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Sunday, August 2, 2009

Summer is Asserting Itself!


Summers in the Pacific Northwest have a tendency to be mild..even a little wimpy. Mostly it feels like spring in other parts of the country with a few half-hearted attempts at summer. This year summer has decided that this is its year to shine...pun intended. No more Mr. Niceguy, mamby pamby kind of warm but mostly cool summers for us....no, summer in the Pacific Northwest has taken a stand and decided it wants to be like summer everywhere else. Strong, long and sizzling! While my baking and cooking is suffering for it, the veggie garden is loving it and scratching its veggie head wondering where this heat has been hiding all these years.
Like this corn with it's pretty soft silk.



I normally barely have fruit set on my tomatoes at this time of the year, but in this hotter than normal summer they are already getting ripe. I'm loving it!


Green beans and onions are prospering as well


The sun worshiping flowers are in their element, like these Black-eyed Susans.


Cone flowers


Daylilies


Even these oriental lilies don't seem to be suffering


This hot looking zinnia feels right at home


And the bee balm and phlox aren't complaining much


This sunny tiger lily is happy enough mingling with the feverfew.


And this cute little mini rose, which may or maynot be called Charlie Brown, is having a second flush of bloom in this heat spell.


And more Zinnias, thinking the temperature is just right






And more phlox just phloxing away


Another little mini rose looking like it's feeling no pain


This little fishie, however, is eying the water longingly


I too am struggling......but summer in the Pacific Northwest is about to be put back in it's place. Highs in the 70s are on their way. At least that's what the National Weather Service is promising. Fine by me...I think summer has gotten a little too big for it's britches! Anything that gets between me and my kitchen is skating on thin ice....if only there were any ice to be had in these temps! Our meals have been light..sandwiches, take out, salads, etc. Enough already!!! Give me hearty, baked, simmered and sauted meals. Until then I've been spoiling myself with figs, imported cheese & meat and french bread!


If I have to eat light and cool then may as well be the best :-)

Here's my tribute to the Summer Heat..may it rest in peace soon! Join all of the other mosaic makers for Mosaic Monday over at Little Red House

22 comments:

♥peachkins♥ said...

lovely shot of that tomato!

Kathleen said...

Very pretty, Suzy! Now make it into a mosaic and hop over to Mary's for Mosaic Monday!
Figs and cheese, I would like to try that..only fig I ever had was in a Newton!
:)

Marsha said...

I've never had a fig ;) But the cheese, bread and meat look good along with those fresh tomatoes and beans! How lucky you are to have those already.

I love the beauty of your garden now. Those pink/white lilies are really pretty and my tiger lilies are orange - I like your yellow one too!

Suzy said...

Thanks everybody!

Kathleen..I was obedient and did as you said school mistress! lol I do love making the mosaics, I just forget!

Marsha..do you think my tiger lily might actually be an asian lily? Its new this year and I can't remember lol.

Carol said...

Suzy, I hope you get your cool weather, but nice you got tomatoes early! Gorgeous flowers!

Claudia said...

The vegtables still on the vine are wonderful.

Great shots!!

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥

Regina said...

How wonderful!

Regina said...

How wonderful!

Marsha said...

Forgot to say I love the mosaic as well!

Cynthia said...

Suzy, lovely heart-warming post ... pun intended.

I hope that your "normal" weather returns soon ... Maybe our will too.

Your flowers and veggies do look to be thriving. The flowers are gorgeous and the veggies look delicious.
... Lot of bright summer colors :)

Love the mosaic with the centerpiece of your veggies.

Cass @ That Old House said...

While you are having heat, here in normally steamy New Jersey, we had the 2nd coldest July on record! No days over 90 since a couple of random hot days in MAY. Amazing.

No global warming here. :-P

Your garden is stunning . . . and with meals like figs and good bread and cheese... who needs the stove?

Lovely post!
Cass

Jenn @ youknow... that blog? said...

Very nice! I love variegated flowers - they are so visually interesting! Especially a purple/orange combination. Just superb!

Glad you joined us for Mosaic Monday!

RobinfromCA said...

Just wonderful! I love the "might be" Charlie Brown rose!

Robin@Miscellaneous Thoughts

Debbie@Mountain Breaths said...

Suzy, your blooms and bounty are outstanding! We haven't gotten to 90 degrees this summer, which is rare for us. Great mosaic, glad you joined in.

Cathy said...

Your veggies and flowers are wonderful, but this little flower is totally wilted. I've had more than enough days over 90 degrees. Summer here in the NW is supposed to be 70 degrees. What happened?

Skoots1moM said...

sure wish i had that bowl of figs
great pictures

Cindy said...

Suzy, you're gotten spoiled living in the NW, lol. Hope you had a/c to get a little relief.

Love the pics, but especially that hot zinnia with the magenta center. Was it part of a mix or do you happen to know the name?

Suzy said...

LOL that might be true Cindy! I've never liked the heat. However! 106 and NO AIR isn't fun anywhere lol. There was a couple of weeks when we were as hot or hotter than my parents temps in Alexandria if you can believe it.

That Zinnia I believe is called Zowie. I didn't have it in my list of seeds planted but best I can tell that's it. Here's a link to compare. http://www.territorialseed.com/product/812/156

Lori said...

OMG what awesome zinnas!! The colors were magical, all from seed packages or plants?? Lori

Cindy said...

Thanks Suzy! I'm adding it to my list for next year. I see a few companies offer seeds.

Esperanza said...

I love my seed and bulb catalogues! I've also taken to harvesting seeds. My sunflowers, squash and melon are all from last years plants. So cool!

Suzy said...

We'll have to swap some seeds Bernadette! I love to try different sunflowers..they always seem to morph though.

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