Smelling the flowers

Life has been super busy at our house lately.  If we're not running in one direction, we're running in five.

After I picked up my brother-in-law Chris from the airport I was meant to drop him off and head back out to run errands... but I decided to push the errands to tomorrow and just stay home for the day.

Wicket and I spent some time in the back garden, soaking in the sunshine and enjoying the scent of lilacs and watching the peonies bloom.

Now I'm unpacking a few boxes, deciding once and for all what things stay (and putting them in their rightful places!) and what goes in the yard sale pile for June 8.  It's certainly a process, but I know I'll be happy when the stack of boxes in the office diminishes and I can get some decorating done.

Spring Break 2012

 

We did have a really wonderful trip.  Wicket met her cousin Diego, and we're pretty sure she didn't even tease him about his lack of hair.  We visited everyone's favorite restaurants to enjoy good food and conversation, went on a walk through the Arboretum, and even hit up a few Goodwill Thrifts.  It's a little sad to know that Bob and Tim will be leaving Kentucky soon, but we hope they like their new home in New England and can't wait to schedule a time to visit them out there. Wicket did fairly well on her first long car trip, but she had to check up on us from the back seat every so often just to be sure Richard was doing a good job of driving.

And so we've returned from our little jaunt down to Lexington to visit Uncle Bob and Uncle Tim and have a relaxing beginning to our spring break but now that we're back we're diving straight into work.  Today while I was taking my charges on walks through their new neighborhood park and playing a game of Monopoly Richard tackled the task of demolishing more of the basement in what should soon be a store room.

After dinner we were able to spend a couple hours around the fire pit in the yard to burn the wood scraps that resulted from said basement demolition, but we have plenty to last us through a summer of bon fires.  While we enjoyed chatting around the fire I was able to knock down more of the still unidentified shrub that stands in the way of my vegetable garden and cut it into burnable/compostable pieces.  There's still a lot of work yet to do in the yard before the garden goes in and hopefully the weather complies over the next couple days.

Dreary Spring Days and Garden Plans

Today was a dreary and rainy sort of spring day, so despite not having to work or run errands I didn't get out in the yard as I had planned.  I did make a dent in the chaos that we call the office and the usual household chores, but I can't wait to get back into that yard and get working on the garden.

Tomorrow I judge my last Forensics tournament of the 2012 season and I'm sorry to see the season end so soon.  But I do look forward to knowing that (for the most part) my Saturdays will be mine again.

Richard has put a seed tray to start seedlings in his window at school where they will receive lots of sun to get them ready for the vegetable garden and the front flower beds.  The photo is from last week and while I haven't seen any more progress Richard promises that a few of them already need transplanting.  I'll start some of the herbs soon and send them over for the same care.

While we were in the yard yesterday Wicket discovered that sticks are for both fetching and chewing.  She proceeded to bring that exact stick into the breezeway each time we returned from playing fetch in the yard, and that's where is resides even now.  There is no doubt she has claimed that stick as her own.

Speaking of spring, one of the perks of Richard's teaching job is looking forward to spring break.  We're taking just a few days to visit family out-of-state before returning for what is sure to be more yard work, basement work, and just work in general.  It'll be Wicket's first real road trip as the furthest she's been before was to Madison and Oshkosh.  She's a trouper though, and we can't wait to see her meet Diego, her canine cousin of the Mexican hairless variety.  Does anyone else look forward to spring break as much as we do?  Or is that a feeling reserved for students and those that teach?  Either way, I hope everyone's gearing up for what looks to be a beautiful spring.

Snow Day

The snow really piled up last night, so Wicket and I ventured into the yard for some snow adventures.

There was some searching for bunnies...

and some bouncing around...

and then there was this.  Whatever this is.

Puppy Love and Basement Updates

The last couple weeks have been rather hectic.  While my parents were out of town we took care of their dog Daisy, and the first couple days of her and Wicket adjusting to one another's company were a bit tense, but they're better friends now.

