Summer moved in with a vengeance--heat, humidity, the works. Occasionally, if it's early enough in the morning, minimal weeding gets done, but otherwise, just watering. Most of the garden has been pretty hardy, thank goodness.
The dianthus are spreading nicely.
I apologize for the blurriness of some of the photos. We had a brief sprinkle, maybe 10 minutes' worth, enough to probably double the humidity, and the sun came out again. Between the camera fogging up, and my eyes watering from the bright sunshine, most of these aren't as sharp as I'd wish.
The celosia are finally catching on. I don't think I'll grow them next year, though. They are too finicky and take too long to bloom. The ones in the terra cotta planters around the mailbox are languishing, but it's not totally their fault: Some of the unfettered neighborhood dogs are peeing on it.
I am really loving the zinnias, even though they're annuals. Next year, I'll have more, and a bigger variety of colors.
The Double Knock-Out roses have bloomed and rebloomed and bloomed again. If it weren't for the Japanese beetles, they'd be totally carefree. The blooms don't last long, maybe a day, but there have been so many of them, it sort of makes up for that.
And oh, the sunflowers!
Isn't this an odd-colored one?
My favorite of the sunflowers and my favorite photo of them.
I've been harvesting the seeds for next year.
And speaking of harvest, this is the second tomato from our plants. We already ate the first one.
Next year, there will be more jalapeno plants, too. I planted this one in a large pot, and it's going nuts here. Salsa! Yummm.
Friday night a couple of weeks ago I was nodding off at the computer and just about ready to pack it in for the night, when there came a knock at the screen door. It was late--just before 11pm. Tandi, who had also been dozing, went ballistic. I saw a face at the door, but with the porch light off, I couldn't tell who it was. As I stood up to get a better look, the door opened. My heart stopped. If the door hadn't opened, I'd have figured it was one of my neighbors, but they wouldn't just open up and walk in. Still a little foggy from half-dozing, I didn't even have the presence of mind to grab the phone or something I could use for defense. Then a little animal rushed in and Tandi stopped barking. All I could think was, "I know that dog..." It was my daughter, who drove down to surprise me for my birthday.
She wouldn't have scared me deliberately, but thought I could see her well enough to know who it was. Jack knew she was coming, but kept it a surprise, and had already gone to bed. She expected to get here earlier, but was delayed by a bad accident on the interstate. There was such a back-up, people were actually parked and out walking around. Bless her heart, she drove 7 1/2 hours (more with the wreck) to visit for just barely over 36 hours before having to go back home again on Sunday. We didn't have anything planned, so just hung out and watched a movie. I loaded up at the tailgate market and we had yummy fresh veggies for supper. It was good just to see and hug her.
There has been a little sewing around here. Since the project is a surprise, and this person sometimes reads my blog, I will only tease you a bit with a photo. After it's all finished and given away, I'll show you the whole thing.
Yep, Halloween preparations are commencing!
There was a link on one of the Halloween blogs I follow, that led to the Victorian Trading Company Fall Sneak Peak page. I was in hog heaven! This little item combines two of my favorite interests:
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So that's all I know. Not much else going on for now. Hope your summer's going well!
6 comments:
MY STARS! Buy the boot! perfectly perfect in every way!
Love the garden pics - next year, sunflowers for sure!
Such gorgeous garden flowers! I am so glad you got to see your darling daughter...wonderful!
Beautiful flowers! And the boot's a hoot!
Well first of all, your garden is just beautiful. My Moonvines have finally begun to bloom, but it's been so hot here this year with so little rain that they are no where near as full and lush as they were last year. Secondly, I just want to say that I envy your ability to sew. The one thing I wish I knew how to do. And lastly, I LOVE that pin cushion. I have a very eclectic witchy looking boudoir and that would perfect with some decorative hat pins stuck in it.
As for the door opening like that...I probably would have had a heart attack...ha!
Your yard and garden are wonderful. I think I need to plant all kinds and colors of sunflowers next year. What fun to have a surprise visit from your daughter. I really love the witches boot too.
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