Instagram and Photo Dump!

Thought I would take some time to share some pictures with your guys from my iPhone-mostly Instagram. Anyways, let's begin!

The above picture is summer salsa, I made it over the weekend and it was DELICIOUS. There is a very small amount left-we put a hurtin' on it y'all!

Last night the weather in Manchester was beautiful so we took the bikes out for a spin. It was a great night to ride! I really love evening bike rides with the hubs, especially when it is cool enough to breath outside. But wait, that cool weather won't last long...the high is 100* on Thursday. Ugh!

Our first stop on our bike ride was the birthplace of Thomas R. Marshall, the 28th Vice President of the United States. I wanted to stop because this location was part of this years garden walk (which we didn't do) and I wanted to see the pretty flowers. The pink hydrangeas did not disappoint. So beautiful!

We also rode around Manchester College a bit too...and took at break to read some historical signs near the chapel. Neither of us knew that Manchester College started out as a Bible School before becoming a Liberal Arts College-interesting!

This is the bell tower at the Peabody Retirement Community. They always have beautiful landscaping here and I love it. From the outside the facilities are beautiful and full of front porches with wicker chairs. I don't know that I would ever want to live in an assisted living type place, but if I had to pick Peabody might be the one. I promise it's so pretty!

Double Knock Out Roses @ The Peabody...see what I mean? Beautiful landscaping!

The above pictures were my craft project from last night. I can't say this idea was my own, but I am so pleased with how it looks already. I plan on distressing the edges a bit before hanging in our living room. Everyone needs some initial wall art, right?

Now I will leave you with some super cute Louie pictures and a sweet video. I took this video this morning while I was getting ready for work, he was cracking me up with him tongue. Oh how we love this puppy!

Have a great Tuesday!

Weekend in Pictures...LOTS of pictures!

Happy Monday y'all!

 First off, lets talk about FRIDAY. We didn't have anything really planned, which was good because when I got home from work I really didn't feel too well. My ankles were both swollen and sore so I ended up taking a nap and drinking lots of water. I had some really, really salty teriyaki for lunch so that's what I am blaming the swollenness/bloat on. Anyways...after a nice nap I actually felt better and we went for a nice bike ride through town. I love riding our bikes and looking at the pretty houses!

Oh, we also came home to some beautiful blooms! You know I love flowers! Our pansies are so vibrant...I just love them! And then the zinnia's too-beautiful! Let's not forget our back yard bunny friend! I actually snapped a picture of him, though it is a little blurry because he was in motion. Those rabbits are FAST!

Saturday morning started off with puppy cuddles and belly rubs-Louie's favorite! After breakfast we got right to work: laundry, cutting the grass, some craft projects for me-including finishing the wreath I talked about last week, replanting some plants, and fertilizing the plants! After all that work it was pretty hot so we blew up the redneck pool and took a swim! I know it's just a little inflatable pool and I bet our neighbors don't love it, but I do. It is so nice to be able to cool off and soak up some sun. Even Louie likes the pool and floating on the raft...which I just think is the cutest thing EVER. Have I mentioned how much we love him? Well, it's an intense amount! In the afternoon I finished a craft project-painting an old cookie sheet to use as a tray on the front porch. I used spray paint that I had on hand so we didn't have to go to the store. It was so easy and I love the outcome. Can't beat that! In the evening we washed up to meet Stephen's family and his parents for dinner honoring his Dad for Father's Day. We had a delicious dinner at the restaurant of his choice and then went to Wal-Mart for some more solar garden lights (they were on sale and I wanted to add a few more around the house). Go me because we went for lights and that is all we bought! I don't know if it's just me or what, but that RARELY happens. ALSO, we walked through the garden center and looked at all the pretty flowers without buying any. Another victory!

Sunday after church we picked Louie up from the house and headed to Stephen's parents house for a Father's Day cook-out. Louie was excited to be in the car, he really likes car rides! However, we took country roads to his parents house and Louie got carsick-let me just say eww! Thankfully he seemed to feel better and was okay most of the time we were there! After filling our bellies we headed back to our house hoping to soak up some sunshine in the afternoon. The pool had been full since Friday evening, so the water was nice and warm...quite the contrast to the freezing temperature it could have been! I also got to FaceTime with my Mom, Dad and Grandma so that was special. I must say, I love FaceTime! Our nieces came over in the afternoon/evening and we had a blast with them. They impressed me with how many games they could come up with in such a tiny pool, and I think they loved it! Once they were water logged we ate mac-n-cheese on the porch and painted little finger nails-so much fun!

We also finished another craft project on Sunday. We had an old picture frame that had been turned into a dry erase board in the kitchen where we either post the menu for the week, write down things we need from the store, or jot down sweet notes to each other....well, I was tired of the dry erase board and wanted a chalkboard. A left over bottle of spray paint and an hour later...that's what we had. I love it! It sits in the kitchen above where we hang keys, jackets, cameras and purses. Fun!

...I almost forgot that we replanted our Basil into a mason jar, too. I like it's new look!

In the evening we relaxed on the porch...even Louie was enjoying the cool summer night. Love it!

And that was our weekend! Told you it was a lot of pictures! We hope you had a great weekend too, and a great Monday!

Did you do anything special for Father's Day?

Flower Walk

Double Impatient-these may be my favorite little shade lovers. They look like mini-roses. Beautiful!

Well hello, friends! It's been a wild and crazy week in our neck of the woods! I apologize for posting so late in the week...again. Sometime other things just take priority over blogging, yes? Anyways, most of the pictures in this post were taken on my Monday night flower walk around the house. Enjoy!

Our snapdragons bloomed. This was exciting because we weren't sure they would ever bloom. They just kept getting taller and taller!

Pretty Carnations that smell WONDERFUL!

This one is a new addition to our flowers...Stephen is literally banning me from Garden Centers until Fall!

Our new Double Knock Out Rose bush...I love love LOVE it!

Soon to be Hibiscus flowers. They are purple and gorgeous!

The grass is growing...praise the Lord!

Another new addition...

Tomatoes! Is there anything better than garden fresh tomatoes? They are always SO good!

In other news this week-Louie was groomed on Monday and got his "summer cut". It looked like he lost 5 pounds in fur! It has taken me a couple days to get used to his new look, but since I know it's the best thing for him during summer I am starting to love it. He has been running around a lot more and not panting nearly as much, so I bet he is feeling lighter and cooler already! Do you get your dogs cut for summer?

How cute is he?!

We also had a fun little project this week: cleaning the porch for our new wicker furniture. I have spent several evenings on the porch already just reading, watching people or crafting and I LOVE it. It's a work in progress as I have many, many ideas for this little space-including: painting (stripes?), curtains, wreaths, and artwork. I will try and post as things progress so you can track the changes with me!

Last night I actually starting working on some little projects for the porch/outdoor living area. I had this idea and vision of what I wanted...in the end the outcome was pretty close, so I was pleased. Don't you love when that happens? Well here is the new handmade wreath that now greets you inside our porch, near the entrance to the house:

I am working on a larger one that will match (mostly) and that one will hang on the exterior door of the porch. It was a fun evening project and stress reliever. Win, win! :)

Well, I need to get going this morning so I must be leaving you. Have a great weekend everyone!

Me :)

Oh and I almost forgot... 14 DAYS UNTIL FLORIDA VACATION!!!