Last Day of June

With all the rain and heat, everything is so lush.  Our plants that live on the screened Porch/winter plant room have all grown like crazy.  I have learned there is a trade-off here.  For a bountiful summer you have to deal with the heat and the rain.  I remind myself of that often.

I can't believe today is the last day of June.  Our kids here go back to school in less than six weeks.
Jordan has a couple of more weeks of swim meets then he's off for about a month before he goes back to school.  He is so excited.  Tomorrow night he does his first sleep over with a friend.

There's probably two more pickings of blueberries and they will be gone.  Soon the figs will be ready and by September or October the apples and pears will ripe and juicy.  I don't mean to brag, but our tomatoes have been awesome.

I am rather tired and there has been more vertigo today.  Ready for hot tea and soon bed.
Starting off a new week and a brand new month tomorrow.  Let's make it kind and joyful.

Green Bounty

The bounty continues.  We are so excited.  Anyone up for fried green tomatoes?

Blaze

Vertigo is upon me tonight.  I share a picture I took this morning.  Time for me to call it a day.

BBT

To answer your questions about the tomatoes from last night, yes they are big.  Bigger than my hand.
And our BLT was yummy this morning. Oh yeah, I use basil not lettuce so it was a BBT.

I am still experiencing bouts of vertigo/migraine.  They are not nearly as severe as back in the spring, but those moments do pop up.  They do seem to worsen and become more active with weather changes.  And I know that heat and lack of hydration are triggers, so is stress.  The acupuncture has made a big difference and I have added a couple of supplements as well.  It is pretty much trial and error and fingers crossed.

Jordan spent most of the day with us.  It was a really good day for all three of us. 

Tomorrow is my Friday.  I love my three day weekends.  Enjoy your Thursday.  Please be kind, it seems we are in such short supply of kindness these days.  It's something we all need.

Home Grown

The day we have waited for since last summer...picked our first ripe tomatoes!  They are big and plump.  Tomorrow  morning we have BLT's for breakfast.  Wish you were here.

Charles Lily

Many years ago when I began to teach yoga, I taught at a gym.  ( not a great place for yoga)
One of my students was 80 years old.  As time went by, the gym and I parted ways and while I searched for a place to hold classes, Charles my 80 year old student graciously offered us his home.
One day after class, his wife asked if any of us would like some day lilies.  She was reworking her gardens and the plants needed to be divided.

She and Charles are now gone, but their beautiful lilies live on.  Some at my house and some at other's homes.  This morning when we walked one of the Charles lilies had bloomed.  I smiled and thought of Charles.

Summer Meal

I grilled one of our favorite meals tonight.  It is not one for the faint of heart.  I did grilled stuffed jalapenos ( filled with sausage and pepper jack cheese) and grilled veggies.
I always grow lots of jalapenos because we loved them grilled .  I had waited all week to pick so that I would have time to grill this weekend.  They were perfect.  A crispy baguette and the meal was awesome.

Can't wait to grill some more.

Zinnias

I have bouquets of zinnias ( old maids) everywhere.  They make me smile.  Thunderstorms rolled through this afternoon and the rains came.  We are grateful.  So are the zinnias.

Anthony's Party

About a month ago, our great nephew Anthony called and asked if he could have his birthday party at our house.  Of course we said yes.  So today, Anthony and  8 of his cousins and their parents and grandparents showed up for a party.  It was a bring an extra set of clothes party because the entertainment was water...water balloons, sprays, water cannons, bubbles.  No one left dry.

There was as much laughter from the adults as there was from the kids.  Hot dogs, potato salad and baked beans with all the tea and lemon aide they could drink was the fare...and birthday cake.
I am sure the kids are not tired, but Rick and I are dragging tonight.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Fern Angel

Spring 2019 ends today.  Tomorrow the Summer Solstice welcomes the change of seasons.  Summer is coming in with a bang here with temps in the upper 90's.

Today the temps were in the mid-eighties and the skies were the blue of Colorado skies.  I relish these little bits of heaven that get tossed our way.

The screen porch is summer ready and so is the front yard.  I still have to work a bit in the butterfly garden over the weekend and then I think my work outside is done.  And then on to closets and the pantry.  I love my welcoming angel, she lived at my mom's house 15 years ago and now she protects my gardens and welcomes visitors.  This fern is almost that old.  It gets bigger every year.

