Rainy days

We had some furious rain here over the weekend, but it was much needed. Our lake was down over a foot, there are brush fires all over... and it had been super dry up until this weekend. I think we got a couple inches of rain overall.
I was outside with the dog while it was misting and noticed how the rain was 'dewing' up on some of the plants, so of course I ran inside and got my camera to take some photos. I hope none of my neighbors saw me squatting down on our gravel driveway taking pictures of weeds, or they might think I am nutty. Well, let's face it, I am.
I took these with my 50mm lens... and then cropped close when I edited them. I am really hoping for a macro lens one day...that could be a lot of fun!

You know I always need to add a picture of my little petunia! 

What have I been doing lately?

In the last few weeks - here's what I've been up to...

I'm reading the greatest book called "BLOOM" by Kelle Hampton - Some of you might know her name from her amazing blog called Enjoying the Small Things. Love it. Love her book. Love her photography. What a heartfelt read! I have been up to my eyeballs lately in "How to raise your Toddler" books but I had to fit this one in. I'm so glad I did. I highly recommend Bloom - it's a fast & easy read. But make sure to have tissues nearby too!

Speaking of books ... I want to mention 2 "toddler books" that I am reading now that are quite helpful in dealing with the 'unexpected' issues that happen daily with Julianna. And God knows it's ALL unexpected at this age - 23 months! I am a big researcher & reader when it comes to this stuff. I am not a person that can just 'wing it'. I give huge props to those moms that can just wing it. I can't.

Here are the 2 toddler books I am reading: Secrets of the Baby Whisperer for Toddlers and Happiest Toddler on the Block. (Note, my husband and I totally loved & lived "Happiest Baby on the block" after Julianna was born. It sooo does work!)

Brian and I joined the "Organic" Community Garden in our town. It started up a few months ago - and they recruited a bunch of nice volunteers to help construct & build the garden plots. My husband was recruited onto the "committee". They had to excavate the land, build the plot boxes (30 I think), distribute the soil & mulch. Brian volunteered all last weekend getting them in shape with his John Deere tractor from PowerPlace in Rockaway NJ.
Everything in the garden is organic including the soil, seeds, flats, and anything else you use in the garden. They are trying to keep it very pure and chemical free. We are going to plant lettuce, oregano, basil, carrots, green beans, tomatos, and some other great stuff! I have not been involved with the building of the garden only because I am just not a 'dig in the dirt' type of person. I will be more involved once our stuff is planted and we can go there with Julianna to tend to our garden.

New living room furniture! After 8 long years with our 'dog fur magnet' stinky dog puke Microfiber sofas... we decided to bite the bullet and say adios to them! We had been talking about getting a sleeper sofa anyway, due to the fact we have family that comes to visit from out of town, and our house does not have enough bedrooms, thus making it inconvenient for all. Sleeper sofa was the way to go. So off to Bobs Furniture we went. We got a really soft and comfy leather sleeper sofa and accent chair. I can't wait to have it delivered this week! New furniture rocks.
p.s. We listed our old sofa and oversized chair on craigslist and it sold in less than one day. Cha Ching!


First Yankees game of the season - we have tickets to go to see the Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers on the weekend of 4/28. Brian's friends are coming to NJ to visit, and they are going to the game with us.
I can't wait - as some of you know what a HUGE Yankees fan I am - I am counting down the days until we go to the Bronx. Hoping for good weather. Can't wait to eat peanuts, garlic fries and hotdogs!

As always, I will be snapping tons of pictures... have a great day my friends!

Pretty pink trees

There is a really nice park by my house that has the prettiest pink flowering trees. I originally thought they were dogwood trees, but upon further investigation, I found out they are not Dogwoods. If anyone knows what kind of trees these are, please clue me in. haha! We took pictures last year when they bloomed, when Julianna was 11 months old. This year, she is a year older and so much bigger! What a difference a year makes.  

I would like to go back this weekend (if it doesn't rain) when they are in full bloom and we can take some family photos when my husband is available. Can't wait! 

On the way to the park... oh the anticipation ... 

Running down the rocky path ... 

 Any "Flowering Tree Experts" out there know what kind of tree this is? 

Julianna loves to hold the flowers and smell them. 

This picture below was taken last year around the same time in the same park. 

My little girl was so small! It doesn't seem like a year ago! 

On the Farm ...

The day before Easter, we went to Alstede's Farm in Chester, NJ ... 

The Easter Bunny was there, they had an egg hunt, a petting zoo,  horses & bunnies to feed & pet, hay maze, hay ride to the barn, and a wagon train. It was so much fun. Here are some of the things we saw & did. 

Saw the pretty spring flowers... 

Looked through the photo farm truck... 

Saw the pretty farm ...

Saw the baby chickies...

Didn't know what to think of the chickies... 

Loved petting the baby calf ...

Sat on the tractor!

Walked all over the farm ... with Grandma 

Walked through the Peach tree orchard with Daddy...

Saw a farm tractor that pulled the Wagon train ... 

Rode on the wagon train... 

Ran through the nursery area ...

Checked out the tractor and couldn't take her eyes off the hayride... 

We couldn't find the Easter bunny. But it's ok - we got our shot with the Easter bunny a couple weeks ago in town! She did not do the Easter Egg hunt either, but we ended up doing that at my aunt's house on Easter day. No loss. 

Easter & the Egg Hunt

We had a wonderful Easter weekend here! It was the first year Julianna kind of understood about the Easter bunny. Well.. maybe not the Easter bunny so much, but she understood the gifts the bunny left were for her. She was loving it! The child was smiling all day long! The Easter Bunny did not leave candy. He left toys, sticker books, crayons & coloring books, stuffed animals... and a pink ATV!

We went to my Aunt's house and had a super-fun Easter Egg hunt. Julianna understood it after about 2 eggs, and was so excited! 

She ran to each egg or gift and couldn't get it in her basket fast enough! 

Picking up one egg, already eyeing up the next one....

She had a hard time holding onto all her 'stuff' she found during the Easter Egg Hunt! 

Nice enough to give us one of her eggs. 

Julianna is almost 2 years old (next month) and this is such a fun time in our lives! 

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter too! Now I really need to catch up on my blog-reading. I have neglected you all and I am so sorry! It's been one of those weeks months! 

Our trip to Charleston SC * Part 2

In case you missed it, here is the link to the first post of Our Trip To Charleston, SC. As promised, here are the 2nd part of the pictures... Enjoy! Tell me if you have ever been to Charleston - did you like it?

Statue of George Washington in a Charleston Park. 

I love these "Live Oak" trees 

God Bless America 

Cool row houses in Charleston 

I love the side street here

This was the ominous sky right before it opened up a can of wupp-ass on us! 

Cool exposed brick 

This was such a neat little ally-way. There were so many like these there. 

Again, such pretty gates all over the place 

Old cemetery headstones 

Horse & carriages were everywhere

That's it for now... Have a  great day!