Today's high was suposed to be 104. But it didn't stop there. 108 is the current temperature on our back porch. *ugh!* It was 100 degrees at 10:30am when I stepped out to check on the chickens. And I'm guessing it will be 100 degrees at 10:30pm tonight, as well. It just doesn't cool off here. We are currently under a heat advisory. No kidding!
We've got hoses strung out around the farm so that we can water down all the shaded areas of the critter pens in hopes of giving them a cool (cool being a relative term) place to rest. Thankfully, they seem to enjoy our efforts. Lollie the rabbit got dipped in a bucket of luke warm water (the water never actually gets "cold" out of the hose, or out of our indoor faucets in the summer) and he really seemed to love it. I have filled the chicken water containers three times today. It's hot.
However, we're hoping that tomorrow is the last of the triple digit temps for us. Tomorrow's high is listed as 100 (I have no doublt it will reach a few degrees more than that), but the rest of the week looks to be in the low to mid 90s. What do you know... a cold front! Cross your fingers and toes for us!
In happier news, I took some photos today! This pretty butterfly (one of several) was busy drinking nectar from the zinnias when I went out to check on the chickens.
It flitted from flower to flower, looking for nectar.
There are quite a few zinnias blooming in the garden, so it had lots of flowers to choose from.
Such a pretty butterfly!
I'm still feeling sickly, but seem to be getting a bit better. I'm not coughing as much, and I have a bit more energy than I've had for at least a week. Thanks for all of your get well wishes ... seems they might have done the trick!
Had the same problem with what to do with zucchini. Our new fave is Greek Zucchini fritters. Gratted zucchini,4c, 1 grated onion, half cup of crumbled feta, salt, pepper and whatever other herbs turn you on, salt and pepper, 2 eggs, 1 c flour, drop spoonfuls into hot oil, flatten the batter when dropped in the pan. Flip when browned. The kids love them! Great even cold or warmed the next day.
Thanks for the candy recipe!
Hugs...
Posted by: Sylvie Greeniaus | August 25, 2010 at 07:49 AM
I had to tell my sister in Minn. to quit carping to me about dew points and heat! So sorry it is still so hot in Texas. We actually cooled off in Central FL this week with highs only in the low 90's. Of course, humidity is 100%, even when it's not raining. Last night was first night in weeks the AC didn't kick on. Woo hoooo!
Love your living flower pics. Enjoy your "cold" front.
Posted by: kathynruss | August 25, 2010 at 05:41 AM
Such fabulous colors on the flowers AND the butterfly! Beautiful! That heat is miserable! And then to be sick and hot at the same time is no fun for SweetMissDaisy! :( Get well, and thank you for sharing the wonderful photos.
Posted by: Shellie Daniel | August 24, 2010 at 08:36 PM
Yowser that is HOT! Still in the upper 90's here. Guess your mom & dad live in the "cooler" part of WA state.
Hope you cool down soon. Loved the butterfly photo's. So pretty.
Posted by: Ida | August 24, 2010 at 09:10 AM
Um, tell me again why Texans don't give Texas back to Mexico and move someplace more hospitable?????? ;)
btw, your GORGEOUS butterfly visitor is a Gulf Fritillary, Agraulis vanillae, which is a heliconiid. They migrate from TX up to KS in the summer. Obviously, not all of them. The larvae feed on passion-flower and maypops.
Whatever those are!
Posted by: Shala Carter | August 24, 2010 at 06:38 AM
My goodness ... you have bugs and creepy-crawlies the size of prehistoric monsters, spiders that could pick you up and carry you away, nasty storms with raging potential and now unbearable heat. How do you manage to keep your crazy sense of humor and still blog about things??!!! Anyway, hope you get some relief from the heat and
feel better soon, too. (I'm still chuckling about Lollie!).
Posted by: bonnie weiss | August 24, 2010 at 04:31 AM
Anna, you are awesome! I don't know how you accomplish as much as you do; you are truly creative in every sense of the word. Your photos are wonderful; these butterfly photos are truly stunningly gorgeous! And you are doing all these things in 108 degree heat while you are sick!!! And still finding time to share with your blog followers. Thanks for sharing; I always look forward to finding out what is new with you. Thanks for posting, and wishing you a speedy recovery and best of luck in all your endeavors.
Posted by: Rochelle Getzler | August 24, 2010 at 12:57 AM
I too am sorry about the heat, after Lori's sisters Uno and dos headed for home I had to offload the tanks on the motorhome.....They had a nice time here, anyway it was 58 degrees here at noon today! That is a 50 degree difference! I had a flannel shirt on, Brrrrr With frost on the pumpkin down in Blanchard this mornin. Bummer..... I just gotta go fishin!........Love, Dad
Posted by: DK Wight | August 24, 2010 at 12:08 AM
What gorgeous butterfly photos! It was painfully hot here in Arlington too. I feel sorry for the critters w/ fur coats! Didn't know there was a bunny on the farm, but I'm not surprised :) I'd dunk our cats but don't think it'd go over well. It's just sad and wrong when we think of temps in the 90s as being a cool front! Sorry to read you were sick at end of your trip. Having a head cold or sinus infection is so such a drag when you fly!! Hope you're back up to speed very soon.
Posted by: Renee | August 23, 2010 at 09:02 PM
UGH is Right. That is hot! Such a pretty butterfly. I sure hope that cool front brings much needed relief for all of you. hugs...
Posted by: Carol Dee | August 23, 2010 at 08:51 PM
Yuck, Yuck and SUPER YUCK. There is no reason for that kind of heat, anywhere. PERIOD. I hope for you, Alan, and all the critters, that it cools down fast.
Posted by: MicheleP | August 23, 2010 at 07:35 PM
what a gorgeous butterfly! those temps are pretty impressive, hope it gets a little cooler for you soon. The animals are lucky to have you trying to keep them from getting too hot :)
Posted by: Debbie | August 23, 2010 at 06:20 PM
I'm so sorry you're feeling sick and it's so miserable hot! Poor Anna.
Your photos are still pretty - Surely they're from the archives and you didn't stand out in the heat snapping these today!!
Hugs!
Posted by: Sharli | August 23, 2010 at 04:31 PM
I feel your pain. It's been hot here as well. I'm so ready for Fall!
Love the pictures! They are beautiful, as usual! =)
Posted by: Lindsay Boman | August 23, 2010 at 04:26 PM
That is way too hot!!! I'm so ready for Fall weather. I love that you dipped the bunny in water - what a good mommy!
Posted by: Jennifer K. | August 23, 2010 at 03:56 PM
We got up to 115 heat INDEX, so I feel you pain, or rather your HEAT! I can imagine what that 108 feels like, I'm afraid. BLEAH! It's HORRIBLE! And the poor critters...I know about the warm water. It's the same for our birds and horses, the lukewarm water outside...ugh. Bless their hearts. And here, they have to freeze half to death in the winter, to boot! ha It's a cruel world out there!
SO HAPPY to hear you are feeling some better. Here's hoping you continue to improve (don't overdo in the heat, OK?) and get better by the minute!!! May you be 100% better in no time! MORE BIG HUGS TO YOU! :D
Posted by: diane mcvey | August 23, 2010 at 03:47 PM
I love you, Anna! *hug* Sorry it's been hotter than Hades your way. Wicked hot for us here is in the upper 90's, and we've only had 2 days of that all summer (summer also came late this year). Feel better soon--it's miserable to be both sick AND icky hot. :(
Posted by: JulieHRR | August 23, 2010 at 03:34 PM