There are a lot of these moths in the garden this summer though we saw a real hummingbird one evening. The real ones are a somewhat rare site here and usually only in the spring and fall.

I couldn't resist planting a few Indian Blanket in the backyard. They have been blooming most of the summer and are still going strong and it's the middle of August. Gathered a few seeds this afternoon to share with a innkeeper friend.

We took another trip south on Hwy. 283 on the Smoky Valley Scenic Byway to check on the wildflowers. They're awesome. The Blackeyed Susans are blooming now along with the upright prairie coneflowers and purple bee balm.

Smoky Valley Scenic Byway

This photo was taken last year just south of the Smoky River bridge on Highway 283. Drive south of WaKeeney on the Smoky Valley Scenic Byway, past the bridge till you crest the hill and pull into the drive on the east side of the highway. Mexican Hats are the wildflowers blooming. They should be in full bloom in another week or two depending on the weather.

Upright Prairie Coneflowers

The Upright Prairie Coneflowers are a very common native wildflower in western Kansas.

Wildflowers are blooming!

The wildflower patch with the Main Street Nature Trail in the background, downtown WaKeeney.

Oatmeal Pancakes

Another favorite:

2 cups milk or buttermilk
2 cups rolled old fashioned oats
Cover and refrigerate overnight.
In the morning add:
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup applesauce
1/2 cup white or whole wheat flour
2 eggs (beaten)
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
Whisk together until well mixed. Spoon onto hot griddle. Turn when bottom of cake is lightly browned. Bake on second side. Enjoy!

It must be this cold weather that makes pancakes sound so good. A blizzard this morning and the wind keeps blowing and blowing. This is what we get for all that nice warm spring weather earlier this year. Found an interesting quote from Mohandas K. Gandhi: To forget how to dig the earth and tend the soil is to forget ourselves. Hope I can get out there and dig soon!