Well said Shery, I just wanted you to know I agree with you wholeheartedly!!! I truly believe this is our time, time to take a stand for our country, our flag and all that they represent!!!

What you may consider wrong in our country, I may consider right. I believe in a country of diversity and an acceptance of everyone no matter their color, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or what language they speak. I believe human beings should not be labeled ‘legal’ or ‘illegal’ and that we should welcome all. I believe we have a moral obligation to make sure that everyone should have equal education, healthcare, food and shelter despite their circumstances and that we have no right to judge whether someone should be cared for or not. I know that 2nd amendment rights are not being taken away and that we definitely need to remove assault weapons and that is the only thing being planned. I think we have the best President we have had in the history of our country. I believe that the symbol of our flag is stronger than ever.

Thank you Shery.
Very well put. Unfortunately taking America away from us started long ago.
But you are right it is never too late to fight for our Freedom!
May we wake soon before we find our beloved country taken from us.
God please not just bless America but heal her and bring our hearts back to You where we belong!
Praying
Ann
Matthew 6:33

WOW, you have touched my inner self. You write so poetic and so perfect to understand. I am an immigrant who came to this country when I was ten years old. I’m sixty now and I have embraced every aspect of the American life and would not know any other lifestyle or belief. You are so correct in all the points you make. We are at a turning point and we will not let our guard down so that OUR COUNTRY, our nation continues under GOD, we were founded under GOD and I personally commit myself to hold those high standards that we were brought up with. I hope that all who read your blog understand the importance of your message. Thank you, Maria

Well said, thank you for your prayers, feelings, your belief and steadfast love for our country. As the daughter of America, my father, grandfathers, great-grandfathers, brother, nephews, cousins etc all the way back to before this country was a country have fought and served, many gave their life and are buried in far away countries. I fly Old Glory with with pride, dedication to my country, the country where I was born, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO to be exact. We must take a stand, personally as well as collectively, to stand for our rights, the founding fathers may not have had everything perfect, as they were/are human too, however the principles stand to this day as our foundation. Long may Old Glory wave, God Bless our troops past and present, may those who died for their country rest in peace until we meet again.

Your sphere of influence is not as small as you think. That was beautifully presented.

Hear! Hear! Well said!

Shery,
Your post really rings true in every word. Our country is being undermined at the very highest levels of our government. Corruption, greed, and self interest have taken hold and common sense and decency are no longer fashionable. If we do not stand strong for what is right we will be silenced by those who want to take this country down. Lying, cheating, philandering are now commonplace and acceptable ways of living ones life in America. Heaven forbid anyone holds people accountable for their actions, now doing wrong is celebrated. I worry too that the country I grew up in is long gone. It is only through calling attention to what is happening that we will wake up, do the right thing, and keep America strong. We must stand together.

Dear Shery~~~All I can say is you are exactly right & I agree with everything you have said!! Thank you for speaking out & encouraging us to do the same. I will wave my flag proudly next to yours & pray for God’s mercy on us all.
XO, Linda
Farmgirl Sister #971

Thank you Shery for putting IT so well!!!! Your words should be printed in each and every news paper, magazine and Facebook page. God Bless you and God Bless the USA.

Shery, I loved your blog. And I agree whole heartedly that were losing our roots for what America used to stand for. I read an interesting story told by John McCain about when he was a POW, and what a certain young man did with the flag while in captivity. It puts tears in your eyes as to how important the flag and the pledge of allegiance was to he and his fellows prisoners. If you’d like to read it just google…"John McCain’s remarks about the pledge of allegiance" and you’ll have a new understanding and appreciation for our country, the flag and what it stands for. Hats off to you Shery for being bold enough to address a real and frightening issue this country is facing.

Amen amen —

the wait was worth it. Loved it all. So many treasures. enjoy!

