A few random photos

As I mentioned earlier, I've started doing a daily photo project. I thought I'd share a few of my recent photos as today's blog post. I hope you enjoy them.

Our neighbors planted an artichoke plant for me a couple of years ago; this year's chokes are beyond the eating point and have reached the blooming point. If you look closely, you can see the pollen on the purple parts.

A daisy just after our neighbor watered it.

This is part of a quote etched into the stairs that I take each day as I exit the bus tunnel.

Our master gardening neighbors also plant sunflowers simply for our kids' viewing pleasure.

I set out to take a reflection photo, but wound up with a rainbow photo... bonus!
This fountain is just outside my office building.

A Gift from Annika

One day last week when I arrived to pick up Annika from school, she had a sly grin on her face and her hands behind her back. When I asked her what she had behind her back, she presented me with the following:

Front

Back
(Translation: "Dear Mom. This picture is for you. Love, Annika")

I about burst into tears right then and there! Talk about a precious gift ... not only the drawing and adorable 5-year-old handwriting, but the sentiment to boot. This was her way of reminding me that she thinks about me while she's at school and I'm at work.

Our sweet girl really knows how to tug at her mama's hear strings... no doubt about it! This is one of her childhood treasures I'll hold near and dear to my heart for all time. Now that it is scanned and documented, I'll now put it in her box of keepsakes.