Thanks, Claude

I spoke a bit awhile ago about some flower seeds that I sent home from Claude Monet's garden during my trip to Giverny, France last year. We planted them all, and we've had a lovely block of foliage in our garden for a few weeks now, but no flowers.  Finally, today I went out to go check (I've actually checked about three times a day for the last couple weeks) and I saw my very first bloom. I had to tell you all right away.

Isn't she lovely? I have no idea what kind of flower she is, but I sure do like her. I'll name her Claudette after the man who planted her great-great-great-great-great (about 50 seasons worth of great) grandparents years and years ago.

This week has been hard.  For reasons beyond my control, I lost my summer job. Even though I hated it and am glad to be moving on to pursue much more promising opportunities, it's been hard to shake the sadness and allow myself follow my summer rule of "do something blogworthy every day." Claudette couldn't have come at a better time.