
Summer seems to be officially here in Alabama. With temperatures hovering very near 100 degrees, it is really unbearable to be out in the middle of the day. I had the bright idea that I wanted to clean up some flower beds on Monday. It really didn't feel so bad outside at 9 in the morning. I trudged off to Lowes and purchased some new cedar mulch, marigolds, some verigated greenery that I don't even know the name of, lantana (my grandmother always had that), and some gerber daisies. Then I saw the peonies (my grandmother had those too), followed by a bush called rose of sharon althea and a dwarf crepe myrtle. Putting down the new mulch and weeding the beds went well. Planting the marigolds and lantana was easy. Then I looked around at the larger pots of peonies, althea and crepe
myrtle. What was I thinking??? The soil in our yard is hard. I remember once my husband and father-in-law planting some trees. My husband gets the shovel and the axe out of the garage. My father-in-law wondered why the axe---he realized why when they tried to dig. Thankfully my plan for these larger bushes was to put them in place of some others that had died. I did manage to dig holes deep enough to put the bushes in. It was very hard and I was very thankful that I had only purchased four larger plants. I have watered every day because we have had no rain and the almost 100 degree heat is rough on my plants. AHHHH summer in Alabama. Actually I wouldn't trade it.In the shop, we are happy to have some great new plates and wall tiles from Little Worm and Company. The age plates are so cute. You can actually have your child's current age put in the center of the plate. The wall tiles are a new addition and would look great in any child's room. Another new addition is the first birthday doll from Gund. She is so sweet and plays Happy Birthday. We embroider the birthday girl's first name on the bottom of the dress and it is so sweet. These dolls sell out quickly and
are currently on back order but are so cute I just had to mention them. Off to work some now (and not outside). I think I have done all the planting for now. I have enough to water at this point. Hopefully all of you are experiencing a great summer as well. I love this time of year when I have some extra special time with both my boys at home relaxing (or being bribed into service in the shipping department). Have a great rest of June!










