Don't count your chickens...er...grapes

Patiently, I waited for my beautiful grapes to ripen.  I didn't dare count the lovely bunches weighing down the vines until just a bit before they were ripe, not wanting to tempt a hail storm.  I gently covered a few bunches to protect them, just in case.  I had a plan, lots and lots of lovely grape juice. Alas, this is all I got.  The bowl measures about 4 1/2 inches across.  I waited one day too long.  At least I can say that the raccoons in my woods have good taste.

Edamame

My daughter and I worked on this together.  We planted the edamame at the same time we planted green beans.  A couple of days ago, we harvested the pods.  We plunged the pods into boiling water, removed them, plunged them into cold water, and drained them.  Removing the beans from the pods is messy work, but we got a big bowl of deliciousness.  We ate some right away, of course, and we stored some in the refrigerator.  I also froze a bag for future use.  Fresh edamame are really good, nutty and sweet. 

Here's what's for dinner...

We've been eating a lot of fresh produce, which is delicious.  Usually I just wash beans and microwave them for a minute or so.  Sometimes I add a teaspoon of butter.  But we've been having that a lot, so now it's vegetable soup with meatballs. Delicious!

Zinnias!

Love 'em!

Joe-Pye Weed

A few years ago I planted Joe-Pye Weed from seed, thinking that it wouldn't work.  Growing perennials from seed is a two year business in this short growing season.  I thought it was worth a try because it grows wild in a swampy area nearby.  Each year this plant spreads just a little, and it's one of the few perennials blooming now.  The tall plants are a striking addition to my yard.  This is the only plant that I don't cut back, keeping the tall stalks during the winter because birds eat the seeds.