Lately

I can't believe it's June. Good heavens. May was a good month. Here's a few pictures of life lately.

I'll start with the worst first. My gardens continue to do their best to break my spirit. They don't look as bad as in this picture since we dug up all the beds when my parents were here, but dozens of fresh, happy weeds continue to sprout daily. It's just not fair (whine). I decided yesterday that I hate gardening (at least until I get some dang flowers).

The other thing breaking my spirit is job hunting. I'm still working part time for BEE, but I really want a part time or full time job with a set schedule and in-the-flesh people. Job hunting in Michigan is killing my self esteem. I haven't gone without a job for more than a couple weeks since I was 16, and now it's been months of on and off searching.

Maybe I'll just have babies. (Just kidding, family.)

Chipotle Peach Salsa. Make it and feel joy in your mouth.

I have decided that as long as I have more time on my hands, I'm going to start cooking more delicious food. I have been cooking lots of recipes from Budget Bytes, yum!

Last night Miles and I made our first from-scratch pizza using Pioneer Woman's pizza dough. Delish!
 

I made my first dish for a church potluck which felt like a milestone for as a woman. :) I made my mom's scalloped potatoes and my dish was scraped clean within minutes, which felt pretty gratifying.

Miles and I have gotten really involved with our new church and we are loving it. We started a small group a couple months ago and felt at home immediately, and have been loving hanging out with everyone every week. We had a game night at our house last night and it felt so good to have lots of friends in our home!

Molly and Tucker are still being our good, sweet puppies. I take them to the dog park every week and wear them out, and they spend much of their days searching the house for sun spots. Since the trees have filled in the best spot is on the stairs now. Goofy dogs.

Warm lumbar support. :) And yes, that's a shirt from seventh grade.
 

Miles flew down to Dallas to say goodbye to his faithful dog, Duke. He lived 9 1/2 years, which is a good long life for a great dane. My poor sweet husband and poor sweet Susan were heartbroken. He was a dog that loved them greatly.

I've been leasing this cute boy for a few months now. Intrepid is at a family farm seven minutes from our house, a couple miles down a dirt road in the middle of a gorgeous state park. Riding him and hanging out with new friends at the barn has saved my sanity this spring.

Between riding Treppy and taking lessons at a jumping barn, I feel my riding abilities have increased substantially the past few months and most amazing of all, I have been able to overcome my fears of riding.

As much as I love horses, I think what's been most special about taking up riding at this point in my life has been learning to work through my fears. As a kid I never felt afraid of anything, but a year ago I became afraid to trot a horse after getting dumped a couple of times, and I continued to feel that physical and emotional fear (in lessening degrees) until about two months ago. It's much harder in adulthood to learn a brand new skill, emotionally and otherwise, so I feel very blessed to be able to do it at this phase in my life.

It's also been pretty amazing to earn this horse's trust. He is a really sensitive horse (Arabians are known for it), and since he was an arena horse his whole life he's always been pretty spooky about, well, everything. His owner didn't think that I'd be able to take him out of the barn because of it. But every week he trusts me a little bit more, and a few weeks ago he let me take him trail riding in the gorgeous trails surrounding the barn.

He made my summer. Rolling hills, forests, winding paths... It's been tons of fun with my Intrepid explorer. :)

Gorgeous, gorgeous. Happy boy.

Miles and I have made slow progress around the house. Much of our budget and time has gone to unrewarding work outside, but last weekend we decided to finally paint! A can of paint costs less than dinner and a movie, so that was our entertainment for the long weekend. :)

I'll put up some better pictures if the sun every shines again here, but this is a preview. It's Woodlawn Blue, and we both love it. It's so gratifying when Miles likes a decorating project as much as I do :) We rearranged the furniture while we were at it and are liking this new open layout!

I've been making new, happy pillows this week from my fabric stash. This one is my favorite! I found a lace table runner at Salvation Army a few months ago and I think it looks adorable over the coral fabric.

I love this man. Every month and year seems to be sweeter with him. We've been having lots of fun lately.

I'll get some posts up soon of the new paint and maybe some dang flowers. :)