Shery … Your porch is magnificent. You should be so proud of all the hard work you and Lynn did to make it all come together. What a pretty place to have a party. I was especially touched by the typewriter … I made my living as a school secretary, starting in the early 1970’s with an electric typewriter and, of course, ending my career using computers! Thanks for sharing your beautiful place … and Happy, Healthy NEW YEAR! God Bless … Carol

Love your new porch and all the lovely furniture. So nice and country like. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND ALL YOUR FRIENDS. God Bless you.

Thank you for the beautiful New Year’s gift!
What a treat to see your new porch, homemade and so sweet!
Too beautiful for words, and so inspiring to create new cozy spaces!
"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, ANYONE can start from NOW and make a brand new ending…….Carl Bard
Happy New Years From Diana in Noel Mo!

You’ve done yourself proud Shery my friend. Have a blessed 2013.

Shery…
What a beautiful place to enjoy a Christmas! Love the finished porch and I’m sure it will give you grand memories.
The dance looks like a superb time was had by all. Small community get togethers just can’t be beat. The rodeo ball was truly a western way of greetin’ the New Year.
Thanks for sharin’!
Kim M

Shery,
Your porch is beautiful! You really have the touch when it comes to decorating. I’m saving this post for inspiration for some of my own projects. Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year!
Jeanette

Simply WONDERFUL…You amaze me with your creative abilities and your ability to visualize and plan your projects! I think that it’s good for us to see what you do and to give us that added PUSH to accomplish something wonderful in our own domain! I have been waiting for the unveiling of your porch room…Thank you for sharing!

It is because of YOU that we are working on a vintage travel trailer this winter. You finally pushed me over the edge and made me commit to a project that I have wanted to do for a long time. I also ran into a ‘spare’ that is plopped out in back for after the ‘Montana Cowboy/Cowgirl’ trailer gets done..

Here’s to many more projects that make life worthwhile! Happy New Year!

Shery your porch is to die for! I love it, and it is in my favorite colors. Red and Blues. You and your husband should be proud of your project and just in time for your Christmas gathering. How perfect. It has been cold here in Michigan but in our area, which is called the snow belt, we have hardly any snow on the ground. Wishing you a very Happy New Year!

And a very Happy New Year to you, Shery. I too, sport a new "porch" which is windows on 3 sides and my sewing things live there. Ah. so sweet.

Oh My Gosh, you are amazing. I am continually inspired by you.
We are working on a home, have been living in a yurt (illegally) for 5 years and I DON’T MISS A SINGLE ONE OF YOUR POSTS…..thank you for a year of inspiration. I follow you on pinterest for even more inspiration too!
Your porch is beautiful, just like you.
Happy New Year,
Terces

Have a peaceful and blessed Christmas my friend!

Oh what a lovely visit we just had – you always encourage, peak ideas and make life a joy. So happy Dove did so well – you did the right thing, they so amaze me with their closeness. What a wonderful ‘cubby’ – hmmmm IDEA!!! So sorry you had that awful cold – do take care so it doesn’t come back on ya and no matter when you get your porch pic’s out – I know it will be worth the wait. I too have a print like your farm girl friends – it always hung in my childhood bed room – I was told ‘like the sheep dog watching over the sheep – God too will watch over me’. Take care, God Bless, Merry Christmas

Ah a kindred spirit who believes in rescuing old furniture and hurt animals, a woman after my own heart. Your porch will still be there. Sometimes we just gotta let it go.
Be healthy and enjoy the Holiday just as it is! We always want perfection, but it’s really overated. Best wishes!

I loved your post. I am like you when it comes to those old pieces. I am forever picking up pieces and dragging them home to ready up for my country kitchen and house. I am very fortunate to have a real Hoosier Cabinet in my kitchen and it has had a number of uses over the years. It now holds my herbs and herbal teas. So happy for the lovey dovies. We have them too. We also have swallows who come in the spring. I have learned that they come 14,000 miles from Argentina to Arizona to raise a few families each year. This past April they flew in and one of them flew into the rail of the front porch and died. It broke my heart. The one was alone for about a week and then disappeared for a while. But pretty soon came back with a new mate and raised several families. Thanks for such a delightful visit.

