Our Garden: What a Difference a Year Makes

A lot has been happening in our garden since this time last year. First, let's take a look back at how it looked in May of 2009.

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Here we have the side of our garage. I had to plant some things in order to divert the eyes away from the peeling, chipping paint. Did it work? No...well a new garage is not in the budget right now...so look at the pretty flowers.

Next up is the beginnings of our garden right after planting in May of last year. Notice the scraggly little grapevine in the back and the dirt pile to the left. It's not beautiful...I know this.

This was taken only a month later in June of 2009. The grapevine is perking up and the garden must have taken steroids while I was in California on vacation. It ended up being a very bountiful garden with peas, green beans, tomatoes, broccoli, cucumbers, carrots, squash, zucchini, peppers, and massive amounts of weeds. Scary amounts...I almost shudder when I look at this photo and remember.

Flash forward to May of 2010. I knew that I would not survive another summer with that type of garden. I wanted something functional and beautiful...and I hope we've pulled that off. First we made beds using a lot of the old brick we had laying around from removing a chimney. We laid them out into 6 beds, each measuring 4 x 8 feet.

Then around the beds we laid almost 3000 lbs of pea gravel for walking paths. And holy cow, do you see the grapevine!! We are going to have some serious grapes this year!!

The addition of a nice little bistro table at the back makes for a relaxing spot to enjoy the morning newspaper.

Did you plant a garden this year? I'd love to see some different layouts.

Jack D. - 5 Days Old

I was so excited when Jack's mom called me FROM THE HOSPITAL to schedule a newborn shoot for this little guy. I arrived at their house when he was just 5 days old to meet this handsome, head full of hair, little boy.

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From the moment I arrived he was full-on crying and would only be consoled in the arms of mom or dad (I'm sure they didn't mind though). I still think I did a pretty good job of capturing some moments in between fits of crying. :)

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Meet Jack.

Just look at those itty bitty widdle feetsies

A definite favorite :)

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Giveaway Winner: Business Cards

Sorry for the delay!

The winner of the business card giveaway from UPrinting is comment #4

SHAZI

Shazi - I'll be contacting you with details on how to collect your winnings!

Thanks for playing along everyone.

My Picks: Business Card Cases

Once you win the free business cards from the giveaway that I'm having, you'll need somewhere to put them.

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Here are some of my favorite picks from Etsy.

Downstairs Designs

Andrea Baker

rosybird

Polymer Clay Creations

jenniferladd

Lavenderharvest

Monday Goodness: UPrinting Giveaway

Sometimes Monday mornings could use a little excitement...and that is what this post is all about. Get excited because the lovelies at UPrinting have given me permission to host a giveaway! This is your chance to win

500 Full Color Business Cards!

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Here are the details:

Prize: 500 free business cards for 1 winner

Sizes: 2 x 3.5", 2 x 3", 2 x 2" (square card), or 1.5 x 3.5" (slim card)

Paper: 14 pt gloss cardstock, 14 pt matte cardstock,

or 13 pt recycled uncoated cardstock

Specifications: Full color both sides; offset press; 3 business day printing

Shipping: Free UPS ground shipping

Eligibility: Limited to US residents only

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To Win:

Leave a comment on this post: "What makes you smile on a Monday morning?" or just say hello! <------you may enter once a day until close of contest

(limit 4 entries per person)

Winner will be chosen on Thursday @ 3pm EST

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Also, be sure to check out UPrinting's full line of printing services! I've got my eye on those canvas prints...oh the possibilites!

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Thank you, UPrinting for such a great start to my Monday!

Mia: First Communion

She stepped out of the van looking like a miniature bride-to-be. She was about to turn 8, have her first communion, and she was so pleased about her dress and veil. I was happy to have the opportunity to capture this special moment in photos for the family.

A quick outfit change

Why I Can't Use The Ram Stamp

I've got a little thing for stamps. I don't collect or hoard them but I do enjoy getting a nice fresh book on occasion. I also like when I get to the last one and get to throw away the leftover paper. Weird.

Anyway, I have one stamp that I just cannot get rid of. Here is a story about this lonely little ram stamp. My husband and I were married in August of 2007...a destination wedding in Maine. As it came time to send out the invitations the post office was again raising it's rates. Because we were sending these out at an awkward time, (according to the post office rate changing world) we could no longer purchase the previous wedding themed stamps because the postage was not enough and the next wedding themed stamps had not been released yet. Please keep in mind that my then-boyfriend was sent out on the stamp mission and I did not find any of this out until he returned home with the stamps. So, I came home from work on stamp retrieval day to find that my ingenious boyfriend had solved the stamp crisis. We would put two stamps on the invitation to arrive at the needed rate....and one of them would be a ram stamp. I honestly don't remember my reaction. It could have been bad, but probably not...I'm nothing if not laid-back and go-with-the-flow. The point is...I cannot not let go of this stamp and so it will forever remain in my collection.

Too bad they didn't have moose stamps...it would have made more sense.