Summer in Missouri.....

We're in the middle of July in the Ozarks and it is "hot"!  Heat index has been over 100 but so far the actual temp has not been there.....and hopefully, it won't.  The garden seems to like it and the tomatoes are ripening quickly and I have a hearty supply of basil, which I love.

My pesto-making supplies.....and some of my homegrown tomatoes....

I love pesto so I make enough for freezing.

I received a cutting of chocolate mint from a neighbor and I love it in my tea.

I also like having ice tea spoons and they're difficult to find these days and new ones are almost impossible.  I've managed to collect a nice selection.

Sometimes a nice glass of ice tea on a hot afternoon is just the perfect thing.

It's so strange how in the winter we long for those wonderful summer days where we can be outside and enjoy the yard and the fresh air and then summer is here and we're dreaming of fall and cool nights and fires in the fireplace.  I'm making a concerted effort to appreciate the present without always dreaming of tomorrow.  It's not always easy but at my age, I'm trying to live in the present and not to wish anymore of my life away.

Hope you're enjoying your here and now!

Linda's wonderful garden in LaRussell, MO.....

It started out rainy yesterday but by the time we had driven to LaRussell (about 40 minutes) the rain had stopped and the heat was moving in.  It was a beautiful morning in our friend Linda's yard.  She works so hard on this but it's her "happy place".  I know how she feels because I feel the same.

LaRussell is a very small town where we spent several years when my sisters, Judy and Mary, and I were young.  Our parents owned the local mercantile and my dad, because we lived in this house, was mayor.

It was a wonderful environment to grow up in and we made many life-long friends.  It's still a wonderful little town full of many really good people.  We love going back for visits especially when we get to roam around Linda's yard.

Behind this flower bed is where our grocery store was originally.  Someone has made it into a home now.  So good to see the building being used.

 

More of the yard....

 This was a shed that Linda inherited from Mr. Graff.  He lived in the farm next to where she grew up.  It is so cute and I informed her that if she would put in plumbing, I could live out my golden years here.  She's done so much work to it and the inside is perfect for spending an afternoon with a good book.

 Linda and her friends, Sandy and Jim Pharill.  Sandy writes a gardening column for the Joplin Globe.

 

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 It was just the perfect way to spend a summer Saturday.  We drove through the countryside the rest of the day and so enjoyed it.  I'll close the post with one of our surprises.  Judy got out and stood in the weeds for this shot.....hope she didn't get chiggers!

Have a wonderful week!

Went to a garden party......

Jean, Judy and I went to the little town where we lived for several years in our youth to see the beautiful home and garden of our long-time friend, Linda Heman.  You wouldn't believe how much time and effort has gone in to this....and love!  Linda, her cousin and her sister and husbands live in sort of a compound where they all share the same backyard.  They have a very large extended family so it sees lots of action.  LaRussell only has a population of about 100 (except when Linda has her garden party, they have the yearly September reunion, and the Thanksgiving eve festivities around the lighting of the pump that sits in the middle of the street).

Welcome.....

 

This is their straw garden.  Think I'll give this a try next year....they already have tomatoes.  Wonder, too, if it would protect squash and cucumbers from beetles.  They also had green beans planted.



 

I don't want to say much about this until the deal is done but looks like I've bought a house.  Waiting for all inspections to be reported and then I'll share.  It's a wonderful small house and is in town.  Keep your fingers crossed and have a wonderful weekend.