a sweet picture for a sweet day.

Doug gave me an Aero Garden for Christmas, and I love it. we started off with the herbs kit, but next I'd like to try veggies or maybe even strawberries.

I told him I wanted to do a stand with five or six Aero Gardens so we'd never have to buy fresh food again....I believe he might have rolled his eyes. LOL

these are the first flowers of Spring in our yard. Daffodils we were given by the neighbor. unfortunately, they are also the LAST flowers of Spring (until I plant more) because last year I only planted annuals. LOL (which, by the way...all the damn rabbits ATE within a month!!)

this year? this year I am planting a butterfly garden, with ALL perennials.

have a black thumb? can't grow ANYTHING? have I got a plant for you!! get a Peony bush, and I guarantee you won't be able to kill it even if you want to...I should know. I've watched Doug try every year when the poor thing grows back up. it can survive being cut down, the weight of bricks, gasoline, weedkiller...did I miss anything, honey?

Doug HATES this Peony bush, because of the ants that it attracts. (it's right next to the back door). this year he promised to leave the poor thing alone (its earned the right to live, imo) at least until it had blooms...and that's exactly what he did. LOL and then cut it down...again. it's in the fire pit, waiting for the next bonfire. silly boy. you might as well leave it alone. it'll be back next year anyway.

ahh!! we have more damn "tree rats" in our neighborhood...but damn are they CUTE! I know you really can't tell from this picture, but this is this season's new crop...it's a BABY! tiny, fuzzy, cute...and totally independant. now why can't human babies mature this fast? I might consider having one if they did. (no, I wouldn't...but it sounded good!)

Doug's Aunt Shari passed away a week ago yesterday. these are the flowers I got for her. aren't they beautiful? nice, bold colors for a bold personality.

I am slowly learning how to use my new Digital Rebel XT. I have some seriously shaky hands at times, tho. I can figure out how to do settings, but not how to avoid camera shake (without a tripod, which sometimes just isn't practical!).

Doug spotted this little darlin' while cutting grass. she's the first baby bunny we've actually discovered this year, which is unusual. last year we saw at least 7 or 8. I wonder what's eating them all? maybe we have a cat in the neighborhood...a BOBCAT!!

she let me get right up to her. poor little thing was probably scared out of her mind. she has since gotten much bigger and now hides in the wood next to our shed.

sooo....somebody couldn't wait until my actual birthday to have me open my presents. LOL and I'm so glad he couldn't. my baby got me what I've been jonesing for FOR OVER A YEAR...a canon 55-250mm IS telephoto zoom lense. this is the first photo taken with it, sitting on my couch. it is AWESOMENESS. now I just need to learn how to use it.

Doug has been wanting to check out Bridal Cave since I met him. we finally took the opportunity this weekend. it was absolutely beautiful, and of course these pictures don't do it justice. the experience would have perfect if I woulda had the forethought to bring some tape for the over-theatrical tour guide's annoying mouth...but other than that? quite amazing.

these are my golden tomatoes that I started in my AeroGarden and then transplanted outside when the weather turned Springish. aren't they beautiful? almost ready, too. unfortunately, I don't know how they turned out because a damn squirrel helped himself the day after I took this picture.

last weekend Doug and I headed out to the Ozarks to see the boat races (and mostly to get the hell out of dodge...stir crazy much?). it was a weekend of new experiences for me. first time pulling a trailer (strait forward and strait backward, but still!), first time shooting Doug 's 45 (thank god I missed the bald eagle flying overhead), first time seeing a bald eagle in the wild...

first time riding a jet ski. I was convinced I was going to die before I even got on the thing, and when Doug ran it full speed in our little cove, I didn't change my mind. in fact, that's exactly the reponse I gave him when he asked what I thought..."I am going to DIE!! *giggle, giggle*."

but NOTHING could have prepared me for what it would be like riding that thing out on the main channel. boat races=5 million boats (nope, not exaggerating). you know what else boat races=? waves so high you might as well be in the middle of the ocean. at one point we came down from a wave so hard I swear I lost 3 inches of height. and you know what? I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT. every.single.second. and I cannot WAIT to do it again.