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.

Making new Meals

It has been very easy with all the moving and kitchen renovation to get into the habit of making quick and easy meals.  We frequently find ourselves falling back on meals that don't have to be thought about much and that we're practiced in making, but at least I haven't used a packet of ramen for any recipe in years.

Now that things are (mostly) settled and the kitchen is (mostly) done we're attempting to branch out.  In the last few weeks we've been making the effort to try making new, albeit relatively easy, meals that build off what we already have and what we already know. We've already tried Slow Cooker Orange Chicken and Mongolian Beef, and both of those dishes were big hits.

Today I'm making Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Chicken and attempting to use the Kitchen Aid tip for shredding the chicken.  And later this week we're trying Slow Cooker Sweet & Spicy Pot Roast from Mel's Kitchen Cafe using some of Richard's venison roasts.

Now if I'd just convince myself to invest in a food processor my olive tapenade would come out looking as delicious as it tastes, but one step at a time I suppose.

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.

Vitacost.com Free $10 coupon from referral

I've gotta admit I really love freebies.  I was perusing some of my favorite freebie blogs this morning while I'm in bed sick and there's not much else to do, and I managed to come across a real gem.

I'm trying out Vitacost.com which offers lots of health care items at discounted prices (including my favorites from Burt's Bees) with standard shipping starting at $4.99.  If you spend more than $49 the shipping is free.

Right now (though April 6th) if you sign up through my referral link not only do you get a free $10 coupon to use on the site, but I get one too.  So take a look, and see if its something you would use and if it is please consider signing up through my link.

Butterfly Wings

This week has been a little sparse on eventful things, rather the time has been filled with going to work and working at home and walking through the neighborhood with Wicket.

Miss H did refuse to remove the butterfly wings all day on Wednesday, and I had to wait until she was down for her nap before I got them off.  It was actually quite adorable.

I do get to spend the afternoon with my Mom tomorrow, and on Saturday I'll judge my first Forensics meet while Richard spends time with his friends and Wicket has a play-date with Buddy, one of her many partners in crime.  Besides all these plans we hope to make a run to the hardware store this weekend for some supplies and get started on the basement, and I'm hoping to unpack just a couple more boxes.  I'm not sure if I say it enough, but as much work as this house is I really love making it into our home.

2012 Week Five Goals

Reading: A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin. Page 400.

House: Finish organizing the office and designate a space to set up the light box.  

Creative: more stamp projects!

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.

Thrift Shops and Birthdays

It's been a busy week that started with a trip up to Port Washington to visit Beth in her new apartment, explore her new neighborhood, and hit up some thrift shops.  Downtown Port is quite adorable, and I'm sure Beth is going to love how walkable the area is because I know we both miss that aspect of Oshkosh.  We stumbled into a new little vintage shop called Mobocracy which had some great clothes and custom jewelry.

We did make it to the Saint Vinny's thrift store, but I only found one thing I couldn't live with - a floral enamel pot I plan to use for removing used postage stamps from old envelopes.

Then yesterday was H's birthday and we made and decorated some cupcakes.

The inspiration came from these frog cupcakes from a Disney Princess cupcake book and I think the girls made some adorable frogs.

But Miss H had some other ideas.

Today Tia is coming over for lunch and I'm planning a solo jaunt for some errands tomorrow and hopefully I'll have enough time to swing by another thrift store, what can I say - I'm a little predictable. 

2012 Week Four Goals

Reading: Begin A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin. Try for page 200 by weeks' end.

House: Well, it's not technically the house - but clean out the car and give the inside a good vacuum.  

Creative: Stamp project.

Imminent Snow

My plans with Beth for tomorrow have been delayed because of imminent snow.  Isn't that always the case with winter in Wisconsin?  I'm still hoping to get out for a couple hours in the morning to run a couple of quick errands before returning to the fort to bunk down for some projects and house work, and probably end the night with a stay-in movie night with Richard.

I managed to swing by my parents' house after work today to pick up just a few things of mine, including a new-to-me George Forman grill that I'm looking forward to testing out (some new recipes perhaps?), but I decided to forgo picking up the framed artwork because carrying large pieces of glass over icy driveways did not entice me at all.

Truthfully I will not mind the snow all that much this weekend.  I've already rescheduled my day with Beth and we don't have any plans that involve going very far, so it's a good enough time to stay inside and work on projects and the house.

Thrift store hopping and hoping

Well, it's a new year and now that the rush of all the holidays is over I've been settling into our home routine.  But to be honest it feels like it's missing a bit of something.

And I'm fairly certain the missing factor is thrift shopping, estate sale browsing and yard sale hopping.  With all the gearing up for the holiday and gift shopping I had to forgo the occasional thrift store stop, and the thrill of the hunt just wasn't there.  Seeing as it is winter in Wisconsin there certainly won't be yard sales any time soon and while I've already made plans for this year's 100-mile-yard-sale that's still months away.

In the meantime I'll go out this Friday with Beth to some stores a few towns over and hope to have good luck...and a good lunch!

2012 Week Three Goals

Reading: A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin. No, really, just finish the book.

House: Pick up the things from my old room at my parents' house.  Hang up my print of Circe Invidiosa by John William Waterhouse.

Creative: It may not seem creative, but I really want to sort through at least one of my small boxes of found odds and ends, perhaps something with inspire me but mostly I'm hoping to rediscover some old treasures and rid myself of some old junk.