We worked in phases, well mainly Papa Bear. Sometimes he rallied his troops, Baby Bear is always ready and able to take on the tasks at hand, while the other two would slither back indoors for a snack or back to their recharged phones. They are on summer break.
I’m usually in the kitchen or trying to keep up with the laundry and lately at war with the white flies that are eradicating the herbs in the greenhouse. I have pulled a few weeds in the great outdoors on loamy soil, barefoot. It’s been dispiriting, not pulling weeds, I don’t mind that—it’s reflective and emits instant gratification. Watching the seeds grow in and filling in with what was once a curvy edge is dampening. There was a playfulness and tenderness to the undulating dirt edge along Red, the driveway and along the street edge. An edge where little brown feet would trail and witness pale pink on wild strawberry plants.
I imagined a river of black stone to contrast the house, but something needed to soak up the water. Steady afternoon rain followed by crackling thunder rumbling throughout the weeks gearing up to summer, yet under our bare feet, soppy soil. Time was not on our side, nor was a budget, so Papa Bear forged on despite my strong hesitation and seeded until there were no more curves. The verdant carpet now pervades the terrain and forms straight, sharp lines. The curiosity and playfulness of a thought-out biodiverse community that could have been is now farther afield. Trying to wisely utilize what we get too much of even when the sun peaks out takes time and discussion. Now it’s too late. The less said about the grass the better, even when our non feral feline opted to squat among the seeds before they saturated into the harsh edge; the only thing that may save this unforgiving scene is if one day some decorative, plush grass be added to the mix.
The kind that undulates with the wind and catches Baby Bear’s big sparkling eyes. A work in progress I suppose. What’s new today is old tomorrow. Everything is new and old. This chia spruce never gets old.
I have been brewing tea daily because humidity hit us from nowhere, so I’ve simplified. Juicing, smashing and spicing for a spruce has been too much this week. A little honey in it’s raw state, some sprinkling of chia, then a few hours for the tea to chill. Takes the edge off and oh so refreshing. We sit on the cool slab of stone under the tree that provides shade in addition to its beatific blossoms. Baby Bear enjoys them most when it snows. I enjoy sitting on a carpet of petals while admiring her tan lines on bare feet. A sweet moment in time before the rain washed the petals that turned rusty and eventually tilled into the new cover which remember maybe old one day. What keeps you going when things get you down?
thefolia.com 
Gosh your home looks so idyllic. Have I mentioned that before? 😉
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Thank you! It feels good to be outdoors again and so grateful for the stones that provide a cool place to sit and of course the trees that make us feel like we’re in a fairytale.
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Ahhh… a fairytale. Lucky!
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Yes, until winter strikes again.
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Very true. I’d need to keep my current house for when that happens. Well, it would be fun for a little while.
A very little while. 😉
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That would be ideal to have to locations in different climates just to warm up the bones for awhile.
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Yep! In my dreams. 🙂
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Mine too!
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Such beautiful photos as always! Your tea recipe sounds wonderful. Never thought to add chia seeds. It must be kind of like mini boba! ☺️
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Thank you dear. Yes, that was the idea a version of boba with less work, since Baby Bear is always asking fir boba tea but it’s our once or twice a month treat. In addition to fiber chia hydrates my bears for all their outdoor play activities. Enjoy your summer!
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Oh we could use an iced tea today…that looks deliciously chilled!
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Making some as we speak, it’s an everday thing lately and a great way to cool off. Enjoy and stay cool.
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I just caught a typo, twelve days later. You usually catch them…must be the heat.
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I’m so sorry that you had to finish your garden in such a rush and couldn’t wait to seed it with native plants. Perhaps nature will help you out during the warm, rainy months. In the meantime enjoy the moments of rest in between laundry bouts. Usually when things get me down I retreat to some pocket of trees and wildflowers or go hang out by the ocean.
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Yes, indeed, it’s not my ideal solution but the rains come down hard here and Papa Bear is trying to divert the water from the house meanwhile inside projects need our immediate attention. The ocean has always been my solace…I miss hear tremendously. Enjoy the ocean!
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Thank you, I appreciate your kind wishes.
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I somehow missed this post, Cristina, and when I read the title I truly wondered about your weather! The beautiful “snow” would please me, too! Your description of summer heat, even with high humidity, sounds magical. You make the ordinary so special for your little bears. I’m already calculating adding chia seed to my iced tea. 🙂 I’m sure your’e really in the depths of summer heat and humidity now! Quite an adjustment, I’m sure. We will be 110 degrees this weekend ourselves–beaches in the high 90s. Summer is just harsh, isn’t it? And yet for the children, it’s always special. Stay cool, my friend, any way you can!
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I’m glad you read this post. I’m happy to share and hope you do add chia to your beverages to stay hydrated and beat the heat while possibly enjoying summer “snow” in your garden. Fallen petals would be the only way in your case. Many thanks for your wonderful words and wishing you a special summer…I wish we could send you the rain!
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