    Gill x

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  12. I'm happy dancing Summer has finally arrived. We were close to 90 yesterday with high humidity. Storms came through and cooled things down. Today is Sunny and pleasant. The little birdies are so cute with their mouths opened wide. We have deer in the area, but Ive only ever seen their heart-shaped footprints in the snow. Your breakfast wrap would make an awesome lunch, too. I'm hungry. Glad your mom made her trip without incident and made all her connections. I hope she has a wonderful time visiting family. Have a Happy T Day.

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  13. I hope the community in that area complains to Moravian College about their use of chemicals instead of their traditional cutting. It's a shame they're making the surrounding homes suffer :(

    You're getting great photos of the baby birds. That veggie wrap looks delicious! And it's huge! It's great to have enough to make 2 meals out of :)

    Happy T Tuesday

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  14. Love the first collage ~ very creative and lovely! And your baby finches are a little miracle ~ neat photo ~ And the poor little deer and the college should know better ~ chemicals are killing Mother Earth and its treasures!

    Happy Week to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  15. Thanks for showing Summer!!
    Merci beaucoup!

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  16. They do that spraying here in Arkansas too... I was shocked the first time i saw it now sadly i think its become the norm for me.. I say to myself that they are just being lazy and its the environment that pays for it and everyone involved.. Maybe its cheaper for them than paying someone to mow.. .

    That wrap looks amazing Linda! Sad to say i could probably eat the whole thing!! Happy T day! Hugs! deb

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  17. Hello dear Linda, your sweet birdies look so nice. The wraps are looking very yummy and make me feel hungry. ;) Your Paris page looks pretty good with its nice motifs and the washi tape gives some color spots to it.
    Hope your Mum enjoys her time in France and comes back healthy to you.
    Happy Summer!
    Hugs
    Sabine

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  18. The Finch nest has beautiful eggs and little birdies. Loving your travel/Paris themed journal page. That image is beautiful! It definitely show your love for Paris.
    And you wrap looks so yummy.
    Happy Tea Day,
    Kate

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  19. Great post, and I love your beautiful art. Love your photos of the babies in the nest. We had a nest of swallows up on a pillar on our front porch. I should have posted the photo I took of the babies; maybe next week. So fun to watch nature. Happy T Day1

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  20. Hope some f your synny weather will come this way. Lovely to see your sunny art, and your mother sounds amazing!

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  21. lovely journal page :) very french :)

    there are so many other way to deal with that field then using chemicals, hire goats to mow it. they shouldn't be using chemicals :/

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  22. Very creative French collage ~ love it! Hope your Mom is having a bon temps!

    Happy Weekend to you ~
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  23. Happy Summer solstice to you and your family ~ Great post with lots of goodies ~

    Happy Weekend to you ~
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  24. Happy PPF and have a wonderful weekend! Hugs, Valerie

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  25. Lovely work this week Linda! It is awful about the college spraying like that.

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  26. Your collage is wonderful! Hope your Mom is enjoying her holiday.

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  27. Thanks for updating the birds life.
    Your page is wonderful and interesting. Hope your mother enjoy the visit.
    Happy PPF and weekend 🌺

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  28. The babies are growing! So nice of you to keep us updated. :)

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  29. Happy Summer Soltice and Happy PPF. Thanks for sharing your lovely food art and photos. Happy you dropped by my blog today

    much love...

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  30. Lovely journal page. Nice to see the baby birds.

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  31. Wishing you a happy weekend and wonderful post you did! Yummy goodies too!


    Healing energy for all,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  32. I love your 3 sweet little tenants and your beautiful visitor. That French inspired collage will make a great keepsake for your Mom's trip to France. Happy PPF and Blessings!

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  33. Oh I love seeing those baby birds on your blog! It's fascinating to watch. I've never seen birds hatching before and thanks to your pictures it's a bit as if I'm there :-) I like your journal page as well, hope your mom will have a lovely time in France! I must admit that I'm shocked they just spray the hills with chemicals. How is that even allowed!? Poor little deer ...

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  34. What a wonderful art journal page, Paris is wonderful. And the birdies are so cute. The deer is amazing. Thank you so much for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. Hugs, Sandra

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  35. Fun to see your baby birds!! I do love your journal page with all the French ephemera. Especially love that dancer! Beautiful blog header also. I lover summer and am so glad it's here. Have a great weekend!

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  36. Love your Parisian journal page! Oh, I wish people wouldn't use toxic chemical sprays...it gets into ground water and hurts animals and humans!

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  37. Good to see you again ~ wonder how the chicks are doing?

    Happy Weekend,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  38. so cute little ones. And a deer. A bad situation for the deer. :(

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  39. Lovely flowers, cute birdies... and your art journal is fabulous! Love the vintage look. Mel

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Thank you so much for your comments; it's a pleasure to connect with you!