On Sunday, July 4th, the temperatures were in the low 60s. We drove our older Lebaron convertible down to the Seabeck waterfront, parked it, and drove our other car back home. Later, early evening, we took the motorcycle down to the waterfront, parked it right behind our car, and then took a walk to go visit some of the locals we recognized. This is a big event for our little town! There was a singer/guitarist at Barbie's Waterfront Cafe', and multiple bands playing the entire evening. From on top of the rear seat, with our convertible top down, we enjoyed the fireworks set off by a few waterfront homeowners also the main event fireworks. A beautiful array of sparkling bursts... It was quite the happy event!
It doesn't seem like that long ago, just three days, yet our weather is now reaching 90F! From using our wood stove to heat our home and also our hot water? We are now using our ceiling fans, have the windows open, and are heating our water with our passive solar heat exchange set up (on the roof of our home). A single water pump is used for both systems, and is switched with valves. We turn on the pump inside our home, where the switch is mounted to our wood stove. I look forward to eventually adding Solar Panels here to generate the electricity needed to cover some of our needs. In addition, we have discussed adding a wind device, which Len can also build (still considering different plans for them). Since today was the hottest day this year, we were able to determine how hot our water would get just using the passive solar setup. 120F!
While outside, taking care of my plants in the garden cabin, I see sudden movement. A baby chipmunk comes darting out, running along the window sill, behind the pots. He would strike a pose and stare at me, sizing me up, then play peek a boo from behind a nearby pot. Here he is:
I was on the phone, talking to my daughter, when this little chipmunk darted out. Since I have last been on to update my blog, my garden has grown. Here are my favorites of my recent pics:
This is my Golden Weeping Willow, just planted this Spring, seemingly in an endless sea of blossoms... She is growing very well and I'll need to water her tomorrow.
Ever thought of a Dill as beautiful? The intricacy of its green finery, feathering out and upwards, growing in contentment and size.
The tree, sacrificed for our garden, has left its remnant, now teeming with life and adorned with Foxglove, Huckleberry, and Ferns. It has become a sanctuary for the small critters hiding inside.
Your eyes are met with the contrasting foliage, blooms emerging, blooms spent... This is a nurtured garden, intended to abundently produce, but it also is the planned haven for many beneficial insects. My honey bees find ready sources of pollen/nectar within the confines of what is their garden, too. They forage next to bumble bees, and other bee varieties, too.
If you were to sit down in my garden and peer through the garlic bed, this is what you see. Garlic scapes curling into interesting spiral shapes, seem to be in an endless procession. Propagation is my goal this year, so these scapes will be allowed to mature. I am sacrificing my Walla Walla Sweet Onions self-seeding from last Fall, to allow them to bloom, and set seed. In another bed, I am growing them to eat.
The very first zucchini of the year! It was just enough for Len & I- battered in fresh egg, dipped in flour/parmesan/spices, and fried golden crisp. Excellent! There are just four plants in this bed, but I've counted five more soon to be ready. That number is multiplying fast, as tiny little zucchini are forming. We are both so fond of steamed or fried zucchini slices, that we typically eat all they will bear. I may be able to dehydrate some this year...
It is late, has been a long day. I am turning in shortly. When I return, I'll write a bit about what I learned about Comfrey.
