The twins!

Look at these two beauties! Dan was so confused when I came barreling into the house exclaiming, "The twins are blooming!" I'd never called them that until they bloomed at the same time.

This is Red Rum. (You must say it with a squeaky, creepy voice.) I found out that lilies at Home Depot were going for $6 or less, so I had to get it.

Four blooms on the hibiscus! So pretty.

I came home from the grocery store with this little keepsake azalea and Dan didn't even kill me! :)

I was sitting on the couch and Dan came out of the bathroom giggling. Obviously something was happening of which I would not approve. Except I surprised us both by thinking it was hysterical when I saw Elphie with a blob of shaving cream on her head.

It's so light, she didn't even realize it was there.

She just walked around, trying to pounce on Ginger while Ginger was arched up like a Halloween cat and her tail was as big around as a fox's. She was like, "What the hell is on your head???"

"What do you mean? There's nothing on my head."

Since we've had these windows open a little, the girls seem to have realized they're even there. They keep looking out. So cute!

Champagne Supernover

I believe the name of this lily is "Little Italy," because it resembles the one I saw in a catalog. Anyway, that's its name from now on. Isn't it breathtaking? I love the ruffles and the huge color contrast.

And there are lots of buds!

My snaps are reblooming.

This is called a Lysimachia. The variegated leaves are pretty enough on their own, but it's also starting to bloom with little yellow flowers! (Although it's also getting little brown spots on the leaves on that branch... I need insecticide.)

Millions of peaches, peaches for me.

Hosta blossoms!

Such happy little petunias. I'm definitely getting more of these next year.

Happy Returns. Did I mention it's a close relative of Stella d'Oro?

And right next to Happy Returns is this little guy. Is it a poppy?

I have simply GOT to plant this sedum. I can't stand the idea that it might not come back next year if it's in a pot.

Portulaca. Also going to make a reappearance next year.

So will the New Guinea impatiens.

CAAAT FIIIGHT!!

RAAAWR!

Once again, Dan finds a small place that Elphie will fit into.

He also gave her a treat. (It's empty -- she's just licking the leftovers.)

O hai!

Hey! Hey! Hey. Hey! Whatcha doin'?

Poor, long-suffering Ginger.

Snugglin' with Dad.

July flowers?

June tornadoes bring July flowers?

My tigerlilies! (Their actual name is hemerocallis fulva, or common roadside lily. I just love them. I need more.)

An artistic shot.

These babies are still going crazy! I've decided I need more orientals in my garden, because they actually stay open and continue to bloom, while the daylilies (as their name suggests) are only open for a day each.

The third branch was going yesterday.

I can't remember if the back plant is my Little Italy or the dark red one, but it's sending up shoots, whatever it is!

This phlox is budding and just about ready to be purty!

Speaking of sending up shoots, my hostas are ready to roll!

The hibiscus is blooming again.

This Outback Paper Flower is just so unusual!

And my portulaca, trying desperately to overgrow its planter.

GOOD NEWS!!

While we were in Maine, I got a text message from Melissa, who found Pevensie outside of work with me. She adopted her!! So now my sweet little thing has a good home and I can hope to see her again!

Melissa said she's really not a cat person, but she couldn't resist this sweet little thing.

She really is just a doll.

And it nearly killed me to take her to the humane society. She was shaking and I was crying and it was really just a big disaster.

Also, our vacation was a blast. Maine is gorgeous.

We snuck around in the bushes by the ocean.

The Owl's Head Lighthouse says NO TRESPASSING!

This is the view from the restaurant we had lunch at one day. Delish.

Chuck spotted this boat, and I had to take a picture. ;)

LOBSTERS! They're nasty little creatures.

Dan made a friend.

...and so did I.

Look at that water!

The rocks at the Pemaquid Point lighthouse were sooo cool.

That's the Pemaquid Point light in the background.

The sound of the waves is so soothing.

This is the Breakwater, another lighthouse. The actual light isn't nearly as impressive as the huge granite stones you walk on to get there. It's like a mile out into the ocean.

This looks like a pirate ship! And the flowers in the foreground are pretty cool.

The "sunset" off of the World War I memorial tower on Mount Battie.