Backyard Scrapbook

I have adored our backyard this season! We had so many days of gorgeousness that I have spent a crazy amount of time enjoying the extra space we have for only about 4 months out of the year. 

It's always an interesting experience for me what I can manage to keep alive the whole summer and what just doesn't work. I have to laugh because what else can I do?! 

The above picture is what I was beginning to think were weeds that I was watering from seeds all summer. Imagine my surprise when they finally started blossoming flowers! But they had to grow crazy tall before they did and some extend beyond the top of the fence. Who can figure?

This is the first year I've kept herbs alive. We've enjoyed a lot of basil! Included in the pot is also peppermint, thyme and oregano - none of which I really know what to do with. The peppermint is interesting to chew on, I guess. But what else? The other's I might use in spaghetti sauce when I get around to it but if you have any ideas, let me know. Parsley was also in there but after I used some of it, it never came back. 

I don't mean to brag but ... We have some awesome hot peppers! We grew jalapeños and cayenne chilies and they've done really well. I made some jalapeño poppers and copious batches of salsa.

And these are my sad, pathetic tomatoes that make me laugh every time I'm out there watering them. I started with three plants. One just up and died overnight in a shrivelled up mess. The other two never did rebound. 

I thought I'd better take a picture of my mums before they go down the toilet. It's a good thing too because shortly after this the pot fell over and the whole thing has become top heavy with the flowers spread apart. What the heck?!

Let's focus on my peppers, shall we?

And my ferns. I rock the ferns! I'm so proud of them that I'm sad to see them go. I could try and take them inside before the first freezing but I don't know how to keep plants alive inside. 

Right now it's so hot outside that I really don't want to go out there. I'm starting to get the fall itch and it's killing me not to bring up all 7 boxes of fall related decorations and whatnots. I put in my Pumpkin Chai order from David's Tea and my pretty teal box arrived at my doorstop full of 400grams of fall flavour delight. So be sure to stop by and have a cup (or two) of tea with me, will you?

I have also managed to resist making soup even though it's KILLING me. My sweet and thoughtful husband gave me back in June for my birthday a beautiful Le Creuset French oven that has soup and stews just waiting to be made it it. Must. Keep. Grilling. 

Ever since I've started keeping Morning Pages and a Bullet Journal, I've become slightly obsessed with composition notebooks. I went notebook happy when we were down in the States because everything is cheaper there!!! So now I have a stack of these little beauties all ready to contribute to my overall sanity and well being. Or something like that. 

And we are back in farmer's market season and Z and I try to go every Saturday morning after we get some schooling done. Bad thing is, we just don't go through as much food as when Will is around so we have to eat the produce I buy fairly fast!! Also, no one seems as excited as me by a bunch of kale, a beautiful bag of brussel sprouts, or those adorable patty pan summer squash. I live with crazy people! 

Alright. As lovely as my cool air-conditioned house is feeling right now I will force myself to go sit outside and read my book and drink a cold beer. After all, it's still summer!