tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50144054290812030322012-01-24T19:11:26.882-05:00My Cat Only Loves Methough kitty is no longer with us, we are still having lots of adventures...Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.comBlogger9181100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-68006462280136837962012-01-24T19:11:00.001-05:002012-01-24T19:11:26.898-05:00Muddy Dog 1, Kitchen Floor, 0
Soooooooo, the floors don't do so well in hiding muddy paw prints....... Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-72945829745299510922012-01-22T20:04:00.000-05:002012-01-22T20:04:11.888-05:00The BIG Reveal
The Kitchen is DONE. And we have moved back in. We can't find where we have put things, but that doesn't matter. We have a stove! water! and no more construction dust (on the first floor, don't ask us about the second floor...)
The new entry way into the kitchen/loo/dining room with a proper coat closet
Left side of the kitchen
Right side of the kitchen
looking back to the Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-32025820224543522562012-01-06T18:41:00.001-05:002012-01-07T00:11:22.071-05:00Standard White, Italian Marble, and Tobacco
oh, someone is in the loo!
Tile work is done
The tile work is now complete. All the grouting was done yesterday and has dried now. We chose a "standard white" grout and it is a creamy color that matches the cabinetry. We were both surprised at the difference it made in terms of making the glass tiles pop. (Hehe, Will hates it when I say that.) At first we were hesitant to put the tilesMiriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-70315374697741744782012-01-05T23:44:00.001-05:002012-01-06T23:57:30.525-05:00Further Kitchen Developments
What, did you think that the kitchen was going to be done by the end 2011? Ha. We are looking at another month. You know what that means?: another month of construction photos on on the blog! I knew you would be thrilled when I told you that.
So. we have now: door/drawer handles in place. Trim everywhere. Walls resanded and ready for primer + paint. Door knobs installed on closet Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-63133981003046761052011-12-25T10:02:00.001-05:002011-12-25T10:02:15.903-05:00Merry Christmas!!
Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas,
and Happy New Year!!
from Miriam, William, and StirlingMiriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-21278227634092301612011-12-23T23:12:00.002-05:002011-12-23T23:12:57.082-05:00
It's beginning to look a lot like a kitchen, everywhere you stand....
I could go on, changing the lyrics, but Andy Williams might not be too happy with me.
Anywoo, the crew has cleaned up and cleared out for the week of the holidays, leaving us with a taste of what the space will be. The counter tops were installed this afternoon, and now, you can really see what the lay out is and how the Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-71324550778323179362011-12-20T16:04:00.000-05:002011-12-20T16:04:00.470-05:00
around the entry to the dining room
We now have trim work done around the new foyer area and it is looking really nice. The crew has reused as much of the old trim that was available, which wasn't much. They had to create several new header pieces that match with the rest of the door headers in the rest of the house. They have done a great job.
Nail holes aren't filled and of courseMiriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-61466432896544397442011-12-19T15:55:00.002-05:002011-12-19T16:18:35.041-05:00A Christmas Miracle!At 12:06 pm today, a Christmas Miracle happened.
We got our cabinet door and drawer fronts and two cabinets back. And they are perfect. The driver left Tulsa, OK yesterday morning at 8 am, stopping 6 hours to sleep. The rest of the time he was driving like a bat outta hell to get the doors, etc here on time. We helped unload the material, and he was then off-- back to Tulsa by way of Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-82282420029305758342011-12-17T23:00:00.000-05:002011-12-19T15:24:18.230-05:00Milestone
As I picked Will up from the airport tonight, I hit exactly 100,000 miles in my car. Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-86120555711669563662011-12-14T19:04:00.002-05:002011-12-14T19:52:51.386-05:00Cabinets: Good News/Bad News
Our cabinets arrived last week and were loaded into the house, stuffed
into every available floor space we have left. They started to install
them, beginning with the cabinet outside of the bathroom, the upper
cabinet above the dishwasher, the sink & sink cabinet, and the trash
bin cabinets. Then came issue number 1.
It was discovered that if the matching upper cabinet to the right Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-31190239019970982532011-12-09T18:44:00.000-05:002011-12-14T18:44:50.686-05:00Happy Birthday Juliette!
HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY, JULIETTE!!!
We hope your chocolate party is a huge success!
Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-29880266023116350852011-12-06T19:28:00.001-05:002011-12-06T19:38:07.994-05:00Flooring Down!
The hardwood floors were installed today and they look great! It took the crew almost all day to put the planks in and we think that they did a really nice job. For the moment, the oak wood is its natural color-- the staining is one of the last things done in the whole remodel.
The best news is that there are no squeaks! We bounced up and down all over the floor and it is quiet, which Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-12004315579694882992011-12-05T19:22:00.000-05:002011-12-06T19:28:33.997-05:00Cabinets Delivered!
Cabinets, floor to ceiling!
Bright and early on Monday, the delivery truck rolled up the street with about 27 linear feet of our cabinetry. We aren't ready for them, but here they are.
