On my way into the garden this morning I saw this sweet morning glory.  

 

What a happy way to start the day.

 

HAPPY  GARDENING!!!

 

I am always surprised when the Black Gum Trees start showing their autumn color in August.  Seems too early, but these trees do this every year.  In August.

 

When you are out and about, try to notice the beginning of fall color.  The Black Gums are turning red, the Dogwoods are turning a bit pink and purple, and of course, the Sumacs have a few red leaflets.  

 

Maybe the heat of summer is behind us, and we can start thinking about fall.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Tom sent me this picture on Saturday.  He took this awesome picture of mushrooms near the gate.  Around the big tree there.

 

He told me that he recognized them because of the blog I wrote last week of the Jack-o-Lantern mushrooms at Meeks Park.  And he remembered that they are POISONOUS.  Good job, Tom.  

 

I like to think that I am a good teacher, but if students don't learn anything, then what's a good teacher?   Apparently Tom and I have a good working relationship, and for that I am eternally grateful.  I teach, he learns.  Thanks, Tom.

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

Sister Linda's birthday.  Sharing my favorite flowers.

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!

 

On our walk yesterday, we saw this Luna Moth hanging on a thread of grass.  I had to lift up the grass a bit to get a good picture.

 

I'd say the Luna moth was about 5 inches across at the top of the wings.  They are so pretty.  

 

It feels very special to get to see one.

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

I have done really well with the Basil this year.  I have kept it pinched, and not allowed it to go to seed, yet.

 

There are about 10 plants in the garden, and I pinch them every three or four days.  And this has kept the bushes really bushy.  

 

I have finally learned that in order to get the basil to the kitchen, I have to take a quart sized container full of water with me into the garden.  I cut the basil and immediately put the stems in water.  Otherwise they wilt before I can walk back to the potting bench.  This way I take the container into the kitchen, and shift the basil into a pretty vase on the counter.  

 

We get to have basil on everything for three or four days, then I do it all over again.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

We have four pear trees, and this is what's left of the pears:  two!!!

 

They have never really produced many pears, but this year we had five.  Three were so low that the deer knocked them off.  But these two are up high enough that they couldn't bump them.  

 

So, I guess I'm going to get two pears this year.  :)

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

I just realized that my chanterelle picture didn't post yesterday.  Here is what should have gone with the post.

 

I added a new one too, so you can see how pretty they really are.

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

Wow!!!  Look at that!!!  What a beauty.  I am just bragging that this tomato grew in our garden.

 

I saved seeds from an heirloom pineapple tomato last summer, and planted some of the seeds in March.  They have been in the garden since May, and are really producing a bunch of tomatoes.  They aren't all this big, but there have been a few giants like this.  

 

Isn't it gorgeous?  We sliced it and put it on our eggplant pizza.  YUMMEE!!!

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

See the difference?  These mushrooms look friendly.  That's because I know that they are.  

 

These are chanterelles growing near our apple trees.  When we have a week or so of wet weather in summer, the yard sprouts chanterelles.  They come up all over, probably where trees are decomposing under the ground.  I love it when they appear.   

 

They are a little work to clean, but sometimes they come up in the grass and are already clean.  I don't mind cleaning them, though, because they are so good cooked with our green beans from the garden.  They have to be cooked, not eaten raw, but that is true with most mushrooms.

 

But, don't take my word for mushroom identification.  If you are interested in learning about mushrooms, buy a good field guide, and find somebody who knows mushrooms.  It is great to learn from an expert, which I am not.  I have a Naturalist friend who knows mushrooms, and we have spent lots of time together in the woods.  Best to learn first hand, then use the field guides and internet for backup.  

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!