Rain came, now gone . . . . . . .let's celebrate!

After the intense heat of Thursday a front came through mid-evening

 when we were enjoying a late supper and watching the new season

 of 'Bosch'.

Suddenly things were flying as the trees started swaying violently against

the darkening sky.........plant pots blew over, debris danced on the back

 deck and we dashed out to move the cars back down the driveway

for more protection from falling twigs. Despite recent tree removal we

still have a massive oak which may have to be taken down later!

Sweet chickadee dish to keep little things.

My real Chickadees visiting the front porch were looking very wet.

Rain continued on and off through that night, and yesterday we had 

 heavy showers. No watering required and the plants look perky and happy.

This morning, after a little rumble of distant thunder during the night,

we now have the start of a fabulous weekend of sunshine and low

 humidity, the latter very unusual and welcomed for the Independence

 Day holiday which is usually stifling hot.

This week I found a package of cheese ravioli tucked away in the

 freezer just crying out for a bath in fresh clipped sage from the

 garden and good butter!

My home grown parsley and sage - both so good.

Clipping fresh herbs from the garden makes such a difference in

 cooking - I've never tasted sage this good! 

Simple recipes are wonderful for hot summer days.

A little side of grilled mediterranean vegetables are a nice addition. 

Love these, found at Costco, and keep a jar or two on hand always. 

We'll be home this year for Independence Day - celebrating quietly and

 praying for better days ahead both here and in all parts of the world.

Wishing you a fun holiday weekend with good health, happiness and 

loved ones nearby.

Monday, July 5th our celebrating continues as Bob has another

 birthday. . . . . .and we are promised a sunny day to enjoy cake, 

candles and champagne!

Another early morning breakfast visitor. . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . .and this time it was not my granddaughter!

On opening the dining room blinds early this morning I was quite surprised 

to see this larger than usual visitor checking out the bird feeder! 

In the almost thirty years we've lived in the cottage, we've never had deer

in the garden, and we can count on one hand the times we've seen one in the 

cul-de-sac. . . . . . . until yesterday early evening when a neighbor called to tell

 me a deer had just walked up my driveway. I didn't get photos then as it jumped

 over a fence and was gone in no time flat. We are not in the country and are 

actually just a heartbeat away from a very heavily traveled main road.

This morning I was able to grab a camera, managed a few shots from the

 window before this one toddled off over the lawn, then crossed the street into

 the small wooded area opposite.

We really don't want deer knowing how they can enjoy three meals a day

 once they find plants and shrubs on their menu growing in your garden. 

My neighbor has tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, onions coming along 

and is going on vacation soon. As I'm going to be cat-sitting for a couple of 

weeks I've been given the go ahead to harvest - and enjoy cooking/eating - these

 summer veggies. I'm growing a lot of basil in pots, so I'm ready for fresh-picked 
tomatoes.

- Neighbor's veggie patch -

Methinks I may be spending more time in the garden in my robe these

coming mornings! I have big plans for gazpacho, ratatouille, pasta sauce etc. -

and I may need to be out there ahead of the deer if those are veggies they enjoy!

If you are growing veggies and have visiting deer - do they eat them?

Any tips will be welcomed. . . . . . but no instructions for building deer 

fences please, too late for that.

Just taking a break and sitting in the garden on a sudden whim is not really an option

 for me at this time of year. . . . . .unless I spray heavily with messy, smelly bug

 repellent I become a feast for every mosquito within a square mile.  

This morning I did venture out after the deer left, after all I was already armed

with a camera, nobody was around, being in pj's and robe was acceptable,

 (it's actually one of those 'old lady' habits neighbors expect I think!).

  The garden did look pretty in the early sunlight. . . . . . . and I wanted 

to share a little bit of North Carolina with you.

Have a fabulous week dear friends.

Bob will be heading out with the mower shortly - as you can see, time to

tackle the grass again, grows non-stop at this time of year.