an island of happiness

Today is a holiday in Canada, so Derek is home and we are all enjoying being together as a family.  We've had a hectic week leading up to this restful weekend, and so are doubly thankful for our rest. Derek has been doing odd jobs around the house (see the red caboose?  you know your daddy loves you when...), we mowed the lawn, picked sweet peas, and have been reading our books. 

I just can't believe it's August!  It makes me sad to know that Summer is so far gone.  But the garden is producing beautifully and my joy in our yard and garden is truly overflowing.  We are eating delicious peaches and plums from the states, peas and beans and onions, dill and basil from our own garden, tomatoes are well on their way, the pumpkin vine (only one of the three I planted survived) seems to be growing a foot a day - I swear if I could video tape it you would see what I mean, the baby potatoes are coming in at the farmer's market and tonight we're BBQing hamburgers and having a potato salad made from all fresh ingredients, and a summery watermelon.  I was in ecstasies over these wonderful summery goodies when I went outside to photograph my garden, got carried away and forgot that I left my sourdough bread to rise on the deck...and the dog got it.  

It had risen quite well before Linus stuck his nose in it.  I am not a patient person, and sourdough has required a lot of patience for me - and I thought this batch I had finally got everything right!  bah.  Don't you just sometimes want to drop-kick a dog who eats strawberries and raspberries off the bush, digs up and eats carrots, tears around your rhubarb chasing the cat, and then goes and eats your bread dough.....?!  Most of the time I can laugh at our vegetarian dog, but he better not discover tomatoes.  I am on tenterhooks waiting to see red(roma)...or yellow(plum)...or purple(heirloom)!