Happy Anniversary Daniel!

Two years ago today, I officially became the luckiest woman in the world. April 22, 2006...Earth Day...our wedding day. 22 was always your favorite number, and now i can't help but feel the same way about the number that marked such a wonderful and memorable day. I could relive that day with you every day for the rest of my life, and at the same time, I couldn't possibly trade every wonderful day with you since to do so!

So, on this day, let's remember that sacred moment in the church when we both said "I do"...


Let's dance in celebration of how lucky we are, how wonderful our life together is...


And, finally, let's toast to our long and beautiful future together.


I'd go the whole wide world just to find you...

Sunburned Muffin Top

Doesn't my title sound like one of those chain mail names you end up with after taking the third letter of your last name and the last number of your birthday, etc, etc...Anywho...

We had a nice low key weekend. Saturday we participated in a garage sale that started at 6 am. since I had to get up at 4:30 am to get there and get set up, I didn't feel up to much else Saturday afternoon. Daniel did score this awesome t-shirt at the garage sale. I don't understand why Mark doesn't wear this shirt every day.



Sunday was a yard work day. We got our seeds started, veggie plants in the beds, roses fed, plants potted, and the chairs painted. No one gave me suggestions on chair colors, so I picked out a nice Caribbean blue. I can't remember the exact name...something like Ocean Tropic. Regardless, we really like the color! They belong at our beach house in Seaside, but until we win the lottery and buy said beach house, they will live in O-town with us (unless you want to buy them :)). What do you think of the color? I think the next chair will be a sunny yellow and I also want a hot pink table or ottoman.





All this talk of our yard productivity leads me back to the title of this post. I'm not certain why i ever walk out of the house without sunscreen on. I actually did apply sunscreen yesterday, I just didn't do it until we had already been outside an hour or so. And I didn't think to put sunscreen in locations that under normal, standing conditions, are under my shirt...my muffin top. If there is anyone out there who doesn't know what a muffin top is or hasn't experienced it for themselves, you and I can no longer be friends. I did not realize that while bending over my flower beds with the sun to my back, that i was inadvertently exposing my back muffin top between my tankini top and my shorts. I hope to never make this mistake again...

Daniel really wanted to put eyes and a nose on my back to complete the smiley face. Maybe next time...WAIT! There won't be a next time! I'm going to start bathing in sunscreen before leaving the house from now on! Every time...or at least most of the time...or whenever I remember and feel like it. I'm doomed.

Now off on a random tangent. To keep Bailey occupied outside while we work in the yard, Daniel bought her this gigantic cow femur or some part of some animal. These things really gross me out, and to make it worse, this one actually smelled like baked ham. I don't believe I'll be able to smell baked ham in the same way ever again. Anyways, here's the big, nasty, bodypart.


Although these things give Bailey HORRENDOUS gas, she freakin' loves them as evidenced by her attempt to savor any crumb that may remain on her face.

I'm not even sure how Daniel captured this photo, but I love it. Maybe the cow femurs are turning her part cow...

Sun Goddess

I have dubbed Daniel's newest chair design the 'Sun Goddess/Moon Goddess'. I requested a chaise for laying out and boy did I get it! This chair works wonderfully for sun bathing or star gazing. Add a cushion to the back and it's great for just sitting as well. I'm falling down on my cushion sewing duties, but it is on my list o' to do. Can't wait to see what the next chair will be like!

Calling All River Rats!

Are you in need of a vacation? Do you feel over worked and under appreciated? Do you have an uncontrollable desire to smell like campfire and river water? Do you yearn to stare at this lovely view everyday?



Then join me on a girls trip to Nantahala this summer! Anna and I are planning a girls trip to visit our cousin Laura who works for NOC in the summers. We'll enjoy white water rafting (or other modes),jumping off rocks into freezing cold water, sliding down rocks into freezing cold water, hiking, touring cool spots in the smokies, camping, eating, drinking, and lots of girl talk! We are looking at a weekend towards the end of June, but are flexible. Let me know if you are interested!