We needed to find a place to put them. Since the garage and dining room are full of appliances and our make-shift kitchen, Steve (our project manager) was able to stuff a majority of them into Will's Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-16500571991205308032011-12-03T19:18:00.000-05:002011-12-06T19:22:25.408-05:00Mud and Sand
The drywall crew came back Friday and Saturday to mud the dry wall joints and to sand them. The way that they can so-perfectly apply the joint compound is frustrating for us home improvement novices. They are able to apply the stuff just so smoothly and lightly that it hardly needs sanding.
Oh, but sanding they did. If everything in our house wasn't covered in a fine layer of constructionMiriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-3263123279669786852011-12-01T23:03:00.001-05:002011-12-01T23:11:37.746-05:00My Wish Came True
Last year for my Christmas card, I drew the four of us (Will, Stirling, Jackie Kitty [RIP Baby Kitty], and me), in our Christmas PJs, dreaming of Christmas wishes. Will got his: England won back from Australia the Ashes Cricket Tournament on home turf. Stirling got her big pile of bones. Jackie got her big bowl of goldfish in the sky.
This week, finally, I got my wish: a professional. 6 Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-79195517607487462402011-11-30T23:36:00.001-05:002011-12-01T00:06:08.294-05:00We have Walls! WE HAVE WALLS!
When I left for work with morning, we had the open walls with insulation-- which, we were offered a job hanging insulation that is how good of a job we did-- and when I came back: all the dry wall was up. The guys dropped the sheets off this morning: 12 foot long boards of drywall. Two guys returned about 2 pm and hung the entire space's drywall, leaving about 6:30.
WillMiriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-30901650409372119872011-11-29T23:09:00.001-05:002011-11-30T23:35:48.724-05:00Inspections and Insulation
The beam is set in place and the support beams are removed! The kitchen space is opening up. We had the framing and the wiring inspections today and we passed. Now we can close up the walls and it will start looking less like a construction site and more room-like.
The steel beam set in place
Now the next step of insulating the newly framed wall we took on ourselves. Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-32699244202438401922011-11-29T07:30:00.000-05:002011-11-29T07:30:01.082-05:00Happy Birthday Andrew!
See, just a kid at heart!
Happy Birthday to the best brother-in-law! Numero Uno is right!
Hope your day is marvelous and all your birthday wishes come true!
XO, usMiriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-68740680657711011212011-11-28T22:56:00.001-05:002011-11-28T23:31:37.530-05:00Thanksgiving Weekend
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Biscuit
Will, Stirling, and I were invited down to the country for the holiday weekend by our lovely neighbors, the D's. Most of you are familiar with the D's dog: Biscuit, Stirling's best friend. We have decided that getting Stirling was the best decision ever. Because of her, we have met so many wonderful people, including wonderful people with a Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-60460997126004449012011-11-23T14:35:00.000-05:002011-11-27T14:51:42.672-05:00Beams and Bricks
The brick pillar has been removed and the beam has been successfully installed. The beam is compromised of two L-shape pieces of metal, installed separately and then welded together to the older beam.
The two halves are inserted into the wall (on the left of the photo), and then shored up the existing bricks with some additional cement. Over this long holiday weekend, they Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-32454782304389690532011-11-21T08:00:00.000-05:002011-11-21T08:00:17.161-05:00Hardwood Colors
Stirling can't make up her mind either
We have to pick a stain for the oak wood flooring that is going into the kitchen and bathroom. We were given these five choices and have eliminated two: Natural--too light-- and Provicial-- too similar to what we currently have.
We aren't going to be refinishing the entire downstairs at this time (my head would explode if I also had to pack up of the Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-81059513072482903452011-11-20T10:09:00.001-05:002011-11-20T10:16:35.428-05:00Masonary Crack
So, last Monday, the mason had an accident while cutting out the new opening for our window. We aren't responsible-- the construction company is and they do have all the proper insurance. But we have since discovered a major crack in the outer wall.
It runs from the bottom right hand corner of the new opening (if looking from the outside), splits a brick, and then runs zig-zag through Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-87218346166224312012011-11-19T09:42:00.000-05:002011-11-20T10:07:38.140-05:00Slowly, But Surely
We seem to making some progress. We have a full opening from the foyer into the new area outside of the closet/bathroom/basement entry. It feels so nice and spacious. It will be a lot better flow of traffic, especially since you won't have to walk past the basement door in a narrow passage to then turn around and open it. We aren't removing the door frame entirely, as we need some sort of Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-5538887803049969852011-11-17T12:06:00.001-05:002011-11-17T12:24:06.183-05:00Doorways, plumbing, and more
new ceiling framed in
More stuff is happening and I finally was able to take some photos. They have started to widen the entrance into the new area-- and they are also raising 4 inches it so it will match the opening into the living room. They widened the new doorway into the dining room (it will be wider still, by about 2 inches on either side) and have started to frame in the former Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-3450792070393566622011-11-14T10:42:00.000-05:002011-11-14T10:42:00.936-05:00Surprise in the Compost
We closed down the garden this weekend: ripping out the dead vines, pulling out the last of the carrots, and spread out some of the compost. As Will was spreading out the dirt for the upper garden, he spots a plant in the middle of the pile. He dug it out and lo and behold! An avocado seed has cracked open and started to grow a tree! We stuck into a pot and hopefully it will still Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-1530768382178307612011-11-13T10:00:00.000-05:002011-11-13T10:00:00.504-05:00Tile sample
Here is a sample of the glass tile for the one wall where the sink and stove will be (where the windows are) and a small sample of the Silestone countertops we have chosen.
