We had another very busy weekend, ending with an enjoyable dinner with friends on Sunday evening.

We got the living room and yard back in order after all the work last week. I washed the new windows, rearranged the living room a bit, did some pruning and Ron did laundry and mowed the front. He was able to get the lawn mower, which I thought had to be replaced, to work; the problem was the extension cords.

Since it was a tax-free weekend, I bought a bench on sale at Mahoney’s, the last garden element to be installed from Lisa Rose’s original design.

My poor truck needs a complete engine rebuild.

We did the transfer station run, including a big tree branch that Ron cut down. I planted balloon plant seeds that Laura gave me from her garden in Nashua and another couple of phlox, plus some plants in the front. We picked up calcium spray for the tomatoes, which are getting blossom end rot. I put some on last night, but it’s raining heavily today, so will have to re-apply it.

Today was insane, driving to Buzzards Bay and back to return a rental truck. I forgot to return the key.

This beautiful Tiger Swallow butterfly seemed to enjoy our Scaevola as much as we do.

We have a second crop of pumpkins, four of them.

The tomato plants are so huge that they broke the stake yesterday. Ron fixed it. Some of the tomatoes have blossom end rot. Perhaps the Earth Box is too small.

The Summer Sweet is blooming.

I mowed the other day and planted another Bee Balm and Phlox.

Had dinner this week with Khamla and Barrett. Great to see them.

We have our new windows and a ridge vent.

We’ve had an inch of rain since it started early this morning. A good thing for the garden. I just planted a Monarda (Bee Balm) and a Phlox – beautiful plants that cost only $6.99 at Stop & Shop – on the left side of the “U”. I trimmed the bushes in front of the house so that a) the carpenter who is replacing the windows and putting up siding can move more easily and b) we could take the debris to the transfer station today.

We did the transfer station run in the rain – it was pretty much impossible to avoid it – and picked up 60 plastic hangars for Ron’s laundry. We went through several boxes and trunks yesterday and have been laundering shirts for a good part of today. So far, we’ve gone through almost 40 hangars.

We found Ron’s baby book and some old photos, plus a book of postcards that belonged to his mother. Charming and interesting stuff, and a useful record of childhood illnesses.

After finishing a few household chores, we went to the Onset Blues Festival yesterday and really enjoyed it.

We also picked a handful of green beans! The tomato plants in the Earth Boxes are about six feet high and the corn is growing. We also have the start of another pumpkin, some cukes and even a watermelon.

It’s been a pleasure to see these first thing.

We invited Ed, Judy and the Cohens for a cookout today to celebrate Robert’s 16th birthday.

We crammed the usual 2 days of weekend chores – transfer station, shopping, gardening, changing sheets, laundry – into Saturday. James slept over so he could watch one of Tyler’s championship games with us and see the Mashpee Pops fireworks, which were gorgeous.

James got to swim in Tyler’s pool, and we did, too, a refreshing dip.

I finished the front garden and put down pine chips today. Ron and I had lunch on Saturday at the new Greek restaurant in Sandwich. We liked it so much, we ordered from the catering menu for today – tzatziki, spinach/feta pies, kebabs, salad. Everything was excellent.

I picked up another table and umbrella and some groceries. It took me 3 runs, I think, to get everything we needed: soda, ice, plates, cups, cake, ice cream, lemonade.

Ron set up music and everyone had a great time.

The Baby Scoop, 1940’s through 1970’s. Governments and even the Catholic Church are now apologizing for this.