With the extra puppy around time has been tight, and schedule has been packed, but we've been working on the basement. Richard removed a lot of the tiles from the floor and then removed the glue from that strip so that he and his dad could frame the new wall on Saturday while I was away judging a Forensics tournament.  Photo is pre wall building.

Sometimes it feels a bit congested trying to schedule home improvement projects with the regular every day chores of the household.  But there's always that sense of accomplishment when a big project is finally done, and this basement is one really big project.  Thankfully we've broken it down into four smaller "chunks" so we can finish one before moving onto the next, plus we've had lots of puppy love to see us through.

This week and more...

Well I didn't make it to any more thrift stores this week but for good reason, and after all there's always next week.  Yesterday I dropped by my parents' house before running my errands and ended up taking my Mom with me which made all the errands that much more enjoyable.

When we were done our friend Marilyn swung by since she was in the neighborhood and we had a nice visit before I had to run home to let Wicket out and spend a couple hours with Richard before he headed back to work to chaperone the middle school dance.  When Richard left for work I scooped up Wicket and the two of us spent the evening with my parents and their dog Daisy.  It was a lovely end to a busy week.

I'm only halfway to my page goal in my book this week, but I have to work this evening so I'm hoping to read a bit after I get the girls to bed.  And I certainly made good use of my new stamp pot for my project this week, and I can't wait to do more.

Sunday, Lazy Sunday

It's been a lazy Sunday in our house, visiting with friends Beth and Ben and making plans for the next week.

Even though the past week was busy I did manage to get to all of this week's projects but one - reading.  But right after I finish writing I plan to go curl up with Wicket and settle into my book.

On Wednesday a strange triangular package arrived at our house and Richard had me open it after I got home from work.  Inside was a "late Christmas present," a large Mucha poster of "Moon" which I cannot wait to build a frame for and put up in the Office.  We've already hung up two new pieces in the living room which is really helping to make the house look more like our own.

Thursday marked our first real snow of 2012, and Wicket enjoyed herself immensely running around the back yard and trying to catch the falling flakes.  Since we were stuck inside all day I busied myself making some olive tapenade and organizing the kitchen, but that evening Richard and I went to my first ever professional basketball game to see the Bucks play Detroit and had a wonderful time.

Tomorrow Richard has a day off of school for MLK day and we don't exactly have plans but I'm sure we'll do plenty of house projects.

Happy, Happy Christmas

I'm sure we're not the only ones who feel like we could settle in for a long winter's nap after the excitement of yesterday's Christmas festivities.

We had an amazing time with family, and even Wicket spent all day playing with her "canine cousins" Daisy and Muffin.  Needless to say - all three of us are completely wiped out.

Today I was able to spend time with my sister who is home from college for break and I'm looking forward to seeing her again on Wednesday before she heads out again.  Otherwise we anticipate fully utilizing Richard's time off from school to work on house projects and get started on the basement, so wish us luck.  The pantry project has begun, and I certainly hope that by this time tomorrow I'll be safely stowing our food away and off the kitchen counter.

And Winter Break Begins!

Today was the last day of school before winter break which means there's one prominent feeling in the air around our house: relief.

Aside from some last minute shopping we plan to get done tomorrow morning we're looking forward to some lovely downtime.  Our breezy tomorrow will also consist of some dog sitting for a friend, and we can't wait for Buddy to come over - he and Wicket always have a grand time playing together.  And when tomorrow is said and done we're just looking forward to spending the holidays with our friends and families and giving numerous house tours to out of town visitors.

There really aren't any photos to share from the past weekend as we spent most of the time doing little projects around the house like hanging shelves and organizing kitchen cabinets.  We did get started on the kitchen pantry, but it still has a few steps before our food can reside there.  All in all this home feels more and more like our home with every passing day.

After some much needed rest today I'm now feeling a bit on the restless side so I'm listening to some holiday music and tackling some paperwork and general tidying up at my desk until its time for bed... which isn't as far off as I think it is.

