Community garden II

PICT0012
Originally uploaded by the gladdings

And here's what it looked like this morning. We have swiss chard ready to pick, beans (climbing and bush) doing nicely, squash and cucumbers putting on flowers, tomato and pepper plants coming on, canteloupe and carrots (struggling), and zinnias and sunflowers.

Maggie's birthweek

Maggie fishing
Originally uploaded by the gladdings

Maggie turns 4 on Sunday, and so we are celebrating her this week. I had had a full weekend, and hadn't seen much of Maggie & Seth, and so while Rebecca had an 'organizing the house' day, I took M&S out to the Hobson's ranch. We stopped at a 'BassPro' store on the way, and picked up their first ever fishing rods (Maggie chose the 'princess' model, Seth the "cheese" model (Spongebob)). It was an absolutely beautiful day, and we enjoyed every minute of it. Maggie fished for a solid hour, and only stopped because she was hungry. Seth lasted about 5 minutes, then spent the rest of the time figuring out how to start the 4 wheeler. Maggie had lots of bites...but no fish. And as my dad is fond of saying, "that's why it's not called 'catching'."

Maggie continues to delight us with her imagination - she is a storyteller, that's for sure. We're throwing a 'bring your favourite childhood party game' birthday party for her on Sunday, where those who love Maggie here in Houston will gather to celebrate her and eat charred meat and ice cream cake.

Deaths mar seal hunt

This was the headline in 'The Week' news magazine for a piece on the death of 4 hunters during the annual 'clubbing baby seals for fur' season. Sadly ironic.

Hope springs eternal

Hope springs eternal
Originally uploaded by the gladdings

We have several self-seeded tomato plants coming up - but this one is a mystery! It is growing in the crack between our side door step and the path.

Houston in April

Houston in April
Originally uploaded by the gladdings

We spent the weekend in the garden, enjoying the beautiful weather, and working till our muscles ached. Lots of digging, transplanting and planting. Seth and Maggie now have their own garden with veggie, herb and flower seeds sown. The tomato plants are about 4 feet high already, and we've been eating garden lettuce for 3 weeks. See Flickr for more photos.

jasmine in bloom

jasmine in bloom
Originally uploaded by the gladdings

...and now we're enjoying the beautiful fragrance as the breeze carries it into the sun porch

jasmine

jasmine
Originally uploaded by the gladdings

we're eagerly anticipating the scent of jasmine as the first of our bushes is about to blossom