Laowai

First an update from inside my fridge. I declare it’s summer by getting out my happy Tupperware pitcher and making lemonade. I like to make it with bottled “Real Lemon” and I mix it with fizzy water.

Now to a couple updates from right outside my door. My wild geraniums are finally coming into their own.

I decided to let one of my rhubarb plants make flowers this year and look at it! This rhubarb is the least favorite flavor-wise of the two plants I have. Every year it throws up flowers buds so vigorously – I can barely keep up with chopping them off. I love how it looks. Most spring flowering things are diminutive but this plant is big and bold and it’s showing off beautifully.

Lilac love.

Looks a little bare but I’m always excited to pull out my pots and my bench cushions. The twine in the foreground is my pea trellis.

A bit further away from home – one of my favorite spots at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Pot goals!

Now some updates from Michigan. Claire and I drove back for a visit and for the first time we drove our electric car. Charging seemed pretty straight-forward and mostly hassle-free.

Gramma C. took us for a nice walk at Dow Gardens.

And we had fun with Mom and Jennifer. I especially enjoyed our trip to an antique store. More on that later.

Now for some updates from Europe. Bea visited Brian in Zurich for the weekend and they sent the most beautiful and typical Swiss mountain photos.

Here’s a view from the Wädenswil train station which is right next to Lake Zurich.

Bea sent a photo of geese and cute goslings. I think these are Austria residents – she’s been traveling outside of Germany a lot now that she can.

More Swiss hikes.

One final photo of some jam that they bought at a help yourself type farm shop.