Is it really summer?

It sure doesn't feel like summer here in the Pacific Northwest. We have seen many cloudy and cool / rainy days since Memorial Day (and even before that). On the one hand, I'm extremely grateful for the cooler temperatures. I don't do well in the heat, and even though we have air conditioning in the house, it is not my favorite thing to be all hot and sweaty. (This may have something to do with my disdain for exercise... hmm...) On the other hand, I have been finding myself longing for warmer and sunnier days. This is so unlike me!

Anyway, it is actually summer here. I am enjoying the longer days and tending to my flowers in the back yard. Speaking of which, I broke down and bought a beautiful hanging basket. It's a new variety of petunia this year with green edges and purple centers. You just have to see it to believe it!

Close up of "Probably Picasso"















The entire basket:


And, some other photos from the back yard:

Pink:

and you have to have a fuchsia!


last, but not least - my favorite photo of the day:



Even Sydney knows that sometimes, you just have to stop and smell the flowers!

Have a safe and relaxing 4th of July!