Harvest Time

 The harvest is rolling in and I am preserving like crazy.

Salsa and tomato sauce today.

Makes me smile.

Rainbows, Potatoes, and Siding

 

This morning there was a beautiful, full arch with faint double, rainbow in the sky. Unusual to have a morning rainbow. Storms generally blow through in the afternoon leaving rainbows in the east, but today the bow was in the west.

Last week I harvested the potatoes. 43 pounds, if I can manage to store them well.

We've been preparing for new siding on the west side. I've been priming and putting on the first coat on the ground - a huge blessing from my contractor.

And Mr. Wonderful and I have been taking off the old on weekends. Soon a much needed repair will be complete. And a much needed painting of the exterior of the house has begun.

Amusement Park

 To celebrate her birthday and to have a last blast before school starts, Mr. Wonderful took Miss Adventure to the amusement park in the BIG city. She had a blast!

(and photos from Mr. Wonderful's phone can't seem load in the direction I choose. Grrr...)

Pretty Bird

 

 This gorgeous and elusive yellow bird came to eat sunflower seeds from our volunteer sunflowers.

He brought along his not so brilliant mate.

And the four o'clocks seem determined to bloom at 8am instead of in the afternoon. Silly blooms.

Birthday Girl

 A special someone turns another year older today.

She wanted pierced ears, so my sister said she'd spring for the piercing and first earrings for her birthday. Miss Adventure, my sister, the chemist and I headed for a downtown jewelry store.

And so she is now pierced.

Cupcakes to celebrate.

Happy birthday Miss Adventure.

Summer's Glory

 My garden and my flowers are doing so well this year.

I've planted a riot of color along the wall.

Lovely spider lilies.

Glorious zinnias.

Mammoth marigolds.

Watermelons growing plump.

Anaheim peppers stretching out.

A surprise sunflower by the back fence.

My garden is really thriving this year.

Makes me smile.

Making Paper

 My sister had a couple of paper making kits she had purchased long ago and wasn't using. She asked if I would like them. I thought the girls and I might enjoy trying it out this summer.

Today was the day, with Miss Adventure sporting a crown she had made from gold energy drink cans that she had collected from friends. I thought it turned out pretty cool.

Anyway, back to paper. First shred up discarded paper, mix with water, and put through the blender. First, a pale yellow for the chemist.

Then a lovely mint green for Miss Adventure. (Color courtesy of old Et Cetera shop tags.)

Pour it into the sieve/mold.

After it has drained, press more water out, then place between some thick paper called couch (kooch) sheets which will absorb water without damaging the new paper.

These turned out very nice. I want to try again, this time with marigold flower petals and other plant materials. Fun to experiment.