Take a hike

This little happy bug loves being outside, walking, hiking, swinging, sitting. Whatever. and she's finally big enough to really take it all in...even in the big kid backpack carrier.

SOLVED!

Remember this little guy?

I was thisclose to digging up this space hogging, nutrient sucking, unknown and unwanted WEED.

But I didn't. I was too curious to see what would happen to it. It meant sacrificing the chives - but, eh, I wasn't that excited about chives anyway (if I'm totally honest - and why would I lie about something like chives?).

The other day I was diligently watering my wilted weed when I noticed something. Which led to some frantic googling.

Behold...

A TURNIP!

Slightly square and stunted...with a jumbled mess for a taproot...but nonetheless...

A TURNIP!

I feel like a farmer and I didn't even plant it (on purpose).

Here I was, growing this older brother to my beloved radishes and I had no idea. I would have been harvesting it's leaves and chowing down on some extra riboflavin instead of letting the bugs eat them all.

Sigh.

The only mystery now is what culinary masterpiece it will contribute to.

Or should I eat it on it's own? As a sort of thank you/sorry-for-calling-you-a-weed/tribute.

Any suggestions?

What is it?

Any ideas (Ellyn)?

It sprouted from one of my garlic chive starters. I have two dinky garlic chive shoots and this monster.

The leaves are pretty hairy - which makes me think it's a mellon or squash of some sort. But the stalks aren't mellony.

And it's growing like crazy. The leaves are all larger than my hand already.

Any guesses?

It's probably a weed...darn.

They're ALIVE!!!!

Mwahahahaha!!

basil

cilantro

garlic chives

The Back 40

A few weeks ago Owen and I planted a few variaties of herbs for our back-deck garden attempt. It's more a learning experience than anything, for him and me. That's what I tell myself whenever the little delicate starter cups get knocked over or spilled. I say 'whenever' because this has become a frequent occurrence. I'll be surprised if anything grows to harvestability.

But I'm using it as a chance to talk to Owen about how plants grow. He'll see the pots and proudly declare that a tiny seed grows into a MIGHDY TWEE! I'm working on drawing parallels between that tree and his little life and spirit. It doesn't always feel like he understands that obedience, worship and all the other things that go into personal watered-ness are as crucial to his development as water and sun are to plants - but I know that it's sinking in, somewhere. Children just understand. (That and I rely heavily on grace to impart truths beyond my poor teaching skills.)

I'm also learning. Mostly that starting an herb garden is kind of expensive. Seeds are cheap but dirt and planters are kinda more than I figured. We'll probably break even next year. I'm taking this year as a bit more of a toe dip into 'real' gardening. (Real = more work than putting a few tomato plants in the backyard.) Next year I'm planning on becoming these people (my new favorite blog) and fulfilling my dream of living on a small farm and making catsup from my own garden.

Sigh, one day.

Until then I'll try my best to keep the one spindly little garlic chive plant from getting pulled out or overwatered, or swept off the porch, or smelled to death.

You can do it little sprout!!! We're all pulling for you!

Blackberry Summer

On our ritual morning walk around the ponds Owen and I pass bushes and bushes of still-red blackberries.   They've been tempting us in their perfect, but unripe form for weeks now.  

Yesterday we found a few bushes with deep black, heavy berries - just barely ready to pick.

I resisted the urge to eat them on the spot and popped a couple in the stroller cupholder - you never know what kinds of chemicals these communities use to make the grass so perfect.

We had them as a treat after lunch.  I think we'll have to find more tomorrow.

Baltimore Zoo - Maryland Nature and a Monsoon

The second loop of the zoo is Maryland nature.  It has a bog area, a wetlands exhibit, a cave with bats and spiders and snakes, turtles, a giant tree with a huge slide for the kids, and a farmlands area with a small petting zoo. 

It was a great way to end the trip and Owen, though content to bum a ride in the stroller for most of it, love the interactive sections - the bouncing walkways, the ducks, the chickens 

(he can make chicken noises now...after I made a fool of myself for approximately 7 minutes performing my best chicken impersonation).  

Here is one of the turtle exhibits.  I think Gina looks like an astronaut of the underground.  Anyway...I think the point is to get you up close and personal, eye level, with the turtles.  Not quite the thrill ride that I think they were going for.  Maybe if they moved the lions into this area...

What WAS thrilling is that Gina magically turned INTO a turtle.  Doesn't she look happy?  Alas...it was only temporary.

Just in case she switches again in the future - Owen got in some turtle wrangling practice.  It's similar to breaking a wild horse I hear.  Or bull riding.  He was a natural and even gave the beasty a kiss or two.

And finally - no, actually, this is a shot from the zoo here at home.  The alligators are ALWAYS escaping their enclosure.  I find this guy everywhere. 