What a lovely Christmas tree cutting outing you had and now I had one too. We have no snow – so very dry. Your trees look beautiful, I have a table topper this year and am in love with it. Your porch/family room area ideas have sure tickled my fancy, can hardly wait to see it. I wish you and yours a very Happy Christmas!!!

Shery: You guys have the most fun. And with a coating of snow to boot. Have a blessed Christmas.We’ll hear from you soon.

Shery, what a wonderfully spiritual writing – thank you.
A little over 6 yrs. ago my sister and I moved from a large city to a new development on an old ranch – yes sorry the ranch had gone dry years before – but needless to say there are few trees of any consequence – I had put out several feeders to help the birds in this new habitat and all of a sudden one day I saw something moving on the ground – and then it flew to the fence – oh my goodness it was a Collard Dove. I had no idea what it was so I took pictures, as best I could and took them to ‘This Place is for the Birds’ – a wonderful bird feeding shop – on an old ranch, they told me what it was and what to feed it. We now have many of the ‘Peace’ birds, as I call them – what a joy to listen to and watch. Oh, by the way I am the one that had told you I have a huge cage – well now that I know you wanted it for a short time and I never got it to you – I am going to fix it so the ‘Peace’ can use it – yes it is very large – there will be perches, water and protection – not quite sure how I will do that but am thinking of tying some evergreen branches to the cage – just a little respite from the weather. Again thanks for writing. God Bless

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Hi Joan!! I bet you can just put some branches in the cage and wedge the ends between the bars. I really hope I can turn this dove loose. It is looking that way, she’s flying now … short bursts in the porch. I do NOT like the fantasies my young cat is entertaining. 😉   Shery

We also do not have any doves here on the ranch in Colorado. Just big old black crows. In the winter we have loads of birds coming to the feeders I also have a large bowl on the porch fence that heats the water for them to have a nice warm drink in the winter.

I went to Harvard for my education and I remember the beautiful doves that would coo all day. They were so pretty and gentle looking. I always fed them when I ate my lunch sitting on the grass with my friends. I missed them very much when I graduated and left Cambridge. I also loved the big Red Cardinals (especially at Christmas) they have there and the Seagulls at the seashore.

Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.
Treese/Colorado Cowgirl
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Back at ya, Treese … may your list of Thanksgiving blessings be long. When I lived in Ohio years back, I thought Cardinals were the most exotic thing I’d ever seen. We just don’t have that kind of color out thisaway. Brilliant red birds in tree branches laden with snow … Magical.   Shery

This is a very thought provoking post, thanks for sharing from your heart. Ah yes, On the Wings of a Snow White Dove…one of my favorites hymns, so comforting!

Shery, thank you so much for sharing this with us. You said so many things that I have been thinking myself these last few weeks. I find the doves coming to your yard very interesting. I have a friend whose husband was diagnosed with cancer this year. Shortly after his finding out he had cancer, a dove showed up in their yard and has stayed all Summer. They truly believe it is a sign from God that he will be with them to love and comfort them. Thanks Again!

———

I believe it too and hope that your friend will be victorious!!! A dove also showed up at my sister’s new residence (as one of the items on my list of dovey occurances in and around my life). For her, the single dove visitation served to jolt her awake in an area that she’d not been motivated to explore. I know, I know … some are skeptical. I was too. WAS.  Thank you evryone for your kind words and for sharing here.   ~Shery

Sheri…amen and amen. thank you! Your heart is loverly.

Great information! Thanks so much. I have two true bittersweets that I nurture all year so I can add those lovely branches to my fall arrangements. Again, thanks for the information.

