A way late post: Oswin's First Birthday

Way back when, on a day that I like to call the 7th of october, 2014, we celebrated a very special little first birthday...

....the first birthday of our little Miss Oswin Jade!

It was a small celebration, with just a few guests...

....some macarons...

...streamers...

...a very special birthday skirt and sparkly headband...

...and a bottle of champagne, which had been given to us by the hospital after Oswin was born. 

I can't believe that a full year has gone by since our little adorable dragon came into the world. I can't imagine our lives without her. You truly make every day more fun than the last, and no one on this earth knows how to keep us on our toes quite like you do. Happy Birthday little one, with many many many more to come. 

And a special thank you to oh so sweet and talented Meg of meg-made. She is the creator of this adorable tutu skirt with poms on the inside (which Oswin was obsessed with), and even sent along a special sparkly headband to accompany it. The skirt is adjustable so she should be able to wear it for many a birthday or playtime to come. The kind people I've met through this whole blogging and instagram community make visiting these spaces something I truly look forward to, and that kind present certainly made Oswin's special day a little more special. Many many thanks!

A la prochaine friends...

Honey 

A very special 3rd birthday.

Happy 3rd Birthday to my first propagated fig tree! (Yes, I'm that person.) No but seriously, this is a really big deal. This is the first fig tree that I ever propagated, which means that this is the tree that started everything! By learning how to properly propagate fig trees, with this once little guy as my guinea pig, I not only found an obsession a hobby and new skill, but something I'm so passionate about that one day I hope to not only have a fig orchard, but also sell fig trees to the general populace. This is the tree! Right here!

 

I've learned a lot in the three years since I sneakily took my pruning shears down to one of our village trees to cut off a 12 inch branch. Most of what I've learned has been trial by fire. I now have 10 large fig trees in large pots, and 12 small fig trees in small pots, here in the Duggan Terrace Orchard. We are currently in our second year of getting actual ripened figs and being able to enjoy the fruits of our labor (pun intended). I've learned to propagate cuttings directly into soil, and also by submerging them in water. I've learned when to repot them, and when to leave them be. But the most important thing I've learned? Don't let anyone tell you that trying to grow something is a stupid idea. Plenty of people scoffed when I told them what I wanted to do, and I know now what I would have missed out on had I listened to those negative nancies.

 

Want to grow your own fig tree? Here's two ways!

 

Propagating figs directly into soil.

 

Propagating figs in water: A 10 week experiment.    

 

And again, Happy Birthday not-so-little fig tree, and thank you for showing me something new each and everyday. Now get busy ripening the rest of those figs. Just because it's your birthday doesn't mean you get the day off...

 

A la prochaine friends...

 

Honey 

Mannn...Happy Birthday.

A big, happy, 2 day belated 61st birthday to my dad, the man known to many as Big Mitch. (I'm not late in wishing it, just in posting it...I'm not THAT bad.) Can't wait to hear your non-indoor-compatible-football-coaching-voice in April on the silent tram in Geneva or at the tranquil Sunday market...Mannn, Thoiry ain't gonna know what hit it.

Happy Birthday Momma!!!

Happy Birthday to my super chic, stylish, loving, smart as hell and ultra toughy pants momma. Wish we could be there to celebrate with you today. Love you tons! I hope that you get everything you want for your birthday, including a third straight NLDS Championship wrapped in a Louis Vuitton bow!!!

Happy Birthday Caos!!!

Happy 26th to a cousin whose more like a sister to me than a cousin...play some Whitney and take over Plough tonight like you do so well...HUA!!! Love you and miss you!!!

Happy Birthday Danny!

Happy 29th to a truly kick-ass cousin. Rock out those Dungarees like ya mean it!!!

A Very Happy Birthday....

Well looky looky, look who's turning 30!!! A very happy birthday to my most rockin' husband and best friend. Gonna have to get a big cake to fit all those candles...