Blissful Summer

This has been the most luscious summer, partly because it took so very long to finally get here, and so is more appreciated.  Also because, since June when it finally stopped raining every day, the weather has been amazing.  We have had barely a day over 90 degrees.  Weather.com says that it was 98 here on Saturday, but I never noticed that and I was in and out all day.  Living in the mountain desert has its advantages in that the nights are cool.  We're able to cool the house off significantly at night just using a fan and open windows.  It stays pleasant in here until the afternoon when, most days, I will shut the windows and turn on the AC until time for bed.

The garden beds are looking good.  I think we'll eat these two Juanne Flames for dinner tonight!

The echinacea is stunning.

I love finding little visitors:)

My secret garden is looking better and better!  I have a couple of second hand patio chairs that I'm hoping to re-do soon and put out here.  Ahhh, we'll see.  The summer is slipping past.  That pumpkin you see following the paving stones, doesn't have a single female blossom on it that I can find.  It needs to hurry up!  Any idea how to induce a squash to produce female flowers?  I had this same problem last year with a zucchini plant.

These are Black Hungarian hot peppers.  They are similar to a jalapeño.  Very yummy! Especially after they start turning red.

I have a bowl full of chard that is waiting for me to wash it and put it in the freezer, so off I go!  And I'm also working on a new crafty project to share with you.  I'll be back with that on Wednesday.  Until then, enjoy these incredible late summer days:)