Summer sights...

 We have a set of twins around the cabin.  They had the zoomies the other day and were running all over the place driving their mom nuts.  She kept bleating at them and they kept bleating back as they ran amok.

It was hard to get a good picture as they wouldn't sit still.  

Operation Chipmunk Removal is in full swing.  The buggers are getting a bit out of control. So far, 8 have be relocated.  Down the road is a nice big mud puddle flanked by a giant slash pile surrounded by grasses.  I have observed that chipmunks really like to pull down grass blades and eat the seeds on top.  My husband is concerned I'm going to relocate some of the tame ones that been eating out of our hands.  There are only 2 brave enough.  I haven't deported them yet.  

We have turkey poults everywhere and in all sizes.  These good-sized ones went by the other day, but yesterday I saw some the size of a baseball.  I wish I had my camera as one little one kept crawling all over his mom while she laid in the shade.

My husband's pumpkins are doing fabulous.  They are growing by leaps and bounds.  Mine were dug up and eaten by something (I suspect chipmunks), thus I am out of the great pumpkin running.

The bees are looking good.  They have been staying busy. 

There are quite a few berries this year.  I am trying to be patient with my gooseberries.  I usually pick them too early and don't wait until they turn a little darker.  

This Garter Snake has been seen pretty regularly.  I always love to have snakes around.  They eat mice and that makes them my friend.  He is a pretty calm fellow and seems to like the greenhouse.  We call him Clyde.

The roses are blooming now.  

These orange daylilies are special to me.  I acquired them via a five-finger discount as my father-in-law calls it.  Of course, since we acquired them from the road ditches I don't really think they technically 'stolen.'  He was a great partner in crime, and I really miss him. 

I was so busy doing projects this weekend, I didn't get photos.  Although we have had some good rains, it was pretty warm.  I did enjoy some time sipping lemonade on the porch.  This coming week is going to be busy as Our center is hosting an all school reunion.  I am really looking forward to seeing how the lives of my students has progressed.  I know a lot of my students from 2000-2005 are coming.  I'm sure there will be many plesant surprises.  When was the last reunion you went to?

Happy 4th of July

 I got so much done this weekend.  Lots of little projects I needed to finish.  I put my little bears out to wave the flag.  

I apologize for the night shots.  I thought I had taken photos of these little buggers and then realized when I went to put together my post I had not.  I of course added them despite the late hour. 

I painted all of my lanterns the same color and replaced broken glass.  I have been in love with lanterns since we went to Denmark in 2013.  I got candles for all of them and they are ready to go for the evenings. 

The lantern in the middle is from Denmark.  It made it back in a soft sided suitcase. I put laundry inside and surrounded it with cloths on the outside.  The baggage handler in Denmark took it from me and tossed it on a cart.  I was sure when I got back it would be in pieces, but it survived.  

I went to one of my favorite spots and found a plethora of wild strawberries.  Needless to say, I thought I was in heaven picking those bright little jewels. 

Another small project was to soak my goat wagon in linseed oil.  Poor thing was dry and needed some small fixes.  It is good for a few more years. 

My Canadian series William Baffin rose is blooming.  It is taking over since my yellow rose and Australian Copper have finished.

I still have peonies and a ton of daises.  There is always something blooming.
My husband and I went off roading today and I spied this amazing plant.  It is called Elkweed or Frasera speciosa.  I've never seen it in the Black Hills before.  I was enraptured.  I couldn't wait to get home and research it.  To learn more: https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/nativeplant/243/

We also came across this ghost town.  It had held 200-300 people in the 1880's.  I am astounded as it is in the middle of nowhere.  They said it failed, and the town was soon abandoned due to the extreme difficulty of transporting the ore to the smelters.  I could see why.  

After a fun weekend how better than celebrate then Smore's on the deck?  It was a perfect evening. 

My wonderful husband knows how much I love my Smore's.  He got me North Mallow Marshmallows in caramel swirl and chocolate chip.  That paired with home grown strawberries and mint chocolate made for Smore's heaven.  

We have had quite a few storms roll through.  Although it has been difficult to sleep when lighting is striking all around you, it has been worth it to see these sunsets.   

That was my 4th of July in a nutshell.  I really needed a relaxing weekend and this fit the bill.  What did you do for your 4th? 

And then there is the flowers...

 I never know what I will find in my bird houses.  One year this one was full of bumble bees.  This year it is chipmunks.  In fact, we have chipmunks everywhere.  I ordered some live traps and some are going to have to be relocated.  Would you like some chipmunks?  Just let me know and I'll send some your way.

The little wrens have picked the bird house right next to our bedroom window.  I am happy about that as they have such a cheerful song.

Last year when we went bear hunting in Minnesota a friend of Kelly's gave us some old unused park signs.  They were in terrible shape, but we saw possibilities.  I set up a little workstation on our deck and got to work sanding and painting.

I think they turned out dandy.  We were excited to hang them up around the property.

Of course the picnic grounds sign had to point to our deck.  It was the perfect place.

The parking looks sharp.  Now I have to repaint our house numbers.  The old sawmill site sign was made for my husband's wood shop.  

The Tomato Taj Mahal is flourishing.  

My tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, peas, herbs, spinach, Bok choi, carrots, and okra all look grand. 

And then there is the flowers...

It made the long cold winter wait a faint memory.  

I am thankful all we have to deal with is hail.  There has been a lot of tornadoes throughout South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota.  Always a worry if everyone is ok.  Hope you are safe and enjoying projects, wildlife, and blooms.