This and that

There, we've gotten Sasha's sleeping picture out of the way first thing......

The weather here has been quite hot, almost record breaking.   With the heat comes the humidity in this part of the country.   Dave is loving every minute of it, cooped upstairs painting and sweating happily.

Barb, originally from California and now living here, evidently loves it also!   This heat and humidity are really making the heretofore reluctant flowers just pop out of the ground.

Our bird feeder is like Grand Central Station now.   American Goldfinches, Rosebreasted Grosbeaks, Carolina and House Wrens (although they complain loudly when they find no mealy worms there) Chipping, House, Song and White Crowned Sparrows, Chickadee, Titmouse and Nuthatch, a sweet little pair of Hairy Woodpeckers, Blue Jays, a female Cardinal and even a couple huge blackbirds are constantly looking in our kitchen window as they stuff their little faces with seed.    We hear Baltimore Orioles in the trees, enjoying the tender new buds.

In between working and planning, we find time to enjoy our second cup/cocktail rituals outside and
visit with some good friends.

Faces at second cup

Last Saturday Cindy and Walter came up and brought some of their good Kentucky Bourbon and mint and - you guessed it - I rustled up some pretty decent Mint Julep's (if I don't say so myself!).      I know we were a week late, but we often enjoy being fashionably late.     We sat out on the patio and enjoyed them so much, I forgot to take a "pre" picture, so all you can see is a
rather unappetizing "post" shot of a little bourbon and mashed mint leaves.    Sorry.