Here comes the sun...

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...















We grew Sunflowers for the first time this year. To say that we were thrilled with them is an under statement! We checked them daily and absolutely delighted in their growth and size. This sunny specimen is over 12 feet tall and our first one to open...what a fun project! It truly is a miracle to watch!

(These photos are taken with a combo of my pocket Cannon and Bob's phone.)

Blogging has taken a back seat as we try to squeeze in some more summer fun before classes begin again! Hope you all are well!

I love to chew gum. I have always loved chewing gum...for the flavor...cause it is fun and tasty and sweet. I chose gum over a candy as a kid and my mom always had gum in her purse. A real bonus. I loved bubble gum as a little kid but now I always want a minty piece to have fresh breath. (I love to drink coffee.) You should thank me.

You know how everyone always asks little kids what they want to be when they grow up? I wanted to be a gum taste tester. The perfect job in my eyes. I would tell them if the flavor was good, if it lasted long enough, if it stuck to my teeth and whether people would actually buy it.

When I saw Violet Beauregard in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory I certainly did NOT admire her bratty demanding ways but I was QUITE impressed that she had chewed the same piece of gum for "three months solid." I could do that.




Not too many job postings for a professional gum chewer. Think I will stick with Social Work...and chewing my Orbit Bubble Mint.

~Google photo

an unlikely friend

We stopped at a little Amish farm market...the charming kind...with cheese, veggies, fresh fruit and herbs, even birdhouses and hand made furniture...as I got out of our vehicle I whipped out my camera to take a picture of this charming sight:



I was immediately distracted by this fellow who was VERY friendly snorting his greeting and lumbering over to the gate to investigate the chick with the camera...he was full of personality. This guy and his friends were having a lovely morning rolling in the mud...















I enjoy hanging out with pigs...

Veggies...

We are gardeners...we like to tromp around and pull weeds and water and talk about our fruits and veggies. It makes them happy. It makes US happy.

It is PURE therapy.

I think our tomato plants are GORGEOUS!
(thanks to Bob and his faithful watering during this drought)






We can already taste the fresh sauces, salsas, gazpacho and BLT's.

BRING. IT. ON!

By the way...Ree Drummond, better known as The Pioneer Woman
has an AMAZING Gazpacho recipe. We had it for dinner last night. It is a nearly perfect summer meal. If you don't have her new cook book The Pioneer Woman Cooks Food From My Frontier order it. It is NOT as good as her first cook book but still full of great food.

A constant craving....for R-A-I-N...

Grass like straw...poking into the soles of my bare feet...

Birds vying for the puddles left by the hose before the ground greedily SUCKS UP the delicious moistness...

A constant need/craving for a cold drink of water, never enough ice to keep your drink nice and cold...

Avoiding full sun at all costs...

Dogs and cats panting in their full fur coats...

Weeds proudly growing amongst the shriveling melon vines...

A feeling of dread at the idea of sliding into your HEAT consumed vehicle in the parking lot...

We have had unusually HIGH temps here in the mid west. We NEED rain...not just a shower...but a L-O-N-G soaking rain...one that lasts for hours...maybe even days...

What's it like in your part of the world????

We have been celebrating the last few days and time just gets away.

We hosted a Lego birthday party and we ALL enjoyed it!!!
Especially SAM! I am QUITE SURE he was only TWO a year ago!!!












Thanks for stopping by...I am missing my usual blog reads! I will be around to visit you all VERY soon! Isn't summer just SOOOOO busy!?!?!?