Garden Tour Part 4

This is the Goliath tomato that Connie "gifted" me today! I'd say the tomato is sure Goliath in nature but the plant itself is definite David...if you get my drift. My own tomatoes look better, but there is not even a blossom on most of them. I take this plant with gratefulness and much hope for it future! Connie also insisted that I take a Cherry tomato (Super Sweet 100). I suppose it will be fun for the grand kids to pick being as it is so close to the house...not even in the 'real' garden. I'm mostly into putting up tomatoes, so this is a new experience. I know! I'm behind the times.

Before the garden tour I'd worked on another apron because of the rainy weather and the need to be creative. This one is for you, Stacie! I mailed it today. It is called the Church Ladies' Apron and is reversible.

Then, before the garden tour and apron, I'd gone to my daughter's in order to accompany her to the ultrasound which told us we are getting a boy! Isabella was in my charge for two days while her mother worked. Bella is four now and loves to share her puppy, Piper, with the neighbor's grandchildren. Isabella hollers, "Friend!" over and over until this girl comes out to play. It's cute.

We played doctor, where I mostly get my belly button filled with lip gloss as a measure of my temperature, and beauty shop where we stick all kinds of hair accessories in each other' hair.

I'll be seeing more of Isabella and Kimber because Chris has just deployed to Iraq. We all covet your prayers for him to be drawn close to God at this time.

NOT a Garden Tour, Part 2

Here is the picture deleted from the last post accidentally.

Below it is among its sisters gathered as if for a family reunion around the shade of the apple tree. Does anyone know what it is?

And, since there is room for more, this last Lupin is featured beneath the cherry tree also, next to the Feverfew.

Below is the 'Watercolor' variety of Nadia Macedonica. I've looked unsuccessfully for the correct spelling of the name of this plant, so you'll just have to contend with my ignorance.

And, last, this Hardy Geranium is hanging on to the last vesitges of its blooms after being deadheaded last week. Now, you've had the entire "NOT a Garden Tour".

I'm off to the country kitchen out at the ranch where we women are rustling up the grub for the men putting up hay. Today's menu is chicken, potato salad, watermelon and cookies. Tomorrow's will be pulled beef BBQ sandwiches, slaw, watermelon and banana bread. We love this slice of life sandwiched between the 4th of July parades and the fireworks.

NOT! a Garden Tour

The disappointment of our disappearing harvest potential in the garden has displaced any joy in it right now. SO! The focus here today features,

" What's up, Doc?", in the yard:

Above, the tiny cherry trees are producing a great harvest for the birds who didn't even leave off singing or eating while I hovered underneath to take this picture. The robin and quail juveniles are having a field day in the tree as well as on the ground.

Below the cherries, this Feverfew blooms in profusion. Aren't those sweet little pincushion flowers?



This Coreopsis is the only yellow bloomer at the moment. And, below, the Lobelia blooms continuiously from seed out of heaven, I guess. It began in the sunroom under the Laura Bush petunia that blooms all winter. I've never planted Lobelia, so it is truly a gift.

Somehow I've lost a picture of unknown purple flowers growing under one of the apple trees. Another disappointment in my lack of understanding how this all works. I tried to highlight some words, but deleted a picture instead.

I'm working on contentment in the beauty surrounding me rather than the lack thereof in the garden. Do you have these issues ever?