Garden

I've been threatening to start a garden for the last few years and never seemed to find any time or energy to actually do it. Add to that the fact that my thumb is not green, it's black, so me getting anything to grow is pretty much not going to happen. Until now! It was a bit of a late start getting everything into the ground but I should have a crop of about 16 different things. SO excited! I'm even getting ready to start pickling and canning in case I end up with more than we can eat or share this year. I tried to stick to all organic and heirlooms because I think the flavor is so much better. If everything grows we're going to have cucumbers, red peppers, jalapenos, pumpkins, honeydew, cantaloupe, tomatos, buttercup squash, zucchini, basil, rosemary, um... and some other stuff. I forgot to label everything and can't remember them all. We should have a few surprises come up over the next few weeks.

Here's a wheelbarrow full of plants and herbs that I actually watered!

Who knew water was so critical to success....

Here's this little guy looking so small and fragile.

He's going to hopefully grow into a wonderful pumpkin patch for the kiddies to visit in October and choose a jack-o-lantern to carve.So far, so good

Cody hates tomatoes, but I love them so we have three plants and I'm considering more. These are all heirlooms and I'm looking forward to all the different colors and flavors.

Looks like we'll have some soon!

Goodbye Darling McKenzie

the last month or so has been big a one for us. and at a time of our biggest happiness, we also experienced our deepest sadness. :(

5 weeks ago, our little McKenzie was hit by a car and killed out the front of our house. I have been trying to write this post for the last month... but it is just so hard. I still expect to see her happy little face come running round the corner with a squeaky toy in her mouth.

it happened in an instant - she was taken from us. she frolicked out onto the road after her big brother Cooper to go see another doggy on the other side. she wouldn't have seen it coming and she wouldn't have felt a thing. unfortunately we are the ones left to feel her loss.

she was with us for just over 2 and a half years, but boy did we love her - she totally earned her nickname of Mischievous McKenzie but she put a smile on our faces every single day. although it took Coop a long time to warm to her, he is heartbroken also. the place is so empty without her. we know in time the pain will go away, and we just wait for that day.

but, we must celebrate her life. she was the sweetest little girl, who loved us unconditionally. we rescued her from the humane society when she was just a pup, and gave her the best life a doggy can have.

she had a nice big yard to run free in and soak up the rays

a big brother to snuggle

to keep her warm

and to pester

she had an endless supply of treats

squeaky toys

walks

play dates

and park visits

she went on camping trips

beach tripshikes

car rides

and even boat tripsShe not only had Cooper as her big brother, she had a best friend in Max.

she warmed not only our hearts but our bed as we'd often wake up with her snuggled right under the sheets down at your feet - without us even knowing...

it happened the day after we brought Mabel home from the hospital, and while Mabel had gotten to hear her barks and funny little howl while she was in my belly

this was as close as they really got...

I have a feeling the 3 of them would have gotten into all sorts of mischief together.

she had a great life, if but a short one. Bryce said to me "All Dogs Go to Heaven" and I imagine her running around there with a smile on her face just like this photo here.

we love you and miss you so much our little McKenzie!

Renegade Craft Fair 2011

My friend Julie is heading from Brooklyn to San Francisco next weekend to sell jewelry at this year's Renegade Craft Fair at Fort Mason. Here are a few of the items Julie has made. I love the astrology cuff braceletAnother vendor I'm looking forward to seeing is Stephanie Tillman who makes adorable embroideries.

Grandma Tweet Crocheted a Sweater

I had no idea my mom has been secretly clipping patterns for baby stuff for years and years until the night I went to visit her when I was several months pregnant and she asked if I wanted to take a look at some patterns for the baby. I said, "sure" thinking there'd be a small stack to look through and was amazed and overwhelmed when my mom busted out an enormous stack of files of patterns, all neatly labeled, for the grandchild she'd apparently been dreaming of for the past 20 or so years. She had patterns saved from outfits she had sewn for me when I was little along with pattens that he own mother had sewn for her. It took several hours to whittle the stack down to a manageable number of things I'd actually want and ever since then Grandma Tweet has been hard at work making all the cute baby clothes I've requested. She presented us with this latest creation on Sunday. It's the perfect size and color, but right now the weather is too hot to wear it. I'm hoping cooler weather this weekend so Savannah can model her new sweater.

First Father's Day

This was Cody's first Father's Day
I think it's safe to say he had a GREAT day!

First, he and Savannah snuggled on the couch and
enjoyed some pre-breakfast Reese's Pieces

Then we headed to the Country Inn Cafe
in San Jose for a big, greasy breakfast

The wait was a bit long and someone looked depressed..

but a quick cheek tickle did the trick!

Much better!

Dad couldn't resist kissing that little face

Then we headed back to the house where
Cody played with his new helicopter

He really, really likes it but I may regret buying
it if he keeps flying it in the house

Savannah got a Father's Day present too

Then we had a family picture taken before we left
our little Birdy with Grandma Tweet and headed
up to San Francisco to see a show at Teatro Zinzanni

Pre-dinner cocktails. I had a Mojito in honor of the Latin themed party

Lovely paper flowers
Whee!

We weren't allowed to take pictures during the performance, but this lady
and her gazangas were nice enough to pose for a photo afterward.

I must admit it feels strange being here

Hello Flufflefritz! It's been a long, long time since I've visited you.

It's a very strange feeling to be writing again when I've had such a long absence. I'll be heading out in a few minutes for a girls' night out and am planning to take my friends Holly and Danielle on the world famous 'round the world tour originally invented with Kate. I got nostalgic and was looking through our old posts when the mood struck to write a bit. Kate and I each had our babies just a few months apart and I'm looking forward to lots of play dates and family camping trips. Savannah is growing fast and I miss her intensely during the day. She's a very happy baby and rarely fusses. She even giggles in her sleep - a sound that breaks my heart every time I hear it. I was warned that babies grow up too fast, but I never believed it. Now I find myself trying to cling to every second I spend with her because I already miss her littleness.

Smiling in her sleep

hello world

Baby Mabel Margaret.

Born Thursday 26 May at 11:21pm. Weighed 3.5 kg (7 pounds, 12 ounces), and 53cms (20.5 inches) long.

we're still trying to figure out who she looks most like, but we love her more than words can say.