{raised garden, pt1}

Finally, time to create the garden I have been waiting for for so long!
& I can say that I was able to do this {mostly} by myself!
I know it is already so late in the season, but that wasn't about to stop me.

I think it turned out really well,
but I could very well be biased.

First, we compromised to a 5x6 garden, and had two large 12' and 10' boards cut in half. {if it was up to me, it would be so much larger, but after all the work...glad we chose this size.} This wasn't very expensive, about $20. Plus, for recently moving into our new wonderful home, we had a 10% off coupon!

 

Second, we marked out where the garden would be. I looked for a spot that most importantly had sun all day! Also, you can tell our new backyard isn't exactly flat. I knew we would need to pull out my handy level, to get it as flat as I could.

The next part is where I needed a little bit of help on the last quarter of shoveling. I chose to remove all the grass, instead of using a weed liner. Based on what I found, the weed liner does prevent weeds from growing up into the garden, but also restricts the roots. No bueno. I'll show you what I did instead.

This part took the longest. We dug up the whole section, and then called it a day.

sleepy puppy

My thoughts:
-when you dig up the grass, go ahead and put it in the trash/transplant it. It is a huge pain to move it later.
-Don't do this in the middle of a hot day, shoot for an early morning or partly cloudy. Or just do this in mid march like most people.

{almost officially summer}

It is hard to believe, we have been living here for officially 2 weeks!

Our home is so perfect for us, Coco is in love with her back yard.
It's more unbelievable that I haven't started a garden yet!

I'm shooting for a raised garden. I have everything I need...I'm more curious to see if my usually well behaved dog is going to behave herself around my precious plants.

This time last year I had basil, and one giant tomato plant.
I eventually tried cucumbers and watermelons.

With all the rain and intense thunderstorms, I haven't really had to time race out there and start planting.

But thankfully my sweetheart and I have some free time on our hands, while I wrap up my first summer class.

I will never have a summer class again in June!!

P.S.-We are less than a year away from our wedding day! So much to plan! 

{rio, brasil}

Olá.
I already feel like I was in Rio a lifetime ago.
It was only a month ago that I arrived in Brazil.
& for the next nine days, so many school lectures, tours, and hilarious moments happened.

Too many to count, but here are my favorite.

 Christ the Redeemer. There is a small church under the feet of Jesus. I said my prayers, got up to leave. A Brazilian woman asked to pray over me (so translated a Brazilian pastor). What an experience, being blessed by two people I would never see again on Mother's Day. After praying for my mother, the lady sang a beautiful song. Can't help but wonder how this sweet, blessed Brazilian lady is doing.

Curious George. Came to see a few of us on our way to Sugar Loaf.

Favelas. Home to many, owned by one. The poor and middle class live here illegally on government land, with conditions that would be looked down on in the U.S. The cable cars are meant to help with transportation. Many children don't go to school; it takes too long to get there. You can see a layer of pollution on the horizon. Very mixed feelings about this picture, but a view to remember forever.

Cannon ball fruit! The inside looks like a coconut mixed with an avocado. I had to research what it was when I got back, not even the Brazilians we asked knew what it was.

If you ever have the chance to visit Brazil, you should! I don't speak spanish, but definitely picked up on important words. Hello, bathroom, please, thank you, goodbye, no nuts (allergies!!), water, and a couple others.

Tchau

{long time..}

It has been so long.
I didn't even get the chance to announce I was going to Brazil!
& I am already back.

& we are all ready to purchase and move into our new home. {surprise!}

So much is happening all at once. I want to share, but time flies so quickly!
I hope to share soon!

{Dash of Coco}

one, two, and puppy makes three

Since starting to blending our two lives into one, we've added one more to the mix.
My two best friends came over one night for a girls night/birthday celebration {yes, I'm one year older}, and she happened to find this cute little pup on a rescue shelter's website.

I fell in love. I didn't have to beg my sweetheart, she was definitely meant for us.
In four long days, we brought 9 week old Coco home with us!

signed the papers, we're a family of three!

It's so hard to believe that was three weeks ago.
So much has happened since then. She turned out to be a sick pup with the coccidia parasite and went down from 13 to 10 pounds. But thanks to Halfway There Rescue again, she felt much better within a week.

She's now 21 pounds and 3 months old. She knows how to sit, and she is learning how to 'come here' and 'shake'. She hasn't had an accident inside for a week and she hasn't chewed on much except her toys {knock on wood}!

More adventures to come, featuring Coco Chanel!

Thanks again, to Halfway There Rescue who traveled to Ohio to rescue Coco from parvo at 5 weeks old. I had no idea how much this puppy would change my life!

{ties that bind}

For spring break, my sweetheart and I went on our first tent camping trip together. The camping trip may have been one of the worst we've ever been on with coyotes, howling wind, and temperatures below freezing. We were determined to stay positive, and now I know why he was being so optimistic!

We were relaxing beside a calm lake, on a beautifully sunny day after a very long hike.
He caught me by surprise, and asked me the most beautiful question, "Will you marry me?"

Life has been so busy and beautifully hectic since then!
We may have been dating for three years, but I am so excited to be bound even closer together. 

{out of touch}

Hanging Rock Waterfall

Sometimes life seems to happen all at once.
March has been one of those beautiful months for us.
So many amazing things have happened in just a few days.
Anniversary, birthdays, and something new to celebrate.

& I didn't even know that this blog has officially reached over 1,000 views!
I can't wait to share so much more!