Bottlebrush Buckeye

This morning walking the dogs, Samantha and I gasped at the same time.  A few feet ahead of us was something neither of us had seen before.  At first glance we thought it was a giant caterpillar on a plant, but as we got closer we realized it was a large beautiful bloom.
When Rick got home from work I took him down to see it.  He said he thought it was some sort of buckeye.  He used his trusty app that identifies plants and sure enough, it was a bottlebrush buckeye.
So beautiful and unusual. 

Limoncello Sunflower

Last year for my birthday, my sister Nell gave me Limoncello sunflower seeds as part of my gift.
I loved them.  They are smaller sunflowers, much shorter than most we plant.  The color is a true lemon.  I think they might be the happiest flower on the planet.  I planted them everywhere this year, in the garden, in the melon patch.  The first one bloomed today.  I can't wait to fill my big blue pitcher with these amazing flowers. 
It has been a good day.  Just looking at this photograph tonight makes me smile.

Abundance

Sunday morning abundance, also 3 quarts of honey.  We work hard, but the rewards are so worth it.  Some years the harvest is plentiful, some not so much.  This year the eggs, fruits and veggies are wonderful but our bees have struggled.  We won't have enough honey to last through winter, but we will enjoy and be grateful for what we have.

Be kind this week, be well.

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July!  My great great niece Peyton, great niece Kay Lynn and great great nephew Parker gave me the little bird house last year.  It has become my favorite table decoration.  Way too cute to hang outside.  More zinnias have bloomed, the colors just keep on coming.

Patricia's Flower

We visited our friends Dennis and Patricia awhile back.  Dennis has a sawmill and gave Rick some lumber for bee hives.  Patricia has the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen.  She shared flowers with me.  This one bloomed today and for the life of me I can't remember what it is.
I have to call Patricia and tell her about the blooms and find out what the plant is.
I made caprese salad tonight with fresh basil and tomatoes from our garden, dressed with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Served with rosemary chicken and for desert, banana walnut bread.  It was the perfect summer supper.
It has been a good day.  We spent the day on the farm, doing chores.  The bees have discovered our zinnias and today when I picked flowers for the house, bees and dragons flies danced around me.
Tomorrow is our Independence Day.  Often we have had lots of family and friends over and I have cooked ribs with all the trimmings.  Maybe next year we can do those big celebrations again.
Be kind,  be well.

Southern Humidity

We live in the south eastern United States, north central Alabama to be exact.  Our summers are hot and humid, most days you feel the dampness on your skin the moment you step outside.  ( and I don't sweat)  Winters are usually mild to moderate.  If we are lucky we have some semblance of fall and spring, many years we don't.  Tomorrow the dog days of summer start, hot sticky days and nights that seem to have no end in sight.
In years past, we have had friends who have made the mistake of visiting us during July or August.  They are usually from places where hot means an occasional 85 or 90 degree day with little humidity.
They usually don't come back.  Now the ones from colder climates who visit during fall, winter or spring want to move here.  They think how wonderful it must be, rarely any snow or ice, nice moderate temperatures.  We always tell them to come back in July and August.
A few years ago we were at the Phoenix, Az airport.  Everyone was complaining about the heat.  It was a 100 degrees but no humidity.  We laughed. We encouraged them to visit Alabama in July and August.
Our friends in Ireland who have visited Alabama in late summer call it the "hot country."
It's the humidity that makes our summers so brutal. But it is also why everything is so lush and green.  It's the humidity that makes us guzzle gallons of ice tea each summer, why long flowing skirts and dresses are so much cooler, and ponytails are appropriate hairdos for three year olds to 80 year olds.  I think the humidity is why southern women are known for their "big hair".  You reach a point where you just don't fight the humidity anymore and the hair gets bigger and bigger.
Tomorrow starts the beginning of our holiday weekend here, the 4th of July.  Stay safe, wear those masks, distance wash your hands.  Be kind, always, be kind.

Butterfly Bush

I dead head our blooming shrubs and plants daily.  It can be tedious and taxing, but the pay off is great.  More blooms and a longer blooming season are the results of dead heading, as are healthier plants.   My butterfly bushes are a prime example, the blooms just keep coming.
Today is July 1, Happy Canada Day to our friends up north. 
For my American friends, especially those who live in areas like I do where the daily Covid 19 positives and deaths are rising, mask, distance, wash your hands.
Be kind, be well.