Beautiful summer in all her glory!

I caught these butterflies enjoying the nectar from this gorgeous teasle.  I know it's a weed, but I think it's beautiful.

Future Rock Star

Future rock star in the making.  This adorable baby is my grandniece.  She's sweet, never cries, and loves to watch everything around her.  Don't you just love the pink sunglasses and binky?

Late July

Nature lies disheveled pale,
With her feverish lips apart, 
-Day by day the pulses fail,
Nearer to her bounding heart;
Yet that slackened grasp doth hold
Store of pure and genuine gold;
Quick thou comest, strong and free,
Type of all the wealth to be, 
-Goldenrod!

Elaine Goodale Eastman (1863 - 1953)
from All round the Year, Verses from Sky Farm

Sunlit Sky

It was a gorgeous day here in northern Virginia.  The temps were perfect, no humidity; and on the way home, I couldn't help but notice the beautiful clouds in the sky.  I wanted to share them with you.  

Happy Friday!!

Why I ♥ Virginia

Woke about 8 a.m to a gorgeous morning.  I'd been wanting to take some photos of the roadside flowers so I got up, got dressed, grabbed my camera and headed out the door.  These wildflowers that grow along the roadside where I live are just one of the many reasons I love Virginia.   I work in the city about 40 miles away, but I can drive back to see this every single day.  No, I don't live in the country, but there are still small open spots of meadow where farms used to be.  And they let the wildflowers grow without mowing them down.  Let's go and see them together.

Aren't they beautiful?  The gorgeous blue flowers are Chicory (Cichorium intybus).  It's edible, and from what I've read, they use the roots to make a coffe-like drink.  It reminds me of my childhood where I grew up.  There loads of open fields where I grew up in upstate New York, and these gorgeous flowers were a sign of summer along with the milkweed plants that grew everywhere.  Here are some more photos I took.

And here is beautiful Queen Anne.  I love this wildflower.  If you look closely, you can see the little dark spot in the center.

Can you see the small red heart in the center of this beautiful umbel?

I heard a hawk somewhere overhead as I walked along the roadside and happened to see my friend the Redtail flying over, screeching.  

After I took these photos, I headed over to the farmer's market and bought some croissants for breakfast.  Yummm!!  I can't think of a better way to start the day than spending some time with nature and ending my morning with fresh-baked goodness.   I'm going to go back out tomorrow with my scissors and cut some of this free bounty and bring it home.  Hope your weekend was just as wonderful!