August has flown by quickly, likely because it has been such a busy month.

Hannah returned home from her summer work in Brunswick, 

and we celebrated her birthday.

Although my creativity has been low, I’ve enjoyed watching Hannah’s “art”, as we call it. Here she’s making sea turtle prints from a linoleum block carving.

This month has also brought a successful harvest from my new raised beds.

My first onion and shallot harvest. 

My morning glories are blooming beautifully on this third attempt at growing them on this garden arch.

It’s been a splendid month to enjoy the porch, with delightful weather throughout August.

I’ve appreciated the wildlife that shares this place with me.

August has been particularly focused on monarchs.

After raising the first round of 60 monarch caterpillars collected from my milkweed patch, a second generation is now underway, with 30 butterflies having hatched and been released.

There are still more chrysalis to go, but cooler weather has slowed them down.

As August comes to a close, summer’s colors are already beginning to change. 

The goldenrod is blooming, the marsh grasses are turning brown, and the shorebirds are starting to migrate.

Now is the time to refresh my flower beds with autumn colors, enjoying the good weather for as long as possible.