gardens, links and a rant.

i spent friday evening enjoying this (any many other) great views. this is my friend raechel's garden, and she has about a million different plants hanging out on the hill and driveway next to her house. she was kind enough to snip a few cuttings for me so i could grow some of my favorites at home. i can only hope to have gardening skills equal to hers one day...

since i didn't post any links on friday, i thought i would put a few up today.

i love this idea to etch your last name into a pyrex dish (for when you take it to parties and pot-lucks) from makeitandloveit.

dottie angel posted a tutorial for an 'ordinarily extraordinary' blanket. i would love to make a larger version to use as a bedspread during the summer.

this grill bread looks tasty! we haven't even used our grill yet this summer... but hopefully we will soon! from sfgirlbybay.

chezlarsson is sharing his concrete diy challenges on his blog. this is probably one of my favorites. an initial bookend... why are these heavy, decorative objects so expensive when you buy them? not sure. but i'd really love to make this and several of his other concrete projects...

really loving both of these before and afters at designsponge. love the stripes...

this blueberry shortcake recipe has my attention. filing it away for a sunday brunch someday. from savorysweetlife.

i also love this tip from savorysweetlife (again!) about shaping uniform hamburger patties...

i've had a lot on my mind these last few weeks. our budget. our future. trying to save money for these things we think will make us happy... like a bigger house. i won't argue with the fact that there are a few things about our house that just aren't working for us. but it's not all related to space. so, do we need a 3,000 square foot house right now? or even in the next few years? (not that we'd buy one that big, but we're sitting at 1450 right now) i feel like maybe we should rethink this a little. move/get rid of some furniture we don't need... make a few updates that would make us a little happier... because right now we need to spend some money elsewhere, and that will take cash of our 'dream home' fund.

we're trying to decide who should get a new car. we have one car that's air conditioner gives out in an hour or less of driving time and another car (mine) that is having coolant issues that we can't seem to get resolved. i want a small crossover suv - d wants a pickup. we really just need something we can drive for more than a few hours without passing out from the heat and that won't leave us stranded on the highway... but who gets the new car?

sorry for the rant... i just can't see a clear-cut 'right' to this situation and it's driving me crazy. usually something will tell me what the best decision is...