I can’t believe we’re at the end of July. That means it’s time for First of the Month hosted by Jan at Murrieta 365. This year I decided to follow my backyard through the months. Well, you certainly get to see the effects of the drought.
The poor lawn is mostly brown with just a few weeds poking up. I don’t know the last time I actually mowed. Luckily my fruit trees seem to be doing well. There are still a few brave peaches clinging to the upper branches where I couldn’t reach.
The apples are hanging in there. There are actually a lot that have fallen already, but there’s still plenty on the tree.
They are even starting to turn red.
My poor garden is actually going to produce something. Tomatoes are turning red!
Even the volunteer plants are starting to get some little tomatoes on them. Of course, the rain we got also means I need to go pull weeds again.
I even have a couple of peppers about ready to pick.
The one kind of tree I am concerned with is my big oak trees. They are losing leaves. It’s way too early for that.
While there aren’t many flowers blooming right now, the surprise lilies are making their appearance!
I’m not sure I’m really ready to say hello to August yet. Stella says she’s just ready for cooler weather.
How about you?
Linking to First of the Month
Linking to Wordless Wednesday at Project Alicia, Live and Love Out Loud, Tina’s Wordless Wednesday, Sarah Halstead and Create With Joy.
Teresa
Jul 31, 2012 @ 17:12:20
It has been so hot this summer that I think I’m about ready for fall. But then, this winter, I’ll be anticipating summer Never satisfied.
Jul 31, 2012 @ 17:19:31
I think I am actually looking forward to winter, but I want the cold to kill off the bacteria and parasites and let the ground rest.
Jul 31, 2012 @ 17:26:04
stella’s so cute. i bet she’s ready for some cooler weather. your apples look wonderful!
Jul 31, 2012 @ 17:27:12
I hope the apples quit falling. They have a ways to go before they are ready. I figure I’ll keep giving it some water, and that should help.
Jul 31, 2012 @ 17:36:05
Wishing you some rain.
Ever think of shaving Stella? She might like that.
My apples are letting loose and we have had some rain.
Haven’t had my yearly surprise yet, is getting kind of late, maybe they didn’t make it. I don’t know.
Another couple of months and we will wonder where summer has gone.
Jul 31, 2012 @ 17:38:17
I did cut a lot of fur off Stella~you just can’t tell it. I don’t think I got as much as I did last year, but she wasn’t letting me. I can’t make her sit still. She has no training.
Hope you get your surprise lilies to bloom. They really are beautiful.
Jul 31, 2012 @ 17:49:27
I am ready too- the heat, the drought, it’s all got me down. Stella is a cutie- I bet she would love some cool air!
Jul 31, 2012 @ 18:16:11
I’m thinking she’d like about fifty degrees cooler.
It has really been a summer to beat a person down. I will really be happy for fall.
Jul 31, 2012 @ 18:21:18
Stella does look like she would appreciate some cooler weather, poor furry thing!
Your apples are looking great and the tomatoes and peppers too. I hope you get some more rain to relieve some of the drought stress for the oaks.
Jul 31, 2012 @ 18:24:13
The garden is doing surprisingly well, but I’ve watered it a lot. The bean plants look great, but I haven’t had a single bean. I do hope the oaks can recover.
Jul 31, 2012 @ 18:40:49
I am soooo ready for cooler weather! I’ve never seen surprise lilies…but I like them! What are they?
Jul 31, 2012 @ 18:44:57
Lycoris squamigera They are beautiful, but they are poisonous.
Jul 31, 2012 @ 19:06:13
okay, i am jealous… i admit it…
i wish i had a garden.. and fruit tree…
http://jumpin-beans.blogspot.com/2012/07/ww-on-mission-with-harleydavidson.html
Jul 31, 2012 @ 21:45:30
It is really nice to live in the country where I have room for those things. Thanks for stopping by.
Jul 31, 2012 @ 20:05:13
I’ve been ready for a while! Poor Stella. With that thick fur she has more right to complain than anyone. Bless her! She’s such a pretty girl. So sorry for your drought situation. At least you have fruit and vegetables. It has claimed everything. :/
Jul 31, 2012 @ 21:46:42
I am really lucky. My corn is even looking pretty good. I just keep hoping for that little bit of rain to keep it going. I feel so bad for Stella. I did cut a lot of fur off, but it’s already growing back and she wasn’t quite a cooperative while I was cutting it this year.
Jul 31, 2012 @ 23:32:12
Beautiful photos… but I LOVE your dog!
Aug 01, 2012 @ 03:23:14
Thanks. Stella is a beautiful girl.
Aug 01, 2012 @ 07:55:28
It’s hot here as well, say hi to Stella for me!
Aug 01, 2012 @ 08:27:21
Hopefully we all get a bit of a cool down soon. Love your picture!
Aug 01, 2012 @ 08:33:44
Thank you! We usually get some storms in August which cool things down a little.
Aug 01, 2012 @ 11:20:11
We’ve had a pretty rainy summer so far, but it hasn’t been too cold. I’m ready for more sun, but I don’t want it to get too hot.
I can understand that Stella is ready for cooler weather. We had a German shepherd who loved to swim to get cooler.
Aug 01, 2012 @ 11:34:30
I would love to trade you a couple of our hot dry days for some rain! I do wish Stella would try a wading pool, but she wont’.
Aug 01, 2012 @ 12:18:53
It looks like you’ve had some success with your gardens…I’m ready for August, we need some cooler temps!
Aug 01, 2012 @ 12:40:43
I agree about the cooler temps. Maybe we can just skip to September!
Aug 01, 2012 @ 14:40:09
Happy Lammas!
What variety of apples are those? We have four trees but we only planted one, so that is the only one we know the variety of.
Aug 01, 2012 @ 14:47:43
I didn’t plant this one, but I think it is a Macintosh. Happy Lammas to you as well!
Aug 01, 2012 @ 16:22:57
time sometimes go by too fast. Doesn´t it.
Aug 01, 2012 @ 16:28:30
Sometimes yes, but I am very ready for this summer to be over. I’m torn. Can it be both too fast and too slow at the same time?
Aug 02, 2012 @ 00:54:03
I am glad that your fruit and garden are doing okay. Here, a local apple orchard owner has said that his apple crop is not looking too good. He is expecting his harvest to be down dramatically this season. The heat is taking its toll on the crops. Local farmers are coming up short on corn crops as well as hay.
I am ready for cooler temperatures myself. I just can’t take this heat. Hot flashes and 100+ degrees just do not mix. I hate to wish my life away, but come on Fall!!
Aug 02, 2012 @ 07:51:27
I really am ready for this farming year to be done. I’m not going to be able to get all the hay I need from my pasture. I am lucky because I know who I can buy from.
Aug 02, 2012 @ 22:06:40
I’m ready for cooler weather! You are lucky to have apples–all our tree fruits got frosted after blooming too early.
And have a question for Millie–do goats like salted peanuts or do I buy plain ones? I would have never thought to give them bananas. But they sure do go crazy over them–it is the only treat I’ve given them so far where they are literally butting the other away and gobble it up as fast as they can so they don’t have to share.
Aug 02, 2012 @ 22:13:03
I just get the peanuts salted in the shell like you get at Christmas. They eat shell and all.
See HERE.