cool as a cucumber

The first yield from our lovingly constructed and tended backyard garden: a wee little radish -- ruby red and charming enough sliced and dressed with a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar to merit not one but *two* enthusiastic tastes from the elder lad followed by -- get this -- a declaration that radishes are his favorite vegetable.  (Nevermind that the competition for this title was not fierce.)

After this he went on to eat "ten or so" black seedless grapes (no exaggerating this time).  Heretofore, he has eschewed fresh fruit in favor of either dried fruit or fruit juice.  Suffice it to say that Mama is stupefied by his enthusiastic consumption of these vittles (but I tried to play it as cool as I could).

The black seedless grapes selected by the younger lad are, by the way, quite a sensation around here.  Everyone is raving over them.  Granted, Mama isn't too keen on the juice stains appearing all over everything.  I'll have to resort to my stain fighting tactics.  But if it means the elder lad is eating fresh fruits and vegetables, I am willing to deal with the aftermath...