.: Good Day Sunshine! :.

.: Sunflowers reaching up tall saluting the sun! :.

A  favorite song of our family is "Good Day Sunshine" by the Beatles. We enjoy this cheerful music by turning the volume up on the record player and singing our hearts out while appreciating the soft crackle that goes along with this album that has been played time and time again.

The melody and lyrics warm our hearts and linger with us throughout the day. Today we venture into the garden to say 'Good Day Sunshine'  and appreciate all of the energy she has gifted us with!  

.: Gathering from the garden is a favorite summer pastime of the children! :.

 

.: This little cherry tomato was the very first of the season to be picked! :.

With gathering baskets in hand and three garden helpers by my side, we begin filling our baskets with these red, orange and yellow treasures! 'Sun batteries' we like to call them, as they are storing the energy of the sun.

As we move through a sea of tomato plants we notice delicate yellow blooms herald each new fruit as it arrives.

 

.: Golden Sunflowers-- a  flower that brings me instant cheer! :.

 

.: Many hands work together to harvest from the dozens of tomato plants in the garden :.

As we walk along the rows of the compost rich soil, we brush against many green tomato leaves and their intoxicating aromas are released to bring us a  bit of heaven here on this day!

.: The sun illuminates these beauties in a most gorgeous way! :.

Each sunflower stretches up to the sun practicing it's sun salutations while also providing radiant halos for us to gaze at. I can feel instant cheer whenever I notice them waving in the breeze. I can't help but smile when I see these majestic plants in all of their sunny glory!

.: I can't get enough of my garden boy's golden curls! :.

.: I appreciate seeing my little one having a fresh organic snack straight from the garden! :.

The Beatles record that was playing in the living room before we stepped outdoors continues to play in my head. I feel such a connection here in the garden with my family and the earth.

"I need to laugh, and when the sun is out
 I've got something I can laugh about
 I feel good, in a special way
 I'm in love and it's a sunny day"

These are the lyrics we sing together as we continue filling the baskets.

  .: Natural bird-feeders growing up tall and strong! :.

  .: The aroma of tomato leaves - an intoxicating scent of summer! :.

.: Each day we visit the tomato plants and harvest to create sauce, salsas and salads! :.

As we continue to gather we work together in harmony with the earth,  and with each other. 

.: Just a few from today's harvest that will soon mingle with corn, cilantro, and many more delicious ingredients when I grill some fresh salsa ! :.

.: These sunflowers will certainly inspire me into the winter months while I create! :.

I am looking forward to canning these summer days from the garden for the winter months when snow is falling and we can open up a jar to be brought back to this very day.  The images, scents and tastes of summer will be etched into our memories when we reach for them into the colder months.

  

.: We hold onto these moments and give thanks for the sun that has gifted us so richly with these natural treasures that live harmoniously together in the garden! :.