My Thumb Is Turning Green

 I have planted a flower here and there, but never loved doing it. The shrubs and flowers that take little watering and care, those are my faves. I have never given gardening a try, until this year. My neighbor and Green Goddess, Alexa, is my go-to-guru on all things gardening. Her sweet mom (who lives in a neighboring neighborhood to where I grew up in Boulder) loaned me this portable flower box.

Apparently they are in big demand in Boulder... wink, wink. Huh? OH!!!

You'd think as a Boulder girl I would have caught the pot reference. 

You water it threw this nifty nozzle that send the water to the bottom.

Slick if I don't say so myself!

The dream item to grow? BASIL!

Alexa's basil last year was the stuff of heaven,

now I have the same stuff!

I wish this picture was scratch-and-sniff!! You'd faint it is so delicious.

We also planted... ok, lie #1! Alexa planted because I attempted to lop my finger off that exact same week which left me looking like a complete shmootz while she planted my garden with a head cold.

I officially owe you more bagels Alexa!!

I wish you could reach through and eat one!

My friend Kendra gave me 40 cherry tomatoes from her garden for my 40th birthday.

They were like candy. Don't tell her I grew these, maybe I'll get 42 for turning 42 and still eat mine :)

A happy marriage - tomatoes and basil.

Emails between me and my mom:

Me: I HAVE TOMATOES!! My cherry tomatoes are like candy! I am so in love with them I could go kiss them!!

Mom: As we used to say when I was a little girl... "If you love them so much, why don't you just marry them."

Well today we had a ceremony and I kissed and married my cherry tomatoes... lie #2.

In the words of Al:

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.

Could that be lie #3?

Determination of a 9 Year Old

When I think of Tennison, I think of determination. At times I think of his determination as stubborn and a little strong-willed, but I do believe it will take him places in life. This week he did his first football camp. He has loved the idea of playing football and has been asking to put on a helmet and pads for so long. I finally caved and said yes. I have been the one holding him back. I am the one scared of brain-damage and broken bones. I am the one who thinks a 9 year old should just wait a few more years before a concussion is a possibility. But then it hit me, a 9 year old running into a 9 year old is a better way to learn than putting it off a few years. So I said yes and guess who became "The best mom in the whole world"?!

This picture melts me!

 

I think I could cry...

He's the first one to run to where he needs to be. The first one to ask questions. The first one to say, "I'll do it!" And the one to walk up to every coach at the end of practice and say, "Thanks Coach".

Determination!

Tennison's buddy Brandon. For years I have said, Brandon is the center to Tennison's quarterback. They are built for those positions. But after this week he has decided on... Ok, he hasn't decided!

Ten's other good buddy Braden.

Um, ok here are the coaches. Every 9 year old little boy's dream team - CSU Rams.

I think Scott's hard to dress, can you imagine shopping for those biceps and buns?! 

Tennison will be told No in life, but like Al, I know that it will push him to be even more determined.

The kid has a heart of gold with determination to frustrate a mother, yet inspire as well.

Kid, you're going places and I plan on cheering you on every step of the way!

20 Years With Scott... and counting!

On July 3rd Scott & I will celebrate our 20th anniversary! I cannot believe it has been 20 years since we said I do. I am so grateful that we have made it to this milestone and look forward to the next 20 years. In the words of Al, "Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love." The thing about this quote, the other part rarely seen, is: "Falling in love is not at all the most stupid thing that people do - but gravitation cannot be held responsible for it."

I think marrying Scott was one of the smartest things I've done!!

On our wedding day, July 3, 1993.

Babes, so young and in love!

Fast forward 20 years, 2 apartments, 2 houses, 2 dogs, 3 kids, 10 cars, 11 jobs, 37 birthday parties planned for our kids, countless parties hosted, 29 photo albums filled and more photos to print, an infinite amount of amazing memories made, and more in the making. 

Keepin' it real!

Today!

Kissel I can't believe you finally "gave me a ring"! I couldn't wait to be your wife, thanks for asking me on bended-knee almost 21 years ago. Just think, we went from our first date at Casa Bonita in 1990 to celebrating our 20th in Mexico in 2013... can't wait! I love you more than you'll ever know. Thanks for loving me like you do!!

"Men marry women with the hope they will never change. 

Women marry men with the hope they will change.

Invariably they are both disappointed. " -Albert Einstein