Dearest July...

  

Dear July,

 I just wanted to pause a moment during these busy days that you've presented us with, in order to thank and congratulate you for being such a stellar month thus far!

Your bright cheery mornings have been perfect for the daily farm chores.


All that fruit you've been ripening up for us out in the garden...


All the growth you've put on the little trees in our orchard...


That little peach you've been plumping up whilst many little faces eagerly keep watch...


All the new fruit we planted at the beginning of the season that you've been teasing us with.


The height you put on the grape vines is very much appreciated.


The garlic harvest you bore was plenty for the year.


And all the herbs drying on the porch will be very sought after this winter!


Yes, you've been very good to the garden...


...but you've also managed to be very good to the people as well. What a feat!


Providing the perfect weather for hiking and exploring...



And as much as we possibly wanted. How nice of you!

 The friends you've sent up to us have made your days and weeks pass with much fun and pleasure but disappointing speed.

(Shout outs to Jules, SteveyJ, Mrs. M, and other long time blog readers with whom we've immensely enjoyed visiting this month! Love you guys!!)

 July you've managed to offer us the fun option of a swim nearly daily, while not all together overheating us through our work.


Check out this process:

#1 Find a sister to balance the inner tube for you.


#2 Hold nose and flip around backwards.


#3 Strike a cool pose and then go flip sister off your tube. ;)
(Isn't that a great inner tube? It came out of a tractor tire and is enjoying a new recycled life entertaining children for hours on end.)


Oh, and July, your big beautiful suns have been warmly embraced by all life!

 We hope future months take your example and provide our friends with more opportunities to visit. Friends: the beach will miss you!


Though we still have the memories...


And the fantastic pictures...


Fun times!


Add to your delicious mix all the great nights of volley ball under your sinking sun and lovely mosquitoes...


After that, when your active days had us tired, your cool nights and talkative crickets provided the perfect sleeping environment. 


So yeah, July, thanks a bunch! You will be missed.
(Beat that August! ;) )

Music in the Park

For those who have been asking, curious, or just mildly interested, here's a few songs from our Music in the Park performance:



More HERE. :)

It went great for a first time performance and we all ended up having tons of fun! Woohoo!!

(Side note: the vocal warbles are due to bad recording equipment, not nerves! ;)) 

Love,

Berry, Berry Yummy!!

This morning, as I enjoyed a delicious breakfast of homemade pancakes, lathered with deep yellow butter, covered in our own sugary sweet pure maple syrup and sprinkled with our just-picked, juicy strawberries, I felt like sharing a little brag. Sometimes it's fun to just sit back and acknowledge the 'fruits' of your labors a little bit, so here it is: After five years, three strawberry plants have finally been turned into this...

...by many, many hours of labor, preparing beds, planting out runners, weeding, watering, mulching, weeding, watering, and did I mention weeding and watering? This is the first year we've been able to really enjoy the (literal) fruits of our labors and, mmm, mmm, it's yummy!!

 We've been happily picking several gallons a day...

...gobbling up tons of sun-kissed-warm, and freezing whatever we couldn't possibly consume upon first try. ;)

Making some insanely delicious and fairly heavenly tasting treats with them has been making us feel incredibly rich!

But nothing quite compares to walking out in our backyard on a dewy morning with the rising sun's rays warm on my back and thrilling my taste buds on their sweet, tasty goodness.

It's definitely dream come true and I feel SO blessed!! :)