Last week was very hot and humid around here. Friday night or very early Saturday morning would be more accurate, we had a batch of crazy weather blow through. Lucky for us we had no real damage…just lots of small dead branches blown from our trees. There was a tornado about 20 miles west of us that overturned cars. Again…very thankful that didn’t come through here!
Since I was drinking so much water all week, I decided to change it up a bit and make some “iced tea”. 
Honestly I think it’s more of a tea flavored water. I brewed three different teas in 2 cups of water added 1/2 tsp of raw honey then filled the pitcher with water. 
It was actually quite tasty and a nice change from plain old water.
During the extreme heat the deer decided that it would be much easier to forage close to the house…they ate my beans and flowers.
So we had to take drastic action with the gardens….
Seriously tall fencing around both gardens. But just look how full that garden is!!! This is what it looked like June 1st…
Yes I know it has been 50 days but wow! Those babies were started from tiny little seeds. Nature never fails to amaze me!
We were outside chatting about the garden and talked about possibly expanding into another space.
The space is next to the garage…totally unused and a southern exposure. Perfect for a garden. We could double our current gardening space and still leave room for a wood pile for the fire pit!
Did I mention I canned some spicy beans yesterday straight from the garden?
I love having a garden!!
Now that the weather has cooled down…for the time being at least, we’ve been enjoying some of the wonderful parts of living in Minnesota.
Relaxing on the patio….
Windows and doors open with a fan blowing in the nice cool air…
Like my cool vintage fan? 
It’s from the 50’s…it been around.
Oh so punny…don’t blame me for both…Little J had a hand in one pun. :)
This photo is for Denise…We visited one of the libraries on her list yesterday. It also happens to be the library…ok technically this is the new location…but the library that issued my very first library card. 
This reader beaver was donated to the library somewhere around that same time.
Are you tired of reading my ramblings yet??
I have one last thing to share…the beginnings of a journal page.
Not exactly sure where this one is going but I’ll be sure to share it when it’s done.
Today is filled with appts for the kids. Gotta get those appts in while they are out of school. Only 42 days left..not that I’m counting. *wink*
What are you doing today?
Never thought of combining 3 different teas to make iced tea–I hope I interpreted that right. Your garden is amazing—those are some serious green beans! Looking forward to seeing how your journal page progresses.
I’ve never lived in a place where deer could eat my plants. I’ll be interested in what you put in that new space. Deer prevention will come first, I imagine lol
I don’t have a southern exposure I haven’t used and I have no place else where I don’t have to cart water, a necessity when you have a veggie garden. And of course I’m impressed with your garden and how well it is growing. It seems even my herbs are doing poorly this year. I wonder if there’s a commercial product for keeping the deer at bay.
Gracie looks happier than Squiggles did in his photo op. She does look a bit aloof, though. That fan is vintage to say the least, and the beaver at the library is a hoot.
Thanks for sharing your ice tea water (oxymoron, perhaps?) and week with us for T this Tuesday.
You have a lovely garden and cat, my friend. I have never heard of spicy beans. Living and learning huh. Love your journal page in progress. It is amazing!
Lovely post and those canned green beans look so good!!!! I’m having more trouble with deer and rabbits this year than ever before . I told the Hubs a Garden Fence was in the very near future…he just frowned … they just don’t understand. Your iced tea sounds great… nothing beats iced tea in the summer time :)
Also want ed to say that the tea bled you chose sound fantastic… especially the roasted dandelion roots… I have a ton of dandelions that need digging and now I know that I am going to do with the roots. I actually plant a garden space with dandelions every year… my neighbors think I’m beyond weird ♥
Lots of fun stuff today! totally understand about the deer raiding the garden…my parents have the same problem. Looks like you’ve come up with a good solution, though. Love that vintage fan! and the beaver is just too cute ;) enjoy your tea!
Summer brings with it all kinds of things to deal with doesn’t it.
The dingdang deer are being a BIG nuisance in our garden lately too.
Last night they feasted on 2/3 of a sweet pink pompom begonia…I guess they were getting tired of the perfect hosta blooms and leaves hrumphhhh!
Makes me reconsider planting vegies. I salute you on the measures you took.
Our heat index the last couple of days was 105-110 degrees or skanky hot as I call it.
Hoping for the humidity to lessen at least for some relief.
Sorry this turned into a complaining comment.
Happy T Day and Happy summer days to you and yours Halle. oxo
Just wanted to let you know that Seth Apter is having his annual Buried Treasure post on Thursday.
Gorgeous garden! Wonderful photos Halle! Your page looks very interesting so far!
Happy T-Day!
xxx
Susi
Hope the deer keep away! We only have rabbits in our caravan garden at the moment – the ducks have gone now till next Spring! Love your vintage fan – looks as though you will keep cool in front of that! Happy T day! Chrisx
I’m not very good at iced teas, but I reckon I could get into mixing them together a bit..what a grand idea! I love that you’re getting so much from your garden and suspect that the next plot will be freshly dug and planted before very long at all!
What a fun post! Love your garden and your spicy beans look delish. That library beaver is great, as is your vintage fan. I look forward to seeing your journal spread when it’s done. Happy creating and happy T-day.
That was quite the storm. We lucked out and just had some small branches down, too. You are having a busy summer, gardening, canning, library visits, etc. Looking forward to seeing your journal page. It’s off to a great start.
I’m sorry that I didn’t see this post last week! Thanks for pointing me in its direction. I have been extremely sporadic about joining in for T Day this summer. Anyway, the beaver photo is adorable–thanks again!
When I was growing up, my parents used to have a problem with deer in the garden, too. In fact, they stopped calling it a garden and started calling it an all-you-can-eat salad bar for animals. :)
Glad that the storm missed you. Our only storm-related problem was that the power went out. But that wasn’t too bad; it was a good excuse to go out to lunch the next day, since we didn’t want to open the fridge. :)
Hope you’re staying cool in this heat. Might be another good week for iced tea!