Thursday, June 11, 2009

Garden Fresh- Yummy!

Back at the beginning of March my mom, with the help of my dad and Mathew, planted a garden in the back yard. We haven't had a garden at the house since I was in early elementary school. I must say I have a greater appreciation of my mother's green thumb now, as opposed to when I was eight. I suppose it's only natural since I come from a long line of gardeners. When my grandmother was 80 she planted an orchard on her property complete with an irrigation system. No, she didn't hire anyone to dig the ditches for her. My grandmother has never shied away from heavy-duty gardening. She does it all. Now my mother's garden is not quite like my grandmother's but it definitely is providing plenty of veggies for our family.
My favorite are the tomatoes. There is nothing better than a vine-ripe, garden fresh tomato. Really, you should come over and try them. Every afternoon after work my mom goes to "harvest" her garden. We currently have more tomatoes than we can consume. I love it! We had a green cabbage for dinner last nigh, it was mighty tasty too. There is a little crooked neck yellow squash in this plant. You can't see it very well though. We've eaten one so far and it was pretty delicious. Our grapevine has come back again this year. It's fuller and more beautiful than ever. Each year it grows and makes me forget I live in the middle of the desert.
I chased the Scout Dog around the yard for a little while. We've become good friends lately, well at least until Mathew or Andrew come around. Mathew, you haven't seen him in a while. He's gotten so skinny and has so much more energy. We quit feeding him meat because it was making him sick and now he loves his dog food! It's like he went on The Biggest Loser for Dogs! You wouldn't even know he's 8 1/2. The other plant we have in the back yard, or rather a tree, is the pomegranate tree. This poor tree has survived it all. It was originally taken as a switch from my grandmother's pomegranate tree and planted in our old home in downtown Phoenix. When my family moved to North Central Phoenix in 1987, my mother took along a switch of the pomegranate tree to plant at our new home. My father then proceeded to mow it over or cut it down several times before my mom got really, really mad. It has since been left alone and able to grow beautifully. We now have four other small pomegranate trees growing in the back yard too.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Jenn's Memorial Weekend Wedding!

Jenn and Ross finally tied the knot on May 23rd. We had such a great time at the wedding. By far, our table was the rowdiest and the d.j. was not the only one who noticed. I was really excited for the formal wedding because I was able to wear the gown I wore in Brooke's wedding again. I love that dress. I need a few more black-tie events! Congrats Jenn!!!!

Friday, May 15, 2009

Jimmy Buffett Returns! Fins Up!

Jimmy Buffett returned to Phoenix this year after taking the past few years off. We were more than excited! There's just something about summertime, tailgating, and Jimmy Buffett. We happily made it girls affair. Through work, Shannon received to tickets that werea] about 5th row. We took turns going to the front for the show. I was more than excited to be upfront when Jimmy crooned "Last Mango in Paris". I love that song. Going to Jimmy Buffett concerts with the girls has turned into one of my most favorite traditions.


Thursday, May 7, 2009

Amanda's Hawaiian Wedding

Amanda got married in Hawaii on April 30, 2009. It was such a beautiful ceremony and a great three day trip to the islands. Brooke and I barely arrived in time for the rehearsal dinner the day before the ceremony. We met up with everyone at the pool before we made our way to the rehearsal dinner. Four out of the five bridesmaids were able to make it to Hawaii for the wedding. We missed you Sarah! We began getting ready early the next day. We did make it to the pool for a few hours earlier in the morning.The bride and groom seeing each other for the very first time that day!We stayed at the Sheraton Maui. It was so beautiful. We spent our last few days by the water and the pool. I wish I could go back now! Before our flight out, Jake, Lindsey, and I ate at Cheeseburger in Paradise. We also went to the top of Haleakala- the volcano on the island. It was freezing cold at the top with some very strong wind. It was quite the site to be above the cloud line. Then it was off to the airport for our midnight flights.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Baby Lucy

I'm not certain why it has taken me so long to post about Lucy, but it has. Tiffany had her second little girl on March 21st. Lucy is absolutely adorable. Sadly, it took me a month to come see her since I was incapacitated due to the broken ankle. Shortly before the broken ankle I was lucky enough to give Tiffany luncheon for Lucy. I had to push sisters and other friends out of the way to do it though! Tiff's cousin Courtney co-hosted with me. I was so grateful to have the help.
By the time I finally got to see Lucy she was so big! Well, she was still a newborn but I missed an entire month of her life! However, I do love my visits to the Hill's home. Audrey is the most precious little girl and the best big sister. She definitely entertains me.
P.S. I look like a mess because my 10 year reunion was the night before and my ankle was still mostly broken!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

SHS Ten Year Reunion

Holy smokes! I can't believe it has been ten years since I graduated from high school. This past weekend I attended my ten year high school reunion! Rachel, our senior class president, so graciously nominated me to the reunion committee with her. With help from Sarah and Jenna we planned the reunion for a very long 8 months. Saturday night was definitely worth all the effort. We had a great night and a great weekend.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

A Few of My New Favorite Things!

Since have been crippled for the past two months with my broken ankle, I have discovered few more things to add to my favorites list!

The Flats: I have never been one to object to buying new shoes but I never really saw the purpose in purchasing a pair of flats. I'm 5'1" for crying out loud. I can't walk around in flats all day. Heels have been my life. I didn't even own a pair of flats until I broke my ankle. Now I adore my Michael Kors' flats and the ten other pair I have purchased......oops.
Calvin Klein Jeans: Since I now have to wear flat shoes all my pants are much too long for me, see all my old pants are tailored to heels. But Calvin Klein makes extremely comfortable (and affordable) jeans in petites. Perfect for me. I'm bring back the Calvin Klein jeans, although I don't look like Brooke Shields.
Amazon: I have been a fan of amazon.com for a while but while I was stranded in bed unable to drive or walk, I really learned to love the site. I found books for school, deals on music and it was all delivered to my door step. Now all I need is a kindle!


David Gray: I have always been a David Gray fan, but this album is probably one of my all time favorites. I still haven't grown tired of it after more than two months of listening to it.