Oh the times in my garden these last few days of summer have been times of refreshing, quietness and joy.... 

Watching the bees buzz happily and busily around.  I've planted multitudes of marigolds around the garden, which bees simply love.  I've seen them just spend hours on one flower.


My neighbor was out of town for a few days and I fed her horse and donkey for her.  Now... they think I need to feed them at all times of the day... which translates to mean every time I come to the garden, lol! Their fence is catty-corner to mine, and so they can watch me as I water and work.  The donkey, Johnny, has gotten especially vocal lately, lol!


I planted Mammoth Russian Sunflowers this year, and I probably won't plant that variety again (they take too long to grow), as they are just now blooming, which is probably too late for any sunflower seeds to grow, but still, they are pretty when they bloom!


Speaking of friends in the garden... I found this handsome toad hiding out in one of my plant boxes.  I wondered why all summer I couldn't get anything to grow in this container... now I know!


The smoke and haze has been horrible here for the past week.  When the smoke first arrived had smoke so bad here that at first we were concerned there was a fire close by, but we learned that the wind had simply brought the smoke from fires burning in nearby states and Canada.

Picture taken on Labor Day in the middle of the afternoon.

 In fact, the smoke was so hazardous that even though it was the first week of school, all outdoor recesses were canceled, as were all outdoor games and practices.

Normally I can see our neighbor's place and the mountains off in the distance, but with the smoke so dense, visibility was low.

 It hurt just to breathe in the air.  It really made us understand just how horrible it must be for the firefighters fighting the fires, and the air that they have to breathe.


I found another friend in my garden... do you spot him?


He was very quiet, watching me as I watered, and never moved.  Quite a handsome fellow, don't you think? And the perfect little home for him! This is a little birdhouse I found at a yardsale that I painted and set on a shelf in my garden. He seems quite content in his new home. I imagine any wasps coming in for a visit... wouldn't be leaving, ha!

These Mammoth Russian sunflowers are over 10' in size, and are just now blooming.

My husband and I upgraded to "smartphones" Labor Day weekend, as both our phones went on the blink.  My screen wouldn't work, and his phone wouldn't charge.  We have kept our simple phones for many years, but decided to give smartphones a try.


Having a camera in my pocket at all times is certainly a lot of fun!  I do notice a difference in the quality of the pictures as compared to my DSLR, but the ability to have the camera in my pocket to take pictures on the spur of the moment is really nice.


However, I notice the clarity of the pictures are diminished.  It is a trade-off... having a camera in your pocket, or a big camera to carry around.  I know I will continue to do both, but I do find that having a camera to use when the moment is right has become a very fun thing :)


I really love this pose of Miss Riley, however, as you can see the quality of the picture is grainy.  But still... a fun moment to capture... she LOVES to come into the garden with me and chase grasshoppers, birds, and probably my toad and chameleon friends... lol.


Oh, I do so love the happy faces of the sunflowers!


My garden is still going strong, and it is going on the middle of September!  Most years we have a frost towards the end of August, but definitely by Labor Day weekend.  This is unusual, but I am enjoying it!


The bees love the clover I have growing next to the garden. It really needs mowed, but I hate to mow down their happy place.  So for now... the clover is staying.


This is a fun picture! I used a 360-degree panorama shot here to completely capture my garden... of course everything is skewed, but you kind of get an idea of my entire garden area.




Ha! Here is another one of my little garden-within-a-garden area, and I realized the camera captured a part of me while I filmed the 360-degree panorama shot, lol.

Oh how I love my little garden area!


Did you know I was a songwriter? No... well, I'm really not.  But, while I was in the garden this past Saturday afternoon, there was such joy with quiet peace in my heart while the storm was raging in Florida.  My heart was so burdened as I went to the garden to pray, because Hurricane Irma was hitting Florida, and the devastation predicted and the people in its path were weighing heavily on my heart.  I carried it to the Lord there in my garden and as I sat there, I prayed and prayed for so many things.  I looked up and around me, and as I drank in the beauty of the world around me, I felt that the Lord was calming my heart with the beauty of His presence, and this little simple song came to me as I sat there.

The words...






While I was praying and singing, Riley jumped into my lap, and wanted to share it with me.  Having a smartphone... well, I just wouldn't have captured this moment without it, priceless!  Together, we felt the peace of the Lord in His creation around us, as we prayed for those in need of the protecting hand of the Lord as Hurricane Irma barreled down the coastline of Florida.