The glass tile has clear, white, peridot, and smokey brown glass along side a stainless steel bar. We are running the tile vertically to add to the height of the kitchen. We haven't picked a grout color yet, but I am Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-52797206495090516932011-11-12T15:41:00.001-05:002011-11-12T15:58:10.450-05:00Pipes and Bricks
We had a busy week in terms of workers: plumbers, masons, carpenters, and designers were all here at one point or other. This is where we stand in the kitchen reno as of Friday afternoon.
We have a solid bathroom floor out of new plywood. The pipes for the toilet and the sink has been plumbed in. The windows have been boarded up.
In terms of the rest of the room, all the pipes that had to Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-59826006939045586782011-11-08T16:00:00.001-05:002011-11-08T16:00:22.226-05:00Basic Walls
Today's progress seems to be bigger than it really is, but we have the beginnings of the walls for the new bathroom and the coat closet. One can now see how the layout really will work and just how wide doorways and powder rooms are going to be.
In the case of the powder room, not very wide at all. It is the smallest that is allowed by code, basically about 3 feet wide.
Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-27260501657045181742011-11-07T17:10:00.001-05:002011-11-07T17:10:39.400-05:00Framing
After a quiet weekend, lumber was delivered today: studs, plywood, and lots of nails. Two guys worked to get two support walls up at the divide between the former eat-in area of the kitchen and Will's office. The beam that supports the 2nd floor above had, at some point, been cut. Tomorrow they will put in a new header to properly support the room and can remove the two support walls they Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-65136148445245862922011-11-03T17:28:00.002-04:002011-11-03T17:28:56.988-04:00Demolition, Part Two
dust barrier, sorta not working
The demolition continued today. The floors were ripped out and more walls were removed. And lots and lots of dust was created. The crew has put up a dust barrier to try to prevent it from moving around, but dust just gets everywhere.
So the big news is that the engineering firm came by and has a solution to the load baring wall where the old Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-14086056447784184752011-11-02T20:14:00.002-04:002011-11-02T20:14:54.720-04:00DemolitionThe demolition has begun! 7:32 am the first blow to the old cabinets was struck, alas, not by me but by the demo crew. They had about 6-8 people working to remove the walls today. (Tomorrow is the floor). It is pretty drastic the change in having no cabinets in a space-- it is so big!
We are also able to see how other remodels have gone. In one case there was a former door where our fridge Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-34145082357038026912011-11-01T20:01:00.000-04:002011-11-02T20:02:07.952-04:00Prep ModeNothing says welcome home like having to clean out your entire kitchen. Ahhhh, we are back from a two and half week vacation and have to empty out the kitchen, hall closet, powder room, and Will's office. WE GOT THE PERMITS FOR THE NEW BATHROOM AND KITCHEN!!
We spent most of the weekend cleaning up and moving out of the rooms as we got the schedule for the renovation and it is tight.
Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-83248495281867638702011-10-31T17:59:00.000-04:002011-11-02T17:59:28.230-04:00Odense, Denmark
town hall
The final destination for us in Denmark was the city of Odense, on the island of Funen. Funen is the second largest island in Denmark and Odense is famous for one thing apparently: Hans Christian Andersen was born here. He left at age 18 as soon as he could but there are statues to him and his fairy tales everywhere in the city and you can visit his childhood home and a Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-35658733898553138852011-10-30T17:28:00.000-04:002011-11-02T17:29:00.908-04:00Roskilde Church
On our way from Copenhagen to Odense, we hopped off the train at Roskilde to visit the Vikings Museum and to see the Roskilde Cathedral-- a UNESCO site since 1995, and you know how we feel about going to those! This cathedral is where almost all of the Danish Kings and Queens are buried-- 38 of them.
There have been at least two churches on the site of the present cathedral. Construction Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-62907648233297967962011-10-29T09:43:00.000-04:002011-11-02T16:03:31.492-04:00Day in Sweden
We went on a day-long bus trip up the coast of Denmark to Helsingør over to Helsingborg, Sweden by ferry. We then drove down to the city of Lund, where we had about 2 hours to walk around, eat lunch, and go touring. Thank goodness for the ham sandwiches we made from the breakfast buffet at the hotel! We had a nice picnic in Lund's Botanical Gardens. Then, back on the bus for a ride to Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-73872680801345423142011-10-28T20:52:00.000-04:002011-11-01T21:45:37.537-04:00Frederiksborg SlotFrederiksborg Slot was, hands down, our favorite place to see in Denmark. It is a castle that floats!
