It’s been a few weeks since I’ve written one of these posts, so I’m reconditioning my joy-spotting muscles and am here to share a few bits of happiness with you all.
Strawflowers covered in pollinators 
hydrangeas are so close! 
wide shot of the garden
+ This was our first week of second grade for Bryce (7 years old) and our first week of pre-preschool for Bronwyn (3 years old). Friends, it couldn’t have gone any better. We’ve done everything I planned to do with relatively good attitudes all around (myself included). Last year was hard, but I think we cultivated habits that will set us up for success.
+ We have gotten so much rain in the last couple of weeks! And it’s clear that we needed it because the puddles didn’t hang around for very long. The earth sucked it right up, and our yard is full of toads and mushrooms. It’s a fairy paradise.
+ I think we’ve discovered the secret to tomato plants: rabbit poop! These are the biggest tomato plants we’ve ever had – they’re practically bushes despite our efforts to tame them. Now we just have to hope for a few days of sunshine to redden the fruits.
+ Our bear fortifications from last week worked: the bear has been back multiple times (you can find me banging on a pot with a wooden spoon at some point most mornings), but it hasn’t managed to break into the coop and we haven’t lost anymore chickens. Luckily, we’re only battling a cub and haven’t seen mama bear at all. Let’s keep it that way, mmmhmmm?
+ It’s mid-July! Can I be honest? I’m ready for pumpkin swirled coffee at Dunkins. I’m ready for sweaters, boots, and hats. Yes — I’m the person who hypes up fall way too early. I will do my best to NOT complain about summer while it lasts but know that, in my heart, I’m pining for fall. Until then? There are flowers blooming! And soon I’ll be eating fresh tomatoes and basil layered onto sourdough bread. Sweet corn will be ready before we know it. Yesterday I fried up our first batch of squash and zucchini and will probably do the same thing tomorrow. And the next day. And the next (you get the picture). There are good things to enjoy in this warm weather, whether I like it or not.
+ And one of my biggest sources of joy has been you – you merry band of rascals. I’ve been exchanging emails and blog comments all week, discussing books, knitting, and all of my favorite things. So thank you for a wonderful week despite how much I dislike July. You make such a difference in my life!
And that’s a wrap on this week! I might be back on Sunday with a poem, but if I don’t make it then I hope you have a wonderful and restful weekend. Stay cool and take good care!
The Cozy Burrow 
It’s amazing to me that your hydrangeas aren’t yet blooming — our first blooms have already dried out. Such a difference, and we’re not even that far away! I’m glad to hear that school is going well and that the chickens have been safe. There’s a lot of joy coming off the page here, and it’s making me smile! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
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We merry band of rascals! Love it. This post certainly brought joy to my heart. Hope the bear stays away. And oh your children have lovely names that go so well together.
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Thanks Laurie! I have a third child as well – his name is Colton and he’s 6! He’s the biggest rascal of all 😉
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I just love these joy-filled posts! Your tomatoes look incredible! (and who knew about rabbit poop!!) I am trying to not rush through summer… but this heat and humidity is really not helping with that! LOL
Have a great weekend!
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I feel the same way about rushing through the summer. Focusing on the flowers and the garden helps, but still. You know.
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Your garden is LOVELY, Katie! I chuckled at your autumn love…I’ve only grown in the last couple of years to appreciate summer here, I think due to my equally increasing bad relationship with winter. HA! But, I too, am an autumn girl at heart. Spring edges a bit as my favorite though, because I adore GREEEEN.
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Thank you, Amy! I’m learning to appreciate Spring since moving to NH – it is such an exciting time of year! It’s just the gear up I need to get ready for busy and difficult summers. And then Autumn is shift down I need to ready myself for long and slow winters. This old Earth knows what our souls need 🙂
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I am not familiar with straw flowers so thank you for that! Always looking for good flowers and herbs for pollinators. So glad school has started off well! And that your bear hasn’t absconded with any more chickens. My tomatoes aren’t doing well and it’s good to know that rabbit poop helps… I’m still learning about gardening and I feel like this year I’ve learned a lot! Regardless of my gardening success, it’s still a fun pursuit!
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Marc was saying this morning that he thinks our super wet weather, and a new band of chipmunks, along with rabbits, deer, and even a few caterpillars, have just about depleted his tomato garden. We have been enjoying the fresh bounty in salads, on sandwiches, and Sara and I want to try a blistered tomato salad before it’s too late!
So glad the first week of school went so well. Charlie starts first grade two weeks from Thursday. Summer IS nearly over here!
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