Do you find comfort in the simple things, the lovely things around you?


Simple beauties of these flowers fill my heart with joy.


Riley felt the comfort and peace of the Lord... rested her head on my journal, and went to sleep.  And I knew...  the Lord had heard us, and we could rest in the comfort of His presence.  This verse was made quite real to me in that moment...


Again, another moment captured with the smartphone... my sweet little girl and I just praising, worshiping, and talking with the Lord.


The peace and quiet didn't last real long... we had another visitor, that immediately captured Riley's attention... and soon mine too.


This little squirrel and I have become quite good friends.  She will come and just sit on the garden fence post and watch me, only becoming vocal when Riley comes into view.


Riley and I weren't going anywhere as we prayed, and so... the squirrel decided to stretch out and hang out for the long haul, lol!



The squirrel began to sass Riley, and it quite offended her.  It would me too, I guess, if I understood, lol!


Whatever was being communicated between Riley and Miss Sassy (that's what I'm going to call her, ha!) it was quite entertaining to listen to.


 I do believe animals understand and know far more than we give them credit for.  It seemed even the squirrel knew that our prayer time was something special to hang around for.

 

Soon enough, it was time to get back to the business of life, but I was thankful for time spent with the Lord, and for the visits with my animal friends, and just knowing that Our Lord Reigns... no matter what disasters and calamities come upon us, we can find peace and calm in the midst of the storm, In Him.

I wanted to update you on my family in Texas, and Hurricane Harvey.  I am very thankful to report that all of my family are fine.  My sister and her family did evacuate for the landing of the hurricane.  They went back home on Monday to no electricity, but to a home that was intact and safe.  They have no power but have plenty of food and water.  I visited with her today, and they are experiencing severe flooding in their neighborhood, and are pretty much blocked in, but so far, no water in their home.

Our hearts and prayers are with all of those in Texas who are enduring such terrible hardships because of the hurricane.  So many sad stories of people who are going through so much as the flooding is just devastating the city of Houston, and yet so many incredible stories of bravery, and people going out of their way to help their fellow man.

I read today of a man who owns a furniture store who opened his store to anyone who could get there, and they would have food and a bed for them to sleep in.  It is amazing to see the people of Houston come together and work to help each other in the midst of this terrible tragedy... and that brings great hope to my heart... to see the generosity of the American people helping each other in time of need.

We are still in dire need of rain here in the northwest, even as we watch the flooding waters in the southwest, but one thing that really stands out to me is that whatever the weather systems may bring us... it gives me hope to see men and women reaching out to their neighbors, helping them in any way they can, putting themselves in the line of danger to try and help each other... and it is a wonderful thing to see.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those who are suffering with these massive flood waters.

I was reading today that in South Asia in the countries of Nepal, Bangladesh and India the monsoons there have killed 1200 people, and displaced millions.  So many, many hurting hearts in our world!  I pray for them all!


With my maple tree rapidly turning red, days getting shorter, nights getting colder... and squirrels busily working to stock their food for the winter, we know that fall is here, regardless of what the calendar says!  Shrubs are turning colors, and my chickens are starting to molt.  The signs of the times point to a season change, even if we have another month or so before it is official.

With the end of summer drawing to a close, I wanted to recap some of our summer adventures that I had no time to write about while we enjoyed the summery days...


A local town holds a logging festival every year, and watching the loggers compete is always a highlight.  The man on the hewn log plank had to use an ax to cut a wedge in the tree to place in his plank,which he then used to stand on to complete cutting the top of this tree.  This 70+ man was up against other much younger men using only an ax, but he beat them by a few seconds, truly an amazing feat to watch!  The old saying "they don't make 'em like they used to" seemed to ring true here! This man was truly amazing to watch his skill up against other much younger men.


Some of the first bounty that began rolling out of my garden in early August.  I've not had to buy fresh produce since the middle of July, my garden has produced it all!


Before the fires and smoke took over our area, my husband and I took a Sunday drive with Riley.  We found a quiet little creek to explore.


The quaint path down to the creek.


The water looks muddy here, but it was sparkling and clear, with a rocky bottom.  We had fun exploring the creek and letting Riley swim.  We did not come prepared to swim, so we just found a spot to sit with our feet in the water, and watched Riley splash around.  What a relaxing afternoon we had!