Hump Day

Jordan spent part of the day with us.  He has had two meets this week and another one tomorrow.
He is a tired swimmer.   We walked the dogs and normally he helps pick blueberries but I gave him the morning off.  He snuggled on the sofa and read a book. 

I was envious of Jordan's snuggle on the couch.  I think I am in dire need of that myself.  Hopefully this weekend I too will have a sofa snuggle.

When we walked this morning the humidity was 89 percent.  My skin was wet from the moisture in the air.  I huffed and puffed with each step.  My body was not meant for heat and humidity.  My brother Ricky laughs and tells me October will be here before we know it.  October is our dry month.

Time for a cup of tea and bed.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Wish Granted

Most rose of sharons in our yard have some variations of color in their blooms.  We do have an exception, a pure white one and she is stunning.

When I walked out on the porch this morning her blossoms were lifted skyward as though she was hoping for rain.  She got her wish, it rained this afternoon.

Jewels

 I mixed so many seeds when I planted our bee garden that every day there is a surprise.  It has been delightful walking through the flowers and discovering jewels with every step.

Happy Father's Day

My favorite picture of my dad and me.  At his happy place, at the beach, our last trip there before he died in 1991.  I miss him every day.  Happy Father's Day Daddy.

Impatiens

I finally got my impatiens planted in their containers in the front yard.  The front of our house faces north.  Most of the growth there includes moss, ferns  for the summer.  But I through the years I have found that impatiens do well in containers there.  I had the planters and soil, but the local nursery had sold out of impatiens a couple of weeks ago.  Today we went by Home Depot and picked up plants.

I try very hard to buy local.  Sometimes you just can't and a chain or big box is a have to.
Tomorrow I will post pictures though the plants won't be at their best for a couple of week.
Out weather this week has been almost perfection, low 80's  and night time lows in the 50's.  We knew it was too good to last.  Today it is back up in the 90's and the humidity is building.

I hope your Saturday has been good and I hope your Sunday is peaceful.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

All Things Green

I never think about how many potted plants I have until I start tending them.  In the summer when they are outdoors in the heat I often water daily.  In the warm months I usually feed them about every two or three weeks.  That was my task today, feeding my plants.  And yes, I talk with them, encouraging their growth and health.

Some of these plants have been in my family for decades, belonging to grandmothers and passed down to my mom and then to me.  They are my responsibility and a part of my heritage.  I have lost a few through the years, sometimes they just don't make it.

I am thankful for my love of plants.  I am grateful for the green thumb that I seem to have.  I do find wonderful joy in nurturing and watching things grow.  It has been a good Friday.

Enjoy your weekend.  Remember to be kind.

Old Maid Party

The "old maids" ( zinnias) are in full party mode.
Almost overnight they have burst into blooms.
The garden looks as though the wind blew confetti across it.

They make me so happy.  The bees love them too.
What's really nice, though I plant new ones each spring, the old ones reseed and the garden is full of surprises.

Tomorrow starts the weekend.  I know many who are heading out to the beach and the mountains.  It is vacation time.  Hopefully we will take another short trip soon.

Enjoy your weekend where ever you are.
Spread some joy and kindness. 

Lush

The recent rains brought out the green stuff.  Everything looks lush again.  The moss and ferns are rejoicing.

A trip to the acupuncturist today.  It is so worth the drive into Birmingham.

It's Wednesday already and the month of June is almost to its half way mark.  We have had the summer temps for sometime.  She makes her official appearance soon.  I truly try not to wish time away and to stay in the present, but the heat makes it difficult. 

I hope the rest of your week goes down easy.
Be kind, be grateful.

The Blue Bounty Continues

They are big, plump, juicy and delicious.  The best crop ever.  Our blueberry bounty continues and we are so grateful.  Frozen blueberries for waffles, pancakes, pound cakes, smoothies, muffins, etc.
We giggled as we picked this morning.  It has been amazing.

Raining Hearts

I know Rick has shared pictures of her, but here's mine tonight.  My bleeding heart belonged to my grandmother Mamie, then to my mom and now to me.    She brightens our deck each spring and summer.  She has her own corner and you must admit, she is a stunner.