It is built on three islands and surrounded by a baroque garden and waterfall. It was originally built in the1560s by Frederik II and expanded by Christian IV between 1600-1620. The Danish monarchs used it for two centuries, though now it is the Museum of National History.
In 1859 Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-13731961606941854052011-10-27T20:46:00.000-04:002011-11-01T20:48:27.295-04:00Copenhagen Canal Tour
Copenhagen is full of canals, something I didn't realize at all. When you go there, and you should, you need to take a canal tour. It takes about an hour and there is a guide explaining what you are photographing, or, if you are Will and not like me, just looking at. We started off in the morning, one of the first tours actually. It was us and three other ladies. It started off quite chilly,Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-34650404518586718662011-10-26T10:12:00.000-04:002011-11-01T20:28:49.422-04:00Danish Museum HighlightsWe did lots of museums and castles while in Denmark, most just
outside of Copenhagen. We went up the coast of Denmark to Helsingør--
the city of Castle Kronborg, what we know it better as Hamlet's Castle.
Hamlet was not a real prince of Denmark, but Shakespeare would have
known about the castle because of it was famous for extracting money
from the ships passing by.
Castle Kronborg, with Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-48356748213202485172011-10-25T11:38:00.000-04:002011-11-01T20:25:56.105-04:00Rose Garden at Rosenberg
After the Rosenberg Slot, I had a picnic in the castle's gardens, Kongens Have. Christian IV had the garden laid out in way reminiscent of Versailles. My favorite stroll was in the rose garden. At the head is a statue of Queen Caroline Amalie. She married Christian VIII in 1814. He died and Frederic VI ascended the throne. When he died, she became Queen of Denmark in 1839.
The garden Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-41334088126842196812011-10-25T10:48:00.002-04:002011-10-25T10:48:51.174-04:00My New Niece!!
I have a new niece!!!
She was born October 24th at 5:06 pm.
6 lb. 11 oz. 18 1/2 inches
But, she still has no name!!!
So, we are calling her Applecookie. That is what my nephew Brando, who is 3, calls where my sister, Becca, lives: Albuquerque.
Applecookie: A perfect nickname for a perfect baby!!
Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-54942465355367972472011-10-22T16:27:00.004-04:002011-10-23T02:53:23.382-04:00Rosenberg Slot
One of the castles I visited is Rosenberg Slot, which King Christain IV built in 1606-34 as a summer residence. It is in the renaissance style--and under major restoration (most I have visited so far are having work done). The next three Danish monarchs livbed here until Frederik IV built Frederksberg Castle, which is amazing!! but I am saving that for another entry.
As early as 1838, this Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-90022326404659197002011-10-17T13:41:00.003-04:002011-10-17T13:41:59.765-04:00Christiansborg Castle
In 1167 Bishop Absalon, founder of Copenhagen, built his place here. In the years since, this became the castle for the royal family--built on top of Absalon's ruins. This is the third castle here. The one was torn down and the other burned. So, Christiansborg Castle was finished only in 1928. Nowadays it contains the Queen's reception rooms, the Danish Parliament, the Great Hall, and the Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-44629693250040107392011-10-17T13:21:00.000-04:002011-10-17T13:21:51.197-04:00Legos!!!
Denmark is home of Legos. We briefly contemplated going to the original Legoland in Billund, but it was going to be a haul and take too much time. Instead, we found this Lego Store along the Storget. The whole store is full of legos that I have never seen before: the White House, US spaceships, Tower Bridge, Cars and Toy Story stuff.
Copenhagen soldier made out of Legos
Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-20391750239001913802011-10-16T14:55:00.001-04:002011-10-16T14:55:26.775-04:00The Walk Continues
After making it to Radhusplads, we decided that since Spencer only had one day to be a tourist, he had better see the LIttle Mermaid. (The rest of the time, he will be in the convention center working). We went a different route than retracing our steps up the Storget and went along Norre Voldgade.
canal next to Christiansborg
We went into the H.C Orstedsparken, an quaint Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-18156528067495699402011-10-16T05:44:00.001-04:002011-10-16T05:44:49.822-04:00A Walk Around TownThe first day in Copenhagen, and Will and his co-worker, Spenser, were able to join! We took the metro into Kongens Nytorv and were greeted by the Magasin du Nord, a magnificent department store. It is located in a building that was once the Hotel du Nord, where the city's favorite son, Hans Christian Anderson, lived from 1838-47. He lived there as it was directly across the street from Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-88061239329834978642011-10-15T16:11:00.001-04:002011-10-15T16:11:36.928-04:00Arrival: CopenhagenWe made it to Copenahgen, Denmark! As we flew in from the west, Will and I were amazed to see that it was nearly flat! We hardly saw any hills or mountains at all. We did see numerous windmills-- more than Holland! We were also surprised to see how much of the signs were in English. And I am actually remembering my 9 years of German-- it is helpful in translating some of the menus. The weatherMiriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-40855259194811570212011-10-11T22:41:00.001-04:002011-10-11T22:41:37.645-04:00Last Garden Movie Night of the SeasonOver the weekend, we held the last movie night in our garden for the season. We normally aren't able to even show movies in October, but the weather this week has been marvelous. Edward and Sylvia were quite impressed with our set up: bed sheet, old broken ladders, bits of string.
