Those of you who have been initiated into the mysteries of MST3K will get the reference.  If not, your loss.  Zucchinis are not to be sniffed at.  Here’s one I actually made one for my son once.  And the real deal, from my garden, posing with its yellow cousins.  Which is the real poser?

Here is the only kind of fence or wall anyone should wake up to–pumpkin blossoms, sunflowers, morning glories, and others who simply require sun, water, nutrients, and fresh air to thrive and beautify our world.  IMHO.

Here are your daily flower supplements.  Plus another pumpkin.  And the beginnings of my new herb garden, closer to the kitchen.  I’m determined to wrest beauty from this poor TN soil, and amend as needed.

Here are some sunny southern garden scenes:

As is our custom, we spent yesterday evening with the kids.  We also got some rare grownup conversation time, which is always welcome.

There was an ethereal misty sunset over the mountains, which my excuse for a camera could not adequately capture, but here is my attempt.

Also, they have peaches growing right outside their door!  How did I not know that?

Did I mention yellow squash?  Just today I got another half dozen from the garden.  So I adapted this fun summer squash “noodle” salad, made by julienning raw young yellow (or zucchini) squash, and adding garbanzos, tomatoes (from said garden), corn, peppers, (MSTies will appreciate the reference!), chopped fresh basil, parsley, chives, garlic, shredded mozzarella, fresh-ground pepper, and a homemade lime vinaigrette.  It’s really light and healthy, but filling.  With a local craft seasonal gose, and E’s homemade bread, it’s a whole balanced meal!

I can’t believe I’m growing a pumpkin!  Multiple pumpkins!  When we first moved in, we scrambled to just throw some seeds in the ground for this season, and hoped for the best.  These particular seeds I had saved from a local Ohio farm pumpkin, not knowing if they were even viable.  I planted them everywhere here–the veggie garden, the fence, even the compost pile, and they went crazy.  The vines are climbing the fence, and the large yellow flowers are cheery along with the tall sunflowers I planted along the fence.  (I stuck some corn in there for laughs, too, but the soil here needs some serious amending before anything will thrive.)  The morning glories are finally exploding into color along the fences, so it’s like a Pride rainbow out there.

So busy partying, I almost forgot to post my erev greetings.  (I still can’t believe I don’t have a hangover!)

Here are our fancy drinks from July 4th, some roasted herbed yellow squash and tomatoes from the garden, a food selfie that E insisted I take, and of course flowers.  Erev cheers.

My son’s birthday was spectacular on all counts.  I believe he had a good day and evening, and he certainly showed us a good time on the town (Knoxville).  We were honored to be able to share his day.

First we went over to his house, and with lots of help from the kids, set up and decorated for his party, while he got stuff done and took a break.  Here is the apple pie I baked for him (“we really do like pie”), and flowers from our garden.

Later, we drove (with E as D-Driver) to meet his friend C. at UnCorked wine bar for drinks and dinner.

Next, we experienced the unique Peter Kern Library, an authentic sophisticated speakeasy at the Oliver Hotel, with their distinctive crafted drinks in an historic prohibition atmosphere.

Then we took a stroll across the colorful walkway to the iconic Sunsphere, rode to the top, and looked out at the bright city panorama at night.

Next, we checked out the World’s Fair park play fountains, and ran around in them, which was a blast.

Then, we sat up on the Moonshine Roof Garden of Preservation Pub, with the Magic Beer Tree and flamingoes under the stars, overlooking Market Square with all its pubs, cafés, and shops, drinking beers.  There was music, a nice breeze, and good conversation.

Finally, we strolled past the graffiti art alley, talked to some strange street people, and stopped into Clancy’s (Irish)Tavern and Whiskey House for some final drinks.

It was already after midnight when we all said our goodnights and went our separate ways.  I hope Avdi’s birthday was as wonderful for him as it was for us.  I wish for many more together.

No, that is not a gargoyle on our roof.

One thing we’re learning about our new home–if you want something done, you do it yourself.  So far, each contractor we’ve tried to give business to has totally flaked out on us.  It’s either broken down equipment, employee screw-ups, or just plain lack of business professionalism.  Not unlike the so-called medical “professionals” we’ve dealt with so far.

In this latest case, the roof, which was shoddily done by the contractor under warranty in the first place, was leaking into our bathroom.  Long story short, E had to go out and buy a ladder, get up on the roof herself to see what supplies she needed, go back to Lowes (our other home) to get the parts, then back up on the roof to fix it in a few minutes.  Job done.

We (i.e. E, while I hold the ladder) do most of the repairs and maintenance needed on our house anyway, to save money, but as it turns out, we’re better off, here in the DIY State.  Unfortunately, that doesn’t always work with healthcare, but you do what you gotta do to survive.

Not complaining, just stating facts.  I think the “volunteer” in Volunteer State means you volunteer to git’er done yourself!  You’re on your own.