Dana Burland

I’m out in the cold drizzle, cleaning out this year’s garden. Boy was it full of life. Wild, twisting, unpredictable, ugly at times and thriving unimaginably in storms and under the pressure of heat and near tornado like weather. It had so much more potential, too. But the circumstances are different now. It’s time for the garden to die. It doesn’t want to. The parsley is as green and full as it’s ever been. The rosemary is sturdy and tall. Even the old basil has more to give. I pick the last bucket of bright red cherry tomatoes. How have these survived the last week? It’s been cold. There are hundreds more green and yellow tomatoes hiding on spindly arms, ready to keep going if they’re left to it. My tomato cages didn’t hold this year and the cherry tomato plant ran wild and free, through the garden fence, over the heirloom tomato plant, it neighbored the basil. Don’t be gagged, I thought. Grow where you grow. All of you can grow together. I yank at the cherry tomato plant ba...

Join me in welcoming to the family Not Yet Named Black Ford SUV #2! After 9 years with my trusty Nissan Altima , it was time for something new. Something without all the miles, something a little newer, something a smidge bigger. Thanks to man who went by "Goose" at my local Ford used car dealership, I'm in this beauty now: A sporty little Ford Escape! With roof rails so I don't have to look so silly pillow mounting two kayaks on top of a sedan. Man, did we make a lot of drives to the river always under 35mph and with a lot of prayer. First--a moment of silence and recognition for the Nissan Altima. What is it about saying goodbye to a car that is like popping a big bottle of emotions? We got the Altima the fall before we got married. I remember my Dad asking why I was getting such a big sedan, and me knowing that it was because this would be the car I'd drive future kids around in. And drive them around I did. Two of them! For 6 years! That car saw a whole lot of...

We are in a state of absolute Little Boy PowerTM over here. These two wild and crazy, silly and spunky, lovable guys are a blast. Normally I’m just trying to keep up, but on a few occasions I’ve really jetted ahead in cool points. In particular, these items are A+++ around our house. They’re either mega-hits with the boys, or mega-hits with me helping keep some sort of guardrails of sanity up. Pedal Go Kart At least 7 families have purchased this same go kart after seeing ours. It is, hands down, the best driveway riding toy out there. Stable enough for a 3 year old, (seat) adjustable enough for a short 36-year-old (not comfortably…). Sports/garage organizer I’ve owned this for 2 days. It’s an immediate yes, yes, yes. We just gained enough garage space for 7 more Go Karts with this organizer in our garage. Honorable mention in the garage organization category–these wall bike hooks . They’re really sturdy and I love that they can hold a bike of any size. A bedroom accent light–...