Yep it has been one of those summers.
A summer I am ready to be done with.
A summer where nothing has gone as planned.
My first OH NO, happened with the bees.
My bees didn't survive the winter.
We had ordered another swarm in December with hopes of starting another hive this spring.
The new swarm went into the old hive.
But the queen was dead when I went to release her after a few days.
I spent a whole day scrambling to find another queen.
She arrived a few days later in all of her glory.
Thats her in the little cage
It wasn't long after her introduction into the hive I knew something wasn't right.
The bees didn't like their new queen.
The bees left.
I got my garden planted probably the earliest I ever have.
Things were growing good!
Then the rains came.
My poor little garden was flooded out at least 3 times.
What did grow the deer decided to munch on.
Then the weeds took over again!
I mowed most of it over yesterday.
Just a few tomato plants and peppers remain.
The pipeliner is still working out of town.
I spend a lot of time driving between home and the camper.
On one of my stays at the camper I forgot to put my new sour dough starter in the fridge.
Sadly when I returned home it had become a big jar of green mold!
YUCK!
Of course there has been a lot of fun summer time too!
The grandson loves camper time.
We go to the beach almost everyday he is here.
That other furry thing in the picture is our new addition to the family.
We brought Red home June 14th.
He is a fox red labrador.
Oh what was I thinking with a 2 year old trying to potty train
plus a dog!
Thankfully he likes to travel.
He will make a great pipeline puppy!
And he is growing fast!
He has already found his favorite spot to sit
Between rains storms,
I even managed to get some strawberries and cherries picked for jam.
Hoping thats enough to get us through the winter.
Even though this wasn't the summer I had imagined
last winter,
a bountiful garden, garden canned veggies lining the shelves,
and an endless supply of honey to slather on fresh baked bread.
It could always be a whole lot worse, right?
That is why I have made this my motto for the rest of my summer,
There is always so much to be thankful for!
Liz
so
It has been a blustery summer here also, hot hot hot. It was good to get caught up with you.
ReplyDeleteWe haven't had any heat until the past week or so. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteWe have had a lot of rain too. Thankfully, the plants survived, just not looking the greatest.
ReplyDeleteHope things continue to improve!
Cute puppy :)
Such a strange summer! I wonder what winter will bring!
DeleteOh Liz, I feel your frustration with the garden flooded so many times. We've had over 20 inches of rain this year, and we lost almost all of our garden. We are hoping the tomatoes hold out, but we are losing everything else slowly. Very wet. What a cute puppy! So darling!
ReplyDeleteI am hoping for tomatoes too! That is what I can the most of. Must be hard on you too, I know you can lots from your garden.
DeleteMy garden was rained on flooded, frost in JULY and weeds....I dreamed up better too. Too bad about your bees. We always have something to be thankful for.
ReplyDeleteJust a very strange summer! Looking forward to next year! lol
DeleteThe best thing about this post is the ending. You encouraged my heart today with that verse. My summer is not what I imagined either, so thank you! I liked the family picture you shared. What an interesting adventure you are on, as a pipe liner's wife, and now having a new puppy to train. Wish you the best!
ReplyDeleteThanks! It important to remember all of the good stuff and not focus so much on the bad!
DeleteSo sorry for all the problems. However, so glad you are able to see the good things too. Your puppy is adorable. I can't believe how fast he's growing by your pictures. It looks like 2 different dogs! :)
ReplyDeleteHope the rest of your summer is awesome!
I never thought he would grow THAT fast! lol
DeleteYes indeed, much to be thankful for,
ReplyDeleteBUT
Losing the bees, rain, flooding, losing the garden were sad loses.
Resilience wins . . . on we go . . .
I just keep saying, well there is always next summer!
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