Leo is growing fast

Leo's mom took this on Sunday

It's quite amazing to me that Leo is growing up so fast. I took this picture exactly a year ago, and it looks to me like Leo has grown several inches. His two front teeth are also completely grown in. It's hard for me to believe that I've known him since he was six months old and not yet walking, but now he's outgrown his playtime with me. He's always got his nose buried in a book, or he's drawing something.

Surrounded by lots of green goodies

Leo is not the only thing growing around here right now: here I am in my garden, surrounded by lots of tasty treats. We harvested that kale in the foreground and it's now steamed and in the fridge. Next to me is my incredible sugar snap peas that have grown past the top of the barrier! And behind me on the right are heavily laden raspberry bushes. In my lap is one of the last two starts of the scarlet runner beans I got from John, who grew them in his garden last year. You can also see them over my right shoulder, ready to climb the fence.

Yes, June is busting out all over, isn't she? Sorry, I couldn't resist. Hope you're having a good day, staying cool if appropriate, since I see there's a heat wave happening in the southwest, while we will be lucky to reach 70°F today. I'll take it, even if I have to deal with a little liquid sunshine (read: rain).
:-)

Leo has turned eight

Ready, set... blow! 

Sunday was my friend Leo's eighth birthday. The weekend before, he had a party for others in his age group, but this past Sunday, his actual birthday, was reserved for the grownups who love Leo and have been coming to his parties since he was, well, an infant.

Do you remember your eighth birthday? I don't, and even though I asked all of us who were there on Sunday if they remembered theirs, nobody did. It was an awfully long time ago, but still. You only have one. The earliest that I remember was when I turned ten. But that's another story.

Sitting on Santa's knee

My friend Gene was one of the other adults, and he arrived in his Santa hat. He has an actual Santa suit, but with his totally cool beard, I asked for a picture and this is what I got. He said I had to sit on his knee, so I did. He didn't ask me what I want for Christmas, but that's because I've got absolutely everything I ever wanted already: wonderful friends of all ages, health, and loving family members both near and far. Who could ask for anything more?
:-)

Another milestone

Leo is missing two somethings

My dear friend Leo has reached yet another milestone in his seven years: the loss of his two front teeth. It doesn't seem possible that this guy is already getting ready for his permanent teeth AND he can read! It brings to mind that song, "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth," which (I found out from that Wikipedia link) was written in 1944 and first recorded in 1948. That corresponds directly with my own childhood, so maybe many people today don't know the song at all.

They will come back in a few weeks

The other milestone is that my garden kale has been harvested, as you can see in this picture, and I just ate a wonderful lunch prepared with some of the steamed kale, along with lots of other stuff to make it really yummy. I know there are some people who don't like kale, but fortunately my guy and I simply love it. It's the mainstay of my garden this year.

Celery, lettuce, broccoli and collards

I also have plenty of celery out there growing well, along with broccoli (some of which has flowered) but I've also planted some late broccoli that will be harvested in the fall. So far I've been more than satisfied with my tasty treats from the garden. There is also a tomato plant (not pictured) that is covered with flowers.

That's it from my little corner of the world today. And wonder of wonders, the best day of the week, weather-wise, will be Thursday when we'll head to the High Country once again.
:-)