July Hijinks

Summer - just the word evokes deep memories - devouring still-warm tomatoes from our garden, juice running down my chin; the enticing aroma of hot dogs on the grill; dashing through the sprinkler in the back yard, with bits of cut grass stuck between my toes.

Sunset on Whitefish Lake - July 4, 2018

I may be a bit older now, but I still love the traditions of summer, and the boundless opportunities it offers to be outside in Nature's glory. Here are some warm-weather highlights from July.

ONE: PET-SITTING
Everybody takes at least a short vacation or summer trip, and so I was delighted to accept my neighbor's request to look after her cat while they went to California for a family wedding. Isn't Katniss just a darling?

TWO: PIE-MAKING
It may seem a bit late in the season for rhubarb, but I had a hankering that would not be denied. Early in the month, we visited a local farmer's market, and I was thrilled to find one stall with massive bunches of rhubarb. Result: two mouth-watering pies. Here is a link to the recipe.

THREE: STITCHING
The slower pace of summer (sangria on the porch, anyone?) lends itself to ~~naps~~ wrapping up projects. I am delighted to report that my tea towel project is complete!

FOUR: GROWING THINGS
No, not me - God and Mother Nature. My role is simply to capture the beauty, and there sure is plenty of that to go around …

Upper left: Pinedrops; Upper center: Bee balm; Upper right: Death Camas

Bottom: Petunias

From Left: Bog Orchid; Lupines and Blanket Flower near Many Glacier; Beargrass; Sticky Geranium

Very creative lollipop gift from a neighbor

FIVE: ENJOYING FAMILY AND FRIENDS
We have been blessed this month to host my in-laws from the UK, as well as my youngest brother and his wife. And we held two large parties at the house - one to honor all those who made our log home dream real, and one for Spousal Unit's 50th birthday. Yep, we made a few new memories this month!!

Upper Left: Swiftcurrent Lake; Bottom: Hidden Lake; Both in Glacier National Park

Swiftcurrent Lake at Many Glacier, Glacier National Park

Upper right: my in-laws marveled at the size of "2 scoops"

Middle right: Hand-made gift from a neighbor

Lower right: Bird seed house gift from in-laws

Left: Mountain near Many Glacier

And now I am writing this from the UK, where we are visiting my in-laws in advance of the wedding of Spousal Unit's only cousin. Despite the many years of summer holidays here, we can still find new places to experience.

Top and bottom: Royal Border Bridge in Berwick-on-Tweed, completed in 1850

Middle: Millennium Window - Church of the Holy Trinity

Walking the Coastal Path near Berwick-on-Tweed

Quarry Garden at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens; in ravines cut out of rock, a micro-climate allows for many

unique plants to flourish; this garden is one of only two quarry gardens in the UK

BONUS:
And just in case you have been longing for some new trail cam photos, here is the best of the bunch from July: a cow elk with a baby at her side. Now THAT'S a new summer memory to be treasured. What is your favorite summer memory?