Honorable Discharge

OK, so it's been a very long time since I've posted anything. Thanks to Erika and Finn for filling up cyberspace with all of their excellent photos and touching words.

Here are a few things I've been enjoying lately. Since being "discharged" (honorably) from the hospital I've had little time to sit back and relax in the back yard. This afternoon I did just that...

Finn contemplating the organic, grass-fed, free-range, pesticide-free greens grown with alternative energy! Erika assures me that no weeds have snuck in there, but I still have my doubts.

This was a lucky snap - Finn is not quite there yet, but at least he's trying. Erika is admiring her young greens and structurally sound "grow beds."

Grapes!! We're looking forward to our first harvest of grapes this year.

Finn checking out the outskirts of his kingdom.

It was agonizing to see our patio 78% finished and not be able to work on it. But thanks to a friend and a few motivated rock moving sessions - I finally get to post the (near) finished product! I figured I lifted 12,000 lbs for this project. 4000 lbs of rock, and I probably moved each stone on average three times to get the fit just right - no wonder I ended up in the ER!

And for a satisfying look back - here is what our back yard looked like a little over a year ago. In this photo Erika is about 6 months pregnant with Finn.

Everyday Adventures

Practicing walking. It is all about pushing things around the house....










Proud to be a professional speed crawler.











"working" with me in the garden at school

Traveling Taste Buds

Recipe: Almond, Black Sesame Seed Crusted Goat Cheese with Fresh Garden Greens Drizzled in Olive oil and Balsamic Vinegar
We are fortunate to live within walking or biking distance of many of my co-teachers, so last weekend we finally took advantage of the proximity and the beautiful weather to have a traveling eat-fest.

The festivities began at our house. I had enough fresh greens to gather a first harvest from the garden. They were so fresh, tender and tasty, especially topped with these goat cheese treats. I also harvested rhubarb to throw together the season's second batch of Rhubarb Dumplings. The dumplings always go so fast. I can never get enough.

Look Mom, No Hands

Finn is getting more independent with eating, especially when it comes to being in control of the spoon. As you can see, it is does not make for the tidiest of meals.





















Above:Check out those teeth! He has five now and I'm pretty sure he's working on popping out another one (or more)
any day now.





Below: he's working hard to be independent, holding the cup on his own while drinking his smoothie with a straw.