Summertime Beauties

I am afraid I have become obsessed with peaches this year.

We are lucky enough to be close to the county that grows some of the best peaches that have ever touch my lips. 
The Chilton (County) peach truck comes to town weekly with

their bed loaded with these beautiful jewels. 

I made peaches and cream scones with a few from the last peck and 
I'll be making some more in the morning, with this one.

Since I cut and freeze some from every purchase,
I'll surprise the peach guys with scones next week.
Maybe I'll trade them for an orchard basket. 

Having to drive through Chilton County a 
few different times within the last couple of weeks
 (we pass through to get to Birmingham),
I had intentions of stopping and picking some up, 
but there's something so exciting (for me) to wait till they come to town.
I suppose it makes me feel like I'm living in a different time.

We will keep buying until the season ends because
there is nothing better than a sweet juicy peach
on a hot summer day. 

Except maybe peach ice cream.

I have thoughts of planting more peach trees in our family orchard (we have one) but I don't want to take away from my fairy-tale peach experience. 
 Besides, we love farmer's and want to support them the best way we can.
As long as they keep coming, we'll keep buying.

In the FPH Garden

Remember this?

Here is the now:

We had to do a little transplanting but boy, are they doing

well! The men of the family took mound building seriously.

These Lantana were transplants this past winter. One of the hardiest plants I have ever known, 

right next to Crape Myrtle.

{flip phone photo ~ don't laugh}

The rose above is one of two, of the great $4 Home Depot rescue. The scent of this rose

is so beautiful. I look forward to many years of fragrant cut flowers.

We are still designing areas of the yards and planning for our next wave of planting in late winter

(bare roots) and early spring. The plants we did plant, are doing well except for my hydrangeas

which I think get too much sun so I'll be transplanting them later.

Our gazebo is flourishing with Concord grapes and climbing rose.

I won't be cutting it back next season so that it completely covers the top.

It's a beautiful sight when that gazebo is covered with green. The shade will be much welcomed!

Last week I happened to look outside at the right moment.

I saw a little mockingbird fly into my rose tree with 

twigs in her beak. 

I peeked at it soon after and it was a perfect

cozy nest. A week later (today), this is what I found.

I love that we have birds nesting around our gardens. I'm not happy with them

when they're stealing our blueberries but that's what they make bird netting for, right?

Now, it's time for a little summertime break.

I'll be back in a couple of weeks with some e-x-c-i-t-i-n-g news!

Stay cool and enjoy the lazy days of summer.

xo

Small Town USA

Living in a small town, you can ask permission to host

an array of festivities, so we did. 

 Since our town does not hold a

4th of July parade {yet} we came up with a crazy idea

to host a 4th of July bike parade for the kids.

All photos courtesy of the Union Springs Herald, Kim Graham and Tracy Larkins. 

Thank you!!

We put the parade together and had wonderful help with goodies for the kids by the 

Larkins family that provided ice pops, water and chips for all participants.

We also had Patriotic necklaces, tattoos and glow sticks and our Tourism Council

had grocery sacks and pens to give away. 

We were small but mighty but the most important part of this was that the kids

had a blast being able to ride up and down our Main Street USA without

having to watch out for cars! :)

There's talk about a next year. We'll see!

Here's a little video {Thanks Kim!} to give you and idea of

how cool our little town is. 

I hope you all had a great 4th of July and celebrated America's birthday

with fun, family and friends.

239 and Counting

Happy Birthday, America!

photo source

Wishing you all a safe and glorious 4th of July!