Back to the Garden

Summer is off to a good start here!  With sunny, warm weather mixed with the occasional light rain that passes through from time to time--the backyard garden is coming alive.  The snap peas are almost ready for picking and an array of flowers are putting on a show.

Grace has been patiently waiting on her hollyhocks to bloom and yesterday they finally did.  It was all very exciting.  She planted them from seeds months ago, and tended them under grow-lights in the kitchen through early spring.  Once they went into the ground, she had to guard them from all sorts of critters and scoundrels,  but it was well worth the effort.

These are called, 'Black Night' and they are spectacular looking. 

The flower petals, once they fall off, will be collected to make a mauve-colored dye for her hand spun wool.  In the meantime, we are just enjoying the dramatic beauty of the flower spires and marveling, as we often do, at the wonder of it all. 

Even the peas are showing off their pretty petal finery.

Anticipating an abundance of tomatoes this year.

Spotting ladybugs.

And other entertaining visitors. 

My heart skipped a beat when I looked up from the kitchen window and saw this wobbly little fawn just standing there curiously looking around. 

And then there were two.  Double delight!

After awhile, their mama came back for them. 

Yep.  Summer has arrived.

Comments

[Little Penpen]

How sweet! Those deer are fascinating! The dark hollyhocks are beautiful... you all must have a green thumb.

[Mrs. T]

I have never seen hollyhocks so dark. They are beautiful!

And the deer, especially the fawns ... how lovely. Thank you for sharing.

[Christy]

Sweet post! Happy summer!