Fried Green Tomatoes

...on the vine!

And now you know why growing tomatoes in Central Texas is so hard!

My best growing season for tomatoes is the fall. We usually have fresh tomatoes for Thanksgiving, and sometimes Christmas.

Alright all you flower detectives,
this came from a mix. I am thinking it is Mexican Hat. What do you think?

Gaillardia?


Now, I know what this is--a Sunflower on a bad hair day!

Ahhhh, just looking at this color makes me feel cooler.

And this is hot hot pink!

It has been SO hot here--okay, here is where YOU say, "How hot is it?" It's so hot the tomatoes are frying on the vine. It is so hot temps have been 103, 105, 107. I think the Weather Dude gets perverse pleasure telling us the heat index is 117. At these temps, it becomes a matter of which plants do I try to save. But yet, some plants seem to do quite well. The cacti, of course, the zinnias, the lantana. Even so, I hate to leave my gardens here as we take our annual trip north to see my family. We will be leaving Friday to make a family reunion near Branson, Missouri for the 4th of July (also our anniversary). We will then trek on up to the Quad Cities where my mother lives. We will spend most of July there. Mom, my sister, and I spend our days shopping (mostly looking), eating, getting mannies and peddies, and what ever else we can think of. I am hoping to help Mom with her weed issue that is getting her down. Hubby spends his days golfing, and we all meet to eat once again. Of course, we will be antiqueing all the way up there, all around the area, and then all the way back home! Hopefully the weather will be nice enough for some picnics. I know my brother will want to do a fish fry (I don't eat fish, but I will eat corn on the cob, potato salad, and baked beans). He has a cabin on the Wapsi in Iowa, and always has his freezers stocked with fish. We usually catch a few Music In The Park nights (which means pie and ice cream with coffee). We always have a grand time although I usually come home with more than I bargained for--several extra pounds. Sigh, no matter were I go, those nasty pounds always seem to find ME!

We look forward to getting away all year. It is usually much cooler there than here, and is almost painful to come back to the heat. By the time we get back, the roadsides are burned and bleached to a sand color by the sun. Even so, I already miss my home. The pups and cats start mourning our leaving when the suitcases come out, and Tucker usually tries to hide in one hoping to make his escape along with us. I will miss the next bloom cycle of the roses. The tomatoes will be done until September. Will the house sitters remember to feed the birds and make sure they have plenty of fresh water? I know they probably will, but I just can't think they will do it as well or as often as I would.

I probably won't be able to post while away. I will have Internet connection while at hotels, but when we get to my mother's there will be no wireless connection. Unless I find a coffee shop that will let me connect for free, I won't be able to visit all of you. I'm going to miss you! See y'all next month, and happy 4Th!