Itty Bitty Bunnies

   When I returned from Rochester two weeks ago, I did a leisurely walk through the back yard to survey what was still living or not after a hot, rainy week of neglect. Suprisingly, the strawberries were taking off on their own; so were several species of wild flowers and sparrows. Then I saw a funny, kicked up area of dirt that I certainly did not create myself. Wondering what was digging around, I toed the mound and suddenly opened up a hole - and saw eight or nine tiny wiggling gray rabbits with glittery black eyes and ears the size of my thumbnail. Hastily covering them, I looked around - we've had two full sized rabbits bouncing around for a while, one of whom's name is Juniper - he hangs out near the house - and another one who hangs out at the end of the yard. There they were - not far from the garden, of course. They seemed to be ignoring me... They always ignore me and pretend I can't see that they are RIGHT at the garden fence, eyeing my sprouts.

 However, these little guys were new! I watched for a week and saw no other activity. We let the yard grow into a meadow and waited, hoping they weren't abandoned due to my misadventurous discovery. I did check on them one more time. Still a little wiggling in there, but not so many as before. Frankly, I was a bit sad.

 And then, yesterday while coming back from watering the veggies, I found this guy. So small still, I nearly stepped on him.

Hey, you in the clover!

I can, in fact, see you.

  Looking around, I then saw The Itty Bitty Bunny Huddle.

The camouflage job is really good, guys.

   We may be about to argue about who will get to eat the garden, but these are cute as can be.

  After a few minutes, I came back to find Mother Rabbit had actually dropped by to see how the youngsters were fairing in the Big Meadow. They had quite a snack (a very lively event, as you can imagine), and then everyone took off in every direction. 

  Today, I have seen three or four of them venturing back into the yard (still uncut). Apparently the garden is fairly bunny proof.. for now! So I'll just enjoy these little guys.

  

   

May, Marvelous May

 
I have long held that October is my favorite month of the year - not for obvious reasons, such as birthdays - but because of the wonderful weather, colors, smells and harvest sights. May, however, comes close to tying for first place for the exact same reasons, where the sights are fresh and floral instead of autumnal. While New York peaks just a little later than Illinois, moving slightly south has only served to prolong the seasons. And if you travel back at just the right time, such as for Mother's Day, you can get a double dose - enjoying for another week what is just passing in Peoria. This month's trip took us home to Rochester, in full bloom.

We started off with a fantastic concert featuring all music of John Williams... and some of the personalities known to associate with his music also showed up.

We rounded out the evening with congratulatory dessert - for Jeff's 12 patents and Greg & Dad's first place on the amateur radio fox hunt.

  The Mother's Day dinner also included frisbee games - or was it a throwing contest?

In action!

Focused on Frisbee

A little coaching

  And some people took the opportunity to take portraits and document the Essence of May (by photographers Elizabeth and Julia).

Cherry blossoms

The essence of Madeline

Striking some poses for said young photographers

Considering the forsythia

More cherry blossoms - our favorite

Leaves will not stop these little guys

It IS spring- Japanese Maples start out a radiant red in the sun

Nice job, ladies!

     A few days later, an evening walk by Lake Ontario... water, cabins, fishing poles, nothing to do.... it really felt like vacation.

     Can I just say - it's wonderful to spend a week with family!

May 2014

Smiling Faces, So Many Places

  Despite our promise to ourselves to "not go anywhere for quite a while", we are indeed back traveling the family circuit. We've had a few young visitors to our places as well - actually back in March - and reportedly good times have been had by all. So, whether hosting or traveling, we've been making the most of the warmer weather as soon as it even started to show signs of a return!

The nieces take Aunt Teresa & Uncle Jeff out to our local park one Saturday in March.

Aunt Teresa on spotting duty

Sisters, Sisters - Jessica (above) and Ella (below) 

Bundled up fun for all. 

   Our stay in Arizona at the end of March was marked by warm hospitality from both sides of Jeff's extended family as much as unique landscape. 

Like Uncle, Like Nephew... 

Cousins....

Meeting Ava, our newest addition to the extended family

After a few days at Jeff's uncle and aunt's home, we spent some time at the resort where the conference took place.

and took in some local attractions: this is one confluence of sugar and color!

True confessions: we did not buy or eat a single thing here! 

More of Scottsdale

And more cousins!

Home away from home at Aunt Kathy and Uncle Tom's
 - complete with fresh grapefruit from the back yard, and a pool (but only Jeff was bold enough to jump into the still-cold water!).

Flashback: Jeff's dad and uncle at a lively, early age

Jeff caught one beautiful reflection here, quite by accident.... The love for cars clearly runs in the family!

Relaxing with old Scooter....

 Shortly after Arizona, Easter was upon us. Chicago was graced with suddenly warm weather and a flurry of Easter egg hunting and baking.

  

Success with the traditional lamb cake!

Sunshine, flowers, three cousins and their Easter bounty

   And then, believe it or not, we stayed home for almost a month. What do the Jensen do at home in the spring? Grow and tinker with things...

Jeff in action on the Camaro - getting close to that paint job

We grow bunnies...

WE GROW DANDELIONS. In case you hadn't visited and noticed.

We grow and happily got enough rhubarb to bake with this year....

I have aspirations of growing a lot more- we'll see how the seedlings do -
transitioning them outside while we are at work is hazardous.

And because of all that tinkering, there's a little celebrating at times too - like getting the 12th patent! Why not pull out the champagne and pizza? 

Saved up for a special occasion - here it is!

Raise your glass to The Idea Man

Can't think of a better May picnic

   We do love being home.

May 2014