finally, summer

It's been a gloomy June, and just when I was starting to despair that the entire summer would go by in a hazy blur, and then winter would be upon us (no, oh just, please, no) --- the sun came out. PHEW. I woke up this morning to a gorgeous and warm sunny day, which meant: a long walk with the dog to admire our neighbors' gardens (during which I underestimated just how warm it was, and we had to stop for a few minutes for a hot and weary Lola to rest in the shade of a tree); tinkering in my garden (the veggie plants are looking good, the hydrangeas are about to burst, and Sir Ian McGnomey's zinnia garden is in full bloom); a dog in the kiddie pool (instant cooling down for our Lola - well worth the $15 we spent on this tiny plastic pool last summer); Lola going crazy chasing the hose spray as I watered the lawn we just seeded yesterday; and feeling even more excited that I found an inexpensive little patio set at Target this past weekend (why is it so hard to find decent-looking patio furniture that doesn't cost a small fortune?), which will no doubt get plenty of use over the next couple of weeks when Kevin's parents come to town.

I'm off to the hardware store to buy some chicken wire to protect my veggie garden (those damn rabbits), and then it's dinner with friends at a Mexican place we've never tried. We have a fun weekend ahead, full of outdoor projects (weeding, mowing the lawn, moving some plants around, staining the deck and back fence), getting the house cleaned and organized in preparation for the in-laws' visit, a bachelorette party, a going away party, and a picnic and live music at the Lake Harriet bandstand on Sunday. If it's warm enough on Sunday, maybe we'll spend the first half of the day at one of the lake beaches. There is just nothing like summer in the Twin Cities.

I love this charming tiered garden in the neighborhood.

Tomatoes, basil, peppers, kale, and lettuce - in containers in the old sandbox we've been too lazy to dig out and replace with an in-the-ground veggie garden. Next year, maybe.

Those hydrangeas are looking to be spectacular this summer.

Sir Ian McGnomey and his zinnia garden. 

Hot dog in a kiddie pool.

Not too fancy, but it folds up for winter storage, so there you go. 

Happy weekend!