Sunday at the San Diego Zoo

I think it is high time I document our California trip. Here is the first batch of pictures taken the day after Whitney's (Rob's sister) wedding, Mother's Day. We stuck around Jim and Whit's for the morning, cleaning up and watching them open presents. We were sad Christian and Shandra had to take off that morning and we missed their company. After the opening, we headed down to the zoo, which lived up to its hype. It was beautiful and I loved it. We had a great time. It was sort of sad though, because one by one, everyone had to take off. It was a great way to end the busy wedding week.

Tuck and Bidu:

Anders and Jim:

The super cool gorilla habitat:

Goose and her new boyfriend (he has dreds; not sure he is really her type):

Their were 3 panda's, very cool:

The baby panda is hanging out in the hammock in the tree above Lu's head:

Tutu, Papa and the some of the keiki:

Anders and the okapi:

Our navigator (he must have Pop-pop's blood or something, the kid loved the map):

The whole crew minus Rob the photographer:

My Urban Farm (Well Sort Of)

I was a busy little farmer today, and I am afraid I have a killer farmer burn to prove it (why do I always forget that sunblock?). I finished planting (well almost), mowed the way long grass (AND EDGED!), used the clippings to mulch the garden, did some improvisation to expand my beds for more planting, built 3 compost containers (Wow...you should be impressed. I was very creative), and did a ton of watering and weeding. Kudos to me and my garden. Here is a mini-tour of the yard in it's late spring glory:

Can't remember the name of this ground cover, but I love it:

Some pretty purlple salvia:

These are essentially weeds, just about ready to burst into bloom, weed or not they are lovely.  Plus I can make valium with them if I want; Valerium is the plant:

Wish I could remember the name of this little shrub.  I planted it last summer and it is really beautiful this spring:
Sweet Woodruff, a favorite groundcover of mine:

Another I've forgotten the name of, but it is sure pretty:

My lettuce, with little Japanese lettuce mix sprouting up beside it:

One of the eggplants, fresh in it's new home, all tucked in with it's grass mulch:

Swiss chard breaking out:

Golden and Italian heirloom beets sprouting up:

The first tomato (not a great picture, but exciting!):

Cilantro to go with the peppers and tomatoes in homemade salsa:

My three, easy, not very fancy compost containers (just think of all that lucious soil next summer, it almost makes me giddy, because I like to pretend I am a farmer):

My pole beans peeking up, and look how cute the bamboo poles are, so organic, no?"

Ichiban eggplant which last summer proved to be an indispensible panini ingredient:

Swiss chard that got a headstart:

Newly planted basil (other yummy herbs not pictured sage, thyme, rosemary, parsley, Italian parsley):

This tree is hands down the only "feature" of our house worth much.  I love these big Silver Maples:

The dogwood bush is just about to blossom:

Juggling

Do you ever feel like you are juggling 5 million balls and what you really want to do is scream really loudly and then just walk away and let them all drop? Maybe I should hire a chauffeur, a housecleaner, a tutor for the kids, a gardening assistant, a lawnmower, and an errand runner. While I'm at it I should hire a personal trainer, or better yet a personal motivator. That's what I really need. And how about hiring someone to do my church job, would that be kosher? That would be nice, so would summer vacation. Only 15 more days to go, WAHOOOOOO!!!!

Need Your Help

 I have a project I am involved with.  We have a group called One Heart (based on Acts 4:32)  We raise money to help provide micro-credit in El Salvador.  Lately we have taken on a new project, and are trying to raise money to help an incredible guy named Guillermo help run an orphanage in Guatemala.  Read about it here.  We normally raise money through small monthly contributions (a big group of people donating a small amount of money, eventually adds up to make a difference).  I would like to have a big fundraiser.  We did a yard sale a few years ago and raised $400.00, and our bake sale raised $200.00 (which in microcredit terms is great).  I'd like to do better this time.  In June I want to hold a big yard sale/craft sale/bake sale.  I don't have any details such as location and date yet and would like some feedback.  If you would like to donate items let me know.  If you have any good ideas on how to make this a killer fundraiser, let me know too.  If anyone has a great, high traffic location we could hold the event, let me know.  I'l advertise on KSL's site and wherever else you all think. I plan on taking fliers around the neighborhood, requesting peoples crap to sell. (One man's junk is another's treasure, right?)  Anyway, I need your help to make this happen.  

Back In Business

We just got back from California.  We went for Rob's sister's wedding. We had a great time seeing everyone, but it wasn't a terribly relaxing trip.  Weddings are a busy time!

The drive was so LONG and we are so tired.  Anyway, hopefully I'll get around to posting about our trip, catching up on all of your blogs,  and my NYTimes op-eds soon.  First I have to clear all the dog poo that accumulated in our front yard up.  There is a reason I don't have a dog and the crap is a major one.  So is it neighborly to fling the poo on my neighbors yard or should I just suck it up and put it in my trash?  My neighbor is very nice, I just hate that his dogs think my yard is their personal toilet.  Anyway, I'm tired and am going to bed.

Attention Gardeners!

I found an EXCELLENT link on my friend Mindi's blog.  It has answered several of my questions and has lots of good information.  Check it out: Wasatch Gardens

Thanks Mindi!

Bragging

Congratulations, to my daughter, number 4, who scored the first goal for her team last night in the first game of soccer season.  And congrats to all my kids who were troopers, because last night winter reared it's ugly head again and it was FREEZING.  They didn't care, they had a blast.  I was the one that couldn't warm up for hours after all the games.  It was fun anyway.  It's so fun to see the kids out there having such a blast and feeling confident and playing better each year.  I love soccer season.