Dog Bed, Cilantro, and the Month of May

This is a major announcement! I finally found a bed that Rusty will sleep in! I was at Sam's one day and saw this one and thought I would give it one last shot. I mean, he's only (somewhere around) 8 years old and never in his life would he consider sleeping in a dog bed. Believe me when I say I have tried every make and model out there, and Radar enjoyed chewing them all up. This is such a breakthrough for us!

Last year I lovingly planted a nice neat row of cilantro in the garden, but I never saw anything come of it. Evidently those seeds become quite virile in their second year. We planted everything out there this year except cilantro, and guess what grew instead? This stuff is like weeds! Dan pulled up a few sprouts and put them in pots, and now we have fresh cilantro on everything imaginable. Now if we could just rid the garden of it so other things could grow.

This is my sweet basil plant that is very tenderly cared for--moved each morning onto the deck for a little sun, and then back inside later in the day to rest and be free of nighttime bugs. Fresh basil is good on everything that we don't put fresh cilantro on, except maybe ice cream and chocolate cake.

While Emily and Jared played far away in New York, we had the extreme pleasure of watching their multitude of children. It didn't take long to find out that Halle could live on watermelon.
Watermelon for dinner, ice cream for dessert. See how simple life is with Halle?

She gathered up all the raquetballs (about 15 of them) and loved dragging them up the ladder to watch them roll down the slide. Then she would slide down after them, fall on her face, and giggle hysterically.
It always takes Halle a while to "reconnect" with Mutti, but once she does, she wants her undivided attention.
Halle is obsessed with bugs, especially rollie pollies (sp??). She doesn't disccriminate, however, and will pick up pretty much everything. Katie played with her one morning while we worked (sorry, no pictures), and poor Katie was so grossed out that Halle picked up worms, along with the dirt. She really came unglued when Halle brought them in the house.

Here are the other two children--they come as a package deal. Patch found Radar's giraffe--one of his favorite toys--and Rameses decided he just had to have it. Guess who won? Hint: It wasn't the giraffe.
Of course, Memorial Day isn't all about picnics.....

Now, since we never know what the future holds, and when we might be destined to join those that are represented above, let me just take this opportunity to let my children, grandchildren, husband, mother, sister, in-laws, nieces, nephews, other family members and close friends know how much I love and appreciate each one of you. I feel very blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. Thank you for being there!