1 Sharkey, it's such a beautiful day! Even though I still have one eyelid sewn shut, I can clearly see more color appearing on the farm as May draws to a close!

2 For example, the allium on the terrace are beginning to bloom away!

3 You're right, Francesca! These flowers are in the process of opening and will eventually become twice this size!

4 DId you know that the name, allium, comes from the Latin word for garlic? They are actually part of the onion family along with garlic and leeks!

5 And, growing nearby in the terrace herb garden are similar looking blooms. These are the flowers of chive plants, which are also a part of the onion family.

6 Chive and allium are very similar in color and shape. These chive flowers will also be beautiful round spheres when fully opened.

7 Chives are the smallest edible plant of the onion family and both their stems and flowers can be used as a flavoring or garnish. The flowers are a very pretty addition to salads.

8 It's important to know that this species is an ornamental variety, but other allium flowers, chives included, are completely edible.

9 I have heard that gardeners often plant chives and other types of allium in their flower beds to ward off pests like Japanese beetles and aphids!

10 And because onions are related to garlic, they have similar medicinal properties, as well! People have turned to garlic to boost their immune systems for centuries.

11 However, you and I, Francesca, better keep them out of our mouths. Onions and garlic are toxic to dogs!

1 They look up to us and value our acceptance

2 They walk with us and leave pawprints on our hearts

3 They lay close and listen when we need to vent.

4 They trust us and remind us to be gentle

5 They meet us where we are at any given moment

6 They wag often, reminding us to derive pleasure from the little things in life.

7 They take time to sniff the air and feel the wind in their hair...

8 They embrace our care and nurturing

9 They watch out for our safety and await our return

10 They demonstrate remarkable resilience and teach us to look within ourselves for strength- rather than to the often misinformed and limiting perspectives of onlookers. Photo by Richard Phibbs

11 They remind us to respect nature and keep our yards and gardens well irrigated.

12 They are astute therapists and offer no frills advice as needed.

13 They foster peace and compassion

1 While I'm still recovering from my eye surgury, let me tell you about some new friends that Sharkey, G.K., and I met a few weeks ago before all of our troubles began.

2 While riding with Uncle Carlos, we heard someone shouting through a megaphone and Carlos pulled over to see what all the commotion was about.

3 Francesca! Look, it's a lemonade stand! Let's buy a cup!

4 I don't know...what's in it? It looks like pink lemonade...is it made with pink lemons?

5 You can put down the megaphone, buddy! I'm right here next to you! I just want to know a bit more about the lemonade before I buy some! Is it made with organic ingredients?

6 Francesca! Stop being so uptight! It's just a little lemonade!

7 See? I'm enjoying it! Don't be rude! Make some friends! These kids are nice!

8 Franceca, these new friends are Seun, Chloe, Jackson, Gianne, and Oliver. They live on Uncle Carlos's block!

9 Hmmm, well it's good to know you. I suppose that any friend of Carlos is a friend of ours! And yes, I will take a cup of your lemonade! Thank you!

1 Francesca! Look at the pergola! There's so much color!

2 Well, the cats are sure to be happy. The nepeta, or catmint, is growing quite well!

3 I don't know what it is exactly about this plant, but supposedly there's something inside of it that binds with the olfactory glands of cats and gives them a sense of euphoria!

4 I prefer to get my euphoria by enjoying nature in a different way, like looking at these vibrant Eschscholzia californica, or California Poppies!

5 The bright orange color gives me a warm and sunny feeling. No wonder this is the official state flower of California!

6 Look, the clematis are also blossoming!

7 These climbing flowers love sunlight and they've been getting quite a bit of that lately!

8 Aren't there about 300 species of clematis? That's a lot! I feel like someone told me another flower they were related to but I can't quite remember now...

9 Francesca, to find the answer, look no further than my nose.

10 See! That flower is right here! Clematis are in the family of Ranunculaceae.

11 It's the buttercup family, and when most people hear buttercup, they typically think of this yellow Ranunculus auricomus!

12 Sharkey, you're so silly, but you sure do know your Latin flower names!

1 Come on, Francesca! Let's see if there's anything to harvest in the vegetable garden!

2 Sharkey, the rhubarb sure is big! It's typically one of the first vegetables to pop up in the garden and, as with so many things, this year's mild winter has certainly made it come early!

3 You're right, Francesca. Look at the bright red stalks! Some people think the color has to do with ripeness but really, it's the size. The color can range from bright red, to light pink, to pale green and will all taste the same.

4 Martha uses rhubarb to make a wonderful upside-down cake! But watch out for the leaves - they are actually very toxic!

5 Look what else is growing like crazy! Asparagus!

6 For cooking, asparagus is harvested when the shoots are young. If let to grow, the bud on top will open to a feathery mass and the stalk will become woody.

