Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun!

Guess what, readers (i.e. husband and mother)? I am currently blogging from my back deck, wearing a t-shirt- and it is 8:08 in the evening. It is warmer out here than it is in my house! The sun is still shining, and Molly is barking up a storm at nothing, as she sits perched on the picnic table in our backyard (why she sits here, I do not know). I may or may not be sipping a wine spritzer. This whole scene just feels so...lovely.

This beautiful day inspired me to get around to something I have been planning on and talking about doing for months- planting my shoe organizer herb garden. I have gradually been collecting the necessities for this project (gardening tools, a shoe organizer, soil), and after picking up seeds on my trip to Portland last week with my parents (which, by the way, was awesome!), I had everything I needed. Except the sun. Today, my last ingredient was added, and I was more than ready to get this show on the road.

Tonight, I picked up this really neat tool (at the Dollar Store, duh) that has measurements in inches and centimeters on the side of it. You simply poke it into the soil as far down as the seeds should sit, and voila! You have a nice little home to drop your seeds in. Check it out:

This is what it looks like when you've poked all the cutesy little holes:

 

Cilantro seeds

Perhaps you seasoned gardeners have already been introduced to this work of art, but before today, I didn't know such a thing existed. I've planted things before, and always wondered how you would get a ruler to make a nice plot in your soil. Not the brightest- Clinton might call me a Dollar Store light bulb. Now, I know how it's done and I was more than happy to break in my new tool on my shoe organizer deck decor.

Choosing my herbs was something I was excited to do, and the Waterville Walmart just had a ton to pick from. Here is what I ended up going with:

...and the rosemary Clinton bought a few weeks ago to help get me started:

My shoe rack has twenty pouches- no way was I planting herbs in all of them! But, once the plants start growing, they will need to be separated. So, I figured each one could have it's own row on the rack, and I would fill the pouches as necessary. I also think I'll go buy some potted flowers, and stick those in for filler. Watcha think? Here's the finished product (well, as finished as it can be without the herbs having actually grown):

 

Getting this done has really inspired me to make my property more esthetically pleasing. I've also been feeling antsy since buying these two fun books at Indigo (for $5 a piece) the other day:

I've already learned a lot just from browsing through them, so I'm excited to actually spend some time with them and see what I can accomplish as a home owner throughout the summer.

So, that's my herb garden! I feel so good to finally have gotten it done, and cannot wait to let you know if it's a hit or a miss. Next project...front walkway. Yikes!

Summer Concert Kick Off

One of my favourite things is a good, summer concert. I love concerts, I love summer, and when the two come together, their force is unstoppable. The only thing that makes a summer concert even more awesome than it already is is when you combine it with good fellow concert goers, and some shopping. If any of this sounds appealing to you, then you probably wish you were me right now. Tomorrow morning, I will jump into my father's car and head to the US of A to see Brett Dennen live!

You might be thinking "Who the hell is Brett Dennen?", but you've probably heard him before. My father and I first discovered him when his song was played on a Rogers commercial four or five years ago- and many people unknowingly know this song because of that ad. Watch and remember:

Rogers PVR Commercial

After some Googling, I gave my father the name Brett Dennen, which led him to download his album from iTunes. Instant fans. So, it's kind of cool that I will get to see him with my dad, as we sort of discovered him together. After traveling to Portland last fall to see Josh Ritter, my mom got a taste of what it is like not only going to a concert with my father and I together, but being active post-show stalkers. While I think she was skeptical at first, being successful at the stalking and getting to meet Josh and some of his band might have turned her into a lifer.

So friends, tomorrow we're off to the land of Portland again- Brett Dennen, Gloria Jean lattes, Bath and Body Works, and Paula Dean candles. I cannot wait! As a sign off, I leave you with one of my current faves off BD's new album. Enjoy- and also enjoy going back to work tomorrow suckas!

Brett Dennen- Comeback Kid

Dear Mama

I started to write this blog on Mother's Day, and whilst in the middle of writing it, my computer came down with a flu (aka terrible virus), and I couldn't access the Internet at all. I felt so disconnected, but was mostly disappointed that I didn't get to hit "Publish Post" before the virus took over. When we got our computer back a few days later, Blogger was down. Technology- so good. So bad. Anyway, I am finally taking a minute to sit down and pay my mother the proper tribute she deserves for being so good at being my mom. I know I am late, but it still counts (actually, it probably counts more now, since it's just a regular old day...right?)

