Take me out to the ball game!

For Mother's Day with Jim's mom, we went to a Charlotte Knights baseball game! It was the busiest I've ever seen the stadium! Despite the crowds, we had a great time! Jim, JJ, and I took a ride on the carousel and played on the hill for a while, since JJ was getting antsy. The Knights won (woohoo!) and the evening ended in an awesome fireworks display. JJ enjoyed them once he was cuddled up with his mommy. Here's some pictures, which are all pretty self-explanatory, of our awesome trip!

Garden Update!

Here's a few snapshots of the garden. Everything is growing well and getting lots of sun and water! There is definitely an emotional component to gardening. I feel so invested (not only financially) in these plants. Some represent months of preparation, some are "I'll just wing it" experiments, some are years in growing (rosemary and lavender have been with me a while) and feel like a part of the family. Tending to this space is a time of meditation, aspiration, and perspiration for me unlike anything else (even those quiet moments allotted in church). Everyone needs some "me" time, and this is definitely mine. What is your "me" time?  

Here's my first tomato growing--looks like it's going to be a big beauty!

First plum tomato!

Pretty butterfly bush and other flowers!

This is the only carrot that I have gotten to grow. After planting 4 rows of seeds (2 at a time), I think I have officially given up on carrots. I do, however, guard this one like it's the last life on the planet. There's a "Children of Men" element to gardening for sure!

Potato plants

Lettuce that I need to EAT! A row of mesclun is sprouting in between these rows.

Broccoli! Woohoo!

Lavender 

Rosemary

Asparagus. In another few seasons, these bad boys should be full of yummy stalks to eat!

Rhubarb! JJ loves snacking on the leaves (just kidding, Mom!)

Thyme

Basil

Beans!

I have learned a lot of valuable gardening lessons this year, and can't wait to put them into practice in the coming seasons. Check back for more updates and pictures of our bounty! 

Walking around Charlotte

JJ and I stopped by the McGill Rose Garden yesterday to check out their blooms. It's just up the street from us and is a little piece of heaven! It was built on a former coal yard, and an old coal car with coal chunks at its feet still stands as a memorial to Helen McGill, who planted a lot of the roses there today. They also sell herbs and other plants, so come next year, I can stock my garden from just up the road! Check out their site for more pretty pictures and info.

Coal car mentioned above. Between the wheels, you can see all of the coal.

This was hidden behind the garden. I think it's a work area, but it was super peaceful and pretty.

There are so many sculptures throughout the garden. 

Figs!

Creepy kangaroo/rat sculpture.

Set up for a wedding, perhaps?

Some of the thorns out there were more impressive than the roses they were protecting!

St. Francis hiding among the foliage

Cousin to the Disco Chicken!

Fennel everywhere!!!

Next we decided to continue enjoying the day, so JJ and I walked to Target mostly using the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. It was a delightful trek, albeit tiring! We walked over 4 miles once the day was done. It was awesome!

Geese in the water!

Gay ducks! These guys were swimming together for a while, with no female in sight. I've never seen that happen! They are always quarreling and aggressing toward one another. But these guys were clearly on the same team. Screw you, Amendment 1!

JJ and I opted to stay on the sidewalk on the way back so that we wouldn't interrupt some nice family time for these geese and their 2 goslings. Can you see them in the middle there? So cute!!

Uptown Charlotte. Hello, lover!