Lessons Learned (Thoughts on 5 Years)

Yesterday Dan and I celebrated our five-year anniversary. Since I'm a contemplative person, I like to think back to those five years and all that happened. Somewhere along the way we went from this, 

To this, 

And this, 

To this. 

I like to think that I've picked up a few notions along the way, and dropped other notions as I've learned that they are not useful. However, five years by no means makes me knowledgeable about the ways and means of marriage. 

Thus, I'm not really surprised at my surprise that yesterday was (I think) my favorite anniversary so far. 

See, Dan left this morning for a business trip in San Diego. I'm joining him in a few days after school lets out, and we're doing "real" anniversary stuff there (you know, exciting/romantic/adventurous). However, since yesterday was a Friday and I strenuously object to cooking dinner on a Friday night after a long and busy week, we decided to get Chik Fil A with my calendar card. 

(Thanks, Mom!) 

So our anniversary was pretty simple. We did chores together, got Dan packed and ready, ate dinner watching our new (to me) Netflix show, and just relaxed together. I didn't get dressed up or worry about my hair or how the evening would progress. I didn't think about what we should talk about, or set up weird expectations about how it's going to be this idyllic romantic evening (it never is, and if you've known us for any length of time as a couple, you know we're not really into traditional "romantic" stuff). 

It was, in short, a really lovely evening together. 

Happy anniversary, my love. 

Finally...Garden 2014

I tend to hold to the philosophy "better late than never," mostly because I'm usually late for things. This year, that happened to include my garden.



My in-laws graciously allow me to use their yard for my garden, and there was some back-and-forth this year about if the garden would move across the yard to a sunnier spot, debating the cost of moving it, whether we should increase or decrease the size, build raised beds...on and on.



It went on long enough that I was ready to let it go for this year, and just try again next summer. Not because of any upset, just because circumstances kept adjusting. But then, surprise!



Mom- and Dad-in-law went ahead and put some raised beds together, ordered soil, and voila! Garden started. I was super excited, both because it was minimal effort and my part, and we can still have a small garden.

I especially like the woodchips around the bed. No more weeding, or even mowing, around the garden!



Since it's smaller this year (and I'm very ok with that) I planted tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, carrots, and arugula. I'm hoping to add some herbs--mint, lavender, thyme, parsley.

Three tomatoes and four pepper plants. 

Arugula, and those little stalks in the back? Green onion roots I stuck in there. 

Even Little Dog approves. 

Spring Picture Walk

These are a few shots from my days lately. These are the reasons I haven't been blogging.



^_^

Shopping trips with Sister and Little Dog. We are so happy it's nice enough to be outside!

Adorable babies at picnics! This little gal has the greatest smile ever, amiright?!

So glad it's warm enough for frappucinos and iced coffee. My jam.

Babysitting awesome kids. This was the day of the massive thunderstorm, so we made hot chocolate! 

What have you been up to lately?