Take a deep breath of summer. A few weeks ago I headed out into the wilderness, our backyard, to take some pictures early in the morning before heading off to work. I had been meaning to take a picture or two of our wild roses, which we planted around our arbor what seems like ages ago. A former co-worker brought me several small plantings three years ago, and they have finally started to take off. B.O.B. Bob and I have spent years trying to get any plant to grow near our arbor with its soil of death, and we have finally had success. Just picture the two of us jumping up and down with joy, while zip-tying wild rose branches to the cream-painted wood of the arbor. That’s us. I can’t wait to share the pictures with my ex co-worker, and thank him for this wonderful gift of astonishing life. While I was out there taking pictures, I wandered around the yard snapping pictures of anything that looked good in the early morning light. I thought I’d share some of those pics with you today for The Thursday Thirteen.

1

I really wanted to get a picture of these gladioli when they were at their prime, but I was a few days too late. I love all of the different colors, and am planning on planting some more for next year.

2

Globe Amaranth’s are my new fave. I bought two plants in late spring, and they have lasted all summer long.

3

Kenny is thrilled that I finally cleaned the bird crap off of his head. Stupid birds. Don’t they realize that concrete farm animals are not toilets?

4

My darling Churchill loves to hide under the hydrangea bush.

5

Winston on the other hand, absolutely adores early morning sunshine, and is always ready to play fetch with his concrete garden balls. That didn’t come out right, did it?

6

I wish I could say that this rooster wakes me up every morning, but y’all know that the critter that always, always, always rudely awakens me is Brenna. That girl can out-crow any other creature on Earth.

7

These are my favorite garden tomatoes this year. Each year is different, and some varieties of tomatoes do better than others. B.O.B. Bob is loving the Roma’s this year, which means more of these little guys for me.

8

The zucchini sucks this year. Tons of blooms, but not a whole heck of a lot of actual zucchini action going on. The bees are not doing their job apparently. I may have to take matters into my own hands and help out with the pollination.

9

This is what happens when you let lettuce grow; it gets really big and flowers on top. It’s kind of pretty, but not really edible. Someone did not cut the lettuces down as requested. Guess who? Cough. Cough. Hint. Hint. Three-letter name, beginning with B and ending with B.

10

I can’t get enough of my darling little carrot tops. They always look so vibrant and healthy. My carrots are doing amazing this year, despite the fact that I forgot to thin them out yet again. I’m getting ready to pickle some baby carrots this weekend.

11

Finally, the real reason I went outside with my camera. I just had to take some pics of the wild roses that a former co-worker gifted to me from his farm. It has taken years to finally find something that would grow around our arbor, and I am pleased as punch that the day has finally come.

12

The wild roses are growing a little bit better on one side of the arbor, but only because they are getting more sunlight in that location.

13

I love nothing more than sitting outside on my deck, surrounded by the colors and beauty of nature in my backyard. It’s well worth all of the watering, weeding, and babying involved.