It was a great trip - definitely worth repeating a few times a year.  The only snag was the gigantic thunderstorm (I'm talking lightening and monsoon rains for 1.5 hours straight) that left us all stranded in the women's bathroom.  So close to the gift shop but so far away.  

On the plus side it was entertaining to watch the teenage zoo employees scamper around 'trying' to stay dry in between tram drop offs.  And the hand dryer in the bathroom worked great on the stroller.  - See, there is always a bright side.

Baltimore Zoo - First stop, Africa!

The Zoo is broken up into three sections and once the tram drops you off the choices are: Polar Bears, African Adventure, or Maryland Nature.  We heard a rumor on the tram that the new baby elephant is only outside for a short period of the morning so we headed into Africa first.

We were greeted by vultures and an amazing display of dancing long-legged birds (sorry...I think I was distracting a 17-month old and didn't get their name).   A little walk down the boardwalk (perfect for corralling little people) brought us right up to these hulking dudes.

Lounging in the summer sun.  

Meanwhile, Gina had a stare down with an Ostrich.  Let's just say that she walked away while he was still unblinking.  Dominated!

The Zebras.

One of the coolest exhibits is the giraffe area.  At first we were locked on the elephants, about to pass the (seemingly) empty giraffe zone.  As we were charging down the hill we saw two staff members waiting by the boulders in the pen - one of them making a clicking noise.

Sure enough, we see the head of one gigantic giraffe appear over the hill at the far end.  It came lumbering slowly - but definitely on a mission for food.  

While the first giraffe was eating another caught wind and came on over to check out the grub.  Disappointed that it's turn hadn't come yet it wandered over to the observation area where we were standing...five feet away.  The zoo lets you pay to feed the giraffe a leafy branch - which we opted not to do - but also has a little zone for watching.  While you can't touch them it was still super close.  We watched both giraffes for quite awhile - they were just so cool.

And finally.  The elephants.  The male even trumpeted at some passing trucks.

And the baby was still out playing.  It came over to the closest area - about ten feet away - when it saw us watching.  Owen was super excited...maybe because all the women were talking in their super-high-pitched-squeaky-baby-voices.  Eh.

And wrapping up Africa, Gina rode the camel.  She's so brave.  

I was happy that all the animals (save the lions) were out and showed off for us (and there were so many others that just didn't make the blog cut).  Being from Africa (duh) I guess the heat didn't bother them as much as it does the humans.  

Tomorrow I'll wrap up the trip with the Maryland nature exhibit, Gina's startling transformation, and our dramatic exit.

The Baltimore Zoo

I was disappointed that we never got the chance to visit the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore while we lived so close.  We were preoccupied and Owen was perhaps a bit young to appreciate the animals.  But when my parents suggested the Zoo as a fun mid-way day trip I jumped at the chance.We had a great time.  

If you live close enough to drive and you have kids definitely consider it.  The zoo is the third oldest in the country but it is beautiful and modern.  There are quiet (ok...we did go on a weekday) trails winding through the forest and it seems like we were always turning the corner to find another amazing animal RIGHT THERE.   The first hour was filled with one of us exclaiming..."look at over there!"  

Owen was excited but I think the adults were the ones who had the most fun.

Here are a few shots of the day.  More will be posted during the week - my favorite is of the rhinos - so check back tomorrow.

I cropped my pasty legs out of this because, really, no one needs to see that.  Not even me.  The only party missing is Gina...who was taking the picture.  She'll appear later.  Trust me that you don't want to miss THOSE pictures.

We started off with some super friendly prairie dogs.  They were little charmers and certainly not afraid to show off for the camera.  We all watched this little one roll around to cool off in his dusty lounge for quite a bit before deciding to head to the larger game.

This is one of my favorites.  We didn't actually get to see the lions - who were indoors when we passed - but Owen probably thought this was good enough.

Cute mom.  On the tram to the 'actual' animal part.  We want the baby elephant!

There were some incredibly scenic areas.  So peaceful with the slight breeze  - it was easy to forget that we were in downtown Baltimore.

Tomorrow I'll post up the African Trek portion of our trip.  Rhinos and Giraffes(!!) and Elephants, oh my!

Chesapeake Beach!

Gina, Owen and I found a little beach on the Chesapeake Bay last week.  It was a perfect day to spend in the sun.  

Owen wasn't a big fan of the water at first - but by the end he was having a blast splashing Gina.

But mostly he liked digging up the sand and watering it with his little green can.

And throwing shells in the surf.

Can't wait to visit the 'real' ocean sometime this summer.

117 - going green.

Today I harvested this from our little garden.

Yes, today, as in December 7th.  I figured I should pick the last of them since, oh, you know, it snowed this weekend.

