Happily Ever After...

Last Week A and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary.  I spent some time reflecting on our marriage, and though it may not be a fairy tale ending, in many ways it is even better.  We are growing as a couple and learning how to make our life together.  Through this, I have already learned a few important marriage lessons and can only imagine what wisdom I will obtain over the years to come.  For now, I thought I would share the few reflections I have learned this last year.

Never give up on each other: I have a terrible tendency to want to run away from a fight.  When things get too intense, too personal, my instinct is "flight" not fight.  I want to get away from the "danger".  There have been times that I have "left" A, walked outside to get some air, gone to run an errand, tried to find some space in the midst of an argument   In all of those times, he has never given up on me.  He is always waiting when I return.  He seems to understand that I need some space from the fight, not from us, and he never gives up on me.

Choose what is truly important:  A and I have different visions of our life.  We see things differently, we like different things, and we prioritize differently.  In just the last few months, I have come to realize that we can disagree.  That there are some things worth the extra discussion, and some things that just aren't.  I am learning when to fight about  discuss things and when it will be okay if we are not on the same page.  I am also learning that I don't need to always be right (hopefully he doesn't read this!)

Don't take things too personally: This has probably been the toughest lesson for me.  When A says he doesn't like dinner or that the apartment is messy, I immediately get defensive.  I hear that he doesn't like the dinner I made, or that I am not cleaning good enough.  I am learning to let it go and that it is not about me.  He is entitled to have his opinion, just as I am entitled to mine.

Communication: This is an ongoing struggle for us.  At times we take each other for granted, forgetting to tell each other things that at the time don't seem important.   I think it's the small things that help keep us connected to the other person.  I am sure that at times A may not want to share something with me because I am so very opinionated,  but I am working on that too.  Together, we will work on finding a balance that works for us.

I am so blessed to be married to someone who loves and supports me through everything.  I am thankful everyday for A and can't wait to see what the next year brings!

Three for Thursday: Fall

I love that fall has fully arrived.  The air is brisk, the trees are a variety of colors, and I can wear a scarf everyday.  Everything seems crisp and fresh.  There are so many things I love about this season, but my top three are below.

1. The sun.  I love the contrast of the air temperature and the sun.  The sun seems more intense when you are surrounded by cool air.  In the summer months, that same sun feels oppressive and sweltering  but in the fall it is appreciated and welcome.  
2. Togetherness.  There is something about fall that seems to bring my friends and family together.  Bonfires, game nights, and holidays events   Not to mention, there is an excuse for A and I to cuddle more in order to stay warm in our cool (ok, cold) apartment.   
3. Fall Foods: There are far too many to name them all, but some of my favorites are apples, and anything made with them, salted caramel mochas, and chili.  

Making My Herb Garden

This spring, my mom and I decided to make herb gardens using stair stringers and flower boxes.  Armed with only a picture, we (mostly Mom) brainstormed, constructed and created a masterpiece!  This herb garden is perfect for our narrow balcony and takes up less space then my herbs did last year.  An added bonus is that the height makes it easier to pick the herbs.

Supplies:
22 - deck screws
3 - plastic planters
2 - stair stringers
Scrap Wood 2-pieces that are 31.5 inches long, and 2-pieces that are 16 inches long

We used our stir stringers the opposite way they were intended so that they were taller and narrower.  You could use them the other way if you wanted.

We drilled holes in the stair stringers that lined up with the holes in the bottom of the planter, but ended up drilling new holes in the planter because our screw heads were too small.

Then we screwed the planters to the stair stringers.

Next we screwed the 31.5 inch boards to the back of a stair stringers.

Then we screwed one board across the front of the stair stringers and the last board across the back to provide extra support.

Here is the final product!!  Since it is pressure treated wood, I will be waiting until next year to paint it.

I added some rocks, then dirt, and planted my herbs.  It worked out great on our small patio.