More birthday plans, broccoli, and socks

Broccoli! It's my only producing plant and it's still too small to eat.

I've resolved to have those babies and mamas over for Franklin's birthday. Invitations are made. They get distributed tomorrow. Other plans:

Decorations: I've got two banners made, and a streamer. I might change the streamer into a mobile. Balloons could be had.

Activities: well, they're babies. Maybe Partner can get his guitar out and have a little sing-song. Otherwise, it's play for them, chat for us adults.

Catering: cupcakes and tea and coffee. I can't get over how much the British love their tea. The big baby group we go to lasts for an hour and a half, and tea is offered half-way through. You should hear the sighs of relief when they pass out the mugs. Personally I think most tea tastes like really minerally water. Hot.

I've specified "no gifts please" on the invitations, because this kid has a lot of stuff. And we think a party should be about fun and cake, not about presents.

I finished knitting those pesky socks. The yarn is from a cardigan I bought at a charity shop. I wore it for a while, then decided it just wasn't me, so I unravelled some of it to knit socks. There's a lot of yarn left to unravel. Don't tell anyone, but the right one is about half an inch shorter than the left. Apparently two socks can be knitted simultaneously on a circular needle, to prevent this sort of inconvenience; I think I might try this next time.

Quick snowdrops, birthday plans

It's not all tragedy in the garden. I have this small snowdrop cluster in flower now. The one and only flower in my garden. I heard on the radio that this year's purple sprouting broccoli crop has been severely affected by the harsh winter--mine certainly has. Of the dozen or so plants, only one has any florets (small) and the rest look a bit limp and apathetic.

Franklin's birthday is coming up in about three weeks. I'm planning a party. It may be a family-only party, but a party it will be. I've started making a few decorations. I think I will be serving cupcakes. My mother (who incidently will visit for the happy occasion) told me all about a cousin's super amazing party she threw for her one-year-old, and ever since then I've secretly wanted to invite a bunch of babies and mamas. I don't think I'm quite up to super amazing quality, but I figure I can make a few banners and cupcakes and call it good.

Nearly good as new, but bad news in the gardening front

After being under the weather for the past month, I'm now mostly back to my normal self. Just maybe not so energetic. I'm working up to it. Partner has been really fantastic, and taking care of everything. For about two weeks he was the number-one caregiver, and Franklin actually preferred his dad over his mama for two whole days (Partner left him with me for a minute or two, and as soon as he walked out the door, Franklin had hysterics)...!

Our long, cold winter--the second in a row--has done some serious damage to my garden. Witness the carnage:Those black strips are indeed roofing felt from my garage roof. And if you are thinking, well, two little pieces isn't so bad. Um. Well. See, there's about 20 little pieces scattered about, and that adds up to one really big piece of roof.
Our fence fell down (again). And that black round tub thing? No idea. I've never seen it before in my life.
Compost bin also fallen over. I can't get it upright again by myself. I'm thinking Partner needs to do it.
This is one sad yucca; yucca leaves are supposed to stand straight up. I think it may have breathed its last. See first picture above to get a real feel for how many leaves it's missing. Oh, and that fence panel behind it? Yeah.

Personally, I'm surprised there's any garden left.