I know, I know, September already. I just heard on the weather network that autumn in our part of the world will continue to be warm for weeks to come. Fine by me.

And now I'll take you on a tour of our little half-acre. Above...the grapes. This bunch is gone now. I gave it to my dad over at the Lodge. But we have more, much more....

In fact this year the grape crop has been spectacular. The vines are now ten years old, maybe it takes that long for a really big haul or maybe the bees were out at just the right time. We won't be stomping them for wine though, just eating them and making jelly.

This tangle of tomatoes is coming to an end but they look pretty just hanging there. I've made all the tomato sauce we could possibly eat as well as a batch of pesto from the basil growing beneath these vines. I've also given a lot away.



 Then there are the things I didn't plant, like these sunflowers and poppies that appear every year on their own accord and grow where their whimsy takes them.



More renegade poppies sharing space with the yellow beans.

And here's a surprise...next to the hostas the ferny fronds of asparagus. I have no idea how they got there but I will continue to encourage them. There aren't enough to cook yet but the feathery stalks are lovely.

Despite getting off to a rough start this spring the pond has flourished. The four adults, two orange, two white, have produced MANY babies, some still quite tiny and others the size of sardines. I love this white fish. You can see the hint of orange under its scales and when it opens its mouth it's very orange inside.

I hope this summer's end takes its time to arrive. Enjoy the long weekend if you can.