Embarking on a Gardening Journey

On Saturday morning, Joe and I were watching the Early Show, and we saw this segment. I had thought that it was too late to start a garden, but I must have been wrong. The expert on the segment emphasized the fact that a garden could still produce a nice harvest even this late in the game, especially gardens in warmer climates like those found in the South. Joe and I decided to jump right on it and checked out this website (maintained by my favorite Lovely) and this website (recommended by the same Lovely) to get started. Yesterday, we worked together the best we could with an almost 18 month-old to create the garden that you see above.

We also have this random plant (see above picture) that has volunteered in our compost pile. Any guess as to what it might be? I also have included a picture of what seems to be growing on this plant. My guess is that this is a watermelon plant (or, at least, that is what I am hoping for).

And finally, for good measure, I have included some pictures of my hottie husband Joe and our dogs Patsy and Susie before going on a run this morning. NOTE: Please ignore the yucky green wall behind my husband...that is our next project--pressure-washing the vinyl siding.

Today is my 30th birthday, and I'm ambivalent.

Turning 30 means:
--no more using my youth or inexperience to explain away my errors
--I can no longer call myself a 20-something
--I sure do wish 30-Something was still on primetime TV--I mean, I'm finally at the point where I might be able to relate to the characters for the first time in my life
--every story I tell about my childhood has to be about some kind of hardship I had to endure and how kids "these days" have it soooo easy
--I'll need to get my hair colored more often
--I'll finally really know who I am and will be confident in that understanding (granted, that *still* hasn't happened, but I'm waiting for that magical moment to occur at any time now).
--I'm that much closer to teaching the children of the students I've already taught (weird...)
--it's time to invest in some Oil of Olay stock
--my birthday cake will seriously look like its on fire with all the candles ablaze
--I *may* need my inhaler after I blow out the candles this evening

Well, I better go put some bengay on my aching joints.

My Husband is a Culinary Genius

Once again, Joe cooked a tasty meal, and it just so happened to be a meal out of the Martha Stewart cooking magazine that Liz sent me. I also found it on the internet here:
http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/?vgnextoid=ee2c020168339110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&autonomy_kw=forty%20clove%20chicken&rsc=header_1

Good lord, that is a long website link! Anyhow, I bet that you could cook this in the crockpot if you don't want to get your house any hotter than it already is due to these nice temps in the 90's this week. And you know what? Can you imagine how delightful the house will smell as it's cooking? Now, the smell of one's breath after this meal...not so lovely...but this recipe is a great comfort food.

Two Evenings of Exquisite Cuisine!

Last night, I took over the kitchen and made this very tasty recipe:

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/spinach-and-brie-chicken-with-tomato-orzo

I thought that it was pretty good and was very busy being proud of myself for actually cooking something that looked semi-gourmet. Joe, on the other hand, was really complimentary of the meal calling it not only delicious, but also intriguing. He was especially fond of the orzo and the combination of textures and flavors it contained.

Tonight, Joe reigned in the kitchen and fixed a superb Thai feast. He made Thai Spicy Soup, Pad Thai, and jasmine rice with fresh herbs. I was in heaven! The picture above shows all the food that he prepared. We ate until we were plenty full, and we still have enough for tomorow's supper and lunch. Daniel really enjoyed the supper, too. Even though he had already had a helping of strawberries as well as mac-n-cheese, he sat down with us at the table and ate a hearty amount of rice and pad thai.

Putting Ole' Dinty Moore to Rest...

How bittersweet that the car I've driven for 15 years is now resting quietly in the garage. I gave her a good vacuuming and exterior washing this weekend and completed her pampering this morning by polishing the interior with Armor-all. Then, before placing her to rest in the garage, I snapped these photos. Rest in peace, my dear ole' friend. You've served me well all those years.

