Gator for Gus

We went to a party last weekend and the hostess gave Gus this John Deere mini-ATV since her grandson had outgrown it. It looks just like Aaron's at work.

You can tell how he feels about it! He likes to push the buttons that make noise and scoot backwards with his toes.

Summer Swinging

We bought this swing ages ago and all of a sudden Gus is old enough to use it!

Its perfect. We can have him hovering like a little cherub over us while we sit out on the patio.

He seems to enjoy it - either giggling or looking very relaxed and crossing his feet at the ankles.

Loves some Lemon

Oregon Gardens :)

Mas Jardins :)

... and Mas :)

Naked Babe

Summer Splash

Toy Time

Summer Suds

Oregon Trip

We have just returned from the International Magnolia Society meeting in Portland and there were many highlights but my personal favorite was the party held for us at a cool, local nursery owned by a famous plant man who travels the world in search of the strange and unusual.

Their nursery was incredibly designed. Rather than the humdrum greenhouses you see everywhere these were styled with an open Asian flair and had furniture throughout so you could have incredible parties.

A passage to the "Fetish" room complete with outdoor rug and conversation area

Their gardens were insane - fringed poppy

Chandeliers in a greenhouse!!

More Oregon Beauty

A visit to the Chinese Garden - luckily the peonies were still in bloom and on display

Mmmmm....

This branch at one of the oldest private gardens in Portland looked like bronze sculpture.

Gorgeous little beauty

Callas as big as your head

Beautiful display garden at a local grower

And of course, Mt. Hood is a great place to have lunch after looking at lush green plants in 80 degree weather all day.

This Weekend I Loved...

The sight of: Gus' Daycare Garden coming together - Aaron donated the plants, soil, and grunt work and I helped him plant. There is a butterfly garden, English herb garden, vegetable garden, wildflower garden, berry garden and 3 exotic plant gardens.

The taste of: our first ever Saturday night fish fry. I tried a new recipe for lightly fried tilapia and homemade tartar sauce. It was awesome!!

The sound of:Gus making his first clear "Mama" sound. Although it is hard to get him to duplicate it and he doesn't know what it means, hearing it clearly for the first time was still pretty cool.

The thought of: No work for the next week.

The act of: visiting our new neighborhood cafe. We have waited forever for this to open and it really adds to the neighborhood feel. It is owned by an Italian family and they have excellent gelato, paninis and coffee. ALSO - stitching the first few squares of my baby quilt! Its actually coming together!

Remember When

About this time 3 years ago we went to St. Lucia on a heavenly, relaxing, special vacation. We read, ate...

swam, snorkeled....

looked at gardens....

And came up with a name for Harrison!