Just July

We had a lot of rain this year for July. Must be the el nino. Or the la ninja. Or the los alamos or whatever. One night I saw this big thundercloud all back lit from the sunset and went out to snap off a few of it.

And remember when Princess Petunia Ballerina was just a little smidgin of a dog?

Well, she grew up. And up. And UP!

She's a beautiful girl, and very loving. Sometimes a little too loving. But she's learning. I love her, but I think I'm probably the only one. Most other people cringe and run the other way when she's bounding toward them! One of the neighborhood boys even cries. It's sad. She means well. She'll settle down in time.

We got another batch of babies in the birdhouse and I was on guard for ants! I didn't see a single one, but the next day when I went out to check on the babies, they were GONE! Someone came and snatched them right up! I have no idea what happened. Back to square one!

Life Through Pappy's Lens

Kids,

A few weekends ago your daddy and I had a "grown up" party to attend on a Saturday night, so Grammy and Pappy took you to their house for a whole weekend!

I hope you guys grow up to realize how lucky you are to have grandparents who are so active with you and in entertaining you! There are lots of grammies and pappies out there who would stick you in front of the TV for a weekend! Not yours though! For being in a small town, there are lots of things to do around their house. We usually spend quite a lot of time outdoors...

And they always find new stuff for you guys to play with. Here Logan is trying out his new zombie (he used to say "sobbie") teeth.

Claire and Grammy looking very happy together. Incidentally, this is the first picture that I think Claire looks like a little girl in, instead of a baby or a toddler. She's growing up! *sniff*

Oh, my....check out the artist!

Claire is a very determined girl! No one is going to keep her outside if she wants in!

When evening falls we usually build a fire. I happened to send a bunch of leftover fireworks with you guys this time and it looks like you put them to good use! My goodness, look at all those used sparkler sticks in the fire!

Grammy and Pappy always have s'more ingredients! Claire loves to eat "marshos."

OOooooo! The "slippy slide!"

Looks like Logan finally outgrew the pool! Grammy bought a new one after this visit!

Pappy always takes Logan out for a spin on the bike! I guess next year will be Claire's maiden voyage - but for now, Logan gets to be the sole rider....

up to the pharmacy for an ice cream treat!

We sure love our visits to "Pappy's House!"

Love,

Mama

In the Garden, Take 2

I'm having so much fun in my flower beds right now. I feel so accomplished! Let's take a look at what's happening this week:

I'm loving this dahlia, it's very kaleidoscopic!

A few of the day lilies are still hanging in there! This yellow one has been terrific this year.

Picotee blue morning glory!!! I literally G-A-S-P'ed when I saw it. I didn't realize it was going to bloom this week, sneaky little fellow. I didn't really even expect much out of it this year - I grew it from seed and it was about 3 inches tall for two months! I kept waiting for it to die but look at it now!

Black and blue salvia - easy, steady, and an uncommon blue for the garden. Gotta love this guy.

Hey, who said only flowers are allowed? The only rule is you have to be healthy and have a color besides green. Here is a volunteer zucchini growing out of what used to be my compost!

My favorite, my pink hardy hibiscus. Every day I swear it's the peak day and the next day won't be as good. And then every day I wake up to this amazing sight of gigantic bubble gum pink blooms out of my back door, and it makes my heart happy.

When the sun shines through the petals I can't help but stop and stare.

I'm embarrassed that I can't remember what this is. It comes back every year and tolerates transplants and rabbits pretty well! Every garden needs a dependable bloomer like this one.

My tuberous begonia. A finicky, fussy little dude. I have fretted more over this little guy - he doesn't like too much water, he wilts if he doesn't get enough water, he won't tell you exactly what his needs are. This is the only one I've ever had that I haven't killed. It's day by day though. I try not to get too attached. It's these perfect rosette flowers that draw me in, dang it.

I like this dragon wing begonia planted with a tri-color sweet potato vine. It's a good combo and they are both going strong!

And, in case you think I am only focused on my flowers right now, here is your gratuitous toddler shot:

And, lest you get the idea she is always this sweet, here is the next shot on the camera:

Yep, that's about right.

Love,
Mama