I wish I had a photo of this, but it would have required stealth and a zoom lens.  Yesterday evening the zinnias outside my office window were covered with goldfinches!  They perch under the flower and eat the petals!    Between the finches and the hummers, it’s quite a spectacle out there.  Next year (if there is a next year) I will expand that bed into a flower buffet for birds.

E has been her usual industrious self.  She made and installed these shelves for herbs and spices next to the stove. She also baked this delicious Italian-style bread.  One loaf “disappeared” almost immediately, it was so good.

It’s so frickin’ hot out, I have to limit my work in the garden, but I do manage to plant and maintain things each day.  I planted a half dozen of these homegrown dark opal basil plants around the herb garden, and this hardy ice plant (bought) above the California rock garden.

My corn is actually forming ears, so it’s only a matter of time until the varmints beat us to it.  The tomatoes are starting to trickle in.  The main veg garden seems to grow volunteer flowers more successfully than veggies, but it’s colorful.  One thing about gardening down here–it’s always a challenge, so I’ll never be out of work!