We had "The Gold Rush" playing in the background as we roasted homemade pizzas on the grill, having our dear Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-8312864289858020422011-10-06T11:24:00.002-04:002011-10-06T11:25:34.949-04:00Project #2: Garden ChairWe have a matching table and chairs in rod iron in our garden, given to us by the neighbor who was, well, giving it away. One of the chairs seat bottom mesh was broken-- so your bottom could potentially fall through the chair seat bottom. Can't throw it, though.
Will and his dad had an idea of how to save the chair. See, we have another chair, a wooden Adirondack chair, that was tucked awayMiriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-65534976318956865572011-10-04T10:27:00.001-04:002011-10-04T10:27:17.321-04:00Chore ListWith the in-laws in town, we have a Chore List for them. Keeps everyone busy and happy!
Things on the chore list: recovering a sofa, re-purposing curtains, and making this seedling into a proper bonsai. Edward trimmed and straightened Will's golden rain tree seedling. He cut away side branches to make the central trunk thicker. He will top it so it fits within the pot. The general rule of Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-26530073762271474382011-10-01T10:45:00.000-04:002011-10-03T10:45:36.657-04:00The British (in-laws) Are Coming! The British (in-laws) Are Coming!
My in-laws arrive on Sunday, so Will and I are doing the last push to get the house cleaned and sparkling for them. We may have gone a bit overboard, polishing the hardwood floors, but what are you gonna do?
Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-75386246216029010682011-09-30T12:15:00.001-04:002011-09-30T12:15:15.365-04:00Happy Birhtday Lucas!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCAS!!!!
I hope you have a marvelous day and enjoy your puzzles!
Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-52307763083201837342011-09-29T09:18:00.001-04:002011-09-29T09:18:17.904-04:00Toe UpdateIt's been two weeks since I broke my toe. I went to the orthopedist today and things are healing really well!
A third x-ray showed that the bones shattered in the tip are knitting back together. The nail is looking more attached and less bloody. The bruising is finally dissipating.
The doctor also had me close my eyes and tell him if he was touching my toe or not. I was able to feel (or Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-18566268468442091402011-09-26T08:28:00.000-04:002011-09-27T00:29:16.696-04:00Happy Birthday, Dave!
Happy Birthday Dave!
I hope that you have a marvelous day!!
Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-14163725815466346492011-09-21T21:38:00.002-04:002011-09-21T22:09:15.979-04:00A Little Bit SadI have had numerous texts and emails today, asking if I am okay. Not because of my toe, but because my favorite band of all time decided (and rightfully so) to call it quits. And it makes me a little bit sad.
R.E.M. was a fantastic band and I had all their cassettes, CDs, special issue records, interviews, compilations, posters, magazine articles, etc.--Most displayed on my bedroom or collegeMiriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-12834626270431896552011-09-19T09:34:00.000-04:002011-09-19T09:34:43.565-04:00Compound Tuft Fracture
I have a compound tuft fracture. I was dusting in the tv room, where a 4 lb hand weight was being used to counter-balance our dvd player, which hangs a bit off the shelf. I dusted the dvd, picking up the weight. I put down the weight, and it rolled off the shelf, dropped 3 feet, and squashed my left, middle toe like a grape. I have never been in so much pain in my life. Will was home at theMiriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-6895604692282671232011-09-16T07:00:00.000-04:002011-09-16T07:00:11.553-04:00Happy Birthday Brando!
Happy 3rd Birthday, Brando!
Enjoy your presents and your cake!
Wish we could be there to help eat your cake, I mean, celebrate with you!
Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-28646360713931151142011-09-15T07:30:00.000-04:002011-09-15T07:30:00.793-04:00Happy 80th!
Happy Birthday Edward!
I hope that you have a marvelous day and think of just how lovely your party was in July.
We love you!
Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-62614694988415117212011-09-13T08:00:00.000-04:002011-09-13T08:06:47.854-04:00New Hallway Arrangement
Most of you who have come visiting know that the upstairs hallway was were the Indian tapestry hung until about 2 weeks ago. That is when I had the bright idea of moving it to the guest room. Moving it meant that the hallway was blank and bland. I had a solution, consulted with a friend, and then set about the project: hanging our own photos from our travels in the hallway.
We had lots Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-9596228008989830552011-09-12T07:26:00.000-04:002011-09-12T07:26:00.959-04:00Happy 5th Birthday Chloe!HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHLOE!!! I hope that you have a wonderful day and enjoy your cake! Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-62485909078964739662011-09-11T11:26:00.000-04:002011-09-11T11:26:15.968-04:00Kitchen Help
What should we make?
I was in the kitchen the other day, trying to decide what to cook for dinner, when a little Spud came over to help. She had lots of suggestions on what to do make with the bowls.... none of them really edible.
How about a bowler instead?
