Risky dinner

I have done my best to stay away from this restaurant during the course of my life due to the fact that I am always afraid I am going to accidentally say a swear word...

But this past week I was in the mood for a burger and suggested Red Robin.  Tanner doesn't care for Red Robin to this was his alternative suggestion.  

My favorite past was that they have a little bar that you get your burger toppings from.  They had the good kind of pickles.  The kind like they have at Krazy Sub: in spears AND slices! Mmmm!

 

I got the buffalo burger on a wheat bun.  It was pretty good, but next time I'm going for the regular beef burger.

 

Tanner's favorite part is that they have cheese sauce.

Overall, it was good and we'll go back.

Stagnant

Ever feel like you're not really moving anywhere?  Just stuck in the same 'ol place.  That's how I'm feeling lately.  I feel like my life is more routine than I care for.  I go to work, work out a few times a week, try and cook dinner, clean up the house a little, go to bed, repeat...

I probably need to set some better goals or something.  I have been trying to develop my artistic skills, but I just want to be amazing.  Without having to practice. Of course.

I would love to do some projects around the house, but my ambitions are larger than my funds.  Another one of life's ironies I guess.

How am I going to solve this?  How am I going to shake this feeling?  I'll probably go to bed without washing my face or taking out my contacts...

Drawing project 2

I have been reading "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain".

One of the activities is to draw things upside down.  The book has this picture upside down.  When you draw things upside down it forces your drain to look at lines instead of parts.

Here's mine.  I took a picture of it on my laptop so it's backwards, but you get the idea.

Love this weather and these people!

 

After Sunday dinner a few weeks ago we headed outdoors to enjoy the weather.  We started out playing "Duck, Duck, Goose".  My nephew LOVED it!  He got silly and started saying different animal names instead of 'duck'.   My little sister apparently thought it was really funny.

We then moved on to "Red Light Green Light".  My brother took a spill.  I'll tell you... these children's games are difficult!

It ended with people doing wheelbarrows.  

Too bad this perfect weather doesn't last long...

Artist

I have always wanted to be an artist.  I can scrapbook alright, and color in a coloring book, and my 2nd graders think I'm a great artist (but let's be honest... they thought my 4 legged duck was great...).  I try not to be a jealous person; I try to just be happy for others.  Yet when I see someone who can draw or paint I feel a twinge of jealously start in my stomach...


Well, it's on my list of life goals to learn to paint.  It's on there twice actually.  So when I was at Joanne's with my mom and sister on Saturday and they spotted a painting kit on sale, naturally I had to get it.  And on that same shelf there was a drawing kit as well.  I was nervous to try anything because I know it was going to be so bad...  But after watching lots of YouTube videos I decided to give it my first try...


So I made my first attempt tonight.  It's not amazing (and you shouldn't look at it too long), but I feel like it was good for my first attempt.  Take a (quick) look.

 

 

I drew it from looking at a picture of Jennifer Garner.  ( I feel somewhat less proud of myself when I put the two right next to each other.  Oh well.)

Garden

In our backyard we have 4 planter boxes.  Three of them hold fruit trees that are giving us tangelos, navel oranges, grapefruit, and lemons.  (One of the trees is actually a 'fruit cocktail tree'  75% of the tree grows grapefruit and the other 25% grows lemons!  On the same tree!  Crazy and amazing, right?!)  Anyways... in the other box there was a dead tree stump.  I thought that would be the perfect place to plant my garden. 

I told my 16 year-old brother (who loves machetes and the like) that if he would come take the stump out I would pay him with the sugary things and treats from my house.  It was a good deal for both of us :)

Step one:

Burn the grass. (More for my brother's enjoyment than anything else)

Step 2:

Use a pick and shovel like crazy.

Step 3:

Pull out the stump.

Step 4:

Add lots of wonderful soil, mulch, and manure/nutrients. 

Step 5:

 Buy plants and seeds.

Step 6:

Set everything out where you want it.

Step 7:

Plant the seeds and sprouts and ....

Tada!

We have basil, cilantro, zuccini, crooked neck squash, butternut squash, yellow pear tomatoes, heat resistant tomatoes, better boy tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers (red, orange and green), watermelon, strawberries, banana peppers, purple onions, carrots, snow peas and chives.  I am so excited for everything to be ready to eat :)

My best cousin's wedding

   

My cousin Lisa and I are 5 days apart.   When we were little my mom would make us matching clothes.  and we'd get pictures together.  Last week Lisa got married. 

    

 Here we are all grown up :)  She looked gorgeous in her wedding dress.  I'm so happy for her!

 

 

The luncheon after the wedding was at Tia Rosa's.  We had the most amazing tostadas!  My mouth is watering just thinking about it!!!

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On another note, I finished lining the curtains in the living room

 

Also, my nephew is a technological genius!  He can navigate his way around my Ipod and is actually really good at the game Cut the Rope.

And coming soon... My garden!  (this is my 'super-pre' picture)