Our First Anniversary

Matt & I had our first anniversary this past weekend- May 31st to be exact. I was super excited about it, looking forward to our weekend in the Black Hills with hiking, touring around the little towns, eating a nice dinner, shopping, and just relaxing. Well, we both ended up sick the morning we were planning to leave. I don't know if it was food poisoning, or just a 24 hour bug, but all of a sudden we were not well. BUT, we went on our trip anyway. It wasn't as romantic as I was dreaming of, but I guess that's life for ya! I kept telling myself that at least it'll be an anniversary to remember! Sick or not, the views were still beautiful so I wanted to share a few pictures with you all.

The drive up to Harney Peak- very twisty and turney...neat tho....

This is Sylvan Lake. It's gorgeous! While driving around down in the Southern Black Hills I kept thinking to myself- we live in such a neat place and we're so blessed to be surrounded by so much beauty! The sad thing is- I've lived here my whole life and have never even seen Sylvan Lake or Harney Peak! We didn't make it to the top by the way. This picture below is as close as we got- after hiking for a good long while. We weren't feeling too great at that point and decided to take some pictures and turn around. It still seemed SO FAR AWAY!! Can you see the lookout on top of that peak? See it? Look hard--

I've been Tagged!

What is my current obsession? I don't know if I'd say I'm really obsessed with anything at the moment, just trying to keep up with life! Work, meals, laundry, cleaning and I guess I am trying to exercise everyday. Summer is practically here and it scares me to think of wearing shorts and swim suits again!

Which item of clothing do you wear most often? Jeans and for the moment flip flops. But who knows, it may snow again and I will have to put the snow boots back on!

What's for dinner? Leftover ham and Au Gratin potatoes I made from Sunday.

What are you listening to? Night sounds from the window- an occasional car driving by and frogs croaking by the river.

Say something about the one that tagged you. She is a sweetheart!

Guilty Pleasure? Lattes- pretty much anything rich and yummy from the coffee shop. Or ice cream cones on a warm evening.

Favorite vacation spots? England, Montana, Oregon

What am I reading right now? Anne of the Island (just finished Anne of Avonlea)

Four words to describe myself. content, optimistic, caffeinated, strong-willed

First Spring thing to do? Planted my violas!

What do I look forward to? Evening walks in the summer

Who should I Tag....
Gumbo Lily
Lady on the Ranch
Ranch Girl

Being content

Boy, it's been a while since I've blogged! Can't believe I haven't been on here since January. Yikes. Not a whole lot has changed...just workin and enjoyin life.

Mother's Day was pretty intense at the flower shop. Even busier than Valentine's day! I didn't do any arrangements tho- they had 4 florists on duty. The closest I got to making an arrangement (well I guess I did do a couple bud vases and wrapped flowers) was greening a container. Which means I put the green foam stuff in the basket, watered it with preservative water, taped it down so it was secure, and took leather (the green leafy stuff) and stuck it in all over to create a green basket for the flowers to be poked into. Otherwise I got to deliver flowers, or take orders.

Here's an arrangement I did a WHILE ago, I have done many more since this one, but it was the last one I took a picture of.

Ok, so the title of this post is on being content. I have been reading some Anne of Green Gables while at work at the coffee shop and and currently reading Anne of Avonlea. I just love it! It's been so long since I've read it. Anyways, there was a conversation going on in one part of a chapter between Mrs. Allen and Anne, concerning whether or not she may get to go to college. I just really loved it and wanted to share with ya'll....

" Well, I should like to see you go to college, Anne; but if you never do, don't be discontented about it. We make our own lives wherever we are, after all...college can only help us to do it more easily. They are broad or narrow according to what we put into them, not what we get out. Life is rich and full here...everywhere...if we can only learn how to open our whole hearts to it's richness and fullness."

On the job training...

