Vineyards, Birthdays, Gardens...

Yesterday, I went on a Texas Hill Country Wine Tour. My favorite vineyard was Becker. Not only do they have great wine they also have a small lavendar field which smells divinely. It was a great day of wine tasting, meeting new people and enjoying lunch in the German town of Fredricksburg. The little German town is what I imagine Newton, KS might have been like for my ancestors. Although, maybe not as full as tourist as now. Thank you the wonderful people at Grey Lines Star Shuttle for a great tour!


I can't believe that Simon is 4 years old this week. He is the best gift by far that Jerry has ever gotten me. Although, he often says that Missy is the best gift that I have ever gotten him. I got Simon this stuffingless fox which he seems to like. Missy didn't like her ball so much. Much like the ones she loves this one is slightly bigger and she doesn't seem to go for that.

After my great tomato I finally got a green pepper the size of something that you might buy in the store. While not a huge yield I am SO proud of my tiny garden the herbs and veggies I've been able to grow.

Life...

Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but rather by the moments that takes our breath away. Some times easier said than lived. As I journey through life I've come to realize that sometimes (a lot of times) I get so caught up in life that I forget to relax, laugh, love, and just be in the moment. Life is not a collection of the breaths be take but rather those moments that take our breath away. It doesn't matter that my boss chewed me out, what's for dinner, the bills that need to be paid, or the shopping that needs to be done rather what matters is that we lived the moment to the fullest. Somewhere along my journey my life became about the have to's and that what must get done instead of the laughter, love, and joy of life and spontaneous moments of pure delight. I wish I could tell people, myself included, to just slow down, step out of the rat race, before you're looking back and its all gone.

Crazy Dog...

Not to be out done by Brother, Missy wanted to show her favorite relaxing position.



Oh, must be nice to be a dog...

My Harvest...

The other night we had a heavy storm. My one and only tomato was ripening on the vine and I was afraid the wind would take care of it. So I carefully tucked the plant into the corner out of the wind hoping it would survive long enough to ripen so I could pick it. Whoo-hoo it did! I can't wait to eat this beautiful tomato grown by me.



I also got some green peppers and chili's in my crop. Sounds like salsa in the making.



I am quite proud of my garden little as it is. Likely, it will be just enough for me to enjoy. Although, Missy has been eying the veggies coming in the door. Seems she has salad on the brain. Can't understand why that dogs loves veggies so much. It's all I can do to keep her out of the garden to begin with.

I couldn't resist this last picture. Yesterday I was I working on some digital photography on my computer and Simon crawled up next to me to take his nap. He was just too cute. I love my little snuggle dog.

Cracker Dogs....

This is Missy's brother. Foster Mommy posted the picture. He's as much a cracker dog as his sister is. They both love relaxing this way.

Love Is...

Love is found in the simple things in life. Jerry and I have never been into huge displays of affection. Love to me is found in the simple things. Last night after a hard day of working on Jerry's part and too short day of relaxing on my part we went to bed. While we could have easily turned off the lights and rolled to our respective sides Jerry instead laid his head on my tummy and promptly went to sleep. It was the sweetest display of love to me. Love isn't found in big fancy houses or diamond rings. Its found in the simple gestures.