Zoo!

This morning, Ruby and I played hooky from our daily grind and met up with some good friends over at the zoo. Even with a light mist, we had a great time. It was the first time I had seen most if not all of the animals out and about!

This leopard must have been hungry because he just kept pacing in front of us and would occasionally stop to "hiss" at us. At least I am telling myself he was just hungry and not trying to think of an escape route!

Then the rain really started to pick up and our babies were getting soaked. We ducked inside the closest building to get dry. What did we see? Lemurs!!


Not sure if Ruby is staring at the lemur or the little boy on the other side.

Once the rain let up, we headed back outside and to the big animal section. I was trying to get a cute picture of Ruby and I, but Ruby caught a glimpse of the giraffes.

So I tried again, but this time she saw the ostrich.

Finally, I somewhat got her attention for a picture.

Veggies!

Our raised garden veggie bed is really coming along nicely. We planted sugar snap peas, tomatoes, peppers and lettuce that we started from seed indoors, and direct sowed carrots, basil, and another type of lettuce. Joe got some tomatoes, cucumbers started from seed indoors from John and Sherry and I have bought some more tomato seedlings as well.

And it is all looking pretty happy!

Ruby has been chomping on our peas for quite some time now

And our tomato flowers have turned to young fruits!

But we were completely shocked to see this guy growing!

Awesome!

Memorial Day Weekend

Whew, a long weekend was just what I needed. Especially one filled with BBQ and pool time and LOTS of sun. Ruby and I are both sporting sunkissed looks today, but I promise I put 60+ SPF on her! As her hair gets blonder and blonder, her skin is getting bronzer. She really is my baby! Our long weekend started early, with Joe, my dad, and I heading out to Eureka for a special project. My sister's mother-in-law's neighbor (you following?) was looking to get rid of the wooden playground set she had in her backyard. We were looking for something else to put in our backyard.

And there it is! Starting be rebuilt and customized for our little Ruby Ru. I have so many fun ideas for this playset, I cannot even WAIT.

Sunday Ruby had her first real experience in a pool at Joe's aunt's house. I had put her in a pool last year, but she was a tiny baby and had no idea what was going on. This time, she was fully aware that she was in a large bathtub like feature with everyone she knew. And she loved it.

Monday was more of the same, but this time it was a different pool and ribs were on the buffet line. And Ruby loves her some ribs (again, my daughter for sure!).

Happy Memorial Day!

Commute

After living in the city and only a mile from work, my daily commute in from the inner suburbs is a bit of a grind. (+6 for city living, -12 for suburbia) There are two routes I can take that are somewhat direct shots to my mom's house to drop off Ruby, and then 2 routes I can take to get in to work. Both routes to my mom's house are plagued with traffic. Today, I decided to appreciate the route for its beauty. On one route I drive through a part of town that is incredibly well maintained. I love this route because some of the houses could be in Better Homes and Gardens. Of course, it is hard to take a good photo from the car (even when I'm sitting in slow traffic) but I tried.

Even the underpasses are wonderfully landscaped. Who knew that driving under a highway could provide me with some gardening inspiration?

Note to self: Get some hydrangea already!

From Flower to Fruit

A look at the process of becoming a pea.






I was going to post a picture of our first pea harvest, but Ruby ate them all. Seriously.