Garden Update

My garden is really taking off. We had a very warm, sunny weekend which seems to have caused a growth spurt. All in all, I'd say not bad for a container garden!

Dahlias


Mighty Lemon Cucumber


Two of my seven tomato plants (can't really tell, but they're nearly as tall as me, one Sweet 100, the other Sun Gold - both cherry and both sweetly, magically delicious)


Gerbera Daisies


Cowhorn Peppers (will change color as they ripen)


Tomato Close-Up (these are Bush Early Girl)

Things I've learned in the month of June:

• If you stop to get the mail and leave your car idling at the mailbox bank with the door open, a random two-year-old WILL climb into your car.
• If I'm buying book - whether a gift for me or someone else - and the only copy available is the movie tie-in cover, I'll go buy it somewhere else.
• Reading a cupcake cookbook right before going to bed does not ensure sweet dreams... Though it should.
• I'd rather read or garden than just about anything else.
• Mistaking a teaspoon for a tablespoon in a recipe can lead to terrible, terrible results.
• The only time I want to exercise is mid-morning when I'm at work. Strangely enough, when I get done with work and could actually do it, it's the last thing I want.
• I am addicted to the library.
• Waking up to my dog licking my armpit is by far the strangest way I have EVER started a weekend.
• When the screen on your phone says Private Caller you should answer once in awhile. You never know who will be on the other end.
• The sound of chirping birds makes me supremely happy.

Portland Farmer's Market

Brett and I went to the Portland farmer's market this morning and invited his mom, Toni, to come along with us. There were a lot of people there despite the very overcast skies. Today, I bought fresh, handmade cheeses, purple potatoes, locally-made pesto sauces (cilantro-pistachio and chipotle), and a bouquet of peonies. The strawberries all looked delicious but I already have a flat in the fridge. We had a great time!

Saved By The Bell

If you were ever a Saved By The Bell fan, then this clip is for you. I use the term "fan" loosely because, after all, we were much younger when we watched this. There's no judgement here.

How does your garden grow?

I'm really excited about this year's garden. It's nowhere near as prolific as others in my family, but for me - a limited, container-based setup - it's not too shabby. I'm growing lots of tomatoes, several varieties of peppers, lemon cucumbers, cantaloupe, and many many herbs. Someday, when I have more space, I would love to sustain my entire produce needs. I'm also growing various plants and flowers for beauty: dahlias, violas, balloon flowers, heron's bill, sedum, gerbera daisies, columbines, honeysuckle, English daisies, nemesia and others. It's so much fun to grow and nurture something and see it reach its plant potential. Is that how parenting is?

Honeysuckle

Mountain Magic Basil

English Daisies

Rhododendron Garden, Portland Oregon

New Hair!

Rainy Days and Mondays Always Get Me Down

Okay, rain doesn't really get me down but we have had a LOT of it lately. Bonus points if you know the song reference.

Rainy Day Video #1



Rainy Day Video #2

Tree at the library

Wrong Number

I got in to work this morning and went through my normal routine: turned on the computer, put my lunch in the fridge, checked my emails and then checked my phone messages. Today there was only one. Some poor woman left a completely distraught message saying
"Hello, this is -----. I have called you before and I have made arrangements and I have given you the information. Now I'm tired of this game that you're playing. Come pick up the car. I don't want it. I can't afford it. I'm not making any other payment arrangements. COME pick up the car. Goodbye."

Throughout the message she's upset and by the end of the message she's in tears and I feel terrible listening to it! Obviously it's a wrong number and she didn't leave a phone number or anything so I'm unable to let her know she called the wrong company. ALthough, if I did have a way to contact her, would I? Or would it only make her feel worse to know a perfect stranger is privy to her personal woes?

I know she's only one of legions of people who are having financial problems these days but this is the first example that has landed directly in my voicemail inbox. Poor woman.