This is wonderful information! If anyone finds out where we can get seeds from please let me know, I would love to plant this, I have creeks and brush winding through my property in BC , and it will make such lovely wreaths! Too bad we couldnt locate seeds and share some amoungst us farmgirl sisters! I will see what I can find…
Thank you~
Ang

Great information and thanks for sharing it Shery! I always love to read your blog!
Smiles, Cyndi

Shery,
I live in California, can I grow Bittersweet here?
I am from Germany, and when I saw the pictures, it reminds me of home, kinder, gentler good old days, with parents and grandparents, now long gone – but never far away, in my heart.

I do want to grow this plant. Thanks so much for your blog, and for sharing.
Ursula

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Hi Ursula, I don’t know, but, all the info I came across claims that it is easy to grow. It does like moisture and decent soil…neither of which I can provide naturally. That is why I’m going to plant it along my garden fence and hope for the best.  Shery

What a fabulous article. I want to grow American Bittersweet but do not know how to obtain seeds or the plants. Can you help me?
Sandy Patzman
Lakeville, Minnesota 55044
sandypatzman@frontier.com

I really enjoyed all the photos. Your young mare, Ribbon, is beautiful. She looks a little like a Rocky Mountain Horse(breed)with her coloring and all those dapples(We have Rockies). I totally love your pink saddle blanket. I am in Missouri and my husband just got our last cutting of hay in tonight before a storm came rolling through. I too love the fall weather with all it’s variety and splendor!

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Barrie,  Yep, I’m familiar with Rockies and the fact that the dark/flaxen is common in the breed. You probably know that Morgans were also used in creating the breed — gaited ones that is. Since Morgan breeders did not look favorably on 5 gaited-ness, they were culled and absorbed into other breeds that WANTED the silky-smooth gaits. In recent years, gaited Morgans became a hot ticket within the breed. Breeders of gaited Morgans are few & far between, but they’re a devoted lot. You get all the fun Morgan virtues AND the gaitedness. I’ve had a handful of Morgans that had/have an extra gait in between the walk and canter. Rack, amble, single-foot etc. Thank you for dropping in!   Shery

Love the photos. Here in California it is in the 90’s still. A mere 3 days ago in the 100’s….sigh. But last night it was utterly perfect and cool…finally! I grew up in the midwest and spent a lot of time on the east coast. After moving out west I had a heck of a time getting used to the really looong summers, sometimes fall and instant winter….if you can call it winter. I mean really, winter, 50 degrees….it still fills like short-sleeve weather to me! At any rate, it was lovely to experience fall vicariously through your lovely prose and photos. Thanks so much.

Hello from Kentucky! It’s a beautiful day here, but the forecast is calling for a cold front and rain to move through tonight. The weekend is supposed to be chilly, and Sunday night is calling for frost. It makes me sad to see the last of the flowers and tomatoes go, but like you, I’m ready to put my garden to bed and focus on some other things for a while. I will have greens, lettuce and cabbage for a while yet, though unless it gets very cold.

I’m keeping my eye out for one of those tin can campers–I want to be a glamper too. Sounds like a great late fall project to me!

I enjoy your blog very much–Happy Fall! 🙂

We had our last day of Indian summer earlier this week – now the weekend is with the wind bringing in the wet and snow, 30ish high tomorrow. As I walked around a bit today, I said ‘see ya next Spring, have a nice season’. Love all your pictures – what a beauty you have in Ribbon – many years of a good life with her. Happy next season to you.

I love your blog. You make me want to move from NC to the middle of the country. I was born a city girl (or really a medium size small town, lol) and when I was young could not understand why anyone would want to live on a farm. As I aged more and more I have come to appreciate all nature has to offer and the hard work of the men and women who raise and produce out food supply. Your blog is so beautiful and I love to read it and see your pictures. I agree with the others. Ribbon is a beautiful horse.

Yup. It’s the truth. The White Mountains have a snow dusting and the leaves are falling. The "peepers" are headed south so the roads won’t be so conjested. ah! This morning John and I went out on the Pinkam B road for a brisk hike up the hill…ended up picking up a few cans left by folks that don’t seem to appreciate the beauty as much as we do. I noticed this early morn that I can once again see the shape of the land as the leaves fall and expose the good earths’ shape. Happy Fall to you.

