At 4:45 this morning, clear light filled the high upper window where I stood, as always, watching the summer sunrise. The dawn chorus, much later than in months past and much diminished in voices and duration, was barely discernible at first. But I could see the robins darting through the trees and beginning their jaunty hop across the lower front lawn seeking the first worms.
Soon the full daylight revealed a pure sky dotted with seaplanes heading toward the San Juan Islands. They take off from Lake Washington, a short distance from our home and pass over so low that often I’ve thought they might clip our tall trees.
The first place the rising sun illuminates is the lower front gate, entwined with Lavatera ‘Bredan Springs’, Tree Mallow, with an explosion of fuchsia, hollyhock-like blossoms on tall stems.
The bees love them as do the hummers.
I planted both of these three years ago from one gallon pots and they have thrived. With the mild winter, they haven’t stopped growing! I thought them the perfect backdrop for the newest addition to Hillhaven:
My adorable, purple, 1967 Schwinn Hollywood!
Isn’t she a beauty? (As yet unnamed – suggestions?) I found her online locally and dashed out right away, calling out to D as I headed down the drive “I’m going to buy a bike”! He didn’t ask why, he never does, just asked if I had enough money. My brother, a bike and racing aficionado, inspected her this weekend and said he’d never seen one in better shape – original tires, fenders, seat and grips. The only thing she was missing was a basket so I picked up this cute one for 69 cents at Value Village.
I really wanted a purple one as I’d had this idea all year of photographing a purple bike being ridden through the waist-high lavender fields. So, I had the bike but no rider yet. 
And you’ll see it, too, tomorrow!
Thank you to each of your for your heartfelt and thoughtful comments on my last post. I’m really pleased if it was helpful in some way. May serendipity arrive to you today with the rising sun.
xo – g
Hey G that bike is so pretty!! What an amazing find for you :D I can't wait to see the photos you took of Winnie! I'll be back tomorrow morning for another peek to see if they're up :)
i think her name should be violet rose….she is beautiful. congratulations on your new addition :D
Dear Georgianna, What a prize you have acquired. Love your bike. We keep a few bikes for our visitors, some fancy and new but one in particular, which is my bike, looks simmilar to yours only it is black. It was made in England a long time ago and is in perfect condition.
Looking forward to your vision of the "purple bike through waist high lavender fields".
Beautiful!
omg! beautiful as always and i'm absolutely drooling over your pretty bike. still wishing for one.
Love your bike! and of course your photos….and your words…smiles.
oh what a wonderful find! i have been looking for an old bike, perhaps a trike to sit in my garden just for nostalgic giggles. your purple treasure is a perfect prop for your mallow and you captured it beautifully. i had that bike in blue while a youngster…
Love your new bike, G.! What an amazing find. Can't wait to see the photos! xo
Love your bike and can't wait to see what you have in store for tomorrow.
I can't imagine being out at 4:45a…though been telling myself to be out by 6a — we'll see! Have a great week (and many thanks for your note–nice to meet you too!)
Oh wow I adore your new purple vintage bike! :) I want one too…I guess you know how much I love bikes but my own is a boring black modern one. I'm sure you'll have fun with this beauty and I can not wait to see more photographs.
Your lavatera flowers look pretty too! I once had one but didn't survive our cold winter. Have a great week! xo
That back is so so cute! I can't wait to see it in the lavender! How exciteing!
The blue skies are glorious but I particularly love the bike! Purple is the favourite colour of my younger daughter and I can just see her riding that bike in a lavender field. Looking forward to seeing the photos :)
Wow how adorable and delightful!
Love the skies and all scenes.
Thank you for sharing Georgianna.
Happy weekend ahead.
The morning sky, the flowers…so pretty. I love your new bike! It reminds me of one I had as a child – a pink and white Schwinn. Gosh, I wish I still had it! Yours is such a find and in wonderful shape. Happy bike riding!
xo
Claudia
Beautiful photos and I just love that bike!!!
Oh how lucky for you to have found that bike!! It's perfection! And up against that picket fence, soooo cute and romantic!
Unfortunately my lavatera isn't doing so well anymore:( Don't quite know why.
So romantic the bike and the flowers !
I adored my little blue schwinn from my childhood, still have it. Wish I had a grown-up one like that!!! Gorgeous color! Blessings.
Beautiful images and post! I LOVE your bike!!! I'm excited to see your post of Winnie & the bike. Hmmm…as for a name. Lilac is the only thing coming to mind. Not sure why. I do hope you have a lovely weekend. I miss you. ♥
White picket fence, flowers and the bike…perfection. It's just such a lovely picture and a great buy. Oh, and I do like the bright blue sky with the plane, a simple and striking picture. Love from London x
Thank you, my friends! It's fun to see how many of you have/had similar bikes. They evoke such simple but happy memories, don't they? Thank you also for the name suggestions – they are all good so I will have a hard time deciding. I feel she must have a name. Even D's motorcycle has a name (Suzy)!
Have a lovely weekend. Working on the lavender photos right now… :)
wow, what a wonderful colorcombination…jump over here and was so impressed by your wonderful shots…can feel the summer in seattle now, too…the weather here is so lovley, too…hot summer feeling and i love it…wish you a great relaxing weekend with a little bike tour…mabye…;)…cheers and hugs…i…
Oh how I love your purple vintage bike! It's the perfect prop for your photos, and I'll bet it is really fun to ride, too. Have a wonderful weekend, Georgianna. I can't wait to see the promised photos! :)
Your lavatera is beautiful. It is gorgious growing next to the picket fence. It makes just the perfect picture.
The bike is a beaut!!!
hugs
Dearest g, your new bike is gorgeous! I love the color and the basket lots! I could just picture you on your lovely bike! Love it! Sending you lots of love!
Love your bike. Also,the photo's with her next to the picket fence,,too good !!!
Now I am go to sleep to dream of the lavender fields.
Shay
I can feel the summer in these beautiful photos – and I suddenly realise how much I miss it! xJ
That bike! Oh, that bike. It makes me want to go for a long, long bike ride and feel the wind in my hair.