New Perspectives

Somehow for many years I have managed to be too busy, distracted or sick to walk in and/or look at certain places of our property. I was surprised by new perspectives when I finally did take that stroll.

What used to be a spot of scrubby trees now houses three young silver maples and a carpet of mown weeds. A restful little nook.

One of the lawns on which Hannah and I used to play badminton is now home to the "bakery" (added on to our house in 2010) and deck (built last summer). While walking here I felt as if I was discovering slightly familiar yet new territory.

Parents + Applesauce

Made by Mom and Dad from early apples from our own orchard. The house smells deliciously of autumn.

Chamomile

Yes, we are harvesting and drying it for tea.

Peas from the Garden

Butterfly on Garden Liatris

Heavy Packing

I packed my basket with much yarn and reading for a family day at the lake, but as usual I mostly did nothing. Will I ever learn to pack lightly?

Volunteers

Along with copious amounts of cilantro and morning glories (let us hope the last of the vining glories will soon be eradicated), our garden was host to a few more volunteer plants - plants that germinate from the seeds of last year's annuals. While some may not welcome these "weeds" in their garden, we like them (minus the morning glories) for their whimsy in garden and adaptability to vase.

Bupleurum

Bachelor's Button

Cosmo

Sweet & Painful Days

The body may be painful and weak, but there are many sweet things in our days. Like a few visits from this dear friend (left) who is always an inspiration of a poured out life.

Prairie Safari the Second: Up Close

Prairie Safari the Second: Landscapes

We did it again. Took another safari on the local prairie to see what was blooming.

Look closely to see our cow friends.

While taking pictures along the road, a local farmer drove up accompanied by his two dogs to check out our suspicious looking activity. His gruff questioning turned into a friendly chat when Dad removed his sunglasses and was recognized. I smile to think of Dorothy's low-clearance mobility vehicle being suspected a party van.

Abundant bales will feed and bed local cattle this winter as well as help supply the cattle of the parched West.

Garden of July

Pictures have piled up on the camera for a few weeks, so here is a peak into the past.

Phlox and Cheyenne Spirit Echinacea

Sedum

Southern Belle Echinacea

Butterfly Swamp Weed (a.k.a. Swamp Milkweed)

Lily

Daylily

Daylily Buds

Grandma R's Hanging Lily*

*My unofficial name for it.

Stretching

These are my views while stretching tight muscles on the deck.

More Than Rain Pours

After years of driving rain pouring into the basement...

... we had new cement poured. No leaking cracks yet!

But first plants had to be removed to make room for big boots. Bouquets were a by-product of saving the plants.

Anniversary + Tea

While Dad and Mom celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with a short state park stay, Hannah and I (with Dorothy's sleepy assistance) held down the fort. We also drank tea.

When the happy couple returned, we enjoyed dessert with Maren and Jason. We are thankful for faithful parents and a faithful God.