Shery:
It definitely looked like "Girl’s Just Want To have Fun!" I have been looking and seeing little suitable campers for sale all over the countryside here in Colorado. Who knows maybe I will bite the bullet and fix myself a little Glamper. Although, I have zero Arts & Crafts skills-that gene passed me by! LOL.

How’s the weather up there? We already got our first snow 2 days ago. I hope this means lots of snow and moisture this fall/winter. We usually get our first snow in mid-October.
Treese Colorado Cowgirl
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Hi Treese,

Hey, you don’t need to artsyfartsy your glamper. It’d be way easier if ya didn’t — not so much stuff to putz with. It looks fun when it is all nice and decorated, but it is a lot work. Way the easier to just have it ready to roll & go.

It is desperately dry here. We don’t even hope for rain anymore. I suppose one day we might get moisture again.   shery

I cannot tell you girls how much I enjoyed your post. This was such fun for me.
My husband and I did so much camping. A year ago I lost my life long love and mate to pancreatic cancer.
The pain of watching him slowly vanish before my eyes is beyond words.
So it has taken me a while to find ME again and the one thing that keeps popping up is…I want to go camping again.
I have a Toyota Carolla so my pulling ability is limited to only 1550 lbs. That eliminates all the fun oldies and to be practical, I don’t have anyone to be a mechanic anymore.
So I have been on the lookout for a used Quick Silver , just the right weight.
Also thinking about a neat tent.
You girls have soooooo inspired me, not that I needed inspiration but lets just say
I feel like someone just opened the gate. I wanna go, go, go ! "Ride it like you stole it"

I am a shabby chic-ER and have laid awake at night ( too many nights) decorating in
my mind, my tent that I have yet to buy.
Are there any Glampers near the St. Louis area?
Thanks again girls for all the fun anyway I hope to see Jim again soon.
his name is Denny. pictures, the time it took you to create this post…it was
not in vain, because it touched my heart and made me as happy as a clam at high tide.
Hugs and Blessings,
Nancy
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Oh Nancy,  You made ME feel great. I write in the hope that I might make stopping by here worthy of a person’s time and maybe brighten their day for a couple of minutes. Your kind words are my reward. I’m sorry for the loss of your love. I hope that your new life on your own will soon bloom and that sleeping under the stars and dangling your feet in a cold stream is in your future. 

I am smiling from ear to ear as I read this! At the end, I was tearfull because all of your experiences, words and happiness made me feel so wonderful. It was like I was there with all of you, even though I am sitting here at work, doing my thing! God has blessed you with such talents.

Wowza, kaBOWza! What a wonderful post! I can tell you ladies had a rootin’-tootin’ grand time! My dh & ds went backpacking last weekend, and as they told of their "adventures" (which involved shooting a rattlesnake and getting their boots soaking wet while crossing the river), all I could say was, "No backpacking for me — GLAMPING is more my style!" I don’t know if I would ever fix up a trailer, but I love the idea of a truck camper! Thanks again for the entertaining write-up!

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Thank you, Nicki, Are you talking about an old TRUCK glamper? Oh, I so agree. I think that’d be awesome. We had a pickup camper too and that is so easy. All you do is drive and park.  Shery

Oh Shery,
What a wonderful post! What a terrific event for you all and I’m so glad that you got to meet MaryJane. A few of us got to meet MaryJane and Meg in New York city a couple of years ago and she is everything you said and more – they both are wonderful, genuinely sweet and gracious ladies. Thank you so much for sharing your special Glamping story and pictures with us!

P.S. LOVE the apron!

Alice
Farmgirl #12

What a fabulous weekend you farmgirls had glamping! I just sold my tiny trailer but, she would have fit right in with all of you! I had so much fun decorating her up in her "Daisy " style as a 1963 Shasta teardrop should be!