The raindrops just look like tiny diamonds scattered all over her. Every day I look at her and smile.  I think of the women who took care of her before me.  I hope there is someone after me who will appreciate her beauty as well.

Purple Beauty

I walked out to get the Sunday paper this morning.  A bright purple flash caught my eye.  Our first rose of sharon bush had bloomed overnight.  By this evening, the pink one and the white had blossomed and so had the variegated white/red mix.

More rain today, but we need more.  The fruits and veggies have taken a growth spurt since those first drops fell a few days ago.  I have put six gallons of blueberries in the freezer.  We will have smoothies for a long time.

I hope your Monday is a good one.  Don't forget to be kind.

Little Things

It's the little things.  Today was a day for little things which have loomed on our to do list for ages.
First, I repotted my orchid.  I swear within fifteen minutes after placing her in her new home, she grew.

Second, you know that drawer that everyone has, well most everyone I know.  Ours is in the kitchen and it is just a catch all.  I opened it today and freaked, it was bursting at the seams.  Rick is always asking how he can help, today I told him, just clean out that drawer.  He did.  It made my day.

We walked this afternoon after the rains had moved out.  Everything is breathing, colors are more vibrant, life has been restored.  I looked at my bleeding heart and she almost shimmered in the late evening sun.

I hope your day has been one that in some way has filled your needs.  I also hope there has been some laughter and kindness as well.

No Agenda

Finally a day with no agenda.  It has been weeks and I am not sure how we did it, but our calendars were empty today.  We walked the dogs, read, did a little laundry, ate leftovers.  A much needed day of rest.  The rest of the weekend is busy, but today was wonderful.

More rain tonight, our little world looks alive.  The drought and heat were getting scary, but you could almost hear everything breathe a sigh of relief.  The colors are brighter and the dust has settled.

Enjoy your Saturday.  Spend some time with those you love, do something that makes you smile and always be kind.

Rain

It was raining when we got up this morning.  We both had to go outside and just stand in it for a moment and breathe in that wonderful smell of freshness.  Everything looked better, fresher, happier.
We are grateful.  The weather guys say we are in for several days of rain.  It will take several days for this drought to be over.  Rain drops shimmered like tiny jewels on the flowers. 

Tomorrow is Friday.  I hope your week ends on a happy note.  Be kind, spread joy.  Be grateful.

What Is It?

Good news tonight.  Rain is moving in, the heat wave is finally breaking down and our fruit trees and other crops should make it.  Truly a time to be grateful.

On our walk this morning, I looked for this plant that you see tonight.  It is one of my favorite wild plants.  Some years it is prolific and other years like this one, I have seen only one small bunch.
Can any of you tell me what it is?

Happy Place

In the mornings we often sit and drink coffee here.  If the evenings cool down we sit watch the sun set.  It is my happy place.  In the winter without the plants,  we sit and listen to the chimes.
Rick loves the screened porch, but I love the deck.   It provides an awfully nice view of our little world.

Hook at Rest

We walked the dogs early this morning and then Rick had to head for work.  Usually after being in the heat, they come in and hit their beds for a rest.  Hook was not on his bed and I walked into the hall looking for him.  He was sitting in the doorway to Rick's office looking at me, like I am never going out in that heat again.  He is fine tonight.

Gardenia Fest

I have never counted them but I have planted gardenias along our fence row.  When you arrive in our drive way it smells like heaven.  I am planting more this fall.    Vases are filled to overflowing in the house as well, it is a gardenia fest.  To me it smells heavenly.

June 1

June 1...hurricane season starts today

June 1...though we have had been experiencing mid-to late summer temps for about a month, summer officially starts in about three weeks

June 1...watermelons are amazing this season, so are cantaloupes

June 1...my sister gave me a homegrown tomato from her garden today

June 1...June's calendar is already getting booked

June 1...dragonflies are everywhere

June 1...waiting for the first firefly

June 1...flowing dresses and sandals, the perfect summer wardrobe

June 1...homemade popsicles

June 1...ice tea is best sipped on hot afternoons

June 1...gardenias fill the warm humid air with an otherworldly fragrance

June 1...smell of fresh cut grass

June 1...fresh veggies make it easy to eat  healthy

June 1...time to slow down

June 1...fresh flowers daily