Dog Days, Squirrel Days, Either Way They're Spelled H-O-T!

Oh, yeah. The dog days (squirrel days) of summer are upon us.

When my Sammy Squirrels go flat, and don't even flinch when I open the door, 

you know the temperature is closing in on 100.

It's been brutally hot for at least the past 5 days. How I'd love a good old summer rainstorm.

I think Sammy would, too. 

When he and his friends do muster up the energy to move around a bit...

... they don't go far. They like being near the sound of the water running in the fountain. Sammy brings his peanuts right up next to the fountain to eat. Pretty smart since he can follow up his meal with a nice cool drink. It looks like Mr. Blue Jay in the background has the same idea.

And little Chip is looking awfully impatient while waiting for Sammy to move. 

I think he wants to get a nice, refreshing drink from the fountain himself (either that or steal Sammy's peanut to tuck into his other cheek!) It looks like he found only one peanut for the right side!! Silly Chip.

Wishing you steamy summer heat if that's what you love,

or gentle rains and balmy breezes if that's more to your liking!

This week I'm linking to Tracie's Cottage Garden Party at the lovely Fishtail Cottage

and Cindy's Show & Tell Friday at the beautiful My Romantic Home.

Donna

Crimson and Clover....

...also known as a "picnic in the park" (or in this case, the backyard)...


Thank goodness I got photos of the Crocosmia when they were in bloom because they are now but a memory...


They're such vibrant flowers, definitely a favorite with the hummers.


How I wish they lasted longer!

And what's a picnic without food?

Overhead picture cam, so you can really get a good look at Little Chip's BIG cheeks!

He totally enjoyed the picnic...

..and asked if we could do it again ... soon! (Of course, Chip.)

And who does the clover call to?

No, no, Little Cottontail. Those are hostas. You want the clover...

Nope.

Still the hostas.

That's better... hop along now...

I am always amazed at how these little bunnies blend right into the background. That's him, right above my watermark in the lower right hand corner!

I'm happy to report that Little Garden Bunny gave Little Cottontail very good instructions on how to get to the clover patch, and the last I saw him, he was headed straight for it.

The humidity is supposed to lift overnight... It should be heavenly tomorrow! Wishing you beautiful summer days wherever you are!

Donna

The Chip Whisperer....

(A photo of "Back Yard Chip." All of our Chips are named for the locations of their little holes/dens. It is Backyard Chip that appears in the following video)

A sweet little video of Amanda, home from the city for a few days, feeding Back Yard Chip out on the deck this week...
I think it was my good friend, Claudia, who used the term Chip Whisperer in a comment she left in one of my previous "Chip" posts. Love it! haha Bless the beasts and the children... Donna

"C" is for cushions and Chips

The new cushions are now on the patio set.... (and let me preface this by saying please excuse the mess - the tables need a good scrubbing from winter storage and the patio is in desperate need of sweeping - yet again!)


My first choice was a nice green and white pattern, but the CTS I was at didn't have four in stock (I need 2 for the loveseat and 2 for the chairs), and since I didn't feel like running around to several stores to find 4 that matched...


... I just went with a very bright blue/green/lavender/white stripe. (At least they match the bright plastic tables I got at Wal Mart several years ago! The little waterfall fountain was also from Wal Mart several years ago. I love sitting down there, having the sound of running water in the background.)


The three tiered mosaic plant stand table was also purchased at Christmas Tree Shop several years ago.


This is the patio last year and the cushion set that I loved and was so sorry to have had to toss...


The cushions had green and white seashells on a blue background, and I wish they'd lasted forever!! Even though they were stored in the shed during the winter months, they still got stained and moldy from the occasions where they would get damp in the summer rains (even under the tent cover)... The weather resistant cushions are all $25 and up (at least the ones I've seen), but eventually I may have to break down and go that route so they'll last (rather than the less expensive ones from CTS).

Here's a favorite picture of mine... Hubby feeding one of our Chips out on the patio last year.

And this is me feeding one of our Chips a couple of weeks ago...

The Chips come running whenever they hear or see me working out in the garden because they know I keep peanut treats in my pockets... (excuse the dirty fingernails!)

I love to plant and dig in the dirt without garden gloves. I know I should wear them, and I occasionally do, but I really love the feel of planting and potting with my bare hands. And when I'm done, I set the hose on JET spray and boy, does that gets rid of all the dirt underneath my nails until I go into the house to actually wash my hands with soap and water!

Wishing you all a summer full of your favorite treats!!!!

Donna