Living in Paradise

This is Buddy's bad hair day look - just like a human.  He doesn't like mornings, is one of those dogs you have to make get out of bed so you can make it.  We had taken him for a long walk on the beach the night before so he was super tired when we got home and crashed.  This is the result - morning after the beach look.

We've taste-tested the sugar snap peas and they are fabulous.  Now to stay away from them for another week or so until they are fully grown.  The shells are super sweet and edible which is why I grew this kind.

Lots of tomatoes coming, likely I will be supplying Mom all summer.  These will be ready in July

Lots of baby cucumbers coming!  I love growing cucumbers, this is only the second year.

We helped deliver a load of topsoil to my friend's house (the one we have been helping with the garden) and she gave us a large bunch of basil, garlic scapes and some raspberries which are just starting to ripen.  

Today I am off to man the wildlife rescue gift shop in my volunteer gig.  In May I volunteered 13 hours and it will likely average 12-16 hours a month.  There is no obligation but they are short on volunteers right now so I hope they train more to work there as I do want to limit volunteering to once per week.  I enjoy it and love seeing them be able to release animals back into the wild.  This week they took in a baby humming bird - I borrowed this picture from their instagram account.  The cotton swab is for size comparison - such a tiny thing.  It isn't hurt but the Mom and nest were nowhere around so he had to be rescued.  Once she grows up after being hand-fed every few minutes she will be released. If at all interested in seeing the wildlife stories their instagram handle is @marswildliferescue.  When I was working in the shop someone asked me what percentage of profits goes to the animals.  100%!  Sometimes people don't realize every single person you see within an organization is a volunteer.  There is only one paid position and that is a nominal fee to the man who lives on site as caretaker.    I don't get to see the animals up close and personal very often as they are injured wildlife and the goal is just that - to keep them wild so they can be released.  We do have ambassador birds that can't be released back to the wild that are shown to the public(with special permits) as well as live video feeds from the hospital which  doesn't harm the animals in any way.  Right now the place has 33 raccoons, 7 fawns, numerous ducks, geese, eagles, owls and other types of birds, and one otter.  It started out as a bird rescue but morphed into other animals due to need.

Anyone who reads this blog knows I am a thrift store shopper for 90% of my wardrobe - exception being underclothes and the odd pair of shoes.  I do so because I love thrift shopping, it saves money and creates less waste.  Vintage Vixen has put a call out to join the slow fashion movement and choose used - see her full post here.  Basically from June 21 - September 21 you commit to not buying any new clothing - choose used instead.  I know many of my readers already are thrift store fashion mavens but if you haven't tried it now is the time.  It's better for your pocketbook and definitely better for the planet.

Have a great weekend everyone!