Just got back from vacation and all is well in the garden. I am always a little worried when we have someone else caring for our flowers and vegetables. Only one pot took a bit of a beating but it is slowly coming back.

The sweet peas are finally blooming. I wasn't sure they were going to make it as they had a late and rough start. I put them in the ground late and then because their feet weren't shaded, they started to dry up. The columbines I started from seed finally grew up and started to provide that needed shade and the peas took off.

Being unsure of what would grow vegetable-wise, J planted THREE zucchini plants. Well, they love it here and are sending up tons of beautiful buttery blooms. I need to start sourcing out recipes and a deep freeze so that I can do some major baking! Maybe a call out to any zucchini lovers is also in order?

The bee balm is in full bloom with tons of pink fireworks shooting up. The leaves of this plant smell amazing...kind of  minty and I love the joy it brings to the corner by the back door.

All of a sudden it's July 20th and I haven't posted for two weeks. What have I been doing you ask? Simply sitting back and watching my little garden grow. Everything is happily blooming away.

The veg is coming along nicely even though the broccoli and kohlrabi leaves are being slightly nibbled by some little white cabbage butterfly worms. We've just plucked them off and stomped them. I am loathe to start in with any sort of chemical and the worms have been so sparse it just doesn't seem worth it. Plus the stomping is quite therapeutic!

The peonies are finished blooming but the daylilies have stepped in with their gorgeous orange blooms. The white Galahad delphiniums had to be staked but are still looking lovely. And last but certainly not least, the Becky daisies are about to beam with their sunshine smiles.

I am quite proud of the work we have done in the yard this year. There has been a lot of sweat, some blood but thankfully no tears. I can see glimpses of the private and peaceful haven we are imagining.

The peonies have been treating us to quite the show this year. The house is full of them and wafting their delicious scent here and there.
While it's sad to think that their days are already numbered, there is the promise of daylilies in the coming weeks. The buds are standing tall above the grassy leaves, poised for their part in the show.

The veg is coming along nicely as well. J's lettuce seed is popping up not only in it's neat little row but in various other spots in the bed. It must have been windy on planting day! We are so looking forward to peas and baby beets. I am hoping this spell of hot weather will push the tomatoes into action. The plants look great but no flowers yet. Other years, we have bought plants so maybe I am just being impatient. We did grow everything from seed this year. J is talking about getting some lights and a stand next year so that he can baby his little seeds in the basement and start them earlier.

We have been selfish with our little backyard oasis for too long so I am inviting a few people over for some sun, cocktails and bbq this weekend. It's one thing to beam proudly to yourself but a girl needs some external validation every once in awhile!