Perfect Moment 8-22-07

Receiving excellent customer service from these guys. What a bunch of mensches! Go buy their products!

Perfect Moment 7-24-07

Perfect Moment 7-23-07

Laughing and laughing and laughing at this, which arrived in the mail from my brother and sister-in-law in France.

Perfect Moment 7-22-07

Watching my kids learn the art of a cherished family tradition - crashing around in the surf of the mighty Atlantic!

Perfect Moment 7-5-07

Watching A, in a pack of beach kids, running at full speed straight out into the bay, along the magical sand bar.

Perfect Moment 7-4-07

Lying on my bed in the middle of a lazy July 4th afternoon, surrounded by my children, each of us reading a book...

Me: The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals
A: Gossamer
L: Poppleton
T: Go, Dog. Go!

The Joy of (In)sects

A few months ago I noticed a couple of strange, gall-like growths on my climbing hydrangeas. My husband excitedly identified them as praying mantis egg cases. Not that I didn't believe him exactly (nature boy that he is), but I remained skeptical out of an inability to embrace such good fortune. The hydrangeas are now fully leafed out and in bloom, and the egg cases have long since disappeared beneath the greenery. Yesterday I spotted something tiny skittering about on the deck. It was, of course, a baby mantis. Sure enough, the hydrangeas are now covered with these beautiful babies, no bigger than my pinky fingernail. I have always loved the praying mantis and feel honored that they chose my shrubbery in which to further their species!

Tagged?!

I am obviously not much of a blogger, but I have been told to do this and I shall.

I am Magpie's sister.
I am the youngest of three.
I am a lapsed horticulturist.
I am a creature of the sea.
I am a lactating mother
(of Tiny, who's nearly two).
I am also mother to two others
(which gives me plenty to do).
I am a formidable foe at Scrabble.
I am more nearly thin than fat.
I am mildly agoraphobic.
I am a Democrat.

Ants Patrol These Counters

I realize that a teeming plastic box of insects on the kitchen counter is not everyone's idea of a good time. But this thing rocks!

Our wee inhabitants arrived today and got right to work. Their industriousness is inspiring, and I can only hope it rubs off on the rest of the household!