This Joy Filled Life

spring has sprung, and it has been very nice (by northwest standards).  we've been working in the yard a ton, and our efforts are beginning to pay off.  all the plants we bought as tiny starts are beginning to mature, so now our yard doesn't look so sparse.  my goal in the end is to have a lovely full, lush garden, not a whole lot of empty space... so, we're getting there. in addition to working in the garden, maybe spring has affected me in other ways.  i've been exploring other blogs that focus on cooking and entertaining and i found a little gem of a blog called " not so humble pie."  on this blog Ms. Humble tries out all sorts of recipes, mostly sweet things, and blogs about them.  this week i tried her recipe for fluer de sel caramels, and i have to say i really impressed myself!  on to bigger and better things from here?  we'll see.  here is a look at what i made: delicious, really.  they were soft and chewy, with the salt o...

we just got a new digital slr camera...  i am so pumped to be able to use it!  we actually got it for free, if you can believe it.  our checking account acquires points as we spend money and over the last few years we accrued enough to "buy" this bad boy... so we did. i haven't actually had a real photography lesson since 7th grade in mister gernon's photo class, and my last photography class taught more the composition of a picture than how to actually use the camera, but i think i might take it up again as a hobby.  if anything i hope to be able to take fun pictures of my children (when i have children--i'll be practicing, so when the get here i'll be ready). i think the best part about this camera is experimenting-- the last slr camera i had was not digital, so i never really knew what i was getting until the film is developed.  now i am able to see instantly how much i suck... but also learn immediately how to correct the problem.  this is especial...