Garden Getting Started!

 Last weekend we got our garden started! Lila's school was having a plant sale as a fundraiser, so I went there and got some plants, but they were sold out of a lot of the ones I wanted, including tomatoes and some herbs, so we ended up going to the farmer's market and getting a bunch more!!!

And since the weather was perfect, I decided to plant them all right away! We have a small plot in our community garden at our apartment, which they just started last year and is just so perfect for us!

I thought it would be fun to document the progress of our garden this summer, so here are some photos of the plants the day they were planted:

I did a garden last year, but I didn't utilize it nearly as much as I should have, so I am super excited to make the most out of it this year! I think I will go back to the farmer's market this weekend and pick up a few more plants to fill up the space! 

Do you have a garden this year? What are you putting in it?

Things Making Me Smile # 6: A walk to the Post Office.

Have I ever mentioned how wonderful our apartment is? It is in the perfect location. We live within a couple blocks of the post office, which, as an Etsy seller and shopper I visit often. It is also the perfect distance to make a little outing of it with Lila. Here are some pics from our most recent trip:

If I ever did any kind of regular exercise, besides my job, it would be power walking. I love walking! In the future I want to get a dog (or two) so I have an excuse to go walking everyday. Do you have a favorite activity that can double as exercise?

Things Making Me Smile # 4: Newport, RI

Happy Monday everyone! Today I am sharing some photos of my trip to Newport, RI from this summer.

Have you noticed that I love to take bottom-half pictures? Yeah, I noticed too. Guess its my version of the selfie!

There is just something charming about this little shop window. Cluttered and busy it may be, but we don't see stuff like this in Madison and I felt the need to photograph it.

 Leave it to me to take a picture of the random cute kitty hanging out with us in the street!

The Newport Bridge!

I took a picture of this menu because here in Wisconsin, we don't use the word rotary. We call them round-a-bouts. But I still use the word "rotary" because I got used to using it when I lived in RI for a summer. After that they started popping up all over the Midwest and now people look at me funny when I say "rotary."

Isn't this cute!? It just looks like this family of geese are walking through the gates of their home...

Just precious.

Every summer growing up we would take a trip to Newport, RI. My Dad grew up here so we have lots of family around. I also lived here the summer between my Freshman and Sophomore year of college when I got a chance to develop really close relationships with some family members. I am very thankful for that time because although they are far away, they are a big part of who I am now!
I hope that Lila will feel the same way about this side of the family when she is older.
We also lucked out in that Newport is a beautiful city with lots of lovely beaches, old houses, cute shops, and historical mansions to explore!

Things Making Me Smile #3

Well, I don't care what those "students" are saying... summer is not over yet! We've still two more weeks and I plan to savor it!

Lila and I are pretty lucky, this path leads to a playground that is literally in our backyard. There is also a bunch of open green space to run around, and picnic tables and a pool and all that fun stuff! There is even a small patch of woods to explore! Definitely one of the perks of our apartment location.

Lila is such a funny kid- when she goes on the ladder and I try to help she says "go away Mama" but if I go too far she orders me back! I definitely love playing with her at the park, but if she isn't going to let me play it would be nice if she let me sit down!

Another funny thing this kid does is she climbs this high on the ladder and then just stands there... exercising her arms? Who knows. This adorable little girl baffles me and I love it.

My dear friend Suki came over to visit one night and brought Lila a box of Hello Kitty Popsicles! And she was super excited. As you can see, she loves "Pock-o-wools."

Hope you are enjoying the last days of summer!

Things Making Me Smile #2

 Can you spot the squirrel?

 I love the dream quality of this photo. Did I mention I am a dreamer?

 This has been my go-to color for this summer on my toes! And these shoes- $4 at goodwill!

I am obsessed with vintage, antique, and old historical things. These last three photos I took at my grandparent's house. I was testing the settings on my new camera as well as documenting these awesome pieces. The last photo is of my grandparent's farm. They moved out of this farm when I was about 10 and I have lots of good memories of running around the barns and hiding in the bushes with my cousins!

 This is the best action shot ever. Lila jumping on the couch!

 Such a pretty duck.

 I love dandelions. They look like mini suns, the signify the beginning of summer, and they are just beautiful against the green grass. I even think they are beautiful when they go to seed. I was so glad this detailed shot turned out!

 My favorite skirt... it is slowly falling apart and maybe about 8 years old but I love it and I wear it like sweatpants!

Things Making Me Smile #1

As usual, the summer is flying by! But is has been beautiful and Lila and I have had many special moments outside in the sun. One of our favorite places to go is the Madison Zoo. I grew up going to this zoo and it is fun to see how much it has changed since I was a kid.

Here are some photos of our latest visit to the zoo that make me smile:

My beautiful daughter, Lila, playing in the grass!

A handsome lone flamingo at the Madison Zoo.

Awesome sea turtle, makes me think of Finding Nemo every time!

I always find it fascinating how old these tortoises are. I think these were around 150 years old. It really puts things in perspective, doesn't it?

The sea lions! I always want to wanted to play in there with them (...when I was a kid...).

This Macaw! It was sitting right on the edge of the railing, and someone could have reached out and touched it. Or tried to. I sure didn't want to try... look at that beak and those claws! Anyways I definitely didn't let Lila get too close to it, but I had to take a picture.

I just love taking pictures of the clouds in sky... must be the dreamer in me.

One comfy iguana.

Going to the zoo in Madison is so much fun. Every time we go, Lila and I find something new! It has changed so much since I was a kid, and yet I get the same old feelings of nostalgia when we visit the terrarium and the bears and other things that haven't changed.