You are definitely "Glamorous!
Smiles, cyndi

Wow! Thanks for sharing this wonderful trip with all of us. Cannot wait to see your friend’s truck topper camper! Love it all and since I have all of the MaryJane books you can bet this wanna be Glamper will be picking the new one up also!

Hi Shery! Well if this post didn’t spur the glamper fire I have burning inside of me nothing will. I have been looking around for a little glamper to call "home away from home" for a while now. I know the right one will come around when the time is right. Thanks for sharing!!!
Happy Trails!
Lisa

Oh Shery! What a worthwhile wait it was for me. You are my favorite read of all the farmgirls and this was the icing on the cake. You have kept me drooling with anticipation while watching all the transformations of the "glampers" take place. Loved all the pics and descriptions. You Made it!!!
As always you have such a knack with words – I just feel like you are here talking to me.
We used to camp back in the day (70s) when our girls were little. We had the cutest little Scotty camper and I sure wish we had it now. I would be glamperizing it!
Thanks so much for all you do to make all of us out here in cyber space feel like we are there with you.

Shery, Ok, that looks like far toooo much fun. What a joy. And, my friend, you all deserved it. I did a little Glamping of my own this summer at Lake Umbagog State Park here in northern NH. Although I tent, I added some great Farm Girl Glitz to my campsite and had such a good time all by my onesey!

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Good 4 U, Cora Jo!!!!!!

I don’t have a website but thank you for letting me dream through yours. I loved reading about your glamper restorations and seeing the progress. I loved hearing about your plans. Maybe someday I will be putting up my glamper story.

Sooo inspiring!
We took an old pop up, removed the canvas, added wood sides, windows,
I made ruffly priscilla curtains, wall hangings, a comfy bed, and off we go
only 5 miles from here to a conservation park for a $5 a night camping trip.
Last time we went our grandson saw fireflies in the trees on the mountains and said "Look the bears are sitting in the trees with flashlights".
We love our "Redneck camper" and some say it looks just like a doll house inside with all the comforts of home!
Came with a little pull out kitchen that has a stove, ice chest and sink built in, and away we go for our little wilderness trips in the Ozark!
The very best part, is the whole thing is all homemade!!
Happy Camping!! ~Hugs~ Diana in the Ozarks

That is quite a story and pictures of an amazing transformation. SO INSPIRING. Have fun!

This is sure cute…a beautiful project completed, and one to strike off the "bucket" list..thank you for sharing.

Man – for $75 what a deal! It WAS gross inside, and I can’t believe she could re-do it so beautifully in 2 weeks, but what a show camper! Congratulations!

How d do Shery! I am just beside myself with excitement for all of you!!! Industrious bunch of farmgirls you are for sure! Michelle’s transformation is so darling and I LOVE LOVE LOVE ‘ her ‘ red cabinets… and what a neat idea to forgo the original Formica table and use a " proper " prim table instead… A TRUE CLEVER FEST FOR SURE! There is so much wonderfulness going on in this post I can’t begin to respond to all of it but I can hardly wait for your next post! Have fun, breath in some of that fresh mountain air for me and Godspeed to you all along the glamper trail!!! I pre-ordered my Glamping with Mary Jane and I can’t wait for it’s arrival! I know it will be filled to the brim with inspiration and FUN!
Lots of love,
Deb ( who is on the look- out for her very own 1961 Shasta. It’s my birth year!)

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Thanks muchly D’Boz! That little Shasta is out there waiting to be found…so just stay on the trail. Thanks for popping in for a lookyloo. Wish you could be with us.   shery

I’m so in love with this whole thought of glampers and and glamping! I’ve been looking for a diamond in the rough for the past few weeks but nothing yet…crossing my fingers something comes along soon! So glad I found your page – love your story…very inspiring! Thank you for sharing it!!

Awesome blog!!!

