Happy Monday!
Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Before we get to today's post, make sure to mark the Best of Blogs linkup on your calendar for next Tuesday May 31st! You can linkup either your favorite post of the month or a round up post. Non-bloggers, this is a great opportunity to see some wonderful posts by other bloggers who share your same interests.
Now, let's get back to the business at hand today. Here are some Things I'm Loving Lately...
Things I'm Loving Lately 24
My Flowers and Garden
I wanted to try something a little different with my potted flowers this year! I went to the flower store equipped with Southern Living inspiration and came up with this. I wanted to add some interest with different kinds of plants this year and not just straight flowers. I've held off posting about it, because it still needs to grow in more. This is an early taste.
My matching deck boxes also look pretty, but I think they will be crowd stoppers by early June.
My little tomato starters have already tripled in size. Every time I look at them, they get bigger!
Rhett always makes the rounds to check out the plants and attempt to eat some dirt when I'm not noticing. Bahhhhhhh.... DOGS!
My thyme, chives and oregano came back in the my herb tower this year. Hooray for a mild winter. I added new rosemary, dill, lemon oregano and parsley. I wanted a ton of basil, so I made an entire pot just for that. I've already been cooking with them!
And here's the garden! I probably have it packed too full... but that's how I roll.
This year I planted yellow squash, zucchini, cucumber, rainbow carrots and patty pan squash...
...on this side is lots of green beans and a crazy assortment of peppers!
I put these in the ground as seeds just weeks ago and they are growing so fast!!!
Last year was such a lack luster year for gardening, so I'm really hoping this year redeems it'self! Maybe I'll get a HUMONGOUS zucchini again. <--- I grew a giant one two years ago
Rhett
My crazy dog Rhett is coming up on his 15th Birthday in August. He still has his mischievous spirit, but he has slowed down so much. He can't see or hear very well and sleeps all the time. It breaks my heart. I've been trying to make sure I love on him as much as possible because I know we are well into his golden years.
I thought he looked like a youngster in this picture. He's such a goober dog, but he's my goober!
On the same note, the Hubs and I kind of have puppy/dog fever. Rhett only has eyes for me, so the Hubs feels dog-less. We're looking for one that is just the right fit for our family. It's been over a year since we lost Reina and it feels like it's time.
Elevate Salads
I got several Elevate Salads as part of this post and I've been really loving them. It's nice to not overthink lunch and know I'm getting a good option. This isn't part of the sponsorship, I just really enjoy them. If I need a little heartier lunch, I'll add a slice of avocado toast... yummy!
Blue Skies and Spring Green Trees
There is something about new spring green that just pairs perfectly with Carolina blue skies. Look at this cell phone shot from my run the other day. I look around and can't believe I get to live here. 🙂
Running
I never stop running or wanting to run, but sometimes I LOVE it more than others. Right now I'm in a period where I'm not running my fastest, but I find myself really enjoying the process. The weather has been perfect and my trails have been lined with full-bloom, fragrant blackberry bushes. It's kind of like a running fairytale and is really hard not to love. I literally stopped to smell the flowers the other day.
As always, taking a moment to find those little things in life that really make you happy is such a good exercise. I encourage you to do the same this week!
Thanks for stopping by today! Tomorrow I’ll be sharing a berry-licous baked oatmeal.
I’m linking up with Marvelous Monday.
Your turn!
What are you loving lately?
Heather @Fit 'N' Cookies says
Aww I hope you find the perfect pup for your family!!! I can't believe it's been over a year. Wow time flies but I'm sure you miss her everyday since! Love your garden! I CANNOT keep things alive. It's a problem lol
JulieWunder says
I do... she was such a doll dog 🙂 Hopefully we'll find another good one! I'm not sure if Rhett will be MADDDDD or excited 🙂
Edye says
Happy birthday to your cute little puppy dog! I know it can be so hard to watch your doggies age. They truly become a part of your family 🙂
Blessings,
Edye // Gracefulcoffee
Mary Beth Jackson says
Your garden looks GREAT! I haven't killed anything yet so I am still hopeful! Rhett is cute stuff- enjoy the golden years for sure!
JulieWunder says
Thanks MB! He's such a ham.
