Dreaming of Spring

As I'm sure we all are doing, I'm definitely dreaming of a warmer temperature. Don't get me wrong, I love bundling up in blankets and the rare chance for snow the south gets is FANTASTIC but I still have moments of missing some sun and greenery. I don't want the blazing Georgia heat yet (because trust me, it's rough) but 70 degrees can be quite nice to think of when you can't feel your fingers after going outside for 10 minutes. Ah, spring and your not-too-cold temperatures.

Part of the reason why I am missing Spring is because I love, love, love gardening. I'm certainly no expert and I have tons more to learn, but I really get so much enjoyment out of it. Every year I learn something new and get a little bit better at it. That is life isn't it? Trying and trying until you succeed!

I found some old pictures of our first try at gardening and my heart ached for Spring!

We live in an apartment, so we are a bit limited on what we can grow. We keep it simple and just do a few herbs and on occasion some peppers or small tomatoes. It feels so good to eat or use something you've grown yourself!

Blurry but beloved picture of my darling tomatoes.

I don't usually do resolutions, but if I were to have one it would be to really take my little plant-babies seriously this year...you know, before the ACTUAL baby comes, haha. It is definitely something I would like to raise our kids doing and seeing us do. It's very therapeutic and not to mention healthy. You can see my past gardening attempts here, and here . And who knows, maybe this year I'll get REALLY crazy and plant some flowers too. Having a look at this post really makes me want some flowers that I can just pick and place around the room and not have to buy...because I'm all about the cheap thrills, baby.

again, rough picture, but I miss these little guys!

Do any of you garden? Know any good gardening blogs? Do tell!

~ B ~

A year in review: 2012 insta-style

Hello all,

Well, today is the first day of 2013. I don't do resolutions because I think anytime's a good time to make changes in your life, so why wait a whole year? This past year has, well, it has been pretty difficult. I won't lie to ya. With Toby's new job, ministry, me being a student and working part-time it has left us stressed and down at times. Many things have happened with family, friends and just in our own personal lives that have left us speechless. But there have also been AMAZING moments where we were absolutely happy. My point is, every year that comes or goes has it's major ups and major downs...and some years have more of one than the other. But in all of that, we grow in ways we never could if it had all been sunshine and roses ya know?

This year I have had this image of Toby and I being on a ship at sea. I know, it sounds corny but hear me out. In the ship, there is a man at the helm that is taking us deeper into storms and into the wind-tossed sea. He never moves and he never speaks, he just keeps sailing further into the great tempest before us. Toby and I, oddly enough, don't run and hide but we stand on deck and get blasted by the wind and the waves. With each storm, however, we grow less afraid. We know what to expect. We are homesick and ready for the storms to cease, but we know how to weather them.We are sea-worn sailors, weary but capable, and our mysterious helmsman steers on into wild waters that test our courage. There is a poem that many of you may know by Lord Alfred Tennyson called "Ulysses" that I feel describes us. Maybe not in its entirety (because we are not old kings haha) but in how we feel now:

Though much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are---
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

Though we may be weary, we will keep pursuing. Though we have been tested, we will not fail. Though our hearts are heavy, they beat on still. This is how we enter the new year. With a warrior's heart and with a hope that whispers of good things to come. I hope all of you, no matter what kind of year it's been, can enter this time with hope and courage, ready to face the world with confidence that only God can give.

 And now, for some pictures :) 12 photos of memories for the last 12 months!

I went back to school in Januray 2012.

My cousin Meredith came and stayed with us and we had a blast! Also, a side note: this amazing coffee shop pictured
above tragically closed down not long after this and I JUST FOUND OUT. A moment of silence please.

I turned 25. Holy crap. (forgive the grainy quality of this one)

We started a family...well...a garden family that you can see here and here.
Don't get too excited yet :)

Visited my family in Dallas, TX.

Visited family in Delaware in the summer and it rocked! (Part 1, 2, and 3)

We got to play at an amazing music festival in North Carolina, on Toby's birthday!

Moved into our new and lovely apartment!

We celebrated our 2nd anniversary, and created fort bebe!

Went to the set of the hit TV show The Walking Dead that is filmed only an hour from us!

Had Thanksgiving in Texas for the first time in a few years!

And finally, we just got back from Delaware visiting Toby's family! (post to come)

Have a great 2013!

~B~

Instagram Review...Texas style

Well, it's been a while since I've done one of these and I've definitely taken a lot of instas since then! I just got back from my homeland of Dallas, Texas and it was so great! I got to see my family and friends and spend some quality time with my wonderful mama!
The only sad thing was that Toby could not come :(. He is in Salt Lake City, Utah for work and (according to him) having a good time as well!

Now granted, he is grading AP tests (which quite frankly makes me want to stab my eyes out Oedipus style) but he us mixin' and minglin' with other teacher friends and enjoying the beautiful mountains...and if course he forgot his camera. Oh well.

Anyways, here is a (long) instagram review if what's been going on in Georgia and in Texas!

New banana peppers and a tomato plant!

Taking care of the babies :)

Summer storms.

Toby and Jeremy. Bromance at its finest.

Late night trips to Walmart for potting soil = being a grown-up.

They have grow more even since this picture!

1. Shabbat dinner with mom. 2. Airport goodies: everything's bigger in
Texas! 3. Texas skies and traffic at 10 AM. 4. My favorite bookstore.

5. A Series of Unfortunate Events kept me company on the plane.
6. We all wear cowboy hats. 7. Breakfast with mom. 8. Pride and Prejudice
ZOMBIES. That's too funny. I love you, halfprice books.

9. Windows in the air (halfprice overload, I know) 10. I love the show Parks
and Recreation, so naturally I pulled over when my childhood play spot proudly
displayed this. 11. Had a fun night with my best friend since middle school,
who I miss so much. 12. Visited my other chicky, Tiffany and her hubby!!!

Read this GREAT book while Toby was away when I got home.

When he DID get home, we celebrated with tea and Sherlock.

Always a comforting thing to see parked next to you at a restaurant. Field trip?

Almost forgot! Some pretty wall art at the Atlanta airport.

Well, that's a little taste of life lately! Sorry for the overload! Hope you all have a great week ahead and that you find some time to enjoy the little moments, too.




~B~

A Minty May Treat

Hello friends,

I know it is not officially summer, but let's face it, it's hot here in the South and when I start seeing dirty children running around barefoot and not in school, I count it as summer.

So, hello summer!

I recently added two "babies" as I call them to our little nest. Their names are Basil and Peppermint, and they are exactly what they sound like.

Meet Basil and Peppermint!

I have been putting Basil in anything and everything I can get my hands on...and putting mint in any drink that will allow. Yesterday, Toby and I had a very relaxing day complete with a late breakfast, little chocolates, chardonnay (later that evening) and a lovely minty treat I will now share with you.

I'm not going to act like I made this up, because I basically follows directions on the box, but nonetheless, it was yummy. We made sweet mint tea and it TOTALLY hit the spot for a kind-of-hot day.

Directions for a lovely quart of mint tea:
Bring 1 cup (8 oz.) of water to a boil and pour over 6 Bigelow Plantation Mint tea bags. 
I steeped tea in a large, thick Pyrex measuring cup and then added to the container pictured, but do whatever works for you!
Steep for 10 minutes.
Discard tea bags and pour 3 cups of cold water into tea.
Add some mint leaves for some prettiness and tastiness (especially if you just bought a mint plant!)
Serve over ice and enjoy!

And there you have it! Hope you all are having a good Monday. See you soon.

~B~