How Can Summer Be Winding Down?

Great sleeping weather... cool or breezy nights, very warm and a bit muggy days for getting stuff done... Dog Days return!

Our Passion Flower Vine is massive, thick and sprawling along and over the fence. The fertilizer and good rain must have kicked in real good, we're getting 6 or more beautiful blossoms every day now. A real nice way to dress up a fence corner, we keep our eyes open for tree frogs and toads now when we handle the vines and look at the flowers... The wild flower mix in the corner area is vibrant, especially in the evening with bright purples and reds... not sure what all is in
there, but it is beautiful.




These big blossoms open from a thumb sized bud in a couple minutes, stay open for a day and then close in the evening hours... quite a novelty.







This cucumber plant really likes climbing up the pine tree. I reached into the branches and picked 3 huge cucumbers day before yesterday for a creamy salad. The vines continue to grow and blossom, they must have really hit some good nutrients along with the rain, I've not had a plant like this in a long time.













The cool moist evenings are tough on the tomato vines, but the tomatoes themselves are ripening and delicious, still getting green beans too. Peppers on the way, perhaps, not a great year for them. Usually by now the pepper plants are splitting from the weight of the fruits, but we will be lucky to get a couple peppers from each plant this year for some reason. Delicious creamy tasting zuchinnis are coming almost every day too, and I'm letting a big dark one grow a little more into "stuffing size".. oh yeah!


Peggy stuck a chunk of her Dad's calla lily root near the fence and it has grown this plant about 5 feet tall... no blossoms yet, maybe they'll come. We'll dig the root up and store it until next Spring, and getting it in earlier, it should blossom for the hummingbirds.













We LOVE Butternut squash. Our vines are finally fruiting. Maybe 10 little squashies nestled in, growing larger every day along the outside of the fence.

I baked 2 medium sized butternuts that we got from Peggy's Dad. Scooped out the innards, put it in the blender with butter, milk, salt, pepper, a few sprigs of rosemary, thyme, a touch of garlic and a pinch of cayenne. Then I lightly simmered it for our delicious soup supper... topped with crisp bacon bits and chunks of baquette for scooping, we had an awesome meal!

Putzing in the yard, being a little lazy this time of year, we did go kayaking on Crooked Lake east of Brainerd on Sunday evening for a wonderful dusky adventure. A few little walks, bike rides and relaxing as the Summer reluctantly winds down. I'm packing my "Grandpa Bag" to have ready with essentials for when I head south... Hoping the weather will be wonderful for taking the Kingpin, it will be an exciting time indeed for us all as Lydia Grace comes into our world.

Love, Blessings and Guidance are Strong and Surrounding, as we make Romantic Plans and enjoy the rest of Summer.... It's gonna be a Great Autumn!

Peace!