If you have spoken with my mother lately you probably know that I started working at a flower shop! She was super excited about it and I think she is secretly living her wanna-be life of a florist through me. :) Which is ok, it's fun to have her interested in what I'm learning! I only work there two days a week- on the days I'm not at the coffee shop- and I have only been there a total of 6 days all together. Thus far I have learned:

• How to use the big tank of helium to blow up balloons, and have popped only 2! We put this gooey stuff inside the latex ones and let me tell you, it is super sticky when it blows up in your face and gets on your clothes!
• How to take an order properly.
• Wrapping carnations with filler/tissue paper/water tube/plant food/ribbon
• How to make candy bouquets
• How to "green" a basket in preperation for an arrangement.
• How to make a bud vase, double bud vase and triple bud vase
• How to unpack the flowers when received from the wholesale guy
• How to wrap pots with foil
• How to make deliveries and wrap the flowers/plants accordingly

Here is my first triple bud vase! I had to take a picture, and good thing I did because it was sold within a couple hours.

Oh yeah, and the floors are ALWAYS messy--this pic above is when the floor is quite clean actually.

The latest most difficult thing I have learned is to make bows!!! Oh man. It's a lot harder than those ladies make it look! Last night I went home early and got "home work"....I had to watch a video on how to make bows and then bring two of them to work with me this morning. After a while I kinda caught on, but my hands were hurting me by the end of the night- more like after making two bows!

Here was my progress last night. I'm MUCH better today, my boss actually said I was doing very well, I just needed practice. YAY! At least I'm more comfortable with it now. I got to practice on bigger ribbon today, one inch I think, then on some REALLY BIG cloth ribbon with wire in it, which I love. :) It's so much easier with wire in it.

Anyways, I will keep you posted on the next new thing I learn!

I am my Mother's daughter

For we both are coffee lovers. I can't get through a day without having at least one cup of java. I try to limit myself to just one however. But I am definately addicted, I know, because if I don't get it then I am on the road to an all day headache. I guess working at a coffee shop doesn't help my addiction. I just makes it easier to have free java and therefore not allow for coffee spending money in my budget- yes I used to have a coffee fund! Otherwise the $$ would come out of the grocery money or from somewhere else, I just had to face that fact and make room for java...but not since I have had my coffee slingin' job which I love dearly. Anyways.... I am trying to eat better this new year and so I'm also seeing the health benefits of drinking coffee like my Mom also posted about earlier on her blog. In Health magazine's Jan./Feb. 2009 issue, swigging java was their number 6 point in their 30 fast, new fat-burners! It said that the caffeine in about two cups of coffee boosts your metabolism for about an hour and a half after you drink it! Sweet. Though the results are best when drinking it black, no cream or sugar (as that blunts that effect). I am a little sad, as I do love a good americano with a bit of cream and of course the yummy sugar-y lattes. But hey, at least it's got caffeine to boost my metabolism, even if it is a touch slowed down by the milk and sugar.

Here's a picture of my afternoon cup o' Joe I brewed myself- since the coffee shop is closed on Sundays. It was yummy none the less...especially with a few valentines hugs to go along with!

Here's to you, my good friend Joe!

Eat your fruit!

Lately my Mom has been reminding me how important it is to eat your fruit daily....but I mean like 3 servings a day!! Wow. Well, I know I probably won't eat that many servings of fruit in each day, but I am trying. I just picked out a new glass bowl (from a gift card I received for Christmas) so I decided to put my fruit in it on the table to remind me and my hubby that we need to eat it. Otherwise the fruit sits in the drawer in the fridge and I forget about it until it's growing mold...eeiiiwww. Plus it makes a pretty center piece!

Happy New Year!

Some of my favorite things

Enormous softly floating snowflakes..... here's the view from a window...

Decorating with my pretty glittery snowflakes...

Watching an Amarillis bloom at Christmas time....

Watching A Charlie Brown Christmas....

Watching White Christmas with Bing Crosby....here's a clip for ya!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QsTtRETfNg

A Peppermint Mocha....

Lighting Advent candles....

The glittering lights down main street.