*Almost forgot. There is also a Dakini Teenie Bikini weekend coming up in the very near future!

My husband the carpenter

Daniel decided to start a new project this weekend...making an Adirondack chair. Why buy outdoor furniture when you can make it? :) Below is the progression.









Notice Bailey in the background helping 'clean up' the wood scraps. She definitely got her fill of fiber this weekend.




The finished product!


Daniel has said he learned alot on this chair, and will be making some adjustments for the next one. Now we have to decide on a fun stain or paint color for this one! I'm open to suggestions. We have lots of ideas for different shapes and designs, so stay tuned for the next model! I'm thinking by Double Decker next year we should have enough perfected to have a booth! What do you think?

quick update from crackberry

This is my first time to try and blog from Daniel's crackberry, so this will be quick. On the blog agenda for tomorrow morning...my husband the carpenter. This weekend's project turned out way better than I expected. Could this be the beginning of a future livlihood for the martins? Stay tuned.

Make this tonight!

I made Soba Noodle Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette from the Cooking Light website last night for dinner. It was DELICIOUS and so quick and easy. Below are some pics to make you drool.

While you boil your soba noodles and edamame, you just chop a little cilantro, green onions, and one serrano chile.


Salt and Pepper a pound of shrimp and cook in a skillet with a little PAM.


Mix your chopped veggies from above and match stick carrots with your cooked and drained soba noodles and edamame.


Add your cooked shrimp and the citrus vinaigrette (lime juice, orange juice, sesame oil, low-sodium soy, and olive oil) and toss it all together!


Then enjoy! Daniel and I kept going back for more it was so good, so you might want to invite some friends over so you don't eat the whole pot yourself! Also, we kept the seeds in our serrano chile which gave it lots of heat...if you are a wuss when it comes to heat, you might want to remove the seeds.



I will be making this OFTEN! So quick and good! I bought a bulk bag of frozen shrimp on sale, so I can pull out just what I need for this recipe. YUMM-O

Snow Pics!

Bailey enjoyed playing outside while it was snowing. She loves to eat ice cubes, so she particularly enjoyed biting snow flakes out of the air.


Bailey also enjoys getting her picture taken, but decided it was time for a close up.


I jumped the gun a little and tried to make a snow angel before there was much accumulation. I can understand Bailey's confusion considering I don't usually lay down in the grass outside at night and flail around. This statement is not up for debate!


These are pics from about 6:15 am Saturday morning. Please ignore all the clover (read: weeds) that were too tall to be covered by the snow.






Only in MS would you have snow on the ground one day and then be outside working in the yard in 60 degree weather the next. Daniel and I did get to take care of several housekeeping items that have been on our list for a while. We also discovered a great location for a secret garden/firepit/hammock down the hill in our backyard. It's pretty neat! I also ordered my new roses and I can't wait to see how they look! It's getting warmer, so get ready for considerably more garden posts.

Dakini pics

We did lots of fun things at the cabin this past weekend. We....

did a little light reading,

took a hike,

looked gorgeous even while 'roughing it',

did some log balance beam walking,

did some stump standing,

and just generally had a lovely time. Go Girl Power!


We followed up our hike in the woods with some light boating around the lake.


Madeline particularly enjoyed getting to steer the boat with uncle daniel.


We followed up a full day of outdoor activities with a wonderful cookout with the entire family (ie about 25 people). Here are Gigi and Daddy Tim with Sherri and their youngest great granddaughter, Avery.


Lots of fabulous food and margaritas always leads to lots of silliness.


Wild elephants are known to make appearances during such occasions.


And, finally, what weekend would be complete without a silly face photo montage?






I sure do love my family! Let's do it again real soon!

Got a little Captain in ya?

You know you've got great friends when they not only write on your face, but they let people line up to take pictures with you as you are passed out in a bar. We gotta kick out of it anyways! Gotta little capt'n in ya?