Hello Summer!

 This year has gone by so quickly..........here it is already summer! I hope this finds that you are enjoying fun summer days and that, hopefully, the severe storms have not placed damage upon you.  Here, in our part of Texas, the weather has been hot, dry, and the damage from surrounding storms have not reached us, for which we are beyond thankful.  At this time of year , I busy myself outside, battling the weeds, the ever hungry grasshoppers and rabbits. 

This munching youngster was not worried about me as it lingered outside the fence of my flower/pumpkin garden area.  I was surprised at how close I was able to get to it before it would slightly hop away. I think I have the fence secured now, as I have not seen a rabbit inside of the garden for quite awhile.

It is also the time of year that I busy myself with organizing the pantry and kitchen cabinets and defrosting the small upright deep freezer.  This deep freezer.....what a friend to my kitchen!  This is the first major thing my husband and I purchased when we were newly weds...........42 years ago.  I am still in awe that it has lasted us this long.  We bought it at the Montgomery Ward store....does anyone remember Montgomery Ward? In our 42 years of marriage, we have gone through so many appliances.  Stoves, washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, televisions, computers, but we have only had this one deep freezer.   I always unplug it during lightning storms and I defrost it twice a year.  Tell me, do you have an old appliance that has lasted along your path of life?  

In the flower/pumpkin garden I have mentioned, I have new flowers that I have never grown before.  They sprouted up from wildflower seed packets that my children have gifted me. 

I thought this yellow orange beauty was an English daisy, but have discovered it is a Calendula. A very lovely thick growing flower and as you see, I have it surrounded in chicken wire and dusted with seven dust for protection from pests.

This is Bachelor Button, Coneflower

and this is Sweet Alyssum, White Knight.

There is a large section of cosmos.....there are some remaining zinnia that have not yet bloomed. 

I am thrilled that I have finally gotten Bluebonnet to grow and bloom.

and then..........there are the pumpkin vines.  I am delighted that I have a few small pumpkins now growing. 

In early spring I bought a Mandevilla plant on clearance.  At the time it was only about 4 inches high. 

Now it is full of scarlet blossoms. 

So tell me..........what is growing and bringing you joy in your garden or backyard?

I would love to hear! 

In the late afternoon I retreat to my sewing corner and spend some time with my needle. 

With so many pretty blossoms growing on the grounds, I am inspired to make some from fabric. 

I found so many wonderful YouTube videos on making fabric flowers from scrap material.

And I just got a book in with lovely crochet flower patterns .  I am currently working on what the book refers to as a daisy, but I think it looks more like a zinnia.....do you think so?

Are you busy gardening, working on a project, or maybe traveling?

I wish you pleasant of summer ahead! 

 

I'm back in the saddle.........garden again

 My goodness!  The days, weeks, and months are just flying by so quickly! 

We have had some very good rainy days.......some storms coming a bit strong and scary, but leaving us with only large puddles of welcoming rain and no damage.

And I am delighted to show  you one of the few pumpkin plants I have growing in the garden.  It has been a few years since I have planted pumpkins.  I gave it up a few years ago due to frustration over varmints eating everything I planted.  This year, I decided to use the old chicken yard because it already has a good fence.  It keeps deer out, but I am struggling with rabbits and ground squirrels....they can find the smallest place to get through the fence and the ground squirrels just dig a tunnel.........but I am not giving up.  Maybe I might have a least one pumpkin to show to you in the fall!

I have a large section of cosmos, I did have a large section of zinnia, but sadly, the rabbits have eaten a great bit of them.

I will replant. 

I finished a crocheted doily I have been working on since April.

I actually finished it on what would be my grandmother's birthday.

She passed away many years ago when I was 16.  How I wish she were still around .....there is so much I would like to tell her and I really need some advice from her from time to time.

I hope this finds you with pleasant weather and pretty things growing in your gardens.

Far up in the deep blue sky,

Great white clouds are floating by;

All the world is dressed in green'

Many happy birds are seen,

Roses bright and sunshine clear

Show that lovely June is here 

F.G.Sanders