So: happy 46

Today was my 46th birthday. And I don’t mind if you or anyone else knows. I’m glad to be 46. I can’t believe it’s been that long! Neither can my mom–she said so in my birthday card.

It was an amazing day. I loved hearing from far-flung friends. Lots of surprises and sweetness. Phone calls and texts. Lovely cards and thoughtful presents. Flowers. David Bowie and iTunes. Plane tickets for summer vacation. A relaxing evening that was supposed to be spent at the gym but instead was spent on the patio with Bruce, overlooking the urban farm and discussing my latest addition to the plan: growing blueberries.

 It would be nice to have more homegrown fruit!  Peach blossoms are a go in 2015.

2015 so far has been a year of refocusing. Last week was the week of getting long put off doctors’ appointments done. And getting back to the gym. And soreness! That’s ok–it makes me feel alive. 

The urban farm is looking springy and green. 

   

Even the little container tomatoes are doing well:  

 

But what I’m most excited about is the fig tree:  

 

It’s spreading and there are lots of shoots. Stay tuned for more photos. Or follow me on Instagram (@julie_petroski) for my random garden shots.

One more thing. Back by popular demand: the gratuitous dog photo! Gidget is our funniest sleeper.

Advertisement

so: milestone time

IMG_6253-1.JPG

2014 is a big year for milestone birthdays in my life. Tonight we went to a friend’s surprise 40th birthday party. He thought he was having dinner with his wife, kids, parents and sister, but instead he had all sorts of friends yelling “Happy Birthday!” when he walked into the room at the pub. It was a good surprise.

Closer to home, Bruce is having a very big birthday in just a little over a week. His big birthday wish was to attend the 80s music weekend Rewind Festival in Macclesfield in the northern part of England back in August. Don’t worry, I’ll share more about our UK adventure on the birthday boy’s big day.

But the biggest of all the milestones about to happen is my dear grandmother’s birthday. Lillian’s going to be 100 on Christmas Eve. Everyone in her family is doing little things to make her birthday more special (as if you could make the anniversary of being on this big blue marble for a century more special). People are flying in from all over. There are several parties planned. Grandma’s got her outfits all picked out. She’s ready for this big day to happen.

I’ve been bugging politicians, movie stars, authors, singers, friends, all sorts of people to send her a birthday wish. Since I started in October, Grandma’s been getting wishes galore already. A good thing since she loves mail almost as much as I do.

Today’s gratuitious dog photo of the day shows how inseparable the newest Gs are:

IMG_6254-0.JPG