It always amazes me- whether I’m in France or Maine- how one day it is Winter/Spring and the next it is 80 degrees and full on summer. Maybe it is a less dramatic change in more temperate latitudes but for me it always feels like Mother Nature turns on a dime.

Once I returned from Paris, I was shocked to see how fast my grass had grown, and how dried out everything had become from a few warm days. I mowed with my manual mower which I have to admit I am liking more and more. It doesn’t stink like gas and it is a nice little workout for a small plot of grass. I have a hard time getting the edges of the lawn so I use my scissors like a OCD psycho and it looks really nice.

Once mowed, I moved on to my topiary bushes which always seem to need a trim. I have an electric hedge trimmer that I use for my big, tall bushes but for the little ones I prefer to do it manually. I remember where I first learned to shape shrubs in my days on the grounds crew at Bates. In those days a lot of buildings had yews in front of them which we maintained in somewhat geometric shapes. I always enjoyed doing it because I gave me hairdresser vibes.

After the shrubs, I weeded and watered and hacked back bullying acanthus from my more delicate perennials. It was so hot. Sophie and I drank from the garden hose and she napped under a chair in the shade. I’ve shared some photos of the garden and I hope you enjoy them!