Garden Updates. . .

Despite the extreme heat and lack of precipitation, my plants seem to be fairing well.  Daily watering is getting a bit annoying, but what can you do?

The birds love to stop by for a drink.
It's amazing how they all flock to the yard when I turn on the sprinkler.

Several squirrels spend the day laying around the shaded parts of the yard/sidewalk.
This definitely drives the cats nuts!

When not relaxing in the yard, the squirrels try to steal my corn.  Argh.  

My flowers are thriving.
My only regret is not planting any mexican sunflowers this year.  What was I thinking?!

I did plant these.
Here is my lone sunflower.  I am anxiously awaiting more to open.

Ryan loves his jalapenos (and pretty much all other hot peppers).

We decided to try some purple peppers this year.
Definitely pretty, but we've yet to taste them;)

With some farmers market goodies (wish I had room to grow blueberries and zucchini), Little M and I baked 4 loaves of zucchini bread and a dozen blueberry muffins.

My sis gave us quite a load of lettuce

and peas from her super amazing garden.  
We then made homemade salsa with our peppers and tomatoes!
I definitely need to grow cilantro. . .

With all the beauty, you have to mix in a bit of trouble.
That trouble being Ryan and his fireworks. . .he seems to be quite skilled at blowing up my plants "by accident."  He tried to redirect this pyromania to a doll's head, but she just never gave up.


I can't seem to believe there is only about a month left until summer vacation is over for the kids.  Crazy!