I'm really big on making "Top" lists. If you were at my wedding, you might remember that my vows to Clinton were delivered in the form of a top five list (if you weren't there, now you know. You also probably feel a little sad that you missed the non-televised wedding of the century [we would have been doomed if we'd let the press in] and had to settle for watching William and Kate's little event instead).Anyway, in honour of my honourable mother, I've created a top ten list:

Top Ten Reasons Why My Mother is The Best (even better than your mom)

10. My mom has a wicked sense of humour. She loves a good comedy, and loves to laugh. We both enjoy the same shows, so I it's nice that I can call her and say "Did you see The Office last night? Wasn't it hilarious when..." And she's not into cheesy comedy either (e.g. Corner Gas). This makes me appreciate and respect her even more. I trust her judgment, and when she tells me to check out a new show, I will do it because I know it will be good. I would like to thank her for Modern Family, 30 Rock, Arrested Development, The Middle, How I Met Your Mother, The Soup, and various others. Thanks for keeping me laughing, Mom!

9. She's very thoughtful. If she sees something when she's out that I might have mentioned I was looking for, or needed, she'll pick it up for me, or call me to tell me she saw it somewhere. I enjoy this, and I think it's a great quality. I try to do that for people, but I often forget. It takes a special kind of person.

8. She is a great cook. I try to make things that she makes, but it never quite tastes the same. I often wonder if she holds out on an ingredient or two, just so hers will always be a little better. Then I think "Nah...it's just that things always taste better when someone else makes them." Then, one time, I made her famous layered lettuce salad, and after feeding it to Clinton, he said "That was good. But not as good as your mom's." Guess it's not just me.

7. She's "chill". She lets things roll off her, and doesn't fuss or stress over much. I wish I had that quality, and really admire it. Someone might make a comment to me in passing that's really no big deal, and it will sit in my mind until it has taken over my whole thinking process. It eats me up, and drives me mad until I get some sort of explanation or resolution. So much wasted energy. I long for my mom's nonchalant ways.

6. She's a good listener. Sometimes, I feel like all I do when I call my mom is talk- about myself, usually. Or complain about something- or everything. And she just listens, and throws a few words in there every now and again, so I know she's still there. It probably sucks being on her end, but on my end, it is definitely appreciated!

5. She has puppy fever. She understands my obsession for my dog, and obsesses over her dog, too. I could watch my dog all day, and just laugh at her strange antics and weird behaviour. Then, I'll be at my mom's, or talking to her on the phone, and she'll say "Oh you should see Brady! She just looked at me the cutest way." Some people might think "So what?"...but I think "Awesome." And I mean it.

4. She always has fun. That's her mission, I think- to just enjoy herself.

3. She will do anything for us, but didn't "ruin" us as kids. Sure, Kevin still doesn't know how to make a dentist appointment on his own, but we certainly were not fussed over. We were very loved, and very well taken care of, but we weren't smothered. If we had a cold, we slept it off, maybe took some over-the-counter medicine. I don't ever remember visiting an after hours clinic because my nose was running. When we fell and scraped our knees, we were not treated like someone ran us over with their car. We knew how to make our own breakfast (Life cereal, apple and cinnamon oatmeal, toast), and were taught to clean up after ourselves (although, our bedrooms would have said otherwise). If we were visiting family, or at some event or gathering that we got bored with, my parents would not up and leave to please us. We didn't run the show- they did. What she made for lunch or supper was what we got for lunch or supper...eat it or starve. She taught us stuff, rather than teaching us how to have someone do it for us instead of doing it ourselves.

2. She always shares her wine with me. Great quality. GREAT!

1. She accepts and supports everything major that I have done, and doesn't question it. "Hey Mom, I have a new boyfriend...he's eleven years older than me. He has a daughter who's nine. I know it's only been a few months, but I am moving in with him. I bought a dog without telling him, and can't understand what he's so upset about. I am going to start a career that has no need for new employees." I don't know how she stands it, but she does, and doesn't lecture or judge (and if she does, it's silent).

My mom...she's the bomb! You should be jealous right now that she's not your mom (unless you're Mike or Kevin).

Hello Sunshine!

While I know we still have a little while to wait before summer's official arrival, I already have the fever. Summer is my absolute favourite time of year, and around the end of winter/beginning of spring, I start to daydream about warm summer days, going to the beach, camping, and being able to just sit outside without wearing five layers of clothing (one of the reasons I love summer so much is because I am cold almost all of the time- this season is most friendly to me).

Yesterday morning when my alarm went off, I groggily sat up and poked my nose through my bedroom curtains. I immediately jumped out of bed upon seeing the sunshine. Yahoo! Molly's morning walks are always more enjoyable for me when I'm not pushing my way through fog and rain. I was ready in no time, hooked Molly to her leash, opened the front door, and BAM! The cold hit me like a slap in the face. Without hesitation, I closed the door, walked into the living room, opened my computer, and checked the weather. Two degrees...seriously?? May 2nd, and we were two degrees away from the freezing point. While I know this is somewhat normal for our part of the world, I was still disappointed. I reluctantly grabbed my mittens from the front hall closet, and trudged out the door. While the sunshine was still gorgeous, the fact that my ears were cold when I got home reminded me that our weather can be such a let down sometimes. I spent the rest of the day in a classroom full of adolescent, hormonal 12- and 13-year olds, taking a moment every now and then to glance out at my old friend Mr. Sun, and wonder if he had brought a little more warmth to the afternoon than he had to the morning. At 3:25, after the bell had rung and all the kids were gone, I stepped outside into...heavenly, room-temperature sunshine! Sixteen degrees, to be exact. GLORIOUS! I immediately took my jacket off, and drove home with the windows down and the music blaring. I chair-danced and sang the entire time, drumming my hands on the steering wheel, not caring if people saw me. It was far too nice to waste this drive.

