Cats and Buterflies

The other day when I went out to capture a picture or two of the monarch butterflies two of the cats were sunning themselves in our back yard.  Seldom do cats pose.  They are really Kelsey and Hannah's cats.  I can not even pet them as they are not the friendliest cats.  The gray one is Bud and the other is Oreo.  They either share the same mother or are cousins.  The other cat is the black one that the girls named Midnight. 

Joe Pye Weed and a monarch.

School Days

Because Kelsey and Hannah live next door we get to often enjoy their company.  They have been coming over for breakfast since they started going to school.  At first it was to help Malissa get to work on time.  I like to think that now it is because the girls want to spend a bit of time with their Grandma and Grandpa.  Either that or they like our food better. 
Yesterday was their first day back.  Kelsey is a senior and Hannah a freshman.  Finally they will attend the same school again.  Hannah has been a 20 + minute drive away.  Kelsey has been here in town for the past three years.

Cucumbers

This is my first picking of cucumber.  The onions are ready to pull and dry also.

One easy summer cucumber salad is to peel and slice them along with some onion and then add a bit of mayo. 

After they are refrigerated for a few hours the water in the cucumbers along with the mayo will form a delicious dressing.   Salt and pepper to taste. 

Blackberries

I went out this morning to harvest the first of my blackberries.

I have one bush.  Some years twice this is about all I have

harvested.  This year it looks to be my best crop ever. 

Sweet, juicy, berries from our own back yard.