Why are my amazing tomato plants still producing these shiny green gems?  And seriously - there are still flowers as well.   Should I thank global warming?  GMOs?  Baltimore's arsenic and chromium laced soil? My mom??  (the plants were a gift from her)

I just can't get over how many there are. 

(hint - it's in the title)

Anyone know of any good green tomato recipes?  I hate to waste these beauties.

Oh, and thanks mom!

Tribute Week - Highpoint

The boy is asleep, Jon's playing hockey, and the house is finally quiet - minus the ever present hum of the dehumidifier.  Summery weather plus basement apartment equals soggy living quarters.  After five summers of this though, it's become a homey sound, kind of a soothing white noise.  

This week I'm writing five short tributes to endearing aspects of this damp, quirky, charming little apartment that we've called home.  Five little things that we will miss so much.  Next week I'll do a series of things that we are so looking forward to in Baltimore - so stay tuned!

1) The trails.  

We are fortune to be located steps away from two amazing trails - and just a short hop to several more hiking and jogging paths.  

The C&O Canal towpath is right outside our door.  It is an absolutely stunning trail that runs from Georgetown, 184 miles north into Ohio.  I have been on that trail literally hundreds of times.  I trained for the Chicago marathon on it - a few times Jon drove me up north (very) early in the morning and dropped me off to run the 13 or 15 miles home.  I've seen more deer, beavers, birds, turtles, fish, snakes, geese, etc on the trail than anywhere else around here.  I've waddled along it while very pregnant last winter and taken Owen for walks along it every week.  

If you visit DC it should definitely be a stop on the tour.  Drive up to walk along the trail near Great Falls - or just pick it up in Georgetown and walk until  you can't see the city (not far - about 500 feet should do it!).  

Another favorite trail - seen on many, many bike rides and training runs, is the Capital Crescent trail.  It branches off the C&O canal about a mile from our house and is a beautiful paved path that heads up into Maryland.  I promised myself that next time I'm training for a long run we will come back here and do the C&O, Capital Crescent, Rock Creek Park loop again.  Breathtaking - and not just because of the running.

Some of my favorite C&O pictures (I have enough to fill a whole album)

Two steps the other direction out our door is the Potomac Heritage Trail.  It's a 11 mile stretch of hiking trail that we are pretty much smack in the middle of.  Jon and I have hiked south all the way to Roosevelt Island, and just a little bit northward - it's one regret I have - not finishing the north leg.  It's a pretty rugged trail but has some incredible views of the river and the winding little streams that feed it.  

Here is a view of the north hike...

And the south one.

There are a whole series of little trails that run through parks along the river.  They have made for some wonderful trips with friends.  Here is a group of us a Turkey Run park.  

I thought of putting a little poem here but I realize that my words couldn't capture how my life has been enriched by the opportunity to wander through such vivid landscapes.  So, so many silent and spoken prayers have gone up that it's become second nature to converse with God the moment my foot leaves pavement.  How could I not feel a little twinge at leaving that?  

Anyone know a good trail mover?

Corny

Jon and I went to Frederick, MD yesterday to go through a corn maze with Chul and Katie. None of us had ever done a corn maze - so we were all pretty excited. I wish I had a shot from above - but the entire field was mowed to be a picture of Obama and McCain.

Jon (on the phone...how odd), Katie and Chul contemplating the challenge. Before the maze we made sure to get our energy up with Hamburgers, cold apple cider, and apple cider donuts!

We chose the long maze - which was suppose to take us about 1 to 1.5 hours. They give you a "passport" which is 10 questions. When you reach certain signs you answer the questions and it tells you to go right or left depending on the answer. We ended up skipping several of the signs (and finding others 5 or 6 times after going in circles).

Reminds me of the first time he told me he loved me...

After we made it through the maze Jon challenged Chul to a little peddle-cart race. Not sure who won - the 7 year old girls racing with them were pretty darn good though.

These are my people

Last Sunday the ECDC Community had a cookout at Fletcher's Boathouse on the Potomac near DC. It was absolutely beautiful. The weather was sunny and mid 70's - perfect for being outside - and totally why I love fall.

Being with the people was by far the best thing though.

Gbenga Idowu - our resident photog - took some great candid shots that he let me include here.

Jon and Gbenga starting up the grill.

A small sample of the spread and crowd.

Just hanging out. Baby Evan is all wrapped up! So is Whn. :)

One of the two brave boating crews on the C&O Canal.

Lisa and Zakyla enjoying some quiet time.

A great shot of Anna.

The football team - I love the second action shot.

Catherine playing with Liam. Big groups always turn into a kiddo swap meet - they're just too cute!

Heidi and Zakyla and Zhaun - one of my favorites of the day.

It's so incredible to have this group of people as family.