It is hot and humid here now, not my favorite time of year. I really do hate the heat, especially when it climbs above 80 and the humidity is high. The good things about summer, though, are pretty birds, beautiful flowers and fresh produce. Our local flock of goldfinches are feasting daily at the feeder. Here, six males are cooperating nicely, sometimes they peck at each other. The ladies were all hanging out in the oak tree.
At the farmer’s market produce stand, the strawberries were amazing.
The tomatoes are delightful – huge, red, and so flavorful! I gathered some fresh basil from my garden and got a loaf of artisan sourdough bread.
I toasted the bread, chopped the tomato and basil for the topping, and drizzled a bit of olive oil over it. Yum!! Bruschetta!
My tomatoes are coming along, I hope to have a lot ripening in the next couple of weeks.
I have what looks like a spaghetti squash on the way.
And, surprise! Under a large leaf, this butternut is coming along. I just hope they make it to full growth and ripening.
Out back, the hostas continue to bloom between the garage and retaining wall. I have seen hummingbirds here almost every day, but they fly away before I can get the camera.
The hydrangea bush is loaded with flowers. They are returning to the blue side, so I need to put more lime on them.
Here’s your Gracie photo for the week.
The veranda is loaded with flowers, too. If it cools off in the evening, it is a pleasant place to sit. Sometimes in the early morning it is nice too, but only if the humidity is low.
The impatiens in the birdcage seem quite happy. The spider fern isn’t getting as big as I hoped it would.
On the outdoor table, the pot of pink double calabrachoa is blooming well. It looks lovely in its white planter, and is the perfect size. Now if it would just cool off enough to eat at this table, I’d be happier.
Such pretty flowers! The double row of petals has such a delicate look.
I’ve been playing around with the idea of having some Christmas projects for you this month. I hope to get enough done so I will have a couple of things done by mid month.
One is a project I have wanted to do for some time, but haven’t gotten to yet. Seemed like this year may be it. You can probably guess where it is going from this photo of my supplies for it. It isn’t going as originally planned, so I am having to make some adjustments in the overall design.
When I got stuck and needed time to think about that project, I pulled more fabrics out and cut more pillowcase kits. Here are 20 more ready to go. I’ve now cut 40 yards of fabric for the project.
Then, I found these fabrics while trying to organize my bins. They will likely get cut into kits too. I am determined to use up every appropriate fabric for this project that is not earmarked for another project. This is part of my problem, I buy things I like, or pick them up at the freebie table, without a plan for using them. I think the light green at the top right will work as cuff fabric for most of these prints. Then I’ll cut a neutral white or ecru for trim. Everything else will get a neutral for the cuff, and a solid for the trim.
We may not do the September sew day at this point, as there seems to be some disagreement on the way it is set up. I don’t know if it will stay on the schedule or not. So, I plan to begin sewing these at home and have them ready to either turn in on the day, or deliver them myself later. That is the plan for now anyway. We’ll see how it goes.
From My Carolina Home 
Thanks for sharing the beauty in your world. We have a bit of humidity and it all feels a bit in between in the gardens but the hydrangeas are beautiful here this year – last year not so much. You did great pulling all those fabrics and sorry you won’t have your sew along to work on them but I know once you get going on them you will fly through the projects and make a lovely dent in the stash!
Good morning, Carole. Our heat has been in the mid to upper 90’s and high humidity. It feels like you have opened a hot oven when you open the door to go outside! The bruschetta looks delicious for a hot summer day. I love all the flowers on your veranda, they are beautiful!
I like the idea of pillowcases, but what size do you cut the body and cuff strips?
Do you have a blog detailing what to do? Please let me know.
Warm Regards,
Ursula
Yes, see this post Pillowcase Project.
Dear Carole,
Thanks for your quick reply. I am going to make some pillowcases. I will try your roll-up method. I don’t have serger but a French seam is easy enough for the last bit.
I am a Canadian living in Scotland, married to a Brit. I enjoy reading your chatty posts and I am amused by your car clubs, especially the Minis.
Our local quilt group is called Castle Quilters of Dunbar, we will have our exhibition on the 19th -20th of July and I will try to make a couple of pillowcases for the Sale Table. Generally I am a hand quilter, top and quilting, but I will have a go and let you know how they go.
warm regards,
UrsulaThompson
Your porch is beautiful!!
Humidity always gets me, but we don’t have it like you do. We have had a week of gorgeous weather here, but the temps will climb this week, requiring careful window management to keep the house cooled. So. Many. Pillowcases!!!!!! Your stash busting report will be something else!
Carole, I, for one, think your idea for our sew day is great. If people want to bring their machine and sew, there will be plenty of cases to sew with all you’ve cut. I’m not sure what the complaints are about set up, but it has my vote!
I dislike heat and humidity, too, but it looks like your flowering plants love it! Lots of pretty things out there on your veranda. The strawberries and tomatoes look delicious! I’ll have to check out our local farmers market to see if they’re getting anything like that yet. Good luck with your pillow case project – it looks like you are well prepared!
I had beautiful hydrangeas and azaleas along mine and neighbors property line and the heat and lack of rain has dried them up terribly. I’m not sure if they will come back or not. Our temperature has been in upper 90’s for the last week with high humidity. Our forecast for today is 83 and thunderstorms…bring it on..we can use the rain.
the one good thing about the heat, I have been staying in and working on my cross stitch pieces and my many quilt projects. There’s the silver lining.
have a great day!
flowers and veggies – what could be better.
My mouth is watering over your tomato, basil, olive oil bruschetta! Your calibrachoa is beautiful!
Hope your sew day gets back on track! Many hands make light work.
Stay cool and hydrated!
The bruschetta sounds wonderful. Ventured out to a new Farmer’s Market this morning with a plan to purchase fresh produce. Alas, the vendor backed out at the last minute. Big disappointment but certainly not life changing. Goodluck with the pillow case project. Hope it all works out.
The pillowcase sewing day sounds a wonderful idea and would be a disappointment if it didn’t go ahead. There must be a few like yourself that have prepared for this fun day. Fingers crossed it goes ahead.
Your verandah looks lovely as usual and hope the humidity lessens soon so that you can enjoy some mealtimes out there.
Mmmmm Bruschetta – very yummy!!
Mary :))
Sweet little Gracie sitting so pretty. Your double purple calibrachoa is really pretty especially sitting in the white pot Hope you had a great weekend.
I love all your photos of the flowers and plants. The humidity is more than I can handle and with the kitchen at 80+degrees, a cold supper is always much more enjoyable than anything I feel like cooking! Big salad and sandwiches in the heat. I’m sorry to hear that “organizing” for a sew in day is maybe causing it to cancel. Honestly!! Spent some time in my sewing room this weekend at the embroidery machine. Off to guild this morning.
You have a nice crop of summer vegetables growing Carole! I think it’s really hot everywhere right now, but your porch does look like a delightful place to sit and enjoy~ try to keep cool!
Jenna
Lovely photos all, Carole. It’s blooming there! I never got “real” strawberries this year but cherry season is in full force and I’m taking advantage of every bit of it. I have humidity issues too. Heat I can handle but the combo is a killer. Your birds are looking marvelous, too. We’re at the lake — a mix of cool and rainy, warm and sunny. Well, there are plenty of books to read!
I really do long for Summer when I read your post!