Summer Memories

Now that summer has officially begun, I have been reminiscing about my favorite childhood memories from summer. Here are some of those memories:

--bike rides with my mom and sister all around my hometown and in the country
--fixing tacos at home with my mom and sister after spending the morning at a local pool
--sitting on the big swing in the backyard listening to Debbie Gibson's Electric Youth album or Madonna's True Blue album on my walkman or my boombox
--playing softball with my dad
--kickball with "Red Butt" (LOL--remember that, Sis?)
--Grandma fixing all the good summer vegetables just like her mom used to fix them (collards, squash and onions, string beans)
--Sipping sweet tea with Grandma while watching the Young and the Restless
--Miss Lossie Belle's apple dumplings

What are some of your favorite memories from summer? Please share some of your memories with me--I would love to hear them!

Introducing My Honda Accord

I finally broke down and bought a new car. I had driven my other car for nearly 15 years, and ole' Dinty Moore was getting pretty ornery in her old age, so I decided that now is the best time to make a new purchase. So, on Wednesday, Joe and I went to the local Honda dealership prepared to do some serious business...and we did. Above is the result. I am in love.

Obsessed with QVC

Before I became a mom, I used to think that QVC was just hokey and boring. I didn't understand why you would buy something from TV when you could just get in the car and go to the store. But during my maternity leave, I started watching QVC when I longed for hearing and watching adults interacting. It was then that I became captivated by QVC. I just couldn't believe how much the salespeople could say about each product. I also couldn't believe how irresistible they made each product seem. Thus, my guilty pleasure became (and still is) watching and buying things from QVC. So there. I said it. I like QVC. Here are some of the latest things I have bought. The sandals I bought are actually brown, and yes, they may look like orthopedic shoes, but they are SOOOO comfortable and the straps don't stick to your feet. The other purchase, the lock and lock containers, I bought so that I can throw out the dumpy plastic containers that we have that are currently in disarray in the cabinet under our microwave...I am getting tired of never being able to find lids to my crappy containers, so hopefully, these will help me to get more organized. And here's the best thing--I can rationalize it all by saying that these are birthday gifts for me. YAY!

The Tortoise And The Haircut

Here is picture of the visitor that we had in the backyard today...not to worry because he (or she) has been placed out of harm's way (which means a place that the cat cannot go...hopefully).

Later, as if the turtle was not enough excitement, we took Daniel to get his second haircut. Here is a before shot--

And here is the after--

Yeah, I know that you cannot tell much of a difference. That's a good thing because watching him get his hair cut is a tough enough reminder that my baby boy is becoming a little boy way too fast.

I Think That The Popper Toy Is A Good Idea

Mom and Dad were wondering if Daniel might enjoy a little popper toy like my sister and me used to have when we were little. Today at the toy store, Daniel got to try on one for size. I think that it's a hit.

Seven Years Ago Today...

we were married. I was 22 and dh was 23. Looking at this picture makes me laugh because I didn't realize how young we looked then until now...now that dh is 30, and I am turning 30 this month. Whoa.

This evening, we went out to eat at a local Japanese restaurant while Daniel spent some quality time with the grandparents. After we picked up Daniel, we stopped by the shop of the baker who made our wedding and groom's cakes and bought a little slice of Sacher cake that we split once Daniel went to bed.

Although we didn't do anything too elaborate to celebrate our anniversary today, we still had a beautiful day just spending time together and relaxing.

(I'm surprised I didn't hear from my sister today, though. I was just certain that she would be calling to wish us a happy anniversary. Hum? Hi, Priss, if you are reading this! LOL!)

Today's Theme Must be Flowers

It is very rare for me to post twice in one day, but seeing as it is Friday the 13th, maybe it is rather fitting and timely. Anyhow, I took the picture of my hydrangea bush and the close-up of the lily this morning at my house while dh was exercising. When he came home from exercising, he surprised me with the flowers that you see in the vase. He found them off a country road growing in a ditch and stopped there along his way home to pick some for me. Sweet, huh?

Smoke from the Wildfires Yet Again Today

Late last week during the evening and nighttime, the area in which we live was shrouded in a thick cloud of smoke from the wildfires in Hyde County. Today, it seems that we are once again shrouded in a thick layer of smoke on all sides. So, what does that mean for this family? Cabin fever will now be added to the list of Daniel's ailments. :) Here are some pictures of our neighborhood from our front and back yards.

The Latest Editions to the Household

A mama robin decided to take up residence on our back porch and begin her robin family. They look like such a happy family, don't they?