Looking Good

It's been a few weeks since I started my herb garden and so far, it's looking really good. I've been a little concerned with all this really hot weather, but I think I have it in a place where it gets just enough shade at the right time.

I'm mostly excited about the basil and oregano! I've already been using it a lot. I love eating basil with tomatoes and I've been making pesto and freezing it to use in pastas and it's good on sandwiches or even just an appetizer on some really good grilled bread!

I also can't wait for the peppers to get going! I have bell, cayenne and jalapenos!

I've just about out grown my space....I'll have to go bigger next year!

Speaking of things looking good......check out my mom's hydrangeas........

they are so pretty!

My brother Josh (who built my boxes) also put together a really pretty flower box for my mom.

I just love a box of flowers like this...I'm working on some window boxes myself....can't wait to get them hung...stay tuned!

Fathers Day

I was so excited about Fathers Day...we had been talking about doing a low country boil for a while and we decided that it would be something our dad would really enjoy. We didn't know how hot it was going to be on Sunday....wow! I think we were the ones doing the boiling! But, we had a great time...and turned out really good. I was so into the food, I really didn't get any pictures of the family :) Oh well.....we are all about the food anyway!

Rebekah made a white chocolate fruit torte...it was yummy!

Happy Fathers Day - Hope you enjoyed that dad.

Thanks Sharon

My sister-in-law Sharon wanted me to have some of her hydrangeas, she remembered how much I loved them and ask me to come out and cut some from her bush. She had some really pretty colors on hers.  Thanks so much Sharon, that was really sweet! 

Summer Weekends

We have had another full weekend and here it is Monday! I have been doing yard sales with my family for the past 3 weekends in a row. We have so much fun and sometimes we find some really cool stuff. My sister Rebekah can hardly pass up any wood furniture....she bought a coffee table, armoire, pedestal dining table, a desk, 4 dining room chairs, sides tables and more I'm sure. She'll paint everything and it will probably look amazing......we'll be kicking ourselves that we didn't snatch some of it up!

Here we go!

Saturday night we went to see Sheryl Crow.....we had 3rd row tickets! It was pretty cool seeing her that close. It was so hot outside we could hardly stand it, but we had fun.

We decided to stay in on Sunday and enjoy being home. With everything we do and the places we go, there is still no place like home! We grilled out and had a great dinner.......

Now that I'm on a path to eat better and I'm trying to think about a gluten-free diet (we'll maybe not free, but a lot less right now) it's just better to eat at home. Also, with having low iron, we try to get a steak in a couple times a week. This is one of our favorite combinations.

For the first time I experimented with a gluten-free all purpose flour and made lemon pound cake. It really was pretty good. I didn't have one of the things that they recommend adding to a gluten-free flour...it's the binder that keeps the cake from falling apart....but even without that, it was good. With everything I've read, you just have to try these flours and practice using them. I was having a hard time giving up a bread for breakfast....it's one of my favorite things with a cup of coffee, and if it's lemon or orange something....I'm all over it!

Ahhh, now that's a good morning!

Oh So Lovely!

I have been waiting for my hydrangeas to get big enough to clip, and finally today I made myself a bouquet right out of my own yard! They are so beautiful and absolutely my favorite flower. I almost hated to cut them off, but I can enjoy them so much more inside. 

The First Signs

When I decided to make a larger herb garden and grow some peppers and tomatoes this year, I had my doubts that I would be very good at it or produce anything. My brother (who has had a pretty large garden for years and grown many things well) is constantly giving me little tips and educating me along the way. I was so excited a couple weeks ago to tell him I had my first sign of a pepper...I was thrilled! He then proceeded to tell me to pinch that one off...."the plants are too small right now, they need to root longer"....what?? So.... I'm past that now and watching patiently each day for new growth.

My basil is doing really well..........

I already had to remove some of the top leaves...so I decided to make bruschetta today

Doesn't that look delicious!

It's not much, but I'm finding that I love it......walking out there and seeing things grow makes me happy!

The Little Things

Boy has this week went by fast, and the holiday weekend even faster! I have been looking forward to warm weather for months and now that it's here, I feel like the days are passing me by and I'm trying to hold on to them and find little things and moments to enjoy.

The best $20 bucks I spent last weekend.....2 dozen roses!

Dinner with Mark and Rebekah....we had the best time and a great dinner...we grilled steaks and corn

had the best salad, which is my latest favorite thing......Panzanella!!

and to end it all.....cheesecake!

Now that is summer fun! Hope you are having your moments....enjoy!