Lisa Whittemore says
I can relate to your Rhett comments. My Cody is a red sable long haired mini dachshund and he will be 15 in December. His hearing is not the best, vision has good and bad days and he sleeps a lot and snores really loud. I love him every day and try not to think about how much longer he may or may not have. They are part of the family and losing one is like losing a child and Cody has always been my boy.
JulieWunder says
It's so hard! Rhett is currently snoring loudly at my feet! The Hubs is convinced Rhett will live to 18-- hope he's right! I just don't want him to suffer.
Runaway Bridal Planner says
Your gardens looking fabulously!
I didn't plant one this year, and I'm kinda regretting it. Although I guess there is still time:), maybe:)
I just wrote your link up on my calendar! If I don't run out of time next week and have time to particiapate and visit others that day in it, I am for sure linking up! Love that we can link up a post from the past month, instead of having to create a new one! Quick question, is there an image we need to include with the link up post?
JulieWunder says
Sorry for the delay in answering your question! No image... just had a link back to my site about the linkup. 🙂 Hope to see you next Tuesday.
Sarah says
Your garden looks beautiful! And Rhett is quite the model 😉
JulieWunder says
Isn't he? Such a ham!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
I really want to grow tomatoes in the pots as well. Do you have a problem keeping squirrels out of them? We have lots in our backyard.
JulieWunder says
The squirrels don't seem to bother them and we have alot too. I have had trouble with fungus, so I keep them separate from the rest of my garden. I also only grow the smaller tomatoes now-- they are much easier than the big ones. I'm growing two varieties of red cherry types, small purple and yellow pear.
JulieWunder says
I also found this organic spray good for the fungus. If you do it send me a note and I'll find the bottle/name for you.
Sabina says
i love your chives for decoration, but allowing the chives to bloom will make them tough. I've considered planting them just to allow them to bloom !
JulieWunder says
Thanks for the tip!! They bloomed so quickly this year! I'll snip them back 🙂
lacey@fairytalesandfitness says
The flowers are beautiful. Jealous of your huge garden. I live in a condo so I only have a few potted plants on my porch. So we will see if this work. First yr doing it. Awhile back our lab was getting older and we ended up getting a puppy and it really did bring the young life out in our older dog. I say go for it!
JulieWunder says
Thank you Lacey! I started out with pots on a tiny deck too :-)) Good to know about the dog!! I've been wondering what it would do to him... (he's currently snoring at my feet!!)
Blane Sherer says
Thanks for sharing those shots of your gardens.
I think that goes well with your blog, you know,
live it and share it don't just preach it.
Hope all goes well when you decide to get
a new dog/puppy. I bet there will be pictures
soon ( smile ).
JulieWunder says
Thank you Blane! I try to live that way!
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition says
Rhett is gorgeous! It's so nice you have taken such good care of him that he's still with you after all these years. Good luck with the puppy hunt too. I can't wait to see who you pick. 🙂
I fully agree with loving running at the moment. I'm so much slower than I have been in the past but I feel that I'm enjoying my runs more this way (at least for now).
JulieWunder says
Thank you!! Rhett loves the praise :-)) I'm anxious to see what we pick too :-)))
Farrah says
Your garden is so pretty! :D! I really hope I'll have one someday too (maybe 3 years from now!?) I want herbs/fruits/veggies! 😀
I'm super jealous that you get to live out there, hahaha. It's so darn gorgeous everywhere! :]
So glad I got to meet you last week! Thanks for coming out to lunch! 😀
JulieWunder says
It is soooo pretty! I feel blessed to live here. So nice to meet you too.
Diane says
Your gardens are beautiful ! Can't wait to see them as summer comes Rhett is a sweetie he does still look like a puppy I'm waiting anxiously to see what new puppy you get !
JulieWunder says
Thank you! You'd love them! I'm anxious too :-))))
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I wish I could say that I love all the flowers in our garden. We went away for 3 weeks and we came home and everything had died 🙁
JulieWunder says
Oh noooo!!! That stinks!
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
It is so hard when we realize that our pups are getting old. My dog Champ was a puppy (in spirit) until he was about 11, and then suddenly he was a mature dog. And no lie, I seriously brag about YOUR garden to other people. I'm like, " My friend Julie has the most incredible garden! And I can't keep a cactus alive." We just got a basil plant. Fingers crossed for it's prosperity.
JulieWunder says
AWWWWWW!!! Thank youuuuuu!!! That makes me so happy. I love doing it.