Daddy's Day

I'm confused on Father's Day. It kinda comes and goes with little thought since 'physically' (cards, presents, phone calls, dinners) I can't celebrate with my wonderful dad :) Of course I miss him greatly, but I miss him every day. Today isn't necessarily any harder than the rest, though I guess I feel like it should be.

Today was pretty cool. Subconsciously I was drawn to him by things that we shared or reminded me of him. I really feel like he's been by my side all day :)

This morning while cleaning off the kitchen table I grabbed a pile of change to dump in our money jars. Something in me said - "hmm wonder how much we have?" I grabbed the jars & roll papers and headed downstairs. As I began counting out nickels, dimes, and quarters it dawned on me. How appropriate that I'm rolling coins on Father's Day, something my daddy taught me to do when I was kid and something I enjoyed doing with him & for him :) Yes I know they make machines that do this for you now, but I love the sentimental feeling & memories of rolling my own. It always reminds me of dad and makes me feel close to him :)

Later, after weeding the front flower bed and re-potting some plants I set to work organizing the garage a bit. I came across the stain we bought a couple weeks ago and decided to stain the golf ball display that belonged to my dad. His good football reffing buddy had made the golf ball display case. I snagged it from his office after he passed away - but just haven't gotten around to staining it yet! (yes I am that much of a slacker - 4 years!) As I began to sponge on the stain - it hit be again - how appropriate I'm working on this project that's part of my dad!

Of course Father's day isn't only about me and my dad, it's also about my grandpa, my brother, my brother-in law, my friends that are celebrating their first Father's Day today, my friends who are experienced father's and so many of my friends that are hoping and praying they'll be able to celebrate being a dad next year! I hope everyone of you has had a wonderful day!

I especially enjoy watching my brother be a Dad! He's awesome at it!

I don't think AB knew quite what to think about the 'floaty swimsuit'.

Here she is, unphased by the waves that try to tackle her,
knowing Daddy is right there to take care of her!

Green Thumb

It's a fact that I can't go into Lowes without coming home with a new plant :) The colors and blooms call my name!! I haven't always had a green thumb - usually due to my lack of watering - but that is changing! We have 8 hooks across our porch that beg for beautiful blooming hanging plants... and that can get 'spesive! I decided to try my luck at growing plants from seed this year. The last time I tried this had to do with a science fair project ;) So I picked up some of these seed starter peat pellet kits. Seemed pretty low maintenance to me! Just add water so the peat pellets expand - then poke a hole with a pencil and bury the little seed :)

I chose seeds soley based on the pretty pictures. I was hoping to grow the plants that would grow over the hanging baskets and cascade downwards - but the guys at the hardware store weren't great in answering my question and guiding me to such varieties. So I stuck with color and bloom as my deciding factor :)

Not all the pellets produced plants, but I'm pretty darn shocked with my green thumb!! Check out the baskets!!

This one is a little harder to keep moist because the pot is so small, plus I don't think it gets as much sun. I just love the heart shaped hanger though!

What I like to call the 'jungle'. See the red leaves to the left, that's sweet potato vine that I did actually buy already growing. I love sweet potato vine and thought I'd need it to fill in some space, little did I know my little seedlings would take off!

I took all the leftover peat pellets that hadn't grown and planted them 'wall to wall' in this pot, just to see what would happen. Glad I did because these flowers started growing - I'll transplant these to fill in some spots in the baskets :)

I'm really excited at the progress!! Of course I don't know which plants are which, but hopefully they'll start blooming soon - and all summer long :)

I also planted herbs and veggies from seed - will fill you in soon on that progress soon!