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Bea's been going to ballet class. She waited a whole year, impatiently, for the chance to go. You have to be four. It's really called "Creative Movement" but since all the little ladies show up in tutus and ballet slippers and they all call it "ballet class" well, that's what it must be. Yesterday the ballet teacher got really ambitious and tried to teach the ten little dancers a routine. It was mayhem. Utter mayhem! Cute, but very chaotic.
It's so fun to watch a gaggle of girls dance without any bit of self-consciousness. I wish I knew some way to keep them in that place -- where they aren't worried about their size or how they look to anyone else or if they're doing it "right" or like the other kids. They just dance however they want and enjoy themselves. So sweet.
*AND, this is kind of exciting! This pic made the front page of Explore! Whoopee!*
Have a great weekend all.
I'm not going to mention the weather: not the incessant rainy days, not the gloom, not the lower than avearge (waaaaaaay lower) temperatures... nope. Instead, as Mrs. Glass-Half-Full, I'm going to show you what's blooming around the yard despite the lack of sunshine in these parts. First off, the pinkiest red rose that is taking over one bed beside the house as well as another bed by the driveway. I'm inclined to let it just take over wherever it wants. It's lovely, it's vigorous, it appears to be happy where it is... who am I to try and tame it back to make room for other things that are much more trouble, require coddling and attention? Bloom where you're planted or die! My new motto.
(It should be obvious to you at this time that perhaps the rain and gloom and lack of heat and sunshine is starting to effect yours truly...)
And this is Little Bobbie. Sweet, isn't she? A wee little dianthus. I'd be happy if she wanted to take over more space but she's just not that way. She is one little clump in the red and pink bed.
I believe this is a scabiosa, "Butterfly Blue. " The thing is, other scabiosa I have known and loved (and killed, sadly) have been shorties. This one is over three feet tall. Is it scabiosa still? In any case, it's a lovely thing.
My favorite rose: Snow Pavement. Why it ended up with such a silly name for such a beautiful rose? I don't know. You can't really tell here but this rose is the most delicate mix of pale pink and lavendar. So lovely.
And this rose is known only by the name "Dooryard Rose." If only there was a scratch and sniff option! It would be the perfect time to use it. Oh, it's a sweet one.
And there's more and more of it to come.
I have a little something to show for myself. Really, I do. A little while ago I knit myself those socks. And then I had some yarn leftover which I thought, for no particular reason, was enough yarn for another pair, size small. So I launched in and with the ever-present prodding of the sweet little miss four, I began socks for her.
Why? Why I ask you? Why knit socks for someone whose feet are growing larger by the moment?!
Because who can resist, "Mama, are you knitting socks for ME?! Oh, that's so nice." I can't resist that.
I realized mid-way through sock #2 that things weren't going to go as planned. There was no way in heck there was going to be enough yarn for a pair. What to do? Abandon ship? Too late for that. No choice but to go forward. I found the little bit that was left from my lace socks -- briefly thought about finishing that toe in the lace pattern just for fun -- but then realized that wouldn't be fun, that would be awful -- and finished the little socks for the little miss.
Socks in July you say? Yes, that's right. Socks in July. We've been wearing socks. And sweaters if you must know. Tuesday I noticed at about 3: PM that the temperature on the thermometer was below 60 degrees. In July. Hrmph.
Woodchuck that is.
As previously mentioned, the woodchuck saw fit to gobble up all of the cabbages I planted. And then the marigolds, sunflowers, broccoli raab and lettuces. We were having crazy thoughts: maybe I needed to take up a firearm and wait up at night... Em offered to do the same with a bow and arrow... Lucian's more level head prevailed and we put out the Have-a-Heart. But no one planned to have much heart for the woodchuck when he showed up.
But he hasn't showed up. The trap has been down there for days and no sign of the thief. We put cabbage leaves in the trap to entice him but no sign. I'm wondering if he's eating his way around the neighborhood and will be back soon. You know, give the lettuces a chance to come back a little before he strikes again.
What's not going so well:
Lettuces: What Chuck didn't get the slugs are.
Potatoes: Potato beetles everywhere. Eggs, small ones, big ones, procreating ones, it is GROSS.
Arugula: Lacy from aphids or something or other.
What's going well: Garlic, onions, peppers, swiss chard, basil, and tomato plants. There's no sign of any tomatoes yet but the plants look good.
What's really going to be good: it's almost blueberry time!
Hope you are having a great weekend wherever you are...
If you want to use garlic scapes for more than just a fancy bracelet, let me suggest this:
Garlic Scape Pesto
1 1/2 C. chopped scapes
3/4 C. grated parmesan
3T. or more olive oil
1/3 C. toasted pine nuts or walnuts or sunflower seeds or I just used tamari roasted pumpkin nuts
water if you want to thin it
salt to taste
Combine all but the water and salt in a food processor or blender and let it whirl. Then water and salt to taste. I can't begin to tell you how delicious this is. It goes without saying that you should be sure to serve it to anyone you are going to be around for the day -- it's really, really potent. Really. Put it on noodles! Fish! Slather it on toast! Eat it right off the spoon!