What about a chapeau?
got a mop?
When none of her cooking ideas were accepted by the chefs panel, Spud decided Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-1629839685991716492011-09-09T09:14:00.000-04:002011-09-11T11:16:10.845-04:00Happy Birthday, Mom!HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! GRANDMOTHER! MOMBO!
I love you and hope that you have a marvelous day!XXOO
Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-39278888668718891682011-09-07T11:05:00.001-04:002011-09-11T11:11:24.178-04:00The Office RevealRemember this? Well, my office looks like that no longer! It is very exciting. I finally finished hanging up (most) of the photos this week and have set up my desk again. It is nice to have two rooms upstairs completed now. Both have been transformed, but I have to say that my office is my favorite (so far). It could be that the ceiling is now smooth as opposed to cracked; or the walls Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-47483451668468290242011-09-06T08:14:00.009-04:002011-09-06T08:14:00.460-04:00Wanna Come Stay? The guest room is finally ready! Now that the photos and pictures are hung and everything is dusted, wiped, mopped, and vacuumed, I can reveal the final outcome! It looks amazing: so fresh and clean! We are thrilled with the way that it turned out, especially considering how much replastering we had to do.
We also rearranged some of the photos so that the room actually looked decorated vs theMiriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-4639686362071344902011-09-05T09:26:00.000-04:002011-09-05T09:26:17.603-04:00Unexpected Overnight Guest
I am a very light sleeper. Always have been, always will be. When I was little and my parents were out for the evening, I would wake up when I heard their footsteps on the stairs as they were coming up to check on us before taking the babysitter home. It is to the point that I have to go to bed before Will if I am to get any sort of sleep.
So, when I hear barking outside, coming in waves Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-73218586322441602292011-09-03T10:49:00.009-04:002011-09-04T22:53:36.562-04:00Happy Birthday, Jeremy!
My brother is 40 today. I can't believe. Nor can my mom. Nor Jeremy, really. I wish him the very best today and for rest of the year. Not everyone can have a brother as lovely as I have-- one that didn't mind constantly winding up my swyngomatic so I would stay quiet.
Happy Birthday, Jeremy! I hope that it is the best!!Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-58988851259501494992011-09-02T15:08:00.000-04:002011-09-02T15:08:38.039-04:00My Red GiraffeI have a thing for giraffes, ever since I worked with them at the Louisville Zoo (now nearly 20 years ago... ack!). I have stuffed animals, statues, stationary, magnets, pens, pencils, handbags, books, photos, paperweights, jewelry, teapots, coffee mugs, stamps, stickers, socks, t-shirts, ... I think you get the idea. I love their grace, quietness, demeanor. They are just amazing creatures.
Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-90227903702920051832011-08-31T09:12:00.000-04:002011-08-31T09:12:03.648-04:00Silversmithing with StonesI enjoyed my Silver Saturday so much that I signed up for a second class at Glen Echo: Silversmithing with Stones. In this all day workshop, made even more dramatic as we watched the rains swirl into town from Hurricane Irene, we chose a stone, made a bezel, made a piece of jewelry, and then attached the bezel to the piece.
I picked a purple agate stone-- admittedly, this was my second pick. Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-49113514811152260642011-08-28T10:33:00.000-04:002011-08-28T10:33:28.611-04:00DC Weather
crack in the newly painted main guest room
It has been a crazy week weather-wise in DC. First the earthquake and then the hurricane. ON Tuesday, I was home for the earthquake, on the phone with Fiona, who was lived in California. Basically, she is an expert in earthquakes. She was laughing at me as I was experiencing my first earthquake (that I was awake for-- apparently there was oneMiriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-73198249313880256952011-08-23T07:55:00.001-04:002011-08-28T11:10:17.295-04:00Progress Report: Down to the Trim
dark primer, lighter paint
We are at trim, people. We have finished the ceilings, the primer coat, the first coat of paint, the second coat of paint (in the case of the office), and now we are down to the trim. And there is a lot of it: around the windows, the perimeter of the rooms, inside the closet. Yes, inside. Whomever built the house in 1926 trimmed out the closets, including Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-33524062224273419712011-08-22T17:52:00.000-04:002011-08-22T17:52:26.616-04:00Time to Make the Jam This is the fig haul over two days, and there are more on the tree that I failed to pick because the trug was too full (not to mention that I was being swarmed by mosquitoes and couldn't take it any longer). I have made about 7 half pint jar of fig jam and will be making more tonight--once I go get more jars and lids. We are going to have expand our circle of friends as we have already passed Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-29663471050821678232011-08-19T20:49:00.000-04:002011-08-20T08:59:05.484-04:00Painting Update
We have the walls sanded and washed, the floors cleaned of plaster dust, the ceilings drying with one coat primer and one coat paint, and we have the rooms (mostly) taped off. I say, we are ready for priming and painting these two rooms! For the front room, or, as we call it "the office," I tested the primer. I was too excited to see the color! The primer seems to be darker than the actual Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-9222881119189527322011-08-18T22:11:00.001-04:002011-08-19T11:51:53.126-04:00The Price is Right: Baby EditionMy youngest sister, Becca, is pregnant with her first baby. My other sister, Caroline, and I hosted a baby shower in her honor. When she was a child, Becca loved "The Price is Right" with Bob Barker and so Caroline came up with the best baby shower ever: making Becca be the contestant on the show!
