St Patty's and other exciting news about nothing...

HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY!!

T and I had a great weekend last weekend. Very low key and a lot of together time. Much needed after his Europe tour for two weeks. We are finally feeling back into the groove - just in time for him to head to Chicago next week. But it will only be Mon thru Thur and, after the two week stint, this will seem to be a fast trip.

Last night I made pot roast (recipe to come on The Dirty Details) - T said it was the BEST pot roast he had ever had and that included the last one I made! I felt like a very successful domestic engineer! I fed my man some red meat that was the best he ever tasted! Not to mention the smell that a pot roast in a crock pot does to a home! It is the best fragrance for a home. I am adding it as one of my faves. We had ranch, cheesy mashed potatoes and croissants with melted butter and garlic salt. It was a hearty, southern, stick-to-your ribs meal.

The calorie intake was ok since we have been riding bikes almost every evening - even after I do an hour and a half at the gym. I have no problem splurging with that kind of routine! My legs were like spaghetti last night during our bike ride since I had done 45 min of cardio plus all of my leg weight machines! Then a 5 mile bike ride. I was quite tired.

However, through the slits of my eyes, T and I worked on my garden plot. He is certainly a perfectionist and it took some time to complete but here is the plot:

Well, after much effort, the pic of the plot was way to small for you to see. I will see if T can save it a bit larger so that I can post it.

It looks like we will need 132 cu ft of soil (GULP) so we/I am going to call around tomorrow to find the best deal and the best way to do it. We will be able to use Steph and Jim's truck on Thursday all day so we will be able to get the material, the soil (GULP) and the pots for the herbs. We are planning on laying it out and getting the entire thing built this weekend. So, while he is in Chicago, I will be able to go out and plant/sow what I can and determine how many plants I will need to supplement my weak supply of seedlings. I am just really excited to get it started. We will be building a small 3 or 4' high gate/fence that will be the entrance to the garden. Of course this will be a cool effect but it serves a purpose. It keeps Jackson out of the garden. I don't need him to fertilize the plants and I don't need him eating them either. I am VERY excited to get started! I really hope it does well this year. We have big dreams of canning tomatoes (Mom, I will need your expert advice hear) and pickling pickles! And I hope to have peppers coming out of my ears!! And the lettuce!! Yum! Fresh salads every night (or every other...or whenever I am lucky enough to have some).

I am excited about some upcoming events that I am planning! The first will be the fourth annual Derby Party in Arizona! I was very proud of Lauren that she knew the date of the Derby! But still disappointed in my sweetie who asked me when the Derby was! It's all in the training, folks! But we will be having another Derby party and I am very excited to be a domestic diva so I will have more time to make this the blast of the year!

The other exciting event will be Lauren's baby shower - family style. Because of all the peeps she knows, she will be having two. Her best friend is hosting the "friend" shower and I will be hosting the "family" shower. It may sound strange, after the emotional roller coaster I have been on since the miscarriage (or since ALWAYS), that I am excited about planning a baby shower. But I have come to realize many things lately. One, I am sure that T and I will have our chance - no doubt in my mind. Two, family is so important and I want to be there for my niece (they are having a girl). And, three, I have learned that I have an awesome life, awesome family, awesome friends, an awesome stepdaughter and an awesome husband. Even without a baby, my life is complete. Having a little 'us' would be icing on the cake.

All this being said, AF (Aunt Flo, you know her), has come for a visit. Good thing I cleaned! Haha! I was quite sure that this month would be out for us due to the timing of his trip. But that's quite alright. We have a whole year and a half before I call it quits on trying. =] I honestly believe we WILL have our chance!

So T has a new sound system for the TV - it is theater quality. It is soooo huge! I will take a pic when it gets completely set up. He is working on it now. We have to cover the front cones because they are rimmed in yellow (huh? pimp my speakers??) which stands out like a sore thumb. But we have some great ideas to cover them. There is a sub that literally rattles the windows! But T also thought ahead (as boys do in this department) and ordered an EQ as well so that he can tune it to be perfect without rattling the windows. Boys with their toys....

Well, I haven't much to say...the top has been down, the wind in my hair and the days have felt great...as have the nights. I am truly on a mood upswing and intend on sticking here for a while. It is so much better than the alternative.

I will leave you with some pics:

My female hummingbird perched in our Mesquite tree:



She's taking a drink:



This is a second hummingbird, might be the male (we have a female and male). I also saw a third one zoom by today! We are the buffet of choice for our feathered friends:



So awesome!



The back of the house from the fire pit - see the two brown pots by the columns? They used to have firestick plants (like the one out front - refer to past pics). They died and we replanted with Jasmine. Which is special because of our feline baby Jasmine. And they produce fragrant blooms that the hummingbirds and butterflies will LOVE!



Close up of our Jasmine



Our Red Yucca that has a stalk!! No, TWO stalks!! They will bloom. We are very excited!



Happy St Pat's and I will be back tomorrow. T is going to Phoenix so I can catch up on housework that I didn't get done today and I am sure I will have time to post a blog!

Kisses!