I’ve been rather quiet because we’ve been galavanting across the country and recovering from illnesses that hit as soon as we made it through our front door (isn’t that always the case?).

This post will be full of photos, be warned!

We traveled first to Southern California, where we spent some lovely time with Jake’s parents and younger brother.

Michael got to go to his first baseball game, and he absolutely loved it. He spent most of the time holding onto the fence or Jake, shouting “ball!” at the top of his little lungs.

We then headed to San Diego for my best friend’s bachelorette party. It was so great to see her again (and some old friends too)!

We had an amazing day full of food, drink, and companionship, and then went to the Safari Park for a mimosa safari. It was quite a weekend: perfect for celebrating one of the smartest, funniest, and kindest persons I’ve had the pleasure of befriending.

I needed a black cocktail dress for the bachelorette, and I didn’t have any that I really liked — so I decided to make one! I have a new, handmade little black dress for fancy occasions and you can see it in the photos. I’ll write a post with more details on my sewing projects later, but I’m really pleased with how this one turned out.

We drove back home and then flew to Ohio to visit more of Jake’s family — all but one sister was there! (Sorry Jillian, we’ll see you next time!). For his first time flying, Michael did a really good job. There were a few rough spots, but all in all, not as painful as we were fearing.

It was so lovely to see everyone for the first time in quite a long time. Michael adored meeting all of his cousins, and was never bored or without a playmate.

We played games, knit and crocheted together, ate amazing food (courtesy of Aunt Johannah!) and had a wonderful week catching up and enjoying each other. So many babies, so many laughs, so many delightful people under one roof.

On the plane trip back, I began feeling a bit under the weather, and then the next morning I woke up with the sorest throat I could ever remember having and a 101 degree fever. Urgent care confirmed I had strep throat. I’m still making my way through the antibiotics, but feel much better. Thankfully, only one other person of the whole group seems to have gotten it, and Jake and Michael escaped without strep. However, now both of them are fighting colds, so all three of us are laying low and resting as much as possible.

While we were gone, my small garden efforts sprung to life.

I planted daffodil bulbs back at the beginning of the year: they were 60% off at the store and I figured I would see some nice blooms next year, since it was too late for them to bloom this year. I was mistaken! They grew anyway! They have the most beautiful blossoms. It was such an unexpected source of life and beauty, and I delight in them every time I walk in my front door.

They’re one of my favorite flowers. I memorized the poem Daffodils by William Wordsworth as a child, and it still runs through my head every time I see one.

More of my beets survived Max’s munching than I expected! I’m hopeful I’ll have some homegrown beets in a few weeks. My little strawberry plant has also been blooming.

My lavender has been soaking up all the rain we’ve been having recently, and I plan on harvesting some of the blossoms to dry for tea and tinctures.

Even my onions, planted hastily in a grow bag, have pushed green fingers out of the soil.

There’s still much to do, especially as the weather warms. Beds to assemble, fences to build, seedlings to harden and plant, and so much more. I’m hopeful we’ll have more garden updates in the near future.