ebullient photo blog

How Does My Garden Grow

2011-08-02T03:17:43Z

. Now that we have a yard I’ve been creating my first garden. Here is how some of the plants are growing.

I’m proud of all of the plants but I’m especially happy to be growing watermelons.

Squash.

I'm growing 6 kinds of tomatoes and look how delicious these look.

We grew this basil plant from a little baby plant and she has grown up nicely.

Fresh parsley has a new meaning now.

These cucumbers were grown from seed on Cucumber Hill.

The Japanese Flying Orange sapling isn't doing so well but I love how it looks.

These came up on their own. Can you ID them? I don't know what they are. UPDATE: Lydia reports this is Yarrow or Achillea millefolium.

Our neighbor gave me some of his extra okra.

Another neighbor gave us some of her pattypan squash.

Painting our Intersection

2011-05-25T17:21:10Z

Residents of Mount Rainier, MD gathered at the intersection of 34th and Bunker Hill to paint a mural on the street. The volunteer effort was lead by Mike Turner, center.

Prepared painters wore hats for protection from the sun.

The outline of the painting was done in chalk and we began painting from the inside of the sun and moved outwards.

It took many people and brushes to get the paint onto the ground.

Even some little ones joined in painting the sky.

Once the main colors were laid it was time to blend. Bill Updike was on the blending-the-edges team.

Krista Schlyer lead the blending team.

Painting began at noon and by 5 the finishing touches were being added. We unfortunately ran out of white paint for the clouds so the painting will be finished in the coming weeks.

If you’re in the area come and check out the beautified intersection (map: http://goo.gl/maps/ogUs)

Rainbow Over the National Geographic Society

2011-05-17T18:28:21Z

This is the first building-to-building rainbow I've ever seen in downtown Washington, DC.

The Off Season Anniversary Trip to Ocean City

2011-04-17T03:23:38Z

We requested a bay view and when we arrived it was difficult to tell if that was the case since the fog was so thick.

The view was nothing but clouds but it sounded alive with hundreds of sea birds.

Luckily the fog lifted on the second day.

The birds were frolicking on the islands next to the hotel. It was difficult to see them but they were easy to hear.

The setting sun left its mark on the bay.

Does it get any better?

Neighborhood Watch Takes to the Mount Rainier Streets

2011-04-17T03:27:05Z

Moby the Pug

2009-10-05T16:46:45Z

Our pug Moby is starting to sit in the sun now that it's cooler.

Long Weekend with Friends in North Carolina

2009-08-03T03:43:49Z

.We were so happy to visit Soo-Jin Yoon and Josh Wieties in July at their home in Durham. Here a few visual highlights:

Justin found an insect in the forested section of outdoor seating at Caffe Driade, the best coffee shop in the area.

Wide-eyed Kyler loved exploring the Sarah P. Duke gardens.

We found a stick in the bamboo patch that became a sword.

Justin taught me how to make "tiger eyes" but after I figured that out he started making some funny faces.

Is there someone hiding in the bamboo patch?

We wished we were light enough to rest with the butterfly on the giant lily pads.

Justin nose-bonked me at the coffee shop.

Justin and I loved exploring the forest that is part of Caffe Driade. PS - they have the most delicious coffee shakes.

Kyler.

Justin is a joyous, adventurous boy.

Christmas Holiday 2007 Days 7 & 8

2008-10-12T19:10:45Z

I found these dry flowers covered in light snow at the family dinner on Christmas day at the Thurston's house.

It was the first time Annora and I had met and it was a treat for both of us. Have you ever seen such a cute baby?

Cousins Amanda and Annora shared a pink hat in common but Annora wasn't so happy with the situation. She started crying right after this photo was made.

Gracie and George pose for a portrait on December 26th. They wore their red bows proudly during the holiday.

Rowdy play time after the portrait.

Faces of Brunch at a Goodbye to Mandy

2008-08-22T03:11:46Z

A back rub is one of the benefits of having a brunch in one’s honor. Mandy gathered a group of friends to send her off to her next adventures in California.

Brunch started off with lots of conversations as friends connected.

Mandy was the reason we came but Soraya was the star and she brought her dad Tom.

Refrigerator Reorganization

2008-08-09T14:40:42Z

I was so tired of never finding anything in the refrigerator and I decided to get smart about keeping organized. Thanks to some inexpensive stackable boxes from Target and Amanda’s organization skills we now have a beautifully sorted system.

Even though this new system makes so much sense, I still wish the fridge were on top because when I am standing next to the ice box this is all I can see: