The first of our (many) sunflowers opened this weekend. It was actually a volunteer plant, this one. There were so many in the garden that I found this year, and where they weren't in the way or wouldn't make too much shade for plants beneath them, I just let them be. Which means that we have sunflowers coming up everywhere and anywhere right now. In the middle of a garden bed full of bush beans? Sure! At the edge of the cabbage bed? Yes!
I'm not the only one who is thrilled with the abundance of flowers in the garden right now. Of course all the pollinators are too! I find our honeybees (and others!) all over the place right now, and judging from the frames that Steve keeps adding to the colony, I'd say they're quite happy indeed. Harper has taken a bit of a fondness to tending the bees with Steve....though I think a large part of that can be credited to the joy of playing with fire (via the smoker). Whatever the draw, I love watching them out there together working the bees.
Ah, this peak of summer is so colorful! I am doing my very best to bottle it up for February. Literally, in the jars of preserves being added to the shelves each day, and the frames of honey being built. And figuratively, in my heart and in my mind, as I try to remember to slow it down this time of year. Savor, enjoy and delight in the height of this season.
Wishing you a wonderful start to your own week, friends!