Getting ready for Christmas

Buying our first real Christmas tree!

All lit up and ready for presents.

Post-decorating snuggles.

Adventures in Applesauce

Yesterday we cracked into the very last jar of applesauce from last year, so it's a good thing Richard used the last of our bushel of apples to can eight more jars last weekend.

 Wicket was very interested in getting some of those apple scraps.

The finished jars, all ready to store in the pantry... as soon as we put shelves in the pantry.

Weekend scores

We wandered out yesterday afternoon in between the Packers and Brewers games to run some errands and see if we couldn't find some fun Halloween decorations for our new house.  While we struck out on the Halloween decoration front except for some cute jack-o-lantern dish towels we managed to have great luck in other endeavors.

We found one of the pet gates that has a door in it on a clearance end cap at Target.  It's original price tag was $50 but was marked As-Is for just $3.  So we took that $3 gamble, and boy did it sure pay off!  Turns out the only thing that was damaged was the box, so now the stairs to the basement are secure and we don't have to worry about Wicket wandering down and getting into trouble.

We also found a much needed rug for the office on sale.  Now all we need for the office is a second chair for Richard's desk, since his last one went kaput prior to the move.

By the looks of it every photo I take around the house now has to include Wicket whether I like it or not.  Thankfully, I'm more than happy about it!

Lazy Sunday

It's sure has been a busy, busy week and I'm glad it's Sunday.  We're taking a while to relax (and for Richard to watch football) before we head out to get some new decorations to get in the spirit for Halloween.

Last night we hosted the first party in our new house.  We invited Richard's colleagues from school and had a grand ol' time.  Lots of food, drink, and good conversation.  Bechu came over early to help make the food, of which we made too much, but at least I don't have to worry about making dinner for the next week.

At the end of the night we were exhausted... but no one quite as much as Wicket who spent most of the evening playing with Figment and Buddy, the four-legged party goers.  She didn't even wait for us to take her leash off after we came in from the fire in the back yard - just curled right up ready for a nap.  So with that I'll return to our lazy Sunday and put off future party planning for another day.

Rivers + Wicket

My sister Rivers is coming into town this weekend for a brief break from college, and we're planning to have a movie and sleepover night.  Richard is being banished to a friend's house so it's just us girls.  I guess the only thing left to do is pick out a movie and remember to buy some popcorn.

Here's Rivers the last time she was here helping Wicket try on Daisy's old winter coat.  The coat was a bit big, so we may have to find a new one just for Wicket.

summer wind down

Milwaukee students may have summer for just a couple more days before they go back to school this Thursday, but Richard is already back in his classroom today.  We spent yesterday rearranging his room and getting things together, and he'll spend the next couple of days at meetings and finishing up his plans for the year.

While we were at school yesterday Miss Wicket had her very first haircut.  She's not nearly as shaggy now, and she looks much more like a miniature schnauzer.

It's hard to believe that summer is over already, but while summer has been winding down work at the house has been ramping up.  So much was done in the kitchen over the weekend, we even have a brand new floor already!  Just a few more touches before the last of the cabinets go in and then it will be a bit longer before the final countertop goes in, but a plywood counter will be better than what we're working on now... which is nothing.  We've got all the normal kitchen appliances, minus the fridge, taking up residence in the corner of the living room and it is strange to say the least.

Meet Wicket

Richard and I have added a new member to our family, and she's quite furry.

Her name is Wicket (yes, just like the Ewok) and she was a miraculous find - a humane society puppy that I'm not allergic to.  The Wisconsin Humane Society even listed her estimated birthday as May 10, 2011 - my birthday - so we're sure to remember it and I rather look forward to sharing the day with our furry little girl.

We adopted her about two weeks ago, on Thursday July 21, and she's fitting in quite nicely around here and is taking well to potty training. Amongst all the projects we've been working hard on, she is certainly the most entertaining and my favorite.