Watching July slip away

We are watching July come to an end.

It's been a scorching, hot month and the gardens are needing extra attention to keep them from drying up.

All but my chili peppers are bursting forward...I have picked only one and passed it on to chef Mike, my son-in-law.

The sweet green pepper are almost ready to pick, stuff and cover with a favorite cheese

for a quick and easy dinner.

I had some 7 grain bread crust to add to the feeder today. Bread is not advised for wild-life but this one is  full of grain and seeds that I made an exception.

I did get to one summer bazaar but it's been a quiet weekend, albeit a busy one with our grand-dog, Forrest.

He came for a weekend sleep-over

and has us back in 'dog mode' again.

There is no love lost between HE and the two princesses that call the mouse-house home.

Plus, this idea of a treat after dinner...what's up with that?

They will be glad to see the tail-end of him tonight.

And he'll be going home with a basket of veggie goodness for his

favorite people.

That's what I do love about seeing July come to a close for another year.

Fresh Veggies.

"Is that 85 lbs. of uselessness gone yet?"

"Easy, Audrey. That sweet dog is your family...like it or not."

=^..^=

hugs, Deb

Back for another 'special' purchase.

There is a new addition to my favorite step-back cupboard.

It's a piece that I imagine can be used for many things such as holding milk for tea gatherings, real Canadian maple syrup for your pancakes or sauces for Sunday dinner. But whatever...I love it and it had to come home with me.

Now I'm on the hunt for the sugar bowl.

I found it at Country Side Antiques in Kemptville, Ontario last week. This is the same location that I discovered my oh-so-loved step-back cupboard four years ago. That's one purchase I will never regret.
                               It was a cold day in November of 2012 when  I found my cupboard.
                               Audrey and I loved white dishes then.
                               She helped me decorate it and sat on it all evening.

                                                      That's my girl at one year old.
Karen remembered us last week and was just as lovely as ever; a real nice girl. And we got a welcoming from Bo again and a new kitty named Fluffy.

I left knowing I'd be back again soon as there were a few too many things I fell in love with at this charming Antique shop. I'll be sure to bring you along when we visit again.

hugs, Deb

Under the Sumacs

Holy Moly...it's been hot.

But Audrey doesn't care.

Any outdoor work has to be done early or you melt in the heat and humidity.
But then again it is summer.

It seems that by the time you reach the end of July your gardens need some repair work. I'm finding we are trimming, cutting back and tying up more plants these days as they grow too long, burn out or just look a bit bedraggled. It's daily maintenance that kept me from becoming a gardener years ago. So I'm late at this but at least now we have time to stay on top of things. 
The wild-life that visits nightly are becoming more destructive leaving us with two feeders to repair today. I think they may have had a soccer game last night.

We have been eating from our garden for two weeks now and the tomatoes have finally turned red.

So delicious. Mmmm...mmm...mmm.
We are waiting on the peppers to grow a bit more (sweet and chili) and the carrots, parsnips and squash to be ready for pickin'.
If you need zucchini, cukes or beans drop by. I got 'em.

It's been busy in the shade under the sumac trees. That's where I hide out to capture a few of my daily visitors.
                                 Blue-jay

The Bold and the Beautiful

Goodness!

Chickadee

Finch (I think)

So hot!

The little tail is dragging.

Under the sumacs

I'll sit here

drink my tea

& 

watch the 

little chickadee.

The cats are up early as they heard a rumble in their tummies. Must never have that.
It's going to be another hot day and the grass needs cutting. Again!
A second cup of coffee is in order, first.

"Thank you for your thoughtful comments yesterday. It was a day filled with sweet memories."

Enjoy your day.

hugs, Deb

Happy Birthday

                                          He was my wonderful dog for fifteen years.
                                        Today would have been his sixteenth birthday.

"Happy Birthday in Heaven, Kanie. Mommy misses you and loves you with all her heart."

Be a good boy. xo

Food, flowers, feathered-friends & felines

A beautiful sight in the kitchen.

Dinner will be new potatoes from the market steamed with beans from our garden. A side dish of home-grown cucumbers and the one little red tomato I spotted yesterday on the first plant. It was tiny but ready for picking. There must be 100 big green ones just on the verge of turning. With barbecued chicken and a veggie sausage for me this will be a memorable meal.

                                 Annie dreaming of chicken
                                                                                           
I planted two hydrangeas this summer and they are full of blooms. Gorgeous!

I am thrilled with these new beauties that brighten up the old pump area. You know, where Simon lives.

 His porch plant is not blooming right now so it looks a little dull at his door but he's very seldom home anyway. He's a mover and a groover these days. I only see him running home when it's raining.

I think the hydrangea might be running second only to the daisy as my new favorite blossom.
I plan to enjoy them all summer and then dry them for the cold winter months.

It's a little bit cooler today and I noticed more birds at the feeders. I captured these two beauties.

White-breasted Nuthatch

                                                                    Chickadee

I could feel his eyes on me... that King of the Wild Frontier.

I love when David visits me from over the fence and I rub his furry belly and give him hugs but I do have to keep an eye on him. He's a hunter and he's always on duty. He tries to trick me but...
 I know cats...and he knows it.  =^..^=

*rub rub pat pat*  "Now get home for dinner, David."  And...off....he....goes...

hugs, Deb

Around the garden today.

Simon

Oh boy, it's hot.

  But, I'm thinking of our long winters

so I won't complain...

I won't complain...

although it is 'really' hot.

Hope you are staying cool.

hugs, Deb