Backyard Weekend

We spent lots of time out in the backyard this last weekend. I've been inspired by one of the blogs I follow, Just A Girl, to find cheap stuff and turn it into awesome things for my house!

I found this metal decorative basket on clearance at Hobby Lobby, spray painted it, added some 50% off silk flowers and...voila! A beautiful decoration for my front door! I think my total cost was somewhere around $20!

David got a little excited with the spray paint, too...

We've also recently planted a lemon and a lime tree in pots on the back deck! I love citrus trees! The fruit takes WAY too long to ripen on the tree, and I'm a very impatient person, but I will just have to wait. The lemons in the picture are still very green, but in a few months it should turn yellow.


And in my last act as Domestic Goddess this weekend, I made a yummy Buttermilk Blueberry Cake!

Gunnery Sgt. John Fry Post Office

I'm a few months late in posting these pictures (yes, big surprise), but it was a very important day back in March. As most of you know, Byron was the first Fallen Hero back in 2005 to have a Post Office dedicated in his name. Since then, many other heroes who gave their life in service to our nation have received this same honor. A few months ago, my good friend and fellow Gold Star sister, Laura, was able to see the Post Office in their small town of Lorena, TX named for her brother, John. He was an Explosive Ordinance Device tech and was KIA in Iraq in March of 2006 while attempting to disarm an IED. Here are a few pictures from the day that the post office was dedicated.

John's wife and children helping to unveil the sign

Laura and John's daughter next to the photo of him inside the Post Office

This was the Marine who was standing behind John when the bomb went off. Though he was severely injured, he said that John's position in front of him literally saved his life.

I Basically Love Basil

I love trying to grow my own herbs - note the word trying. I've tried many times to grow things in pots - some are successful and other plants bear a sad resemblance to the herb I thought was growing. Then, one glorious day, I discovered the Aero Garden! It cost way too much money that I didn't really need to spend, but the joy it brings me is priceless! I can grow my own herbs indoors with this hydroponic system, then use them in countless ways in my cooking. We've tried the multi-herb packs with dill, mint, thyme, etc, but our very favorite was basil. It grows so well and the flavor is awesome! So, you can imagine my total excitement when the geniuses at AeroGarden came out with a kit that grows 7 different kinds of basil!!! Ah, you didn't realize that so many kinds of basil existed? Well, life is good, my basil-loving friends. There is zippy lemon basil that is awesome in my water, Globe basil that has a licorice flavor, and 5 other yummy kinds that make my heart sing.

I decided tonight to give all my basil plants a good clipping (which just stimulates further growth!) and make my own pesto. It turned out awesome! I had great satisfaction from eating my yummy pesto pasta!