Food adventures

I've been doing some food adventures. I go to the store, I buy a piece of produce that I have never used before, and usually have no idea as to what it actually is, and then have to make dinner with it. This time I unfortunately forgot to post a picture of the actual vegetable in question.
But this is what I made, and someone finally told me it was a leek. Hm. Ok. Well, lets not use those again. At least not in conjunction with stirfry, mushrooms, peas, sprouts, and onions in a stir fry.
Ah well, I tried.

1st 1 year old friend of the series

I've pretty much had 1 friend give birth to a child every month since January of this year, and the pattern is not going to be done until September. For now, though, 1 friend had his baby last August, giving me a 4 month break before the baby-boom series began. That baby, Sadie, just turned 1. She just learned how to walk last month too! And here she is:

What better way to celebrate a first birthday in August than a pool party and cake!

They had pinwheels for favors, and she simply couldn't get enough of having me blow on it to make it spin for her. Anything for a princess, no?

Good times were had by all, and it was good to be me, and for her it was good to be a 1 year old princess for a day!

Feeder

I found these delightful petite hummingbird feeders at the Lowe$. Seeing as how I am not entirely skilled at powertools, construction and all things manly (although I fake it well) I was glad I found one that did not require me drilling into my ceiling or walls outside, or installing any other types of hardware. I stuck one in my "garden" and another one in my my "hanging basket" (which, by the way RW, I have not killed yet! Give it time though... then I will take it to the park). The hanging basket, for me, was another story. I tried 3 different times to install a screw or hook or piece of hardware so that I could hang it from the ceiling of my patio, to no avail.
After much dust in my eyes, and hardware falling onto my head, I finally relented and just hung the darned thing over my railing. Problem solved.
Now, if I could just find some time to paint my railing. It's supposed to be blue, but the seasalt has rusted it, and now it's brown. I like brown, but it doesn't go with everyone elses blue.
But back to the hummingbird feeders, I am happy. I have not had a chance to see a hummingbird using them yet, but I don't doubt that it is just a matter of time (and being home!)

What's been growing on...

In between studying, work, SDONS, and generally living, I actually make time to stop and smell the roses. Or tomatoes as the case may be. It's not the most impressive tomato plant, but at least it's being productive!
I had planted a few gladiola bulbs from the girls I met from Amsterdam, and they sure have been growing!

I was pretty excited when I saw that it was actually going to bloom! I was curious as to which color it would be, and this morning I had my answer:

YELLOW!!!

I am delighted with my little garden. I will post later about my cute little humming bird feeders I just put up, but for now, I will be entirely contented and smug about my yellow, blooming gladiola!

It's good to be me! It's the little things in life, don't you think?