Normally at this time of day I'd be chivvying Dear Son about the house trying to get ready to leave for carpool (starts at 6:20 a.m. this thing does), but he is at his 6th grade class trip to the Teton Mountains this week and dear daughter doesn't have to make an appearance anywhere until 7:30.
First things first. The Husband of the Year award goes to my dear one this year for sheer gardening prowess and determination. Witness.
Starting at the top: nearly glow-in-the-dark impatiens across the front of the house (gorgeous!); bright cypress ground cover, bamboo, and spiderwort near the grill in the sun; hostas in lots of colors and viburnum in the shade at the back of the patio garden; and finally flowering something in the frying pan that is the west side of the house (he also has a weeping cherry that goes here but he hasn't decided yet where exactly to place it). All that in addition to cutting the grass this weekend as the yard boy is gallivanting about the mountains out west.
How about a round of applause. There was increased Tylenol consumption in the house yesterday evening...
I wish you could smell this lilac. I've got two, one in front and one in back, so every time I step out of a door this time of year, lilac hits me square between the eyes. It doesn't get any better than that. Next week the mock orange will bloom and fill my yard with that heady scent. I love this time of year in St. Louis.
How about a series of bullets in place of more random updates...
- Book Club on Sunday night here was fun, but I feel the thing kind of dying. Most did read the book this time (and admittedly, I'm often one who doesn't read or go prepared to talk), but we hardly talk of the books anymore. We spend a couple of hours socializing -- not that there's anything wrong with that, I guess. I guess that preparation is the key... and someone needs to guide the conversation and keep it on the book. But it's so much more fun to talk babies and such right now. Still somehow, it feels like we've strayed. The Darn Good Chocolate cake I made from the Cake Mix Doctor book was in fact darn good though...
- Each day we get an update and a set of pictures from one of the teachers on the trip with Dear Son. Very considerate, I think. And fun to look through. I don't think of myself as a helicopter parent, and Son travels well, but it's still fun to see where he's been each day. Yesterday was snowshoeing in the mountains. Somehow I find that hard to picture ; ) He's wearing handknits in the pictures as all of the hats I got the men for Christmas (Mizzou and OSU) have disappeared so I sent him with my own hat. That went over very well by the way... not. If you want a link to the pics (I won't bore you with them here) let me know and I'll forward it to you.
- Dear Son and Dear Daughter have both had birthdays in the last two weeks. 16 and 12 now. Time flies.
- The Swine Flu coverage gives me a rant. How can any of us make an intelligent decision about our risk level when the media is screaming at us all the time?!
And finally? The bulk of the knitting on the yellow sweater is done. Here it is blocking (I never block before I sew, but I'm treating this sweater with reverence since I love it so much.)
Click to embiggen. Whew. She is soft and lovely and subtly shaded with orange and God I was sorry to finish the cabling.
Wow - so many things to say WOW about! The landscaping/yardwork is indeed awesome. Looks very professional. Lucky you to have a talented (and willing) Husband of the Year!!
And the sweater - oh, the sweater is incredible. Looks oh-so-yummy. I understand the treating it with reverence thing, too!
Posted by: Tracy | May 05, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Your yard is lovely, and the knitting, too! The son should enjoy the Tetons, it's a great time of year to be there. We spent a few days there nine years ago and I would love to go back someday.
Posted by: Pat K | May 05, 2009 at 12:09 PM
That sweater is on my "maybe" list. I can't wait to see how it looks all put together!
Kids grow up way too fast. (Well, except for when it seems like they'll never grow up!) My eldest went to Philmont last year. It was the longest time he'd ever been away. Trips like that are really good for kids' maturity levels, though.
Having daily email updates must be great & pictures are an added bonus. I'd love to see the pictures.
Posted by: Lucinda | May 08, 2009 at 12:39 PM