artichokes!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well. After fretting a little over the artichoke patch, at this point I'm happy to report that... Artichokes are GO.

They are cute, pretty, choke-y and...

wait for it...

wait for it...

STUNNING:

I first spotted this 'Purple of Romagna' bud when it was tiny, nestled deep down in the plant. Wow, wow, wow. Made my day.

And, check out those thorns.