Welcome Summer!

Yesterday marked the first day of summer - the Summer Solstice.

I look forward to summer each year, but in a way I am saddened when it gets here. My favorite time is spring, the season of hope, new life and lengthening days.  The summer solstice is the day with the most hours of sunlight, and that means the days are starting to get shorter again.

BUT, there is still plenty of daylight left and with that comes busy days.

I am getting used to my earlier work shift now, and actually prefer to start earlier.

This gives me time to get some work done around the yard/house.

One of my priorities has been the fence for the veggie garden. I managed to get the 6 posts in, and now I just need a gate and some help getting the metal posts in and the fence attached.

The gate will go where the water tanker is parked.

I hope to get the fence up very soon as the bunnies have been busy in there. I have been letting the dog chase them away, but they seem to come at night now when they know the dog is inside.

The yard is also filled with Chipmunks this year. I don't know where they came from - we have never had any before - but they are driving the dog crazy! I'm not sure what they eat, but if it turns out to be tomatoes or anything else in my garden I will be declaring war!

It was my birthday last weekend, and I was spoiled once again!

A new Rose bush and planter, as well as a few plants and seed packets. My kids know me too well!

The Rose was planted in the new part of the back garden.

The planter was filled and planted up with the birthday plants and a few extras

And another birthday surprise came this week. Friends of mine, amused by my Hosta addiction, brought over this 'Pandora's Box' miniature Hosta!

I think this one is the 32nd variety in my garden! It is sooo small I am afraid the bunnies will make a meal of it! I also snuck in Hosta #31 this week, Guacamole.

Another thing I love about this time of year is the Peony's.You may remember the story of my Mother's Peony's  ... This plant is getting bigger and better each year.

Some of the others around the yard

I finally had a chance to tidy up some of the shrubs and winterkill. Sadly, I lost 2 Rose bushes this winter, and I thought I lost my beautiful Black Lace Sambuccus.

After going in to cut off the old wood, I noticed that there was still some life left in it.

  It is going to leave a huge void in the bed until it grows back again. It used to hide the mess of the compost pile. I think I may have to move it. (the pile, not the shrub)

I have read a lot about the benefits of Comfrey. I am currently brewing a bucket full of Comfrey tea that is reported to be an excellent organic fertilizer for the veggie garden. It stinks to high heavens, but is supposed to work very well. We shall see.  It is a pretty plant and the Hummingbirds love the little blooms.

Things are always changing in the garden. It could look completely different next week.

This morning the first Rose opened :)

Things are changing :)

June is here, and with it comes a very busy time.

My work schedule has changed, now I begin at 6am. This is the only time of day I could make more time, and now that soccer has begun it is essential that I am home earlier. We spent the day at the field yesterday as well, and it was a great day! Little Country Girls team won their game 3-1. I'm loving her pink jersey!

Country Boy had his prom this week as well.

Doesn't he look handsome in his suit?

I can't believe he's already graduating!

Where does the time GO?

The gardens are planted and filling in. All my hard work in the veggie patch, and still no fence up.

The bunnies were there, and had eaten all the romaine lettuce and broke a few tomato plants off. I have since replanted and after sending the dog out a few times to chase bunnies they seem to be staying away. Yesterday we got some fresh posts from a friend and so they need to be put in and the fence will finally go up.

The back garden extension project is coming along slowly. I just can't seem to get inspired, and I have only found a few plants on my wish list. The compost I used as the base for this garden has a variety of things popping up and I am very careful when weeding there. Poppies, Feverfew, Nicandra, and Datura a few of the surprises growing there. I have even found a pumpkin/squash seed that is growing there! I hope to find a few perennials and will add some annuals for color until then.

The 'Sum and Substance' Hosta that I put in a few years back is finally starting to flourish.

The leaves are getting HUGE (don't mind my muddy hand)

A few more pretties from around the yard

 The gardens are filling in and always changing.

Wonder what I'll find next week?