a little less Texaco

Though my green thumbs aren't too experienced- (somehow I ALWAYS kill flowers,) I get a little giddy at any garden shop, as gardening reminds me of my childhood in Connecticut. My mom and I used to make several trips to Salem Country Gardens, our local nursery, and wade through aisle after aisle of plants and flowers. The aroma was overwhelming, yet inviting and comforting. I'd always look forward to strolling the grounds, running from massive bees, and making a trip to the over-sized cooler near the checkout counter where they kept several flavors of Stewart's specialty sodas- my flavors of choice were typically Key Lime and Orange N' Cream.

When we'd finally arrive at home with our station wagon full of dirt, mulch, and a wide variety of flowers, my Mom would spend the better half of the weekend precisely planting the flowers. My mom is a planner- undoubtedly. And in this case, a plant-planner.... And, the planning was well-worth it.

During the Spring in Summer I'd be off riding my bike playing "cars" with my neighborhood friends, performing made up skits, swimming, singing Disney songs and chewing my body weight in Bubble Tape. On the days my mom was working in the yard I'd quickly pedal home, insanely excited to see what new flowers she'd planted. She'd put flowers around the light posts near our driveway, in the flower boxes and hanging pots off the front and back porch. How I loved reaping the benefits of her creativity.

Our house was always beautiful- in fact, it is impossible for my mom to not have a beautiful home. No matter where she's lived- in a 4 bedroom house in New England, or a tiny little apt. in Lynchburg, Virginia, and now her NC home, she's always worked her magic to make it "home".

My mom isn't a beer drinker. However, once she's worked in the yard all day, somehow the combination of sun and dirt insists she reward herself with a frosty beer (and it HAS to be in the bottle). I love this quirk of hers.


So...Nothing against Texaco, but the view from our balcony was begging for a little more ambiance than the glow of the neon star from the Texaco sign across the street- So, Ted and I made our first plant purchases this past weekend.


Among this Spring's line-up are Pansies, Gerbera Daisies, Alyssum and Violas.



Ted plans on building a 2-tiered plant table for the balcony as to display our lovely pots we found for a steal at the Salvage Warehouse. Our balcony is sunny in the morning, and in the shade all afternoon..which, doesn't help the fact that we picked all "Full Sun" flowers...but, whatever. They'll grow. Hopefully.



I spent a few hours this afternoon "plant-planning," as my mom would do. I didn't have much to choose from as far as variety goes, so I planned with what I had. I tried to balance out the colors and sizes of flowers, while trying to make them not look too organized or boring and repetitive.



Nonetheless, my gardening experience was relaxing and refreshing, and helped to slightly shield our view from the nearby Texaco.


Though my sun and dirt afternoon did not insist a beer upon me, I made myself a beautiful lunch of Salmon and salad. This, of course, was not in honor of my mother because she despises the smell of and all things Salmon. It was delicious- and, she can't smell my Salmon from 400 miles away!

So, here's to Spring, soda in glass bottles, having a plan, photosynthesis, beer, dirt, and a little less Texaco.

we're married.... now what?

We've been in Chattanooga now for a week keeping the Comfort Inn rather comfortable.

On our wedding day I remember feeling like with the changing of my last name, I would be grounded and settled. Since October 17, our married life has allowed us to become very good, dear friends with duffel bags and continental breakfasts. Our Italian honeymoon was absolutely incredible, as were our two trips to Germany, where Ted spent the 5 hours of German daylight in a Volkswagen plant, while I had the freedom of scoping out some local sights, camera in hand.

Just when things started to become a little less European, we were transferred here to Chattanooga, TN.

Needless to say, with my new last name I've known not of being settled.

I enjoy writing, and sharing my words..and maybe, just maybe, you'll enjoy reading them, too.

What you already know now is that I'm a newlywed, I enjoy traveling, and I have a camera with which I take pictures. Many, many pictures.

As far as being a newlywed, all I can say is all the ladies in the world really missed out when they let Ted get away. Somehow, I've managed to marry a man who would prefer to cook dinner for me, owns (and knows how to properly use) a sewing machine and a collection of old cameras for his skilled photographic genius, sings like Jack Johnson, brews his own beer, is a dedicated earth-saving-tree-hugging gardener, is a mathematical genius, and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty when working on his motorcycle. Thanks, God. It's very, very obvious you love me- BIG TIME.

Though the connotations of the word "wife" are usually frowned upon by many women my age, I'll openly admit that I have a very strong desire to conquer, or at least spend the rest of my life attempting to conquer some of those connotations.

I've always been fascinated by baking. Could there be a greater outcome of energy spent than to whip together some lumpy batter, throw it into an oven, and VOILA, a cake!? Sweet goodness, that's magic. I made my first cake from scratch this month for a friend of mine who mentioned she loved lemon cake with lemon icing. The kitchen was a disaster, I used every bowl we own (and having just received wedding gifts recently, we own a LOT of bowls..), and though I somehow ended up with lemon butter icing in my ponytail, the result (though I never tasted it) was rewarding. I was able to take an online recipe, a bunch of powders and liquids, and kitchen tools I'd never used in my life, to create something hopefully slightly edible...and, real.

This, is what I love about photography. Taking people and trinkets, and lights and baubles, and throwing them together with a camera in my hand, and watching to see what unfolds. Like trying a new recipe for the first time, you throw it in the oven and wait to see what it tastes like, and how it develops into something...real.

I'm a wanderlust, and a scatterbrain- there's no doubt. I've never been the girl that has always known what she's wanted to become, or attain, or achieve; but, I've found something, for the first time, that amazes me, and draws me in, and fulfills my very vague desire to "help people". I'm finally passionate about and pursuing the same "something" in life. My opportunity to work with some amazingly talented photographers here in Chattanooga will undoubtedly be the most valuable experience I could have begged life for, and I'm insanely excited, and let's be honest, nervous.

So, here's to wedding vows, Europe, mixing bowls, moving boxes, cameras, and new opportunities.