Ole Faithful...artichokes!

I really get excited each spring when I see that those artichokes have been faithful...again! Here is the real kicker. I never planted them from seed, store bought plant, etc. They were brought over from a leaf of someones plant. I shoved it in the ground, and it grew, and grew, and grew. They continues to put a smile on my face and I get big happy artichokes, these plants have grown for about 7 years. Too bad I don't know how to cook an artichoke right! Sometimes I let them overgrow until they turn into a big purple flower. Then ALL the bee's in California come visit them, then I give up ownership and can only view from a distance. At this point, they become poisonous to eat... but are beautiful. I'm so surprised they last through our cold winter.