7.12.2011

Hiking, Mushrooms, and Garden Blooms

Some of our time off and away included taking advantage of the amazing sunny weather.  I say amazing, really it has rained so much this spring/summer, so when the sun is out it feels incredible!

When it rains like it has, sometimes three inches at a shot, the weather stays a little chillier and apparently it's perfect for mushrooms!  So on our latest hike I couldn't help but marvel at all the mushrooms that aren't normally there.  Some small, some huge.  Some yellow, orange, brown, or white. 


It really boggles my mind that they seem to pop out of no where.  And yes, I snuck in a slug picture.  It was as big as a twinkie.  Ok, a little smaller than a twinkie... but not a normal thing we would see on a July hike in New York.


Hiking also means time with Katie.  She loves the outdoors!  Sammy (the pup) is almost ready and cleared for hiking, but has one last round of shots to go.  This may be one of our last hikes as a family of three. 

Just look at that big grin!


We have a spot that we typically go to.  It's close, it's a decent hike at some where between six and eight miles, and it's interesting!  It also has lots of big rocks to climb on and marvel at.  Rocks that were dropped by glaciers a long long time ago.  Rocks that are fun to pose on for pictures or use as a table to eat a picnic lunch.

Did you know that rocks dropped by glaciers are called erratics?  --now you might be able to say you learned something today :)


Yes, we're goof balls.  Dontcha, love it?
And this has to be one of my new favorite snaps of Katie!  Smiling ear to ear, big pink tongue, and you can see all those leaves and moss bits in her coat.  Yup.  This is a classic Katie shot!


I also have a lot going on garden-wise! 

The bee balm has been blooming and attracting humming birds.  We have one particular male humming bird that seems to have claimed the garden as his.  I have yet to get a picture of him, but he's beautiful with a bright red spot under his chin. 

This is just one of the many bunches of the flower that I have through out the gardens.  This is my favorite one since it has all three colors... red, fuchsia, and purple.  The purple is just starting to come and only one of the flowers is open.  The fuchsia or pink are the shorter stems next to the tall bright red ones.  I really feel like it's summer when these are in full bloom!


The veggie garden is also doing really well.  We have been enjoying lettuce (romaine and simpson), the sugar snap peas are just about ready, and tomatoes are forming by the handfuls.

My surprise this morning was to see how many cucumbers have popped up!  I mean literally last weekend I had a lot of flowers, and this morning I see four cucumbers --YUM!

Rounding out the list, the strawberries are still forming and ripening, but each time I get close to having a few I think the chipmunks are getting them first.  Sigh.  Some for them, hopefully some for me! 

And that last picture on the bottom right are the jalapenos.  With the cold and rain, I didn't think the hot peppers would work out at all.  But, I have been happy to see the little plant plugging along.  It flowered and sure enough... here come lots of peppers.  I couldn't be happier!


And last, but certainly not least... a few other flowers are beginning their show.  The hosta (two top purple flowers), the yarrow (pink one), and the daisies.  I really do love this time of year!! 


日本のための多くの愛
Much love for Japan

10 comments:

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hi Christie! You made really lovely summer post! Katie must have enjoyed your trip around in that beautiful nature! How great your vegetables are growing so well - great photos of muchrooms and other treasures!
xxx Teje

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Love you photos, especially the slug and the veges. The cucumbers and peas look so yummy.

MJ said...

Welcome back!! Love all your beautiful pictures that you have to share with us, especially all the cool mushrooms and even the slug!! Your garden is looking fantastic!!

Seaweed and Raine said...

Looks like everything is growing really well at your place! Love the peas. Have you tried putting a cage over your strawberries made out of fine chicken wire? I had to do that here to keep the rabbits away from ours. You have some great fungi images - I love walking through the bush :)

Jientje said...

You DO have a lot going on right now, I love your veggie garden and the flowers are stunning. But what I love most is Katie's smile, cute as ever!

zsazsazsu said...

your post is great, pics are wunderful, Katie is more than a model and I am jealous of what is growing in your garden !!!!! ;-)

Olive said...

Your garden is beautiful and we are partial to bee balm here and find the blooms fascinating. I have an awful time getting pics of hummers but I am still trying. Your veggies look wonderful too. Visiting from Tracie's.

Jacque Ferreira said...

Brought back good memories of hiking along the beach with my best friend, Katie looks like a great friend and hiking partner. Your garden looks beautiful, sitting here reading garden post makes me want to jump up and work on mine! Happy Gardening~ Jacque

Larry said...

What a great post! Including the humongous slug despite the fact that I'm not a slug fan! Larry

Fishtail Cottage said...

Thanks for sharing over here at Cottage Flora Thursday's! Some very interesting looking mushrooms....& your companion is darling! xoox, tracie

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