Honeymooning...

Wednesday morning - Natalie and I were getting ready for the day. We had decided to stay in Oregon after the wedding ceremony to see some gardens and the coast. Get inspired!

It was about 9:40 am - and who else calls but Jenn(Who had just married the day before). "Have you two left Portland yet?" "No." "Wanna hang out with Jose and I?" "Sure!"

So Natalie and I spent the remainder of the day with Jenn and Jose, until we dropped them off at the airport at 11 pm. Never mind that they were on their honeymoon. Bonding time - says Jenn. Okay!

We had a blast and spent a good portion of our time in the Japanese Gardens at Washington Park. Absolutely AMAZING!!! Here are a few pictures!













Here, miles from Japan, I stand as if warmed by the spring sunshine of home
























No comment on our facial expressions...


WaHoo!

I DO

It was a crazy - yet easy-going. Very Jenn-like. The night before Natalie, Erin and I had flown in from SLC. We met up with Jamie an hour later. We all were mission companions with Jenn (minus Nat), and we were all so excited to be together! We woke and were ready for the wedding by 9:40 am. Well, almost ready. We met the bride at the beauty salon so we could all do our nails - I went with acrylics. First time ever! Jenn is a die-hard acrylic fan, so in honor of her...I did the deed. I am still getting used to them.

The Bride was off while we let our nails dry. Never mind that we still had to put together a bridal bouquet right afterward - whether our nails were dry or not.


When the ladies at the salon found out that the wedding ceremony was at 2 - and we were at the salon at 10 getting our nails done, they were a bit astonished.....but this is how Jenn does things.

We made it right on time - and it was a beautiful ceremony. I wish I had time to go in to more detail about the day - but another time....next week?

Jenn and her Brides Maids: Jamie, Erin, and Myself

It happened so quickly...

Thud. Du-dunk.

I went back to see if I really did it. Yep. Couldn't bear to go past him again.

Took the long way home.

It was late and dark.

Saw him again this morning.

How horrible.

Maybe his nine lives were up.

Maybe not.

Is anybody crying? ...I didn't mean to do it.

I'm sorry.

plants and pots

It's always a happy thing when a client from a previous season calls back to beseech for additional services.

Therefore, yesterday was a happy thing when a certain Mrs. called to see if I was available to plant her pots this year.

YeS! How enjoyable.

I do love working with this client - we meet tomorrow afternoon to review the number of pots that will need to be planted and early Saturday morning we meet at a local nursery to select and purchase our palette of color... lime greens, bright pinks, rusty reds, vivid purples, smokey blacks, with a sparkle of white here and there.

Then I shall spend the remainder of the day with potting soil, broken pieces of terra cotta, fertilizers, and garden gloves. I am hoping for a sunny day.


Shown are two of my favorite fillers/foliages for pots...creeping jenny and potato vine

Sassafras!

MY SaSSY GaLS

It's always a special event when you get together with dear friends that you haven't seen in oh-so-long! And tonight was one on those times - Sassafras together again. I can't even say how long it's been since we have all been together! 2 or 3 years?

Sassafras was the All-American, All-Girl Bluegrass Band that I played in while I was in College. I can't remember a time that we didn't get along...we had a very unique group in that aspect. We usually practiced at Angela's and it usually started later than scheduled. We would spend the first good twenty to thirty minutes catching up on life: school, work, boys...mainly boys. (My part was always very short) and then we practiced.

Tonight was not that much different! We all met at Angela's - near the U, started later than scheduled (as planned I am sure), and the rest was catching up on life; no school, work, men, and plenty of laughs. And though we didn't pull out our instruments this evening, we did watch our last performance....yikes!

We laughed ourselves silly over our silly selves. Our very first public performance together was in Springville, in some place called "The Little Brown Theater." Sounds promising doesn't it? We all wore red and black and looked very bluegrass-ish. What a show - what a wardrobe. Since that performance we wised-up a bit and didn't care much about coordinating outfits. The rule was wear what you want to wear. Good thing.

We played at a number of venues...Freedom Festival in Provo, the Park City parade for the 4th of July (on top of a huge yellow vehicle no less...yes - ON TOP!), the Ogden Country Club twice, rest homes, The Homestead, on campus, some other festival...backyard parties, ward functions, and in the back room of some little restaurant in Provo. Oh yeah...we were on the radio...live...Ha! Some AM station - so don't be too impressed - I am sure nobody was tuned in...

One of my favorite times was when we spent the day in the recording studio. We wanted to record a CD for posterity's sake, so we pooled what money us poor college students had and made the best of our time.

And here we all are! All progressing in life and going our individual ways, but keeping tabs on each other as we do. It was a great reunion and I sure do love these ladies. CHeeRS!

Allergies and Apple Trees

Today my allergies let me know that they are excited for spring! Hooray!

I spent my lunch hour pruning the apple tree at my parent's place. I do love to prune. Whether to encourage fruit production, or to create a beautiful and safe canopy ...pruning is a calming yet laborious task that I undertake with excitement. Loppers, a sharp saw, and pruning shears are tools that all should have readily available. I have a friend who runs with pruning shears at night...and when he sees a tree that needs a little assistance - or that is in his path, he makes the proper cut and is on his way.

I am not a pro by all means, my expertise or lack-there-of has only room for improvement since I still claim level of novice.

So in the meantime, I'll cross my fingers that my parent's apple tree isn't in too much shock and that it is still willing to delight us with a few...if not more...apples this coming summer.

Bride to Be

This is Jenn's bouquet...



...and this is us. She was my last companion, and my favorite companion...a real kindred spirit. We have too much fun together.



Jenn get's married in a few weeks. Lucky him!







Natalie came along to help with the bridals.



I have a very talented brother-in-law who is her wedding photographer.



It was a wonderful evening. I am going to miss her desperately...but I couldn't be happier for her.