my garden makes me happy

garden notes for my sake



My sweat pea flowers finally started to bloom, I thought they would bloom more in June. They smell so good, they are my favorite flower and I wanted them in my wedding bouquet but they weren't in season. I would love to have these blooming under all my windows so I could smell them when I opened my windows.

I call this stage my teenager garden. They aren't little spouts anymore and they are starting to bloom and grow fruit.

My corn and broccoli are growing despite the odds. I learned the hard way that my chickens love corn, broccoli leaves and brussel sprout leaves. But there is now some wheat at the top of the corn (this is the third time it has had to grow back. I finally got the point across to my kids that the chickens are NOT allowed in the garden) and my broccoli is growing a very microscopic floret despite it's hardship with half leaves.


the culprits, but they do keep the bugs out except for the beetles I found on my cantaloupe today. I fed a few to the chickens as I plucked them from the plant and they would peck at the bug then wipe their beak on the ground, the bug must have some sort of defense mechanism?

i couldn't resist

took a hike

Earlier this week the kids and I hiked up to the "Y". It was a first for all of us and I have to say, I don't see what the hype is about hiking up to the "Y". I thought it was an awful hike. No shade, steep switchbacks, more danger when you get to the actual Y because my kids wanted to sit on it and move from location to location and I couldn't help but envision them sliding down the entire Y to their death and the view is so mediocre. I enjoy hiking and I love being in the mountains, this hike is just disappointing. But, in defense of hard core Y fans, this hike MIGHT be more enjoyable done without the kids and either early in the morning or at sunset, not at 11:15 in the afternoon.





it was so hot and sweaty, these snow cones were delicious. hit the spot big time.



Then today we hiked to "the grotto" in Payson Canyon, I love this hike with the kids. Shady, beautiful, easy terrain and a rewarding wadding pool and water fall at the end.



Since we were just down the road, I thought they might like to take a dip at Payson Lakes. I was so happy watching them swim and they were so happy swimming and playing, I could've sat their all day. We'll make a day out of it soon, such a beautiful place.

running out of 20's

Back in December I decided that I wanted to run a half marathon before I turned 30, so I found one that was near by and signed up. Seven weeks ago, I realzed the half marathon was lurking on the horizon and I needed to start training. I went for my first long run which was 6 miles and I was regretting that I had set such a silly goal and wanted to pull out. I stuck to it and of course, it became easier. About a week before the race I read the book "Born to Run", perfect timing, such an inspiring book. I dare say life changing. It totally changed my mind set about this race and I was ready and excited for the experience.
I got to the race at 6 am to catch a bus up the canyon to the start line. It was so gorgeous up in the mountains and the weather was perfect. The race started and I was cruising along, enjoying the scenery and my ipod tunes. By mile 6 I should've stopped for water but kept running and about a half mile later, I was feeling the need for some hydration. It wasn't until mile 8 that I was able to get gatorade and I made sure I grabbed a cup of water at every station after that. The only thing I didn't like about the race was the 2 steeper down hills. One was during mile 12 and my legs were too tired to open my stride, I didn't have it in me to be catching myself, flat terrain was desirable. When I passed the "mile 12" sign I did a fist pump in the air, I was so happy to see that sign and I still felt strong.

there I am, do you see me coming down the lane? So happy to have accomplished a goal and let's be honest, to be finished!


While training, I trained for distance and to condition my body to finish the race and not worry about time. Who was I kidding, I'm way too competitive to not worry about time so I was disappointed when i saw the clock at the finish line and it read 2:19:15. Bummer, that was slow! As soon as I stopped running, I realized how tired I was and sat in the shade for about 15 minutes.
The run was very pleasant and I really enjoyed it. Running is one of my passions and it makes me happy.
I knew if I didn't sign up in December when I found the race (and had the money for it) I may put off and end up not doing it. Signing up so early made me bib #1! It attracted a lot of attention, kind of embarrassing.

long ribbons and big scissors

In April, Ryan's school needed to move locations because the other space was too small. That is a good thing, we are growing, slowly but surely. For a "grand opening", we had a BBQ and the Chamber of Commerce provided the ribbon and scissors. We had a good turn out and Ryan was also able to show the paintings that will be in his one man show up in Jackson Hole this August.

fabuloso weekend in Park City

I won an online giveaway which is always fun but this giveaway was a stay at a luxury suite in park City and an entry into a race. So winning this giveaway was so awesome!! Ryan and I drove up Friday, checked in and found out it was for 2 nights rather than just 1! schweet. And my goodness, it was a luxury sweet alright. I was expecting a standard hotel but a nice and newer one. This was a condo with a gorgeous view, jetted tub, kitchen and a hot tub on the balcony. First we went over to the outlets and looked through the shops and then I picked up my race stuff and went to Red Rock Brewery for dinner. It was a very good restaurant and I highly recommend it. Luckily the race started at 10:15 so I could sleep in and relax rather than having to set my alarm for the usual early race time. It was great to relax but I couldn't sleep past 8 am, kids will do that to you. I ran the 10k and it felt really good, since I've been training for a half marathon, the 10k came easy. This was actually my first 10k, I ran it in 55 minutes. The run was gorgeous, it was along a trail through the nature reserve in Park City. Everything was green and the wild flowers were in bloom, loved it.
After the race we headed back home because Ryan needed to paint and we only planned for one night. I picked him back up from the studio about 5 and went back up to Park City, this time with the kids. Not as relaxing but the kids had a ball and always love staying in hotels. They dug the hot tub and loved yelling down to the people in the courtyard below. Sunday morning we swam in the pool, which was also awesome and then loaded the car and headed home for church. I could win these more often :)
Oh, the hotel.....It was called Newpark Hotel, and I would recommend it to you, my friend.

summer recital

I have tried and failed too many times to post Cloe's performance, so......I give up. They both did a great job. Brody played "Star Wars" and "The Chicken Dance" but on the chicken dance, he got lost and couldn't find his place on the music. He tried to start over a couple times but got too embarrassed, took a bow and buried his face in his Mom for a few minutes. Cloe played "Down by the bay" and "Libiamo". One of those songs was a duet with her teacher and it's sad that I can't remember which song it was, I'm pretty sure Down by the Bay. The kids have a great teacher and despite the struggle to get them to practice, I do enjoy watching them improve.

Brody's piano pieces.

He played Star Wars and then The Chicken Dance. He said he was nervous and then got lost while playing the Chicken Dance so he just bowed and came and sat with me. I felt bad for him but he still played well regardless.