swiss chard.

You might think that Mother Rabbit's favorite vegetable is carrots. hee. You should know that one of her very favorites is swiss chard. Rainbow swiss chard is one of the prettiest things you can plant and one of the tastiest treats. If you have never had this treat, it is like a combination of spinach on top and rainbow colored celery on the bottom. My Grandma Ellen and Grandpa Ed had it in their garden every year so I have wonderful memories that envelope me every time I see it...

I have to hand it to my friend Nancy for this clever idea: Growing your swiss chard right in with your flowering plants! It is certainly pretty enough and will produce into the fall.

the garden.

I love talking about my garden but have I ever shown you my backdoor garden? Mother Rabbit has a kick-ass garden. I would never call myself an accomplished gardener or anything like that, but my garden brings me endless pleasure. A garden is oodles and oodles of endless work too, but it all seems worth it for the daily pleasures.

Not only are there food and flowers to pick and enjoy, but you get to play Hide & Seek most of the summer. The most active participants are the cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. When you venture out to see if there is anything to harvest, more often than not you say to yourself "Looks like there is nothing to pick today..." Then you are sure you hear the cucumbers laughing behind your back. Then the Hide & Seek begins. The next thing you know you are walking into the house with twelve cucumbers and pockets full of cherry tomatoes. Gardening is a kick.

Middle photo: First cucumbers of the season. (I almost missed them.)

hot car rules.

The old adage says "Don't leave your kids and your pets in a hot car." Mother Rabbit has always added "And don't leave your photos or albums in a hot car."

It is time for a new addition: "Don't leave your bottled water in a hot car." The scorching temperatures affect the plastic bottles and release dioxin into the water. Probably a similar reason why we are not suppose to microwave Saran-type wrap over our food. When you carry the groceries into the house, take the water too.

it's greek to me.

Have you discovered what a beautiful taste sensation Greek yogurt is? Yesterday I served Greek yogurt at The Little House Day Spa and everyone loved it. I heard comments like "I am not a real yogurt fan but this stuff is amazing." Mother Rabbit feels the same.

Besides being thicker and richer, did you know that Greek yogurt has a lower sugar content and higher protein content than their runny counterparts? Pick up some Greek yogurt next time you are at the market for a real taste sensation and super healthy snack. I recommend Fage, Chobani and Greek God's Greek Yogurt brands. (My personal favorite right now is the later in "honey" flavor - but I am still conducting my research. Smile.)

wise words.

"Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, so a curse without cause does not alight." Proverbs 26:2

If someone says something hurtful to you and it isn't true, don't let it bother you. Don't even let it land on you.

zinnias.

Just a few words about zinnias. Did you know that Mother Rabbit plants some from seeds every year? Did you know that the more you cut the flowers, the more flowers will grow? This means that for the $1.79 cost of a pack of seeds (and some loving watering) you can have fresh flowers in your house from July to September. What a treat.

labor of love.

If you would have asked me last night when I was pitting fresh cherries for what felt like hours, I would have told you to run the other way if someone handed you a bucket of cherries. After I tasted the pie today I changed my tune. Bring on the cherries. I will pit them.

Mother Rabbit's Advice: Enjoy as many fresh fruits and vegetables straight from the garden as you can this summer. Even though it can be a lot of work.

july treat.

Bing cherries are in season. Mother Rabbit says: Get some. I always "test" one cherry before buying a bag, but when they "pop" in your mouth with freshness - indulge. I could barely stop eating these long enough to snap a photo before they were gone. Fresh fruit in season is a treat that is hard to beat.

stay away bugs.

Mother Rabbit has been busy making her own "bug spray" and she wants to share her recipe. As you may know, MR refuses to put commercial bug spray or lotion on her skin. Too many chemicals to be absorbed through the skin to be comfortable with that one.

In the past, Mother Rabbit has noticed that her vanilla scented body lotions from Bath & Body Works have been a mild deterrent, but this month the mosquitoes and gnats have been crazy-bad. Thus the recipe:

1/4 cup Listerine

1/4 cup water

2 t. vanilla extract

I put mine in a little spray bottle that I keep in my purse. Or make it in larger quantities for bigger bottles. Here's hoping that the only thing that BUGS you this summer is the heat.