Hi Shery, Love the things you have done to the camper. I really wish I could find one for myself. It looks so cute and I envy you farm sisters. Go have alot of fun.
Talk about the weather, It is very dry here too. I live on the Eastern Shore of virginia and it has been hot and dry also. I too have a small garden and I have had to water every day to keep things going, but it isn’t like the rain. I love your moon flowers. I have never grown them. They are beautiful. Keep up the good work on your blog. Juanita Massey Farmsister #1020

Shery, LOVE LOVE LOVE the camper and the garden area. My husband and I moved into a townhouse once and I had a little back patio that I literally tried to use all the stuff I had brought from my 23 acres that we sold. LOL! I had a end unit so I also got to have a flower bed down the side of mine. My back patio was so cozy with all the greenery and garden art. (I’m not sure the neighbor down the way from me thought so) lol! I know y’all will have a great time glamping. I just sent Deb (beachgirl) pics of the one my husband and I are re-storing. We will be going on our maiden voyage in it in September as well. We are going up around Boston. We wanted to go to North Dakota/South Dakota but I would rather wait to see how Thumper does on his first trip before we venture off that far. We have been camping for 20 years and we only have 5 states left to visit. ND, SD, MT, Iowa, and Nev. Have fun and be Blessed. Neta

Shery,
My husband found a camper for me 2 yrs. ago. He found it one fall afternoon parked in a yard on an old country road with a For Sale sign in it’s window. It’s a 1952 model and maybe a bit smaller than yours. I love that you painted yours. What kind of paint did you use? My camper was originally for overflow hunters during our MI hunting season. It is my little play house now. I look forward to your ‘stories’ each month. Thank you for sharing your life.

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Judy,  Thanks!  About the paint…I used exterior gloss enamel paint. Two coats plus a third on the top … and a lot of touch up with a tiny brush. Be sure to get the BLUE paint tape. It comes up really easy. I also used a roller – large one for the body, small one for the stripes. My girlfriend helped me. Fact is, if she hadn’t got me going, I’d probably still be wrestling with how to paint it… Polka dots or no, what color etc. Have fun with your playhouse — that is exactly how I see mine :o)   Shery

Oh honey…..all of us when we get "our age" have to wear magnifiers!!! And yes, I’ll vote for Autumn also! Something about the subtle shift in the way the sun shines through the windows, the first smell of wood smoke in the air, (even in So.Cal), football back in full swing, putting up food, those ageless rituals are so comforting. I’m looking forward to it. Even here, with the beach culture and all that, I put Indian corn bunched at my front door, dried corn stalks (from our garden!)on our porch and pumpkins all about. Love it!! Don’t know why, but there is something very primal about fall. P.S. I’m totally jealous about all this glamping stuff. I wannna to do it too!!!! (Yes, I’m whining).:=)

Howdy Shery,
Well, you sure are having a wonderful summer! Our says sound similar… I’m staying in with the air conditioning too, getting some naps and trying anything to beat the heat and humidity! Your "little garden" is thriving and so, so beautiful! I remember well the arid west in the dog days of summer and many drought years with watering regulations for suburban neighborhoods etc…Not an easy environment for gardening, but not impossible with a can do attitude and some shade here and there! It’s perfect that your garden yard is sheltered by a fence too! Your moon flowers are amazing! Dahlias are tropical as well and a delight to watch unfold in the garden!
I did a little research for you about the Dahlia’s… Here’s a link for you to peruse about the planting and care of Dahlias’
http://www.garden.org/plantguide/?q=show&id=2063
I do know that they love heat but need to be kept moist in the dryest of days. I think you’d do great with them in containers with mulch on top… that way you can keep them watered regurlarly with ease and they should perform for ya quite well! I love the pom pom you chose for next year! They are an annual and can be planted in late spring two weeks before your last frost date.

Your glamping adventures sound just dreamy… and espeically in Autumn… ( my favorite season too )! Oh what fun you’ll have! Can hardly wait for that post!
Sending hugs and good wishes for the remaining summer days!
Deb ( Beach Farmgirl )