7 Sharkey, did you know that the thickness of asparagus has to do with the age of the plant? The older the plant, the more shoots will grow from it, as well!

8 Look, Francesca! There's more asparagus on this side, and there's a different variety!

9 This purple variety of asparagus was developed in Italy. It has a higher sugar content and lower fiber content than green asparagus.

10 Asparagus is a great companion vegetable for tomatoes as asparagus wards off harmful root roundworms that affect tomatoes, and tomatoes repel asparagus beetles. This color also makes a nice companion to my purple bootie, don't you think?

1 Francesca! Do you smell that beautiful fragrance?

2 It's coming from the standard lilac trees blooming near the apple espalier!

3 Francesca, did you know that lilacs, or syringa, are part of the olive family? The name comes from the Greek word, syrinx, meaning hollow pipe or tube, and refers to the shape of the flowers. Let's drive to the long lilac allee.

4 Here we are, Sharkey.

5 Wow! The lilac allee is bursting with fragrant blossoms!

6 Like many pretty spring flowers, the lilac has a short season. They start blooming in the early spring and typically last throughout May. Except, this year everything is so early!

7 The colors of lilacs are often pale shades of blue or lavender, but can also include white, pink, and rich purples. Flowers can be single or double.

8 Their beautiful aroma is definitely an indication that spring is here, wouldn't you say, Sharkey?

9 Their fragrance also helps attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

10 The wood of the lilac plant is very hard and is often used for musical instruments and knife handles.

11 Sharkey, I'm so glad we get to enjoy so many beautiful flowers that grow at the farm.

1 They call our attention to the cycles of nature and it's inherent wisdom

2 They remind us to take breaks from work and to connect with what's really important.

3 They demonstrate a strong sense of self and bring out the love we each have within us, to offer

4 They remind us to stretch and do yoga

5 They teach us that even the smallest creature has needs and feelings... and their protection from humans often depends upon the compassion of other humans...

6 They lead us on a shared journey for as long or short a time as we have together

7 They offer a perspective on things that we had yet to consider

8 By allowing us to rescue them, they teach us we can make the world a better place...then they make it even better by gracefully turning around and rescuing us...

1 I'm getting restless, Francesca! What do you say to a romp outside? Maybe run around with the donks or rile up the chickens?

2 Sharkey, it rained last night and the grass is wet. You know you're not supposed to get your bandage wet!

3 Don't worry, Franny. I've got it covered! Haven't you noticed my purple paw?

4 I have this special latex bootie that covers my bandage so it won't get wet outside! Let's try it out!

5 Are you coming, G.K.?

6 You two go ahead. I'm quite comfortable staying dry inside!

7 I was going to say it looks a bit silly, Sharkey, but who am I to talk!

8 See? The rubber cover goes just high enough that the freshly wet grass won't disturb my bandage!

9 Now, let's go get into trouble. I think I spot a squirrel over there!

1 What's wrong Francesca? Why so down?

2 I want to run around outside but Dr. Jean said I need to be leashed and supervised so I don't rub my eye.

3 Well, maybe this will cheer you up. Look what I found on the kitchen counter!

4 Look! It's a little you and me!

5 Martha recently did a whole show on Etsy and featured many designers. These adorable needle felted likenesses were made by Jennifer Thornington, who sells on Etsy. http://www.marthastewart.com/901112/etsy-show

6 She must have used this photo of us wearing our bejeweled collars for inspiration!

7 Let me take a look, Sharkey. I want to see how much it looks like me!

8 It looks a lot like you, Francesca! If you send Jennifer a photo of your pet, she'll design a felted copy for you. She constructs them out of wire frames and wool yarn.

9 Jennifer raises her own sheep and even handspins the yarn for her creations. She also has her yarn for sale in her Etsy shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/jstforewe

10 I think ours are pretty spot on, don't you? What an endearing gift to give Martha or any pet owner!

1 Yawn...I was having the most wonderful dream.

2 Look at all of this medication and it's all for the dogs! The kitchen has become an infirmary!

3 Between Sharkey's dew claw, Francesca's eye, and both Francesca and G.K. having Lyme disease, we have more pills on the counter than a pharmacy!

4 Where are you Frenchies? Come and get your medicine!

5 Empress Tang, it's so nice of you to look after us this way.

6 Let me read the entire label first. I want to make sure I get these instructions right.

7 We actually don't mind taking our pills.

8 That's right, our pills are often mixed in with food!

9 And we love food!

10 Okay, let's go down the list and check off who got what medication.

11 Looks like G.K. needs one more pill, but that's not until this evening.

12 Why does it feel like we cats always have take care the dogs around here?

13 Now where were was I?

14 Zzzz...