Breaking bonds

Madeleine broke free from her final paci on Saturday and hasn't looked back. There was no fanfare, no promise of a special toy to replace it, nothing. Simply, "Madeleine, it's time to throw this paci away. It's broken and doesn't work any more." Besides the expected immediate tears she hasn't asked for it or lamented it's loss. I can't believe we've overcome this anticipated milestone; my little girl isn't so little any more.

Outta control

Three weeks later and the garden has exploded. Corn is over 5 feet tall, tomato and tomatillo plants make it look like a jungle, basil is harvested by the basket-full (I grabbed a 1-gallon bag's worth last night), beans and squash and pumpkins are trellising, and the lettuce is gleefully abundant.

Pictures from last week.

We ate some delicious grilled squash and zucchini with our steak tonight. I wanted to take a picture but Justin devoured half of what was there before I even grabbed the camera so you'll just have to believe me. We did get some yellow squash at the end of last week that we ate ate in a fabulously fresh salad with market tomatoes and onions. Our neighbors are sick of me asking if they want more lettuce; I've already handed out tons of heads and still have overflowing rows and I'll be planting more soon (to harvest in September).

And I couldn't resist showing off some of Parker's attempts to be way more coordinated and adventuresome than most other 21 month old boys I know. He's our monkey.

We had a great visit with both sets of grandparents over the last month. I'll hope to post those pictures when I'm not busy gardening or landscaping...our latest project.

For perspective

Here's what part of the garden looked like on June 12th. Not bad for less than a month.

Mary, Mary, quite contrary

My garden has finally taken off! Most everything is thriving, even the plants that were sabotaged by a deer last week. I love spending time in here daily weeding and investigating the new growth of each plant. In another week or so I'll be ready to plant some more lettuce seeds and broccoli seeds for a fall crop. I can't believe summer is already almost half over...it seems like it just started here. The 4th of July was cool (low 60s) and rainy but it's supposed to hit 90 by the end of the week. I think I just heard my pepper plants yell "woo hoo!!!"