so many paint choices...

I've decided to paint an old farmhouse dining chair robin's egg blue. The problem is, there are so many gray-blues out there it is almost impossible to pick one! Sigh. The chair was meant to be a temporary solution when I got married. We had so little furniture, and this hand-me-down chair was the perfect perch for our almost-chairless living room. It's migrated to our bedroom now, and the ugly mahagony stain has annoyed me long enough. Stay tuned for the final color selection and results...

a short trip to austin

I spent last Saturday and Sunday in Austin with my dear friend Jen. She's thinking of moving there, so we spent the majority of the time driving around South Congress and South Lamar with my friend Mindy (who also happens to be a realtor!) touring some really fantastic condos. We also met up with Liz for some brunch at Ztejas. Mmmmm.

planter project

The Husband and I finally came up with a solution to fill the gaping hole next to our front porch steps, a precarious drop that my Dad affectionately calls "The Death Trap." It was an awkward space that we filled in partly with expanded shale. My wonderfully talented hubby then built a cedar box planter, which we coated with natural cedar weatherproof stain. We then planted some horsetail reed inside and used a gray river rock as groundcover. We are so very proud of the result. And I'm truly in love with the horsetail. It really is the perfect plant -- spikey, bright green, and tall. I kept seeing it at the White Rock Home Tour and just had to get my hands on some.

Before:

The wonderfully talented husband at work:

Tah-dah:

A closer look at the horsetail:

life lists

I just read an article in body+soul magazine called, "How to Make a Life List," and it really inspired me. As I read it, I realized that I had done this before. Once upon a time, when I was a 21-year-old college student, I made my own life list. It's basically a list of things you want to accomplish in life before you die. It can really open your eyes to your true goals, especially if you write without hesitation. I remember that old list very well because most of the things on it (at least the ones I remember) have come true. Is it possible that if you write something down it will happen to you? To a certain extent, I think writing something down really cements it in your mind, which makes it more likely that you follow through with the dream. Even outlandish wishes can come true. I've accomplished an amazing amount of things in my 29 years, and I can't say that I have missed out on or really regret anything. Even the mistakes I have made have given me wonderful rewards in the end.

So, on that note, here is my new life list:

• Finally learn how to crochet.
• Take a photography class and invest in a quality camera.
• Get a master's degree.
• Write a book.
• Buy or build a vacation home in the Hill Country.
• Take horseback riding lessons and have a horse of my own.
• Have children.
• Save as many animals as possible from euthanasia.
• Design and build the green home of my dreams.
• Live to be 100.
• Be just as in love with my husband in 50 years as I am today.
• Conquer my anxiety and the fears that keep me from reaching for my dreams.

my best friend

My sweet dog, Maggie, makes this face when I call her name. Don't you just want to kiss her?

I recently discovered Blue Buffalo pet food, which is made from all-natural ingredients. It's the only thing I feed my pets now. It may seem easier and cheaper to feed your dog or cat a brand like Purina or Science Diet. But really, would you feed yourself chicken beaks and eyeballs? Because that's what your pet is eating. It's a bit more expensive, but going organic is one of the best things you can do for your pet. It's better for her coat, digestive system, eyesight, heart, and overall health. I also recommend Nutro, and both are usually available at Petsmart. I know it's important to save a few pennies here and there, especially if you're on a budget. But your pet's food is not the place to be frugal.

support your local farmers market

I'm feeling a bit under the weather today, so I thought reminiscing about our recent jaunt to the Dallas Farmers Market would make me feel better. Turns out that bright, happy photos of fruits and veggies does do the body good. (It was either that or the white tea.) We bought at least a dozen tomatoes, most of them green, from a local farmer, and I whipped up some fantastic fried green tomatoes that evening. Yum-my. And I love supporting the local vendors. I always ask where the fruits and veggies come from before purchasing. If they're from the area, then you are supporting a local farmer, not to mention helping the environment by saving on transportation costs. If the produce is from California, you might as well go to Whole Foods, Central Market or even Kroger.

little horses are cute

This photo is from our visit to the ranch this weekend. The miniture horse in the picture is named Monkey (yes, you read that correctly), and the little chap on board is Dakota, Justin's second cousin. He looks a bit nervous, but the ride went off without a hitch. Before I took the photo, I asked Dakota if he would mind if I got a picture of him on Monkey. He looked at me very quizzically and replied, clear as day, "That's not a monkey. That's a horse."