Queen of the Night

Our new backyard neighbor, Tom "Monty" Montgomery, and his wife, Elizabeth, introduced themselves to us one evening this past week. It was a scene straight from the set of Home Improvement, where one can only see half of Wilson's head when he is talking to Tim; that is about all we could see of Tom [side note: Earl Hindman, the person who played Wilson's character, was born and raised in Bisbee, Arizona!]. At any rate, Monty introduced himself and quickly nicknamed us his "quiet nieghbors." I've admired his yard long before we were actually neighbors because he has gorgeous, well-maintained landscaping, complete with waterfalls, subtle lights, and various indigenous cacti and plants. After making his introductions and bfore heading in for the evening, he was very kind to share with us a flower from one of his Night-Blooming Cereus plants. The Queen of the Night only opens during ONE midsummer's night every year.

The first picture is from around 9:15 P.M.

The second picture is from 9:00 A.M. the following morning, never to open again!

Apple Annie's Orchard

In July, Jared went to Norfolk, Virginia for three weeks of training. My girlfriend Cadence and her two sons helped me to pass the time by taking me to Apple Annie's Orchard.
We picked fresh tomatoes and purchased various fruit and veggies, to include canteloupe, green beans, yellow and green zucchini, and sweet corn. I also made off with some homemade apple butter, fudge and some peach flavored twizzler-like candies for Jared.


Before we headed for home, we took a fun tractor ride and saw the peach orchards.
Thanks for the great time Cadence!

Peach Cobbler

This past month, the peaches were at their prime--and so were their enemies' tactics. I caught one of the little buggers in action:

The below fruit was damaged as a result of finches pecking at the skin:


As for the peaches that made it into the house unscathed, I used THIS RECIPE to make a delicious cobbler.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

VOILA!: