that's right. I'm proud.

I'm going to have my first ever successful tomato crop this year!  Well, cherry tomato crop.  But the problem is that I've been wanting to take pictures of these pretty little cherry's as they turn red, though for some reason my hand seems to pluck them off the vine and pop them into my mouth before I can ever get the camera out... so instead, I show you these little greenies... 




Last year I tried growing tomatoes, and I'll admit, it was a bust.  But I learned a few things along the way, that I'd like to share with you...

For starters, tomatoes like a deep root water, not a shower from above.  And, if you water in the evening {which I often forget to do} they have more time to absorb, than if you've watered in the heat of the day...  Second, I learned from my aunt that you can save and dry your banana peels, break them into little bits, and scatter them into the soil... pair that with a teaspoon of epsom salts once or twice a month, and your tomatoes will have more potassium, and grow to be a beefier fruitier tomato.

Last year the small bed on the side of our house was full of wild flowers, but I took them out in the fall, knowing that this year my baby hydragea would likely fill in.  And that she has...

One lone forget-me-not has come back, and I just don't have the heart to pluck it out of the ground... Perhaps I'll dig it up and put it someplace else... but in that space, I've planted some hen & chicks that are filling in nicely...

So they say, hen & chicks can produce flowers...  That I'd like to see, but for now, they are healthy and happy enjoying their morning sun.

With the way the weather is in Oregon, things can grow and take over in no time, so I'm trying to keep things simple and put the right plants in places, that won't grow too quickly...  However I'd be happy to see these little babies do their thing next spring...

Last but not least, last week the husby came home from a hot day at work, and put his hat and t-shirt on Sarah just to be silly... She thinks she's a princess... We aren't the type of people who typically dress up our dogs... but she does think she's something sweet when she's got the right attire.  Silly girl, gotta love the pooches. ♥

I can't believe summer is already coming to an end, and with that, I'll have new fall goodies in the shop to show you soon.  Hope all is well, and hello to August...  It's gonna be a hot one!