SUCCESS!

My thumb has never been anywhere close to a shade of green, but this year, I decided that I was going to grow tomatoes, AND I DID!!! I had LOTS of help and advice from Daddy, who always has FANTASTIC summer gardens. It has been a lot of work, and Duane has been great about helping. It has been worth it! Looking forward to more of these all summer long!

The first one...

Salads, sandwiches, & soups... oh my!

Already making plans for next year!

Still Growing...

The garden is growing-growing-growing; tomatoes and peppers are popping out all over!!! It is so exciting to someone who has NEVER been able to grow anything! We have had a bit of frustration--two tomatoes that had started turning red had to be tossed because of blossom rot, but we're hoping these are the exception and not the norm! Can't wait to use "our" tomatoes and peppers in the kitchen! YUM-O!!!!

Easter 2011

Duane & I had a wonderful (& restful) Easter. Saturday night, we went to the Drager's house for dinner and some great company; Noah & his cousin Jared had a fabulous time entertaining the adults and hunting for eggs. Sunday started at church, and then we enjoyed a quiet day here at home. What a blessed day!

FACES Golf Tournament

Duane recently participated in the annual FACES Golf Tournament at the Cypresswood Golf Course.  Duane & his dad, Keith, were in the same foursome.  I feel sorry for the other two poor souls that drew the short stick and were paired with those two!!! 

Registering...

 The fab four...ready for action!

 And they're off!

Eating, drinking, & being merry!

Duane's team didn't win, but Duane won some cool door prizes!  They had a wonderful time, and BONUS...the money raised went to a really good cause--autism care and research!

Aggie Baseball

Duane & I got to go see the Aggies BTHO Okie State, 11-2! The weather was perfect and the baseball was even better. Stilson was on the mound and he pitched a GREAT game! Gig 'Em Ags! WHOOP!

It's Growing!!!

My mother & father are gardening whizzes. Mother's flower beds & hanging baskets are beautiful, and Daddy's vegetable gardens are second to none. Over the years, I have tried my hand at gardening, only to find that I have a black thumb. I can't even get a cactus to grow. It's sad...really, really sad!

But, this year, after talking with our good friends Jeremy & Crystal, Duane and I decided to give vegetable gardening a serious try. Jeremy's ideas was containers, and the next time Duane & I visited Mother & Daddy, we picked their brain and grabbed a few containers. We planted 6 tomato plants, 3 bell pepper plants, onions, basil, & thyme.

We planted early in March, and I wish I had taken pics because I can't believe how much everything has grown. At first, they looked tiny in the containers; the cages dwarfed the itty-bitty tomato plants, but they aren't small any more!!! In spite of my black thumb, everything seems to be doing very well! (But truthfully, Miracle-Gro should probably get the bulk of the credit!!!)

Our tomato plants are growing-growing-growing!

Lots of pretty, yellow blooms are absolutely covering the tomato plants!

The basil smells YUMMY!

AND, there's even a tiny, tiny bell pepper,

and a tiny tomato!!!

Hopefully, the Miracle-Gro will continue to work!!!

Grow, baby, grow!!!

SAFE!!!

Duane is playing softball for the Duddley's Draw Brewers again...

Duane is SUPER competitive, and when he plays anything, his common sense seems to take a vacation. On this particular night, Duane started to slide into 2nd base but then decided the slide wasn't necessary. But he changed his mind too late and sort of rolled into 2nd base on his knees. It was funny...once we found out he was okay! Oh, and he was safe.

Dart Night

Took this of Duane at darts one night. He only consented because he wanted to show his grandmother the Colt .45s cap a friend gave to him. No story...just thought it was a great picture!

SNOW DAY!

We had a bit of snow in Bryan this morning. School was cancelled, so I was able to spend a quiet day with the animals while Duane went to work.

Oreo made the most of the snow!

Deuce & Jacks did a bit of playing in the snow. Their usual game starts off as a game of fetch, but it quickly deteriorates into a game of keep away. It appears to be much more fun in the snow! Who knew?

Once again, Deuce wouldn't sit or lay in the snow...

After a bit of coaxing, Jacks cooperated so I could get a few pics of him. I'm not proud to say it, but there was a bit of bribery involved!

Happy Birthday, Jacks!

He was such a precious puppy;

we fell in love with him before we even saw him!

Happy Birthday!