What's Your View?

My favorite summer view so far this season is my backyard. NOT because it's a lovely backyard (because it really isn't at all). NOT because it's kept neat (because it's not). NOT because I enjoy looking at the garden (though I do enjoy that.) NOT because it's fun to watch Tucker lay in wait to try and catch a squirrel or ten (though that really is fun). NOT because I derive great pleasure from watching the birds at the feeders and taking their picture in the birdbath (though I really do get a kick out of this).

Nope. It's not because of any of those things. It's because I can see out of the kitchen window on the back of the house!

Thaaat's right. I've cleaned the kitchen window. WooHoo!

I love that my kitchen sink has a window above. I love even more that that window is clean now.

I can see the squash, zucchini and eggplant---

I can see some black-eyed Susan's---

I can see some tomatoes---

I can see a bag of cedar chips that I have to put down whenever the rain stops. I'm not complaining about the rain- the garden LOVES it.

And, if I stretch to the right, I can see the birdbath---

Today, nearly one week later, I cleaned the windows in my office. I would have cleaned them sooner but the rain has been torrential for quite some time. Days as a matter of fact.

I can see many things from these windows too---

My flowers---

And the birdbath...I could also see that it needed cleaning...

One of my twirly thingys---

I could see that my squash that was perfectly healthy last weekend are now dead...dang it...at least the eggplant is still hanging in there...

I could see that something had disturbed the bird feeder---

So I went out and cleaned the birdbath and righted the bird feeder---

And came back inside where I saw the bird feeder disrupt-or---

Chowing down on some bird seed---

The rain soon returned---

 After which this little guy showed up---

I don't enjoy washing windows one little bit. But I sure do enjoy those windows after the fact.

What's outside your windows?

A Garden Post

In the midst of wedding planning and getting through the last week of school (2 full days, 2 half days left---Hallelujah!) a few things have been happening in the garden----

We have grapes this year---

I need recipes for homemade wine.

Even if I just get a little bit.

There are blueberries too!

Not too many, but it's a start!

The tomatoes have gone mad!

I have plans for them---

And, Julie, I need your recipe again. I've lost it but it worked last year and I want to do it again! See my little whirly-twirly thingys? I got those at the dollar store in the hopes that little critters would find them unappealing and stay out of the garden areas.

These flowers are looking good---

And so are the squash and eggplant this year! So far anyway...

 Stay tuned for the fenced in garden area and my flower bed!

So, how are your gardens growing?

Friday---Fragmented Style

Got sweltering heat like us? Humidity kicking your butt? Is the rain getting you down? No worries! Just head over to Half-Past Kissin' Time and join in the fun with Friday Fragments!

Whew! Is it just me or is summer flying by at warp speed? I hope it is anyway because I'm sure sick of the weather. But then, I'm sick of the weather every summer. Until August shows up and NFL Preseason begins! The first Carolina Panthers preseason game is on August 11- my dad and I were talking about how there would finally be something worth watching on TV once preseason starts. And then we both said, "Wait. We don't know if it'll be worth watching yet or not!" Come on Panthers. Y'all have been dragging your feet long enough! Let's have a winning season boys! (Otherwise, I'm going to have to watch football just because I love it and not have a team to pull for, SO--FIND YOUR GROOVE AND WIN SOME FREAKING GAMES ALREADY!).

Stifling weather and all, I was still able to get some running in this week without killing myself! YES! That's quite an accomplishment in this heat. I've tried three days of the Sprint 8 and that went well---although I did sweat about 10 buckets of water each time. And then came right home and stepped on the scale. LOL

We have had several storms that included thunder, lightning AND rain without any damage so that was WONDERFUL! The garden was particularly happy!

I've been working on throwing out a whole bunch of old stuff that hasn't been needed or used in about three years! I do love a good purge!

I'm vacuuming every single day at least once to keep up with Birdie's dog's (Strider's) shedding. I love Birdie and I love her doggie but I do not love the shedding. Tucker doesn't shed. And there's a reason I picked a dog that doesn't shed---I don't care for the shedding. There's dog hair EVERYWHERE. (Sheesh, how many times can you use shed or shedding in one sentence...)

Birdie and I attended a farewell gathering for a dear friend/teacher this week. I will post those pictures later. It was bittersweet but so good to see everyone.

Speaking of Birdie, she and the boytoy leave for London on Monday evening. Prayers for safe travels are welcome and greatly appreciated! I know they'll have a great time!

We have a 21st birthday coming up on the 24th of this month and all the lovelies will be HOME! WooHoo! It's not even MY 21st birthday but I feel as though I'm the one getting a gift. :)

Hope everyone has had a wonderful week and has an even better weekend!

The New Vet and Garden Update

Yesterday was Tucker's first visit from the new vet. She was fantastic!

And not just because she was knowledgeable but she's just a very nice person. She began her own lifestyle change in an effort to get herself healthy (sound familiar?) and decided that there was a healthier way for pets as well. I'm so grateful that she did.

Of course I forgot to take pictures while she was here (even though I put it right on the table so I would remember) because I was so interested in what she had to say. So, I stole borrowed this one from her website. Just click the picture and go visit her site!

AND, she comes to your house! That's right. AND the cost is WAY less than the traditional vet we were using. It's not that I didn't like our vet. But, there are 5 of them in that office and about 10+ techs. And then there's that unnecessary renovation they need their clients to help pay for so- I was paying for an overstaffed newly decorated office. And lots of vaccinations that I don't believe Tucker needed.

I much prefer the personalized care that Tucker will get from Dr. Oldham. I much prefer her holistic approach to pet care. And I would stick with her even if her fees were more than the traditional vet. Dr. Oldham is worth it!

Besides, Tucker and Stider LOVED her!

Meanwhile, out in the garden----

The sunflowers are blooming-can you tell that this one towers over my head?

I just love sunflowers!

And cherry tomatoes---

These are some of the tomatoes I am going to can when they ripen...

But the cherry tomatoes get popped into our mouths right off the vine---

Thanks so much to everyone for the canning advice---

hints---

and tips!

Happy Thursday y'all! I'll meet you in the garden!