Summer, here we come!

With only six days left until the school year is over and Michigan vacation plans in place, summer is just around the bend.  We will be Glen Arbor bound in exactly one month from today!  Yes, we are keeping the Farrell Family tradition of trekking up the M22 with twizzlers in hand! Although we will miss the Farrell clan by a few short days, we will be introducing my mom the the beautiful beaches and Cherry Republic.  We can't wait!!!!!

This weekend is Lydia and Alan's wedding, so we will be heading up to Maumee on Thursday to celebrate with them.  We have been looking ahead to their wedding for so long that it is crazy to think that in four short days they will be Mr. and Mrs. Ohman!  We are excited to have them in Columbus!!!

Summer Hobby: Extreme Container Gardeining

Well the weather is getting warmer and the plants are growing strong!  This summer I am keeping the tradition of filling my tiny balconies with as many yummy fruits and vegetables as humanly possible.  This year is crazy...

                                 For now, our garden includes...

                 lettuce (Romaine, G. L. Head, & Buttercrunch)                                    Spinach 

potatoes (our successful experiment)

                                                    eggplant

                 tomatoes (Cherry Red, Super Fantastic, and Early Girl)

 broccoli

                       green bell peppers

                          onions (Yellow Sweet Spanish)
                             green beans
         strawberries
                                   lemon thyme

                                      rosemary        

chives                                         tarragon

                                          cilantro

                                                  lavender
and an exorbitant amount of basil

!

we also have Russian Mammoth Sunflowers and a very large and healthy (and pointy) raspberry bush.  However, we are cheaters... those are not out front... they won't fit.  :)

I have already made a salad using the lettuce and it is SO GOOD! I can't wait for tomatoes!

... and, yes, my landlord thinks I am insane.

Art Affairs

The COAEA Annual K-8 Student Exhibition Reception took place on May 7th to honor some very talented students in the Central Ohio area, including six students from Smith Elementary!

Then, on May 13th, Smith Elementary hosted the Annual Art Show and Benefit Auction.  The school was FILLED with amazing student artwork and the gym was packed with auction items donated by Smith families, students, and staff.  Even though it was Friday the 13th, the night went off without a hitch.  All of the staff and parent volunteers worked together to make the night a huge success!

The very next day (Saturday) was the first day of the Annual Arts Festival in Downtown Delaware.  Sandusky St. and Winter St. were packed with photography, paintings, drawings, metalwork, glasswork, pottery, feltwork, woodwork, and SO much more!  It did rain off and on all weekend, but at least the tents didn't blow away this year!

It's a wonderful life!

Over the past 11 months, our lives have changed multiple times in multiple ways.  Last August we added a new member to our family...  Callie is our dog-child. 

 

She is always just a step behind us and seems to understand our conversations.  She has provided joy during difficult points and never stops making us laugh.  She keeps our lives in perspective and always finds a way to remind us to not sweat the small stuff.

Last December, I started teaching art at Delaware City Schools and I feel lucky to say that I love my job! The students never cease to amaze me and staff is amazing!  Drew started working for Powell's Main Street group last January.  He is looking forward to operating the incubator spaces which will hopefully be filled within the next few months.  He is still looking for teaching jobs and has an interview this Wednesday (YAY!) at the Charles School in Columbus.  Things are going very well for us right now.  Drew will be busy with Powell markets and festivals this summer and I will be busy with farmers markets in Delaware. 

Our apartment has been constantly evolving, and I am happy to say that it is finally feeling like a home (so is Drew... I have been driving him crazy with changes every other week).  Overall, we are very lucky people.  We have an amazing family, great jobs, a wonderful home, and we live in an incredible community!