We organized four games: One Right Price, the Grocery Game, Hole in One, and Cliffhanger. All theMiriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-89944374644306436182011-08-17T09:03:00.001-04:002011-08-20T09:05:13.887-04:00Happy Birthday Kristie!Happy Birthday Kristie! I hope that Jeremy and the girls treat you well! Not to mention that there are apple martinis for you all day--- or at least at dinner!
Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-28149532648193458672011-08-14T12:51:00.003-04:002011-08-14T12:55:30.079-04:00Chan TartMy family has a dessert that is our favorite and it can only be made in the summer, with fresh fruit. It is the best dessert ever and we guard the recipe, though I have been known to let it slip out.
Originally, it's a dessert from Austria called "schaumtorte." But we, here in Kentucky, call it "chan tart." Say both out loud and you can understand how we have Kentuckyized it.
This dessert isMiriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-71056539584659751322011-08-12T12:04:00.000-04:002011-08-12T12:04:23.564-04:00Carried Away....
We may have gotten carried away with our scraping, plastering, and sanding. We finished replastering my office and while we waited for the compound to dry so we could sand, we *may* have started on a second room....
Yup, we moved out the furniture in the main guest room and started to scrap those walls.
We knew that this room needed some work, but we really weren't ready for a basic Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-79592866637631109142011-08-09T18:04:00.002-04:002011-08-09T18:23:27.219-04:00At It Again: My Office
We are at it again: more home improving. This time, we are starting to freshen up the first floor (or second floor, depending on what country you are from). The bedrooms are in desperate need of some renovations: fresh wall and trim paint, fixed plaster, filled-in nails holes. We are starting with my office, since it is the smallest of the rooms. I spent the majority of the time today Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-75371878934448140902011-08-08T17:09:00.018-04:002011-08-09T17:53:59.524-04:00Rhubarb From the Yard CrumbleNothing says summer to Will and I like rhubarb crumble. We absolutely adore it. I love seeing the stalks in the grocery store-- it is a sign that summer really is here. So, we planted rhubarb three years ago and finally it is ready to cut to use. We have been waiting this moment for a very long time. The plant needs to establish itself before one starts cutting stalk off, and in the third Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-75224159155540717702011-08-07T17:54:00.000-04:002011-08-07T17:54:56.352-04:00Where Did I go?I have been a bit busy, please forgive me. I have had this, and that. Oh, yeah, that thing too. Not to mention that other thing. So I have been absent. I promise to do better in August.....Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-71993446813771647722011-07-27T08:14:00.011-04:002011-07-27T08:14:00.640-04:00Fahrenheit 451
How hot do these thermometers say it is? And this is supposedly a break in the heat. True, it isn't the 115º F we were having last week, so I guess I should be happy about that. Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-59921583557098476482011-07-26T10:06:00.002-04:002011-07-26T10:06:00.217-04:00Our Garden TrugOne of the many things that we brought back from King Johns Nursery is this lovely little trug. A trug is a very British thing: a wooden basket made for gathering vegetables, flowers, etc in gardens. We got the smallest trug that Harry's shop had-- namely because we couldn't cope with a bigger sized basket.
I have to say, that, this perfect thing in which to gather our produce! Having never Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-71272243144253376242011-07-25T17:02:00.000-04:002011-07-25T17:02:03.493-04:00Battle Abbey
entrance gate to Battle Abbey
After Rye, Will and I headed to Battle, in East Sussex. (We did stop off in Hastings to see that town, but quickly left when we realized that it was really all about a slightly rundown, cheesy boardwalk). Of course this little town is where the Battle of Hastings in 1066 actually took place. This is where William, Duke of Normandy, defeated Harold II and took onMiriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-54162068834541598982011-07-24T13:58:00.000-04:002011-07-24T13:58:59.089-04:00Sir Will and Lady Miriam
A Knight with his Lady.
We totally fit the part!Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-20267151512470391582011-07-23T13:48:00.000-04:002011-07-23T13:48:30.968-04:00The Ancient Town of Rye We were able to have one day of touring this trip over to the UK and so we decided to stay within the East Sussex and Kent areas of England. A short drive away is the Ancient Town of Rye, one of the Cinque Port towns of medieval England. (A "Cinque Port" town meant that the town was obliged to provide the king ships and men to ward off pirates and invading countries--namely France-- and in Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-32344309636649504112011-07-19T12:01:00.009-04:002011-07-22T12:47:56.327-04:00Cunninghams Assault Course RaceHarry, Freddie, Nudge, and James decided to race to the finish of the assault course at Edward's party. A brutal race to the end, the highly competitive cousins battle it out to see who slides out of the course first...
