The Black Hole

I NEED HELP!!! I have a landscaping black hole along the sidewalk leading up to our front door. The area has been sitting bare (well, it does have ancient, rotting mulch inside) since we moved in. I set out this baker's rack as a temporary fix last season. It does look really cute when I have flowers planted in the small pots, and in large pots arranged on the ground surrounding it. But as you can see, compared to the area, it looks really small and doesn't cover enough space. And I'd like to put something more permanent in there. A landscaper friend suggested using a bunch of various-sized pots and using it as a potted garden. But I would like something planted in the ground. Here's the catch: I don't know if that's possible because the area gets very little sunlight and is covered by an overhang, which means very little water as well. So...I'm at a loss. Several people have suggested hostas, but I'd like some variety. I was also thinking that planting shrubbery & plants that grow in dry, shaded areas would be good, but I have a black thumb and don't know anything about it. Maybe some climbers that could grow up the wall there?? Ugh...I don't know! Any suggestions?? HELP!!! (Please ignore the prehistoric round shrubs and azaleas. That's a topic for another post.)

The Naming Craze

Jack has been on a "naming" kick lately. Most recently he got a dragon in his McDonald's Happy Meal. He told me in the car that he wanted to name the dragon. I said, "Ok, what would you like to name it?" "Trrooonnn...dafe." "Trondafe?" "Yeah, Trondafe." Oookaaayyy. So while I was cracking up while driving, trying to stay between the lines, he informs me that he doesn't like "Trondafe" anymore and wants to change the dragon's name. "Ok, what do you want to change it to?" "Dave." But of course!

An Easter follow up

Just had to post one with the whole get-up! Forgive the major cheeze-ness. The husband got much better ones with his professional camera. This is the best I could get out of him!

Zhe Zoo!

This week is spring break! I wanted to do something special this week so I called up a friend and we went to the Philadelphia Zoo. I've lived in the area for 5 years (!) now and had NEVER been there before! It was a lot of fun. I'd been debating on getting a membership and I think I will, especially after I found out they're also good for the Wilmington and Baltimore zoos as well! Here is some photo evidence of our fun little trip!

My Li'l Monkey

Have YOU hugged a leopard today?

Those are LEGO penguins! Amazing!

Just...too cute for words! :)

What I'm wearing to my cousin's wedding

It took me FOREVER to find a dress to my cousin's wedding in June. And I'm not even IN IT! Well, I'm doing a reading, but not actually in the wedding party. I found one I adored on Overstock.com, but when they sent it to me, it was only 4 sizes too small (I ordered the right size - they sent me the wrong one)! And since they're in the business of liquidation, by the time I tried to order the right size, they were out. But...as I always say, everything happens for a reason! After much more searching, I finally went to Amazon. I hadn't tried them before because I've looked for clothes there before and was never impressed. I order EVERYTHING else from there, but their clothes selection was never impressive before. Well, apparently, they've fixed that glitch! I found tons of dresses I really loved and finally settled on this one. I wasn't sure about the style because I'm "hippy" (as in large in the hip area, not as in "flower power-dreadlock-Bob Dylan-Woodstock"). But when I got it & tried it on, it actually looks pretty good! And it's got some stretch so I think it will work for the whole night. So what do you think? Cute? Methinks.

Not surprising, Bart Stupak is retiring...

This is all over the news, and it's not a shock at all. The question is, has this been planned for months, even before the healthcare vote, or is it yet another coward Dem who knows he's toast in November anyway. Way to leave a legacy, Mr. Stupak!

HAPPY EASTER!!!

What a beautiful day here in Maryland for Easter Sunday! Early mass, then home to see what the Easter Bunny brought and a little egg hunt in the backyard. Between the weather, the family, the food...it really is a day to rejoice!

I was just going to post a quick link since it's Easter, but I have to mention a cute story quickly. We got to mass a half hour early so we had our choice of seats. Our son initially sat in the very back pew (we typically sit towards the back to make potty breaks easier). My husband asked him if he'd like to sit a little closer since the altar was decorated so beautifully and so he could see things better. So he walks towards the front of the church...and walks...and walks. Until he's in the VERY FRONT ROW!! Now I inherently don't mind sitting in the front row, it's just that with a noisy, squirmy, potty-inclined preschooler, it's a little nerve-wracking. And I HAVE sat in the front row before, but it was years ago, I was not married, had no children, and it was in my very small hometown church. But yet again, my fears were in vain because Jack was the perfect angel all through mass. Even more fascinating was the feeling of how much more intimate mass is from the front row. We go to a pretty huge church and typically sit towards the middle/back, so we're always surrounded on all sides and can see everyone there. But when you're in the front and no one is in front of you, it's almost like it's a private mass! The church seems smaller, you're closer to the priest (sometimes even making eye contact), and closer to the altar. It was actually a beautiful experience.

I just want to leave you with this thought-provoking post from Conversion Diary (my absolute favorite blog on the web). As a cradle Catholic, I guess I never really questioned why Jesus had to die for our sins so that we could go to Heaven. I think this post (and some of the comments to it) is a wonderful explanation.

HAPPY & BLESSED EASTER!!