Blooming Lovely

The Rose of Sharon (Althea hibiscus syriacus) has bloomed it's heart out for close to a month now.

These are the hardiest of bushes, withstanding heat, drought, and even a barrage of Japanese beetles this year.

This particular bush was a volunteer, a single seed or two carried by the wind or possibly a bird.

It is also a second generation plant, the original bush belonging to my husband's mother who shared it's propagated beauty from her garden to ours.
Oftentimes they are considered an invasive plant, because they tend to spread so easily, but not to this gardener, we enjoy those endless blooms throughout the months of July and August, year after year.

 

 

Searching For Shade

As with most of the country, we are enduring a summer heatwave.

It makes for dangerous conditions if you suffer from breathing problems or have to work outside for prolonged periods of time.

It also shortens tempers.

 

The birds are hiding out beneath the canopy of trees. Every once in awhile they appear at the birdbaths to quench their thirst, all have their beaks gaped wide open in an effort to cool down.

Birds do not have sweat glands, so they can only lose heat through breathing.
Even dipping your toes in the birdbath seems to help.

 

 

 

Stay safe dear friends.

This Cat

Makes me smile :)

 

 

 

Simple Rules To Live By

 

 💛

A Serving Of Yumminess

The Georgia peaches are here and in the South, that means but one thing ....

Fresh Peach Cobbler.

This recipe is easy to prepare, yet deliciously tasty.

 

 

Easy Peach Cobbler

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted ( 1 stick )

1 1/2 cups Self Rising flour

1/2 cup water

2 cups of sugar (divided)

1 1/2 cup milk

4 cups peeled, pitted and thinly sliced fresh peaches (5 to 6 medium peaches)

Several dashes ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Pour the melted butter into a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking dish.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, 1 cup sugar, and mix well. Stir in the milk, mixing until just combined. Pour this batter over the butter but do not stir them together.

In a small saucepan, combine the peaches, water, and remaining cup of sugar and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Pour the peaches over the batter but do not stir them together. Sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg if desired.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until the top is golden-brown. Serve warm or cold. Top with favorite ice-cream.....yummy.

 

 

Summertime

In just a few short weeks the children return to school.

I remember when my daughter was young, summer break used to span from May until August, but no longer are the school systems on that schedule.

Now their summer holidays run for six weeks, and parents are busily gathering up school supplies and doing their uniform shopping,  franticly ticking off those lists.

Here we are in the midst of summertime, yet the rhythm of life moves along.

 

⚘ 

 

 

  

  

 

 

 

Retail Therapy

What a fun day yesterday.

Spending some much needed girl-time together with my granddaughter.

We ran errands, and shopped at our favorite little boutique store.

Late in the afternoon, we finished with a lovely meal at the local Cracker Barrel restaurant.

The little boutique caters to farmhouse style decorating, always stocked to the hilt, I could wander around there for hours.

Here are a few of my favorite things........

 

Sweet Little Down Pillows

Live Boxwood Wreaths

Robin's Egg Blue Enamelware

Whimsical Tea Towels

Enamelware Canisters

Pretty Little Measuring Cups

Flower Selections

French Crocks

Primitive Light Fixtures

 

Tea Pitchers

Variety

 

Milk Jugs 

 

 

Tea Sippers

Gallivanting

Off with my granddaughter to the big city.

She officially received her RN nursing license yesterday, and starts her career in just days.

We're off to spend a little time together, maybe treat ourselves to a nice meal, and hold those last precious moments of down - time close to our hearts.........

Hotter Than A Pepper Sprout

We seemed to have transitioned from pleasantly warm days, to HOT.
Days in the high nineties with high humidity makes outdoor activities a challenge, calling for lots of drinking water, and the wearing of light clothing.

We are under a heat advisory for the next few days, 95 degrees, if you can avoid staying outside especially for long periods of time, then it is best to do so.
Even the birds have taken to their nests.....

                                                                          ****
 

"Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it."

~ Russell Baker

 

Little Things That Make Me Smile

 "As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful."

                                                            ~ Laura Ingalis Wilder

 

 

 

                                                         

�?�

Returning

Summer has once again returned, and all is flourishing.

It's amazing what a day of sunshine can do for the tired spirit.

Hope you are having a lovely weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit.

A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world.

~Ada Louise Huxtable