Baby Update

So we're at 29 weeks + 1 day today.  That means 11 weeks to go!  Sometimes this seems like a long time and sometimes and incredibly short time!  Anyways, we had a midwife appointment this morning and she said everything is going really well, for which we are very thankful!  Today's heartrate was 140 and she was able to find it immediately (the last time it took a while because the baby was moving too much!!).  Speaking of moving, this baby is extremely active--I have been getting kicked/elbowed/whatever else A LOT!  It's almost constantly moving--some people tell me they work out their sleep patterns in the womb, well this baby has 11 weeks to figure it out because at this point I'm not sure it sleeps much!

In terms of getting ready for the baby, we have the nursery assembled and sort of cleaned out.  I'm working on quilting some things for the walls--they're quilt squares with bees on them and different sayings like: "I beelieve in family"....And I'm hoping that by the end of August we'll have all the basics we need in place so that I don't have to worry about it when I go back to school in September.

So 11 (or less--wishful thinking) weeks to go.  11 (or less) weeks to get everything ready.  And 11 (or less weeks for us to agree on a boy's name(--not sure how this one will happen!)  CRAZY!

Risk!

My brothers should recognize this game:  It's Risk!  The 1975 version. 

Recently, I've had the opportunity of playing the new 2008 version.  Which has some cool stuff in it. 
So I decided to update the 1975 version! 
So here is the 1975/2008 version blended.  Which is awesome because of the cool retro cards featuring cannons, soldiers, and horsemen; and still has Siam, Ukraine (the Ukraine is Strong!), Quebec, and the Congo.
I'm looking forward to playing it now.  Anyone up for a game?

Above, is the whole game, complete with the ability to play with SIX players (although, who wants to be pink when you go to war -- I have no idea...!)

And below, the new Risk objectives (major; minor; rewards; and capitals; cities; and new reward system - the more stars you turn in the more armies you get)

Dave's Handiwork

Big project #1--DONE!!!  (Other than a bit of clean up).

We've been talking about moving the fence to halfway up the house ever since we moved in.  We didn't use the side yard for anything so we thought we'd meld part of it into the backyard.  So on Monday Dave started working on the fence and here's the final product.

The frame that you see in the forefront is where the fence was--we still have to pull the frame out and cut down the ugly cedar you see there!  And we moved the fence up--so now we have more backyard and can see part of my side garden in the backyard!

And here it is from the front.  And Dave-being the genius that he is-made the section of fence to the left of the gate on hinges so that is can be opened if we need to get bigger things in or out of the backyard.

Thanks for working so hard, honey!  It looks awesome!

Wahoo!!! Our Garden Worked!!!!

So for those who know anything about our vegetable garden escapades, you'll remember that last year's garden didn't do so hot!  (And that's really an understatement!)  But this year it's a whole new world!  Today I picked our beans for the first time!!!  We also have lot of tomatos (hopefully they'll ripen) and a few little green peppers.  Very exciting!

We've also been working on a lot of projects around the house.  Hopefully we'll have some pictures to post of our new fence by the end of the day!

Does anyone want it?

Okay, so now that we've established that the plant below is a foxglove.  Does anyone out there want it?  I don't think we're keeping it....
Steph and I can't say that it suits our garden (which isn't very English).

Anyway, if you want it let us know.  First come, first serve I guess.

NETHERLANDS!!!

Is This the Poisonous Foxglove Plant? Some closer pictures for the more scientific study and analysis of this plant.

I'm not convinced that this is indeed Foxglove (the entire plant would be poisonous if it is...)(and useful when cultivated for medicine -- as treatment for -- of all things -- heart problems)(I guess if your heart is medically not right, a small dose can get your heart beating proper again; and if your heart has been broken by someone, a large dose would kill that person...yikes!).

Above, is the birds-eye view of the plant from 7 ft. - Making the plant close to 6 ft. 6 inches tall.  It may be difficult to see from up here, but at the base of the plant, it appears that there are possibly two "bulbs?" that could be separated from this first plant if desired.

I'm not convinced because of the shape of the leaves at the base of the plant.  they're Long (like 8 to 12 inches long), thin (not wide), and not very hairy, but glossy.

Also, the budding flowers are a little shorter than what I've seen pictures of actual Foxglove to have.  The longest on this plant are about the length of the very end of your finger. 

There's a lot of hair on the bottom petal that has emerged from the rest of the bud.

There are also (above) a number of 'suckers' that have branched off the main stalk, with a number of buds developing on them as well.

And this last picture just shows the pinkish-yellow outer surface of the budding flowers; and the yellow interior of the flower with brown lines on the interior surface of the budding flower.

And yet, Foxglove IS the closest fit I've been able to research so far...

The Mystery Being Revealed?

So we got home at 10:30 last night and I thought the flowers should be watered, since it's been so hot. 

And here's what we found:

Flowers on the mystery plant!

Does anyone have any more educated guesses for us now??

Our Gardens

Well, we are in the midst of Day #2 of our summer break and I have to say we are being incredibly productive.  Not sure how long this productivity will last, but while it's here we're getting lots of things done!  After yesterday's strawberry adventures, today we've put together the nursery furniture and worked outside in the garden and trimming the bushes.  Anyways, I thought it was about time for some updated garden pictures--mostly because we think it looks pretty good!  Enjoy!

The front flower box that my mom and I planted

Our bean patch and my purple clematis in the background

The strawberry plants we're trying to start

The full grown strawberry plants (with a huge pile of dead branches in the back...)

One of several planters that my mom and I planted

Our huge hanging baskets

A few shots of the side garden

So the top of the "mystery plant" is hard to see in this picture, but Dave's hand is at the top of it....it just keeps growing taller and taller!  It's taller than me now!  Still no flowers on it....it looks like there are some buds on it but they haven't opened yet.  Still waiting for this one to prove itself!

And the front without the huge ugly bush!