It's been so busy around here.

I think we should take a nice calm early morning stroll, you?

Let's start with the giant volunteer sunflower.

Mid June is a crazy busy month in my neck of the woods.

Lovee had a birthday on the 15th, which I baked and made a nice meal for.

And then I had a day to put a lil'shindig together for Sunday Father's day.

And then...

Dad's birthday on the 17th.

So we got together for a 4 hour lunch party yesterday, which was super lovely.

(plus whipping up some handmade gifts too)

Phew, that was a lot of partying.

I know about 20 people who have a June 17th birthday, isn't that wild?

So now, it's peaceful garden times...

That early summer sun, when the earth isn't scorching yet, is beautiful.

I know it's not "technically" summer yet.

But it has been over 100'F for a couple weeks now, so it's summer to me :)

My furs and I make the morning rounds.

Miles can't wait to get into the veggie garden and sniff around every morning.

Matty cuddles up and just watches us.

He still isn't 100% himself, and relapses when we try to take him off the meds.

He gets lots of love and treats, and I for one can't wait for the day that we see the old Matty again.  If we never do, that's okay too, we love him just the way he is.  Little guy.  He is so strong and bigger and meaner from the steroids.  I am sure he scared the knickers off our Sunday guests plenty :)

Loooooove that lil' meanie!!

The huge sunflowers are waking up these days...

Miles is 3 steps up on the front porch below.

So, you can imagine how big that sunflower is.

I didn't try to fight the bugs that cause brown sunflower leaves this year.

No dishwashing soap sunflower leaf hand contact for me, no sirree.

For fear of last years hives, plus anaphylactic shock, I stayed away from that.

So, I am embracing the leaves as is :)

Hollyhocks are unfurling every morning...

Some are extra pretty...

It's amazing how many varieties turn up year to year.

Oh, look whose watching us again ;)

He switched spots.

(I loooooove those ears!)

Out back to the veggie garden we go...

Tomatillo lanterns, squeal!

Love em.

Growing growing growing...

This year, instead of a huge pumpkin patch, I opted to use a few beds to grow pumpkins.

As well as surrounding the domed veggie garden.

We'll see how that works out.

I just wanted to make less work for myself this year.

Mister Lovee loves those sage like plants below with the purple flowers that invade my garden.

So, I kept some.

(they are about to come out though, I'll leave him some others)

All the sunflowers in the veggie garden are volunteers this year.

I love seeing what grows on its own when you water the earth.

The best gift...

Yep, a volunteer fairytale pumpkin vine.

I didn't plant it.

And there are about 6 pumpkins more coming, all on one vine.

This is a magical happening, I tell you.

It is indeed.

Isn't that special?

I wanna hug that thorny vine.

I'll hug a punkin baby instead :)

We leave the veggie garden and whip back towards the west side of the yard.

Past the gypsy camp...

And the white endless rose babies.

Past the shastas...

Thanks ever so much for the tips, I was wondering exactly what kind those tall daisies were.

Admiring the dinner plate dahlias on our way...

And the bees too of course.

On an early morning garden day...

Where my huge oregano patch surrounding the rose arbor is blooming.

Perfect for that early morning bouquet collection...

Summer garden days are here.

Undoubtedly.

I can't wait for some rain.

I think February was the last time I saw rain?

Now, time to get my life in order after all those boy birthday days and events.

 

How are you out there in the great big world?

 

Love, Vanessa