July

July has been extremely hot and dry
with temperatures in the upper 90's and 100's.

We are in our 60th day of drought today.
The zinnias have come to the rescue.

Not only have they been a source of nectar for the
butterflies but have been a shady spot to dry wings
and to take shelter from the afternoon sun.
They also have motivated me to go outside twice a day
to water the seedlings.

The Lily of the Valley is burning up even in the shade.

The lawn is straw.
This has been a very difficult July.

The Summer Olympics opened 

on Friday night the 27th of July.

Just in time for another heat wave.

June 2012

The Pokeberry is native to the Tall Grass Prairie.

The Summer Azure nectars in the blooms
and the birds will feast on its berries.

It thrives in the heat.
It sends down roots and does very well with out rain.
Planting native is excellent for wise use of resources
and for the wildlife.

The fig tress are setting fruit.
It has been a hot and dry June.

Pipevine Swallowtail

On May 19, 2012 I watched the Pipevine Swallowtail
 lay eggs in the Dutchman's Pipevine.

 Each day I took photographs of the eggs.

Another group of eggs laid later in the day on the 19th
also hatched on the 26th.

I am now watching the caterpillars grow.
Hope to find their chrysalis.

Cold Snap

Arctic air has moved into the midwest.

Our coldest night of the season was last night

and another low of 5 degrees is expected tonight.

Snow is forecasted for Sunday into Monday.

Since the sun was out I bundled up and spent time in the sun

with the birds and my books.
It may be a few days before I can sit in the sun again.

I am working on my plans for our 2012 kitchen garden.

This year I am adding more herbs and edible flowers.

Once again I am growing gourds.

Planning the gourd garden is important.

They will be in the same spot for the entire season.

Rollercoaster Temperatures

January has been dry.
Temperatures have been up into the 60's and down into the single digits. The birds have been at the suet and seeds.
We have put fresh water out.

We have five suet cakes out.
Four are in the front yard and one is in the backyard.
All are busy spots.

I enjoyed watching the little Downy wait his turn.

He was respectful towards Red Bellied.

But after a few minutes he was ready for his turn at the suet.

The Hairy Woodpecker looks just like the Downy only
Hairy is twice the size of Downy.

The Flickers are regulars at the suet cakes.

Our little Albino female Cardinal is holding her own.

I am charmed!

She has my heart.

Today we begin the next cycle in Celtic Astrology.

It is perfect for me.
The Green Dragon is my symbol.

I am developing my Luna Astrology.

Now to learn about the Rowan Tree.

First Frost

Some of the mums are just opening.

These red orange ones are on the North side of the house in the front garden.
I hope they continue to bloom until Thanksgiving.

A few bugs were out sunning this afternoon.

It has been 34 days since our last rain.

We planted 200 Purissima tulips in the Fig Garden and

20 Swan Wing tulips in the Wind Spinner bed
along with 100 Jeanne D'Arc Crocus.

I think both of these areas will look lovely next spring.

In the vegetable garden we planted 160 cloves of garlic.

I hope to have plenty to share next summer.

We had our first frost on the 19th.

I am glad we covered some of the marigolds and squash.

The Garden Rue is still blooming.

I have gathered seed from the cosmos.