M is for Mud

Mud, mud, mud, and more mud.  We are in the middle of our muddy season and it's... well... muddy!  We tried to take a walk in the park on Saturday morning and to let Daisy run after sticks and toys, but the mud was our enemy.  Even with mud boots on and towels on the car seats for Daisy's muddy paws, we can't seem to escape it.  Needless to say, we are ready for a bright, warm, mud-less Spring.  Bring on Spring!

Philadelphia Flower Show 2011

This year's theme for the Philadelphia Flower Show is Springtime in Paris.  My mother and I went to the flower show yesterday and thought many of the exhibits were unique and beautiful.  We were, however, a little disappointed with the lack of exhibits compared to years past.  I guess the economy has something to do with that.  Some of our favorite floral showcases are pictured below.

The best part of yesterday was being with my mom.  She is so cute and enjoyable to be with.  We had fun looking around Reading Terminal Market and just being in the city.  Being there makes me want to be a city girl again.

Carter with a Wig

Ivy and I found this gem while searching for pictures of my mom for her surprise 50th birthday party.  We laughed then because of the striking resemblance between her and Carter.  It's just to uncanny not to document in some way.  So, it's going up here and maybe one day Carter will appreciate how amusing and special this photograph is.



my mom when she was 7 or 8 years old



Happy Birthday Mum and Daisy!!

My mum and Daisy are both birthday girls today!  We celebrated my mom's bday over the weekend by enjoying dinner.  Then we topped off the night with Bema's homemade chocolate pudding (so good!) and some cupcakes.  Unfortunately Daisy couldn't have any of our chocolate-y treats, so Tom and I made provisions while grocery shopping yesterday and got her some frozen peanut butter puppy treats and a new chew toy.  I really wanted to buy a party hat and make her wear it just for a picture, but I had to draw the line somewhere... at least that's what Tom's facial expression suggested.




my mama

  


puppy days - taken the day after we brought her home

  

Kiara & Ronan

We stayed with Tom's friends and their children while we were in Cape Town, South Africa.  Kiara and Ronan are bit under two years apart in age and have very different personalities.  Kiara loved having us stay with them and took every opportunity to "cook" with me using her play kitchen in her bedroom.  It was also interesting to see a new part of the world not only through my own eyes, Tom's, and his friend's, but through a four-year-old's eyes as well.  Kiara introduced me to litchi fruit :)  Ronan was a little more laid back with an independent spirit.  Ronan also took to Tom in no time!

Kiara chasing the bird on the steps at University of Cape Town

Ronan on Tom's shoulders for a better view of penguin beach in Simons Town

Kiara swinging at the cafe at the top of Rhodes Memorial.  Ronan chilling with a rock along a pathway in Simons Town.

A Litchi Tutorial

Litchi Fruit from Melissa Straka on Vimeo.

Scenes from Namibia

Watching for rain while in the beginning stages of braai-ing

The Namib Desert