My dear friend T lives right on the river with this beach, so many times this summer we spent the afternoon at her house swimming in the river.


Fresh broccoli out of the garden... these are the main heads, and the side heads will continue to produce until frost, an abundance of yumminess!


I've really enjoyed hanging my clothes out on our clothesline this summer.  It is more work, but we love the smell of the sun-dried clothes.  However, maybe one of you has a suggestion for how to keep the clothes from getting so wrinkled?  Also the towels and facecloths are quite rough.  I tried washing them with a vinegar rinse, but still they are rough... could it be because of our hard water? I don't know... but regardless, while the summer sun is out, we will enjoy saving $$ by hanging our clothes out to dry... but the family is protesting a bit because of the hard, rough and wrinkled clothing coming off the line... lol!


Our local county fair was a delight, and we enjoyed walking around and looking at all the displays.  I thought this display of the cuts of meat on a cow were interesting.


The top quilt won the grand champion for the fair for its design and handwork.



The zucchini and squash in the garden are prolific this year!  I cut up both the zucchini and yellow squash, blanch them (dunk them in boiling water for a 1 minute, then cold water bath them) and then I freeze them.  We like to eat squash throughout the winter.


I've found that I can melt a tablespoon or so of butter in an iron skillet, add the mixed zucchini and squash, along with a bit of Mrs. Dash seasoning and a large sprinkle of brewer's yeast (this gives it great flavor), let it simmer until tender, and it is almost as good as it is right out of the garden.  This really helps to supplement our vegetable intake during the winter, and that is great, because squash is definitely a very prolific vegetable in the garden!  I also shred up zucchini and freeze it in 2 cup freezer bags, and this is nice to have on hand to make zucchini bread or cake during the winter as well.


Annie and Riley sharing a rare quiet moment together.


A happy red daisy blooming in my garden.


A peek at my happily growing garden. The zucchini and yellow squash are in the foreground, with corn and sunflowers in the background.


The marigolds are blooming amidst my tomatoes, and the bees are happily swarming inside my greenhouse... they love the marigolds, and visit my tomatoes and peppers after being drawn by the marigolds.  I heavily mulched with straw because our soil drains so quickly that even after watering heavily in the morning, the soil feels bone dry by noon.  The straw helps to hold in extra moisture.


Profusions of marigolds... oh how I love their happy faces!


Pumpkins are growing abundantly as well... we are looking forward to homemade pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving :)  These are Amish pie pumpkins.


Cabbage is growing steadily along, we should have a head or two ready before long.


Another peek at my Garden-Within-A-Garden... oh how I love this little space of mine! It is a quiet, peaceful and tranquil place to go....



My little wagon, a rescue from the dump.. is blooming happily away.


My rose begonia is gorgeous, I love its beautiful shimmery blooms.


A walk in the woods with the three dogs... we are amazed to see the shrubs already beginning to turn colors.


Roger is one happy boy out in the woods exploring.


Annie loves the woods too, and we let her off the leash for a short while, and she behaved very well. She has a tendency to chase her own trails, but she stayed right with us.  Perhaps she has learned her lesson?


We had a 94% eclipse here.  It darkened just a little as the moon overshadowed the sun, but we did not experience complete darkness.  It was a very neat experience though, and I was so glad my husband was home to experience it with me.


A pensive Miss Riley who now likes to sit atop the picnic table as her vantage point to survey the yard.


I think this is one of my favorite pictures I've taken of Miss Riley, what an expressive face she has.


These hanging baskets outside my windows bring great joy for me to see the happy hummingbirds who love drinking from the feeders and the flowers.


Homemade dill pickles using cucumbers out of my garden...


Homemade sourdough bread... finally it has cooled off a bit to where I feel like baking again!


And finally, I know fall is here when our resident Steller Jay shows back up at the bird feeders.  He spends quite a bit of time on this perch, and is letting us know he is here with his loud calls.  He is alone this time, and I wonder where his mate might be.

Well, I have quite a few more pictures to share, but will save those for another post, as this one has gone on and on and on!  I've been staying busy keeping up with the produce coming from the garden, and I'm thankful every day for the bounty we've been gathering and eating.  As I hear of the tragedy happening to our fellow Americans with the hurricane, I continue to pray and lift them up in prayer in the midst of this terrible event that continues to unfold day by day.