We have got three summer months: June, July and August. At least we should have three.
2023 has been a strange year and a strange summer. In my garden nothing has grown as it should, the birds have not succeeded very well in breeding and the butterflies have been few. Insects OK, but flies there used to be many more. I don’t think I have had ten of them in my windows. Less food for the birds…and that is just what scientists have found. A declining number of insects – and other animals. Because we are all depending on each other.
On the last day of summer – in Sweden and the Nordic countries, I am sending you pieces of what is left in my garden this year. After a cold Spring and a hot June and then… wind and rain. The farmers have not been lucky or happy either.
The weather continues to be unpredictable with rain, sunshine, hail, thunder and lightning – and everything at the same time. The weather forecast must be a nightmare to send. Almost every day they say ”it’s impossible, we just have to wait and see.”
So, I am happy we had Some flowers and Some sunny days. Not many days I have gone swimming though…but Milo has, every day. And if I cannot find him when we come back home, he might be in the glass house, waiting for me to join him. And if you find him in the glass house, you will understand it is not very warm outdoors…
I know many of you have had fires, floodings and storms in your countries. We have been lucky enough to have only severe floodings this year. Let’s hope for a sunny and soft Autumn/ Spring for us all.
Leya 
Your summer sounded like ours last year. This one was dryer with some monsoons, which is normal. I love your beautiful flowers and greenhouse. It’s so sad about your insects. You should hear ours right now! They are super noisy! Cicadas! I hope you have a lovely fall. Otherwise you and V should come visit. 😍😍
A amazing tribute 🙂
I love your garden despite of all its trials and tribulations – the weather has been somewhat normal here with everything is coming up. But there have been less bees, maybe, and different ones, not honeybees. How wonderful to be able to retreat to a warm glasshouse when the weather is less inclined to be friendly.
I am happy you liked my garden despite everything. I agree on other bees coming along, and I believe some are bee flies and some hymenopteran insects (had to look it up…). My glasshouse is a nice refugee!
I’ll have to look that up too!
♥ 😀
Oh you still have some beautiful blooms showing colour1 . . . And for us i is hre firs day of spring . . . no a cloud in he sky and a mildtttt op of 24 C . . . as bushboy said we are scared one and all . . . looking a all ha has happened up north . . . so many houses from the six monhs of fires hree years ago have no even habve been rebuilt . . . meanwhile bes to you . . . (miracles happen > my compuer seems o have worked . . .
Thank yoy, Eha. Yes, hoping you will not get a terrible summer, and that your computer keeps healthy. You too of course!
I so agree, been raining nearly all week, pouring. Beautiful photos as always
Thank you – the sky went open here yesterday
It sounds as if your Swedish summer has been very similar to ours in England – a hot June and then disappointingly damp and cool through much of July and August. Nevertheless our garden has done well (perhaps liking the extra rain?) and yours seems to have done so too, judging by these lovely flower photos 🙂 And Milo is looking super cute!
I thought your weather might have been just the same. Some flowers like much rain and some don’t, so, I am still waiting for some. Don’t know if there will be enough sun for them …Milo is always shining!
We’re promised better weather next week, but ironically we’ll be away! I hope some of it comes your way too 🙂
Haha, yes, the usual luck! We’ll be away too when good weather arrives
Lovely glass house surrounded by lovely flowers… so beautiful!
💚
Beautiful photos from your garden, Ann-Christine. Very cute shot of Milo at the end. Interesting to read of your Summer this year, hot and then very unpredictable weather. Over here in Melbourne we had a strangely mild winter. Although this last winter month we had a couple of cold nights, overall it has felt very much like Spring. There hasn’t been too much snow in the mountains this year, and the ski season has ended early. So, I think we may have an early Summer. Wishing you a wonderful Autumn ahead 😊💕
Always great to hear from you, Mabel! Yes, the world is getting more and more unpredictable. Our ski season is at least two weeks shorter, and soon there will be nothing left.
Wishing you a wonderful summer!
Yes, the world is indeed getting more and more unpredictable. Hope winter won’t be too cold and long for you this year. Sending you much warmth and light ,Ann-Christine 🙏😊💕
Thank you, Mabel 😊
We just have to be grateful for what we have, and work with it, be it too much heat, too much rain… The planet decides, not us.
Yes. And whatever the planet decides, is today mostly because of our own mistakes.
So you too have had a disappointing summer, with worryingly few flying creatures around. Nevertheless, your garden looks a pleasure to enjoy and mooch around in.
Margaret, the thing is to have a garden in my life!
Lovely selection of photos particularly the one of Milo. We’ve had a hot summer and a fire 🔥 nearby which was rather frightening. The birds and insects have seemingly weathered the heat.
Ah, hope the fire is gone, frightening. Glad the insects made it too!
Fire only lasted a day but that was more than enough Leya
Yes, scary.
Sounds like a summer similar to ours, I am still waiting for some of my annuals to flower, but they really need more sun if they are to make it this year. You still have lots of lovely colour in your garden though A-C and it all looks very beautiful. Like you though sadly I have not seen many butterflies this year, but the bees did finally arrive with the flowering of my ‘bee’ plants. And I have not been to a beach in months! (I avoid them during the summer school holidays anyway, but most of the time it has been too wet to venture out at all).
(And I was able to see the comment box this time, on the computer, and as I am logged in I was able to comment OK)
Thank you, Jude, yes – the bees arrived. Since I took those photos, more autumn flowers have started, but the last asters I am still waiting for. There was good hope for the blackberries, but too little sun now and too much rain. Hope your last ones will come!
Good your comment wirked too!
Gorgeous photos nonetheless, A-C. I love your greenhouse and your insect house.
Thank you! I have 8 insect houses and they are 80%full. Good enough.
A wonderful post with fabulous photos. It is a sham that you can actually notice a lack of insects. Winter here was very warm and dry. My garden is a haven for birds and animals and there has been a lot over this winter. I hope the dry weather doesn’t continue as after that last lot of big fires, everyone is on edge hoping it won’t be a dry hot Summer.
Glad you are safe and all seems to be going OK. Thank goodness for Milo to help cheer 🙂
Thank you, and thanks for your concern! I have got 8 bee hotels, and they are 80%full, but flies and mosquitos are missing. I hope your summer will be good!
Thank goodness for bee hotels. 🐝😍 In a way I wouldn’t be too bothered not to have the flies and mosquitos except for those others who rely on them as food. It is expected that it will be a hot dry one like Europe has just had, so hoping for spring rains.
Fingers crossed!