Swallowtail Butterflies

Beautiful swallowtails love to flutter around the phlox in my backyard.  My husband and I tried to photograph several swallowtails on the same flower.  The color contrast of the butterfly and the purple phlox is gorgeous.
My friend Mary died this week and I imagine her transformation to a heavenly body as striking as the caterpillar and the butterfly.

Lemon Lavender Cupcakes

I made these cupcakes with lavender from my backyard and decorated the ice cream with freshly picked lavender.  The recipe called for candied lemon in the bottom of each cup.  They turned out pretty and delicious just right for a summer barbecue.