Heat Wave

We're in another heat wave. I'm such a Minnesotan, so uncomfortable in these high dew points (77 from one source, 74 from another). Thank goodness for air conditioning! (I hope you have a cool place to hide from the heat as well.) The garden hasn't suffered. The cherries look good, as do the grape tomatoes.

The green beans should be ready soon.

I tried to re-take this morning's photo of pea pods. My camera lens fogged up. It's about 75 in the house (proof the dew point is up there!).

I found this fun guy (wink, wink) hanging out in the woods.

Juneberries

The juneberries grow so abundantly that they fall from the trees. I usually can't get to them quickly enough to get my yearly taste (those clever critters!). This year I made mini muffins. June berries are mild, similar to blueberries but with more seeds. Yum!

Happy First Day of Summer!

Good morning...and welcome to summer! 

My garden gnomes welcome you. My bellflowers welcome you. We Minnesotans endure harsh winters, so now I delight in the beauty around me. 

Perfectly Imperfect

This bumble bee doesn't care if there are weeds in my garden.

This year's experiment is tomatoes interplanted with volunteer chamomile. I didn't have time to weed, plant, and mulch, so I plopped the plants in the "mess." So far, the normal critter digging and eating has been averted.

The radishes need thinning.

Is there a time lottery? I'd weed my lettuce and garlic bed. Even though it's messy, I'll take my perfectly imperfect garden any day. 

Delightful Spring Walk

Because spring is late, I think I appreciate it more. I've tried to capture my delightful walks around the yard and woods these past few days. 

Siberian squill

Fritillaria

Anemone (wild)

Violets (wild)

Plum (wild)

Starwberries (wild)

Serviceberry (wild)

Lilac

Tulip

Bloodroot

A Late Spring

These daffodils reach for the sun. The squill are blooming (yay!), but everything is late this year. The reason why? Our lovely late winter storm. Here's what it looked like on Friday, April 13. (Yes, Nature has a devilish sense of humor.)

Happy April Fool's Day

Hello, my name is Nature, and I'm the guest writer today. Take a look at that snow! Take a look at the temperature! Even though I see their dreams of  poplars leafing out and daffodils blooming, I know that my friends in Minnesota could handle my joke today. Don't worry; it'll wear off in a couple weeks.