Citygarden

Citygarden opened in downtown at the beginning of the month. I've been excited to visit ever since. Today we visited with Holly and Karsen.

What a terrific place! Can't wait for our next visit.

Lavender and Life

Today we harvested two bunches of lavender at Winding Brook Lavender Estate in Eureka. What a lovely, peaceful place! Along with rows of lavender there is also a small pond, a 100 year old red farmhouse and a small gift shop. The lavender was stunning but as usual Emma and Ellie are what I'll always remember about today. After harvesting the lavender we sat on the lavender shop's screened in porch overlooking the lavender field and enjoyed some lavender infused treats. While there a fairly large group of seniors listened to an informational talk about lavender. Ellie asked why they came in a bus. Without hesitation Emma answered "they always travel like that, in buses together, so when they get out they can help steady each other, they use team work to get around". I was frozen, where had she heard this? I briefly thought maybe I should tell her that they're enjoying their free time and one another's company but thankfully I caught myself and just let it be. Life from the eyes of a 5 year old, so clear, concrete, and matter of fact. And then, the group started to get up and move to have lunch. And guess what, each one held the arm of another as they slowly made their way across the gravel path, using team work to get around.

Just a few photos

Our improved back door! We have been wanting to paint something with chalkboard paint. We've thought about several different walls and finally decided that the back door was the perfect place for a chalkboard.

This girl knows how to relax!

He did this to himself!

I just had to show you this beach photo.

We won!!

I entered us in this little landscape challenge and WE WON!! The application was due on July 1 (our anniversary) and the planting day is September 12 (Em's birthday) so I think it was meant to be! We are so excited--which by the way is one of the things Ed "the judge" said was a winning quality :) our enthusiasm!

2009 Grow Native! Landscape Challenge Do you live in a St. Louis neighborhood with a zip code of 63130, 63105, 63117, 63112, or 63108? Is your yard in need of a make over? Do you yearn for professional landscape advice? Would you like to include native plants in your landscape? Would you like to reduce mowing time, and create a habitat for wildlife? If you answered yes to these questions, apply for a native landscape makeover. download a flyer (pdf) download an application (pdf) One lucky homeowner will be selected for a native landscape makeover. The sponsors will provide the services of a professional native landscape designer and volunteers to install the landscape. The sponsors also will provide up to $1,000 worth of native plants and other landscape materials. The homeowner will prepare the site for planting. Planting day is Saturday, September 12, 2009. To be eligible for the native landscape makeover, participants must Live in a St. Louis zip code of 63130, 63105, 63117, 63112, or 63108 agree to maintain planted area, keeping it free of weeds agree to use only native plants in the project area agree to allow visits by project partners have a makeover area that is at least 12 feet by 12 feet prepare the site for planting prior to September 12, 2009 be willing to be interviewed on camera be willing to have images of their project used in educational efforts of the project sponsors To have your home considered for the native landscape makeover, return this completed application to Shaw Nature Reserve, Attn: Scott Woodbury, P. O. Box 38, Gray Summit, MO 63039. Please attach a photo(s) that shows the curbside view of your site. Applications must be postmarked no later than July 1, 2009.

We're home

We had a fabulous week in California! Lots of hours were logged at the beach playing in the ocean, building in the sand and soaking in the sun. The weather was perfect! We stayed in a lovely house with a great kitchen where many wonderful meals were prepared. I had such a great time that on Wednesday night when Ben and Blake said good bye I cried! It was everything a vacation should be.
Our hard drive has crashed otherwise I would be posting way too many pictures of our week. For your sake this is probably a good thing!

Sure signs....

All random cabbage (a CSA bumper crop) in refrigerator was blanched and put in the freezer for later use in what will surely be delicious soups this fall.

All basil was harvested and frozen. Again for those yummy soups!

Pink cookies were made and packaged...ok and a few were eaten!

Grandpa tamed the troops with a serious game of Memory.

Then picked up lunch and told stories!

A quick manicure/pedicure was in order. Waiting for nails to dry is so hard to do.

and lots of bags were packed (thanks Pocious Family and Dad and Kyra, the borrowed bags are wonderful). Sure signs we're going on vacation! Our plane to California leaves at 7:50 a.m. tomorrow! We are all so excited for a week at the beach with Gram, Grandpa Gordon, Uncle Blake and Ben.

Nine Years!

2008--our favorite hike in Colorado, obviously in the middle of saying "CHEESE"!

2007- At the Golden Gate Bridge.

2006-Emma was present but was in a no pictures phase!

2005-Colorado! To our delight we had just found out we were expecting Ellie.

2004-The Dominican Republic. Wow, traveling with a baby!!

2003- In New York, a few months before Emma's birth.

2002- In Chicago on our way to Michigan, we had no idea how easy traveling was!

Prior to this we weren't in the digital age! It's pretty funny that the only photos I could find which included all of us, even when all of us was just 2, were vacations!

It's been a wonderful nine years!