I have two posts up today. Scroll down for my book review – it’s a great book and I’m giving away a copy.

Earlier this summer, I decided to add a narrow bed in front of the dog corral. Those of you who are long-time readers know that the dog corral is made out of chicken wire fencing. It does its job, but let’s face it, it’s none too attractive. I thought adding a few plants grown from seed might add a bit of beauty to an otherwise blah area. I got this idea late in the spring, so my plants have begun to bloom only in the last few weeks. Sort of nice, this late-blooming garden.

I planted zinnia and sunflower seeds. If you read this post, you’ll remember that, instead of sunflowers, I was getting zinnias and hyacinth bean vines. Go figure.

Here is my funky little plot. You know what? It does disguise that chicken wire rather nicely.

 Aren’t zinnias amazing? Big white petals, with little yellow flowers in the center.

Brenda, these are for you. I know you miss seeing your zinnias.

 Each one is unique.

But wait, what do I see?

That’s no zinnia. That, my friends, is sunflower! And darned if there aren’t two of them.

We’re so excited! We’re finally going to have some sunflowers. Don keeps checking on them every day.

Thank you to everyone who keeps checking in on me. We’re doing as well as can be expected. Scout is having a very hard time, so we are spoiling her and doing everything we can to help cope with this change. I can be fine for several hours and then lose it, like I did last night. The minute I hit the pillow I started crying. It’s hard for me to drive by the animal hospital and, since it’s on the road into town, I have to. I just look away. We’re okay, though.

A reminder about Saturday’s new meme/party: A Favorite Thing. This whole idea grew out of this post, where I shared my great-grandmother’s syrup jug. That led me to ponder the idea of a weekly party where we all can share a favorite thing. It could be an antique, a vintage find, a favorite piece of furniture, a garden, an appliance, a book, a film, a CD, a tree, a place, a car- you name it. It just has to be a true favorite thing. That’s all. This will be a weekly party, taking place on Saturday. But I will put up the post on Friday night, with the links available, so that you have extra time to post if your weekend is particularly busy.

I think it will be lots of fun and goodness knows, we can all use some fun.

Happy Wednesday.

P.S. The Etsy shop is open again!