Getting this little taste of summer got me thinking about what I would actually like to do with my summer. While I am still looking for some sort of employment (kind of scary, actually), I haven't really thought about what to do with my leisure time. So, I made a list, and of course am going to share it with you. Some of the things are very typical, and go on my summer to-do list every year, but they just have to be done! Ashley and Clinton are, of course, included in all of these endeavors. Let's begin:

Bonfires- Clinton and I have a chimnea which we acquired from my parents last summer. I think we had two fires. I love a good outdoor fire, and this summer, I am not wasting any opportunity to have one (check back with me in four months)

Plant a garden- this is actually something I am going to start this week/weekend (depending on my work schedule). We finally have our own property now, and I would really like to give it some personality with pretty flowers, shrubs, and herbs. Actually, it appears I have today off, so I think I will go buy a shoe organizer and start my hanging herb garden (see Monday Pick-Me-Up). Pictures to follow!

Sustain my garden- This will be the challenging part...

Camp more than once- When Clinton and I first started dating, it was May, and we had a whole summer of romantic dates and weekends to kick start our relationship. I remember how much we went camping, and how much fun we had hiking, having fires, cooking food over said fires, and freaking ourselves out every single time we heard a noise. I don't know what it is, but there is just something about sleeping outdoors that I love.

Nice gear, eh?

  
Swim more- every year I talk about how I am going to swim all the time, and rarely do it. I do find our beach water pretty gross, but when I actually do swim, I am always glad I did. I love the beach, but because I get cold easily, I often stay on shore and read or sleep. I really love that (duh!), but it can become boring very fast. This summer, I am going to swim every chance I get. Whether it be for a quick dip after work, or a whole day at the beach (again, check back in four months).

Explore- this will be our first full summer with a dog. Sure, Molly came along in August, but to be honest, she was kind of boring as a puppy. She wouldn't go for walks, and all she did was eat, sleep, and mark her territory all over our house. Now, she loves going on long walks (especially in the woods), and I love taking her to places we have never been. We have discovered some great trails and paths in the last few months, and have also seen more nature than Molly can really handle (Molly: "OMG a butterfly! OMG a squirrel! OMG a fox! OMG a bird! OMG another bird! OMG a moth! OMG a blowing leaf!"). This summer, I want to take her everywhere and find a whole new set of places to walk and hike.

Molly in Nature

Eat clean- I am what I like to call a 'weather eater'. The season really helps to determine what I feel like eating. In winter, I like warm, hearty meals like stews and casseroles. In summer, I find I crave greens and fresh fruit, and would take fish on the barbecue over steak. When it rains, I always want chamomile tea instead of coffee, and soup instead of salad. I won't have to work very hard to accomplish this one, as I actually like healthy food in the summer, but it's still something I am looking forward to.

Wear dresses- I love sundresses and flowy skirts, and the season is so short that I feel like I never get to wear them. I am not a dressy kind of person, and feel best in a nice pair of jeans, so I always save them for special occasions, like weddings or parties. This summer, I am going to wear them just because. They sit in my closet all year, begging to be worn- I might as well get some use out of them!

Keep my toenails painted- this sounds so superficial and stupid, but I always let my feet go, and then I spend time trying to cover them up rather than embracing sandal weather. I am keeping it fresh this year so I don't have to waste time thinking about how battered my toes look!

Sleep less- when I sleep too much, I feel grumpy and worn out all day. For summer, I am going to resist the urge to lay on the couch until noon on Saturdays, with a couple exceptions: a) it's raining. In this case, I will stay on the couch. b) It's a grand slam tennis tournament. Sorry, but my couch is where I'll be during the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. Nothing will change my mind regarding these two things. Nothing.

Roadtrip with girlfriends- last summer, five of my nearest and dearest girlfriends and I went to PEI to see Joel Plaskett at an outdoor venue. It was amazing. Great entertainment, and many, many laughs. I know that as we get older, we become committed to things like jobs, husbands, kids, etc. These, of course, are so important, which is why it is so easy to let our friendships wait in the wings. But friendships are important too...I would be devastated without my closest pals, and can't imagine life without them. Taking two days to do an overnighter somewhere with my ladies is definitely a worthwhile way to spend summer time!

Girl's Trip 2010

So these are my summer musts, and I think I am pretty satisfied with this list. I feel like my goals are reasonable and able to be accomplished. At the end of summer, I will do a follow up blog and let you know how I made out. My prediction: I don't keep my toenails painted...