Lavender

I read a story years ago about a valley of blossoming flowers that draws hundreds of visitors each spring. At the mouth of this valley there is a sign that says something like this:

In answer to your questions . . .

1. One woman

2. Thirty years

In thirty years one woman was able to transform a valley of grass and weeds into an explosive floral wonder. As I look at our 640 acres and mull over how in the world to transform all that land into the beautiful place it can be, I think of her story. One woman. Thirty years.

We started planting lavender this year on the sand dunes. Eight people. Year one. 

It's a small start, but it's still a start.

A proper water closet

It's the small things in life: like the first bonafide toilet with running water at BSV after thirteen months, one week, and six days of digging holes and utilizing the outhouse.

I'm pretty sure I teared up during its inaugural flush.

30 weeks

Current stats:

• Baby girl is currently about 3 pounds, 15" long and hosting a whole barrage of dance parties
• Net weight gain to date: 10 pounds (but I find the whole weight thing to be terribly unhelpful)
• Favorite book so far: Birthing From Within
• Least helpful thing to do: reading online pregnancy websites . . . just don't do it!
• Favorite pregnancy food: milk, bizarrely enough
• Favorite guilty pleasure: anything sweet
• Oddest pregnancy supplement: liquid chlorophyll
• Favorite chair: large bouncy ball
• Biggest source of relief: finding a birthing center in West Texas--not as easy as it sounds

Firsts

The inaugural jump off the nursery built-ins. We didn't even have to encourage it.

The first sandcastle-building expedition.

First family picnic in (and pruning of) the secret garden.

And though I don't have pictures (thankfully), today marks the first capture of a rattlesnake this year on the property. We think he's going to be someone's dinner tonight.

I learned something recently . . .

Side rolls are not automatic.

Which means a whole lot of fun for Nathan during chili season.

In memory

We love you, Clark, and will miss you.

Happy Easter

What could be more fun than an egg hunt (a few days early) at the vineyard's equipment yard?

Nothing. Except maybe eating the chocolate found in the eggs afterward.

Huge kudos to Amanda and Mamasan for making it happen.