Ah, Summer...

I am writing this with a bulging belleh, the result of gorging myself on the first watermelon I've eaten this summer. Oh, and raspberries from the farmers' market. And a grilled cheese on seed-studded bread spread with dijon mustard sandwiching two slices of caraway-flecked cheddar and thinly-sliced tomato I bought for $1.50 from a chain-smoking old man.

It was a Beefsteak.

I still have a tub of shredded summer squash in the fridge, which shall be transformed into a mountain of zucchini "crab" cakes tonight. Last night, the shreds joined the party in a batch of chocolate cupcakes. Unfortunately, the mix was too wet, and my cupcakes have sunken, gooey centers. If you eat them with a spoon, you can pretend you're eating a pudding cup.

Look at these sad bastards. I haven't the heart to throw them away, so we'll just pick at them until we can't take it anymore.

Things are blooming like crazy around the house, which makes me all giddy. First up are some volunteer sunflowers.

Across from some baby tomatoes: "Black from Tula." Definitely not a volunteer. I'm not sure he even wants to be there. The seed package called them "the ugliest, best-tasting heirloom tomato you can grow." I'LL be the judge of that.

Some hot peppers...mostly ornamental, though. I might eat them eventually, because I'm almost too curious not to.

Part of my rangy, rambling backyard. I can't remember the delphinium ever blooming at the same time as the coneflower. It's been a weird weather summer.

Below we have another volunteer sunflower. Only one of the sunflower seeds I intentionally planted came up, but I have little surprises sprinkled all over the yard.

I have brussel sprouts tucked in this bed:

Bees love the blanket flower. I was so happy these guys came back in spring.

And finally, a piece of art made by my sister, who is getting married this Saturday. She made this from bits of wallpaper samples. Don't you kind of hate her? Seriously, she is lovely and incredibly talented, and I am beyond happy for her.

PS: If you're out and about in Oshkosh this summer, you have to stop at this lemonade stand on Witzel. I bought a cup of "the yellow" from them a few weeks ago when I picked up my CSA box. Not only are the kids adorable, but I think they're going to one day take over the world. So you want to be nice to them.