Garden Update

I have grown fresh produce. I feel like Tom Hanks in Castaway when he made fire. My garden is growing great and I had a fresh salad tonight to prove it.



The broccoli heads are coming along nicely and will be ready to pick soon. I have to go buy some tomato and green pepper plants this week and get them in the ground. My green beans have already sprouted and I saw the first squash plant peeking through the dirt tonight when I watered.



I also have a rogue sunflower growing(check it out in the foreground of the photo). I'm pretty sure it blew in from the bird feeder and germinated. That's okay though, I'll enjoy the flower and dry the head to feed to the birds this winter.

Danny's New Job

Well, a mere three days after graduation, my little brother is gainfully employed. He took an interim 2nd grade teachers position at Forest Heights Elementary School in Gastonia. He will finish out the last month of school in 2nd grade and then have his choice of 3rd, 4th or 5th grade for next year. I think he is both excited and overwhelmed. It's been a whirlwind week for him and I don't think he has had a chance to catch his breath yet.

In more good news, he's going to be living with us for the next month. I'm excited to get to spend the time with him. I think it's going to be lots of fun to have him around the house. Ashley is excited too. It means someone else to play video games with and to help him mow the lawn.

In other news, I'm taking the afternoon off tomorrow to serve beer at a golf tournement in Rutherfordton. It should be a fun afternoon. I'd sling draft beer outside on a warm summer day anytime over sitting in a semi-dark room in front of a computer. Too bad beer girls don't get paid as much as graphic designers.

Danny Graduates

My little brother graduated this weekend. I'm so proud of him. We were all up at Western Carolina University on Saturday to watch him walk. He graduated Cum Laud too and got to wear a special gold cord with his cap and gown.

And he's not wasting any time getting a job either. He had four interviews today for teaching positions here in NC, in Gaston County schools. When I find out how they went, I'll post more information.

Summer

Summer is finally here! The garden is growing nicely. I picked the first lettuce this week. It was pretty neat to eat food that I had actually grown. Especially with all the concerns today about where food comes from and what it's been treated with and what other byproducts it might contain, knowing that I grew it is really cool.

Another sign that summer is here - Alive After 5 starts today in Shelby. It's live music, food and beer on the court square in Shelby. I've got a full time gig this year as a Bud girl working in the beer garden. I'm also going to pick up some other assorted beer serving opportunities. I'm working a golf tournament next week. It's a great opportunity to make some extra money and I'm grateful to Jennipher for getting me the job.

Danny graduates this weekend so Ashley and I are going to WCU to watch. I'm proud of my little brother and I know that it is only a matter of time until he gets a job. Whatever school hires him will be so lucky to have him as a teacher. We got him a really nice, monogrammed messenger bag from L.L. Bean to carry papers and books and such. Something for his new professional life.

House Update

Some new things at the house. We got a nice area rug for the living room. We finally spent the last of our wedding gift cards on some accessories for the house. Also - check out the framed print on the wall. It was a house warming present from Mom and Dad.



And since it is offically spring now, I've planted some flowers on the front stoop. I got some easter money from my grandparents and bought some planters and geraniums. I also did the planters on the deck. Also note the nice birdbath which was a christmas present and the tile sign. More photos to come.

Giant Shoe

As a designer, you just never know what you're going to have to do. This project started out at a flat, 2D drawing and ended up as a giant inflatable shoe. One of the most unique projects I've been involved in so far here at Image.

Check out the companion website (that I also designed):
www.steponechallenge.com

How does your garden grow?

I'm actually growing food! How exciting is this? The brocoli plants are getting bigger and the lettuce and spinach are coming up. I thinned out the lettuce this weekend so it will continue to get grow.



Everything else in the yard is growing too. I planted a Camila tree in the yard at the edge of the house. It should bloom every spring and the flowers are pink and white. I also planted some strawberry plants on the side of the house. And the tree Mom thought was a dogwood is actually a japanese maple. I'm planning on getting some pots to go up both sides of the front steps and planting some pansys.