No More Puppy

We are now a puppy-free home. No, we didn't boot anyone out the door (though she has tempted us numerous times). We're puppy-free because a certain little fuzzy someone had her first birthday last weekend and is now officially an adult.

See? Doesn't she look mature? We had a little party for her that included pizza and ice cream. Someone decided to decorate:


I'm pretty sure it wasn't Brian.

We're actually not sure exactly of Miele's birth date; but when we got her from the rescue league they indicated she'd probably been born in March, so we chose the first day of spring as her day.

And Boy Has It Sprung...

It's spring in California and now that I've been here four years I can actually tell the difference between the seasons - it's subtle, especially compared to Vermont. Lots is happening in the garden:

Rosemary is flowering.

So are the fava beans (if my husband picks up a bottle of nice Chianti I'm going to be nervous).

Figs are getting bigger.

And the apricots are going nuts!

Trouble and Miele like to help with the compost.

There has been harvesting too! I just pulled these radishes about an hour ago.

Peas, carrots and spinach...

And around December sometime, Brian found a potato that had started sprouting. So he cut it into chunks and planted it. This is only part of what he brought home; over 5 pounds of potatoes so far! If you've never had a home grown potato before, you have to try it. I didn't see the point of growing one's own for a long time - it seemed like a lot of garden space for something you can buy pretty cheaply. But the difference in taste is amazing. So worth it!

Attitude Adjustment

I've been at my job 3 weeks now and I am happier at work than I have been in years. I have been putting in as many (if not more) hours than I did at my last job but how I feel about them is completely different. I'm no longer taken for granted, I'm not expected to sit around for extra hours to be at someone's beck and call (and then told, after waiting for 2 hours, 'oh no, we can do that tomorrow'), and the fact that I'm now hourly, so any overtime brings in extra cash doesn't hurt either. And, my boss is great and seems as happy with me as I am with him. I hope this one lasts! The job I mean - I'm pretty sure the boss will last a while; he's young.

See these? He's not the only one at work who makes me feel appreciated. These were sent to me by someone I hadn't met - but had helped set up a meeting on short notice. Nice, huh?

Slowly But Surely...

I have been chipping away at the Olive Peasy Sweater. I'm actually almost done; maybe an inch or so more to the body, then I just have the neck button band to go.

This actually shows it a few inches shorter than it is now. If I actually concentrate and knit instead of falling asleep on the couch maybe I'll be able to bind off before Monday. Who knows - maybe my next post will be about an FO; it has been a while since I've been able to do that.

Miele liked this shot better as it shows off her feathery tail. I had no idea she was such a girly girl.