Summer is {almost} officially here, and the backyard is flourishing from all the recent rains. The downside is that the flood waters have brought an insane amount of fire ants and mammoth mosquitoes which is a total bummer for playing outside. But we're bound and determined to be outside a lot this summer and enjoy the bounty of this little piece of urban land we own. This is the first year we've had a blackberry bush that stands upright - and we've already harvested several handfuls of luscious, tart berries. Luci Belle loves checking on them each morning and making bouquets with our wildflowers.

The fairy ring we planted with gladiolus bulbs is starting to bloom and will hopefully be a fun play spot...if we can keep the fire ants away. I'm using a doTerra peppermint oil/vinegar/water spray right now - we'll see if it works!

Here's our little plot of land in early June...