A Garden Journal from Laura's Garden Studio
"Come join me for one of my favourite moments of summer—the quiet hours before the garden awakens to the warmth of the day." ~Laura
By late July, summer settles into a gentler rhythm.
The excitement of spring has softened into long, sun-filled days, warm evenings, and quiet mornings that seem to arrive earlier with each passing week. Here in the Kootenays, the afternoon heat has become intense enough that much of the garden work is best done before breakfast. So, like many of the birds, I've become an early riser.
Those cool hours before the sun climbs above the trees have become my favourite part of the day.
Before I've even poured my first cup of coffee, Gabby and I head outside together. Just after five o'clock, the Blue Jays announce that morning has officially begun. Their familiar calls drift through the yard as they impatiently remind me that breakfast is overdue.
We top up the feeders with sunflower seeds and mixed seed, leaving a few peanuts set aside especially for our Blue Jay family. They've become wonderfully trusting over the years, swooping into the nearby branches the moment they see us coming. Watching the young birds confidently follow their parents to breakfast has become one of my favourite daily rituals.
While the sprinklers quietly water the garden, I wander the pathways with my coffee in hand. A few weeds are pulled, spent blossoms are clipped away, and I pause often simply to notice what's changed since yesterday. These twenty or thirty peaceful minutes of tending do far more than keep the garden looking beautiful. They slow me down and remind me to pay attention to the little things that are so easily missed in the busyness of everyday life.
By this time of year, the hydrangeas begin to steal the show.
One of my favourites is Quick Fire. Its creamy white lace-like blossoms gradually soften into blush pink as summer unfolds, while warm sage-green leaves provide a beautiful backdrop. On still mornings, the flowers carry the gentlest honey fragrance, and I rarely resist bringing a few stems indoors. They remain fresh in a vase for weeks before drying beautifully for autumn and winter arrangements.
Nearby, my Oriental lilies have finally opened, filling the garden with creamy ivory, delicate blush pinks, buttery yellows, and rich raspberry tones. Their fragrance drifts across the patio each evening and reminds me why I've loved growing them for so many years. Fresh bouquets now fill the house, bringing a little of the garden indoors to enjoy throughout the day.
The hummingbirds have become wonderfully active again. Both males and females dart between the bee balm, butterfly bush, crocosmia, and feeders, filling the garden with tiny flashes of colour and energy.
Every so often, one pauses to hover just a foot or two away, as though stopping to say good morning before zipping off again. These quiet encounters never lose their magic and continue to inspire countless sketches and ideas for future paintings.
"To learn something new, take the path that you took yesterday."
— John Burroughs
Before the heat settles over the valley, before the day's to-do list begins, these simple moments remind me why I create.
An early cup of coffee. Birds greeting a new day. Fresh flowers gathered for the kitchen table. A few peaceful minutes spent caring for the garden that, in turn, cares for me.
So much of the artwork I create begins right here—in these quiet morning rituals, surrounded by birdsong, blooming flowers, and the gentle reminder to slow down and notice the beauty of the season.
I hope wherever you are, you're finding a few moments to linger before the heat of the day.
From the Studio 🌿
A new hummingbird collection inspired by these joyful summer visitors is nearly ready to share. I can't wait to introduce it to you very soon.
Thank you for spending a few quiet moments with me in the garden today. If you enjoy seasonal stories inspired by birds, blooms, and creative living, I'd love for you to join me here in The Garden Journal. You'll find a simple subscribe form below, where I share new journal entries, studio updates, and a little seasonal inspiration throughout the year.
Until next time,
Laura💖
"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass beneath trees on a summer's day... is by no means a waste of time."
— John Lubbock
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