This installment will be short on words since I just can't bear to be inside when it's so nice out. Well, every picture is worth a thousand words, they say. So here's what's been going on lately.

Cherry Tomtoes

The hardy Helvola Lily, growing since 1993!

Summer is here and the living isn't always easy, but sometimes the garden produces benefits that make it all worth it. Harvesting enough for salads, herbs and a few flowers indoors is enough. This is going to be a short blog post (because there is so much to do outside!!). Besides the harvests, we sometimes get unusual visitors like the one pictured below. Also visiting are a range of critters from groundhogs to skunks and hummingbirds. The lovely moth below (I believe it's a Luna moth) stopped by after a rainstorm to dry its wings out.

Some samples of what's growing in the garden right now

Well, the heat is on here and the spring gardening phase is definitely over. Bolting chard, wilting lettuce and peas. The second phase of full summer is upon us now. Time for tomatoes, peppers, chives, beans, sunflowers, just to name a few. The basil, sage and rosemary are rocking and can't wait to start using them as garnishes and a favorite, pesto. Picture is a small recent haul from the garden. Nobody here is growing bushels of food, but certainly enough for 2 or 3 people to enjoy salads and side dishes.

Not to be outdone, the flowers this past spring were and some still are, gorgeous: