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?


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