Making progress...

 We've been checking a lot of projects off of our to do list this summer.  We both are tired of losing our vegetable gardens to hail, so we are trying this hail protective mesh.  

It took a bit to figure out how to cover my garden, but we took some boards and drill half a hole for the rebar to fit in.  Then we stapled the mesh to the boards.  We have had hail once a week, so now that we are prepared that should be the last of it.

We finally found a gate we liked for the orchard.  My husband surprised me and put it in  while I was at work.  It is very nice.  Way more convenient than the fencing/rake set up we had.  

Here is the hail protection for my husband's pumpkins.  No more running back and forth whenever it looks like hail.

My flower gardens are blooming like crazy.  

Last year the hail destroyed everything.  I guess the flowers are trying to pay me back for last year's disappointment.

This bug was sure enjoying the daisy.  

My mother's irises.

I certainly have enjoyed the summer.  After work on Friday, several of my coworkers stopped by for lemonade on the porch.  We played beanbag toss, giant Jenga, and just enjoyed the evening.  We haven't gotten together like that since COVID.  It was nice.  Even nicer was having a quiet weekend to garden and work on projects. 

The sun sets on another weekend.  Do you get much hail?  What is your biggest garden for?

Life is good...

 I have a certainty enjoyed this week.  I took some time off to do projects and enjoy time with my husband and family.

I took some salvage from our old deck and created terraces in the raspberry bed.

There was a lot of weeding, pruning, and staking that needed to be done in the garden.

A good friend stopped by for a visit over coffee and Danish.  Time spent with friends is always time well spent.

We had a happy impromptu mini reunion as my aunt, cousin, and my cousin's son showed up about the same time as my brother.  We had a wonderful visit.My brother shares our love of Jeeping.  We took him down valleys and up a mountains.  We saw bighorn sheep, deer, and views that went on forever.

Nobody visits without donning an apron.  My brother made our mom's recipe for rhubarb crisp. Neither of us had tried to make it before.  It turned out perfectly.

Dakota Rhubarb Crunch

4 c. dry Rhubarb

1 c. Sugar

2 T. Cornstarch

1 c. Water

1 t. Vanilla

Topping

2 c. Flour

1 1/2 c. Oatmeal

2 c. Brown Sugar

1 c. Melted Butter

2 T. Cinnamon

Put dried rhubarb in 9x13 glass cake pan. In a small sauce pan combine sugar, corn starch, water, and vanilla. Cook until thick and clear stirring constantly. Pour over rhubarb and cover with topping. Bake at 350º for 1 hour.

A friend of ours and my brother stopped by.  It was good to catch up.  I'm glad he had a chance to stop by 

It has been great seeing friends and family. The icing on the cake has been taking evening walks with my husband.  We haven't seen any more mountain lions, but we did see these Alice in Wonderland mushrooms. 

Life was meant to be enjoyed and that is what I have done this week.  Friends, family, food and adventures.

What was your last adventure?  Have you tried a new recipe lately? Here is wishing you a happy 4th of July.

Winter dreams...

 After finishing my blog last week, Kelly, Ella, and I went for our evening stroll.  We have some nice peaceful roads by our cabin.  About 60 yards in front of us we saw something in the road.  

It took a moment for us to realize it was a yearling mountain lion.  I think it was chasing a frog.  When it caught sight of us, it retreated into the woods. No it is not in the picture above.  That is just a picture of the road.

I wish I had a picture, as the colors were so vibrant.  The grass was emerald green and the lion was such a beautiful brown.  Of course we cut our stroll short, but I am thankful to have that image in my mind.

We have had a plethora of rain.  My gardens are gangly and flourishing.  I keep having to tie my plants up.

Doesn't the rainwater on this iris look rich.  It is aptly named Before the Storm.

These irises are called Illuminati.

We haven't seen any fawns yet, but it is just a matter of time, as we have lots of does around.

Everything is green and lush.  

Last year I tried potatoes in a raised cage, but frost got them.  This year they are doing great and I already have the chives in top.

The garden and greenhouse are flourishing.  Despite a few hailstorms, there hasn't been any severe damage.

Thankfully, my husband helped me solidify my garden fence.  Quite a few of the wheels were just balanced on.  We took the weekend and drilled hole then bolted them together.  

I could never have done it without him, as some of those wheels had very thick walls.

I feel better knowing they aren't going to fall if someone leans on them.

The peonies are in full bloom and probably the fullest I've ever seen them.  I have one on each side of the steps and they smell so good.

My evening primrose is also blooming.  They remind me of the gumbo lilies we had on the prairie.

The yellow rose is also in full splendor.  It has held tough despite lots of wind and rain.

That is the extent of my week.  I hope you are enjoying your gardens after a long winter of dreaming about them.

Wonders never cease...

Last Sunday, my husband and I were sitting in the living room.  It was well past dark, when he thought he saw something moving on the bird feeder.  I turned on the outside light and lo and behold there was my flying squirrel.  I have tried to get a picture all week to no avail.  Luckily, my husband knowing how badly I wanted to share the news with my blogging friends set up his game camera.

The pictures aren't the greatest, but don't give up hope.  I'll get a good picture of him sooner or later.

He has been a regular every night.  It is pretty exciting to have such a special guest.
Speaking of special guests, we saw this handsome fella in Deadwood.  He must have been looking to spend a little money gambling.

Then the icing on the cake was a visit from this lady.  

She hasn't been around much and doesn't stay long.  I think she may have a nest not far from our bedroom window.  I certainly love where we live.  

I wanted to share a gift I received from one of my students on Friday.

A rock you say.  Not just any rock.  My student is interning at the Sanford science lab, which is located in the old Homesteak mining shafts.  This rock is a quartz from the bottom of the mine.  He got it for me because I have lived here for thirty years and never had a chance to go in the mine.  The best part, he took it out of his backpack and as he handed it to me he said it had never seen light until the moment he gave it to me.  Yes, I cried.  Do I have amazing kids or what?

On the flower front my irises are starting to bloom.

I can't help myself with the close-ups.  I am fascinated by the colors, depth, and intricacies of the iris.
I enjoyed some time on the deck yesterday.  The view was perfect. No, I didn't see the squirrel.

That is all I have.  This has been a perfect weekend.  I am a lucky woman.

What is the strangest animal you have seen?  What is one of the most unique presents you have ever received?