Indentify Please

Can someone tell us what this gourd is:


It isn't smooth at all. The hairs on it are rather prickly.  It is about the size of my fist.  There is no smell yet, as we don't think it is ripe.  Honeydews and muskmelons were my two choices-- but don't they have smooth rinds, even when growing?  It is such an odd tear-drop shape too.  The vine leaves themselves are huge, and not melon like at all. Any guesses? Anyone?

Windows Done (Almost)

Old windows

Or: How's Will's Office Got Cleaned.

Will's office finally has new windows.  We had to empty everything out of the space in order for them to reach the 5 openings.

Say Goodbye!

All of his 40 plants went into the dining room.  I was thrilled, as you can imagine. But I was finally able to get in there and dust! vacuum! mop!  It was a triumphant day, even if the dining room was basically taken over.

Plants, plants everywhere!

Ooh!  Aah!

BUT, the windows went in.

The windows open and close easily.

They are so clean.

They are so bright.

I love them.

And only after 2 days of cleaning and reorganizing, Will's office has finally returned.  Only, you can get to all the corners and there aren't 8 things plugged into one plug with only various adapters.  The plants are arranged better and a lot of the junk has been thrown out/given away (except for the Sega... he swears that might be worth something on eBay one of these days...)

sparkly and organized

Now we only have one more room to do and it is complicated (bookshelves in front of windows: BRILLIANT!) but with the holiday and vacation, that room will just have to wait. So, the majority of the windows are in.  The mess has been cleaned up.  And the air conditioning isn't leaking.

The Best Fourth

Happy 4th of July everyone!  It is great one around here--not because we are in the nation's capital and get to see all sorts of fireworks from our rooftop.

Nope.  It is a great one because we have started harvesting homegrown tomatoes!!!  I did pick more than what the photo suggests.... only those didn't make back to the house to be photographed.  Ahem.  Irresistible!

Happy Birthday Caroline!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAROLINE!

Hope you have a marvelous day and Cheers to you!!

XXOO

Happy Birthday Erin!!

Happy Birthday Erin!  I hope for a marvelous celebration and a fantastic year!

(an oldie but a good photo--remember the nuns betting on the ponies behind us? They did much better at picking the winners.  I wonder if they were cheating....)

 

Anniversaries

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Today is the 11th anniversary of Caroline and Darren.  Congrats and happy day to you and we are wishing you many more. 

Darren and Caroline

And then I realized that I missed my other sister's anniversary-- it snuck by me (nor was it on the calendar that I put together to remind of important family events.  It will be next year!).  So, here is a belated Happy Anniversary to Becca and Dave. I know that it was a lovely celebration.

Becca and Dave

 And, in anticipation, here is an extremely early Happy Anniversary to my brother and sister-in-law, Jeremy and Kristie.  They won't be celebrating their 16th years of wedded bliss until November, but just in case I forget that one as well, I am putting it in the blog early!

Jeremy & Kristie

The Back Path

Our back path down by the alley is an amazing little section of the yard.  We basically ignore it and the lilies, lavender, sweet Williams, sneezeweed, balloon flowers, and irises go about their business.  The jasmine bush (far right) sends out beautiful tiny gorgeous smelling flowers in the early spring.  The butterfly bush (left side) beckons the bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds into our garden--it also is in desperate need of a haircut.  This little path is a lovely way to enter and leave the garden.  Always green and something in bloom, it always makes me smile.