(For a bigger and better picture quality movie, go to my gallery: http://gallery.me.com/miriamhauss#100078-- it is totally worth it to do it. I promise)
And the winner Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-83309382860415406972011-07-17T11:35:00.001-04:002011-07-22T11:39:04.572-04:00Happy Birthday William!Happy Birthday, William! A wonderful day to you and may all your wishes come true. XXOOMiriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-40617787577606918382011-07-16T22:59:00.003-04:002011-07-22T12:21:49.269-04:00Happy 80th To EdwardOnce again, the Cunningham Clan has gathered at King Johns Lodge to celebrate a great family event. This time the honored guest is Edward, the patriarch of the clan, who is graciously turning 80. He has invited family and friends to come and eat, drink, and be merry-- and toast to a most marvelous life. The weather was less than marvelous: rain and wind kept the sun away for most of the day, Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-18502657011329091812011-07-15T10:36:00.002-04:002011-07-22T10:59:09.723-04:00Potato Power!We are off to England for the week for a very special 80th birthday party. After an irritating trans-Atlantic journey with an unscheduled stay-over in Chicago, we made it to London to see our silly nephews, Oscar and Lucas. We always bring them a present, one fun and one educational. Who knew that the educational gift would be the most fun.
We brought them an Enviro Battery:
You can make Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-16120156823445202402011-07-12T13:02:00.001-04:002011-07-12T13:02:00.413-04:00Cuteness OverloadUm, isn't my nephew just the cutest? ever?
Why, yes. Yes, he is.
This is from my Uncle Keith's 90th birthday party we held over Memorial Day, and I just had to post it, because he is just irresistibly adorable. Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-66349819784933997882011-07-11T23:01:00.000-04:002011-07-11T23:01:11.011-04:00Silversmithing Deux
This is a photo of Minnehaha Creek. Yes, named after the Indian women in The Song of Hiawatha by Longfellow. You have to cross this creek and these falls to get to a place just outside of DC called Glen Echo Park.
Now, this crossing really is walking over a foot bridge, so not any real work. But on the other side is a magical place: Glen Echo Park.
Glen Echo Park was established in Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-35253045364517245642011-07-10T22:28:00.000-04:002011-07-11T22:31:35.861-04:00YUMMY!We have tomatoes! We have lots of grape, cherry, and heirloom tomatoes! We have more than handfuls of tomatoes. We will have to start using a bowl to pick all of the ripe tomatoes.
And by "we", I mean, ME. Will is--oh, shucks! darn!--out of town for the week. I guess I will have to eat those beautiful, tasty, red, delicious, vine-ripened, home-grown tomatoes all by myself. How sad....Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-69228014066433316682011-07-09T08:21:00.005-04:002011-07-09T08:27:51.767-04:00Taking OverThe vines are taking over.
It is nearly impossible to walk into the upper garden, between the laden-down fig tree (Fiona, you are SO jealous) and the take over of the gourd vines. They are so long, going every which direction: left, right, up! They are in the grape vines, in the tomato cages, and now, into the fig tree.
They are producing unrecognizable gourds. The leaves are bigger than the Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-21402103263433629672011-07-07T20:16:00.000-04:002011-07-09T08:21:06.442-04:00The Great Pumpkin Did ItApparently we are growing pumpkins. Neither Will nor I planted any pumpkin seeds, so this must have been a gift from the Great Pumpkin. Or from our compost, sprouting from the seeds of the pumpkins we carved at Halloween with Erin, Brock, and Tim. We went to a farmer who set up a stand at the end of our block to get the pumpkins, so they were fresh and organic. I guess the seeds germinated in Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-81073233487232710862011-07-06T08:12:00.001-04:002011-07-09T08:35:47.482-04:00Indentify PleaseCan someone tell us what this gourd is:
It isn't smooth at all. The hairs on it are rather prickly. It is about the size of my fist. There is no smell yet, as we don't think it is ripe. Honeydews and muskmelons were my two choices-- but don't they have smooth rinds, even when growing? It is such an odd tear-drop shape too. The vine leaves themselves are huge, and not melon like at all. AnyMiriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-77796230986580060842011-07-05T19:58:00.002-04:002011-07-09T08:12:06.199-04:00Windows Done (Almost)
Old windows
Or: How's Will's Office Got Cleaned.
Will's office finally has new windows. We had to empty everything out of the space in order for them to reach the 5 openings.
Say Goodbye!
All of his 40 plants went into the dining room. I was thrilled, as you can imagine. But I was finally able to get in there and dust! vacuum! mop! It was a triumphant day, even if the dining room was Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-66519932378056567522011-07-04T07:55:00.003-04:002011-07-09T07:59:23.091-04:00The Best FourthHappy 4th of July everyone! It is great one around here--not because we are in the nation's capital and get to see all sorts of fireworks from our rooftop.
Nope. It is a great one because we have started harvesting homegrown tomatoes!!! I did pick more than what the photo suggests.... only those didn't make back to the house to be photographed. Ahem. Irresistible!Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-71006383858556167642011-07-03T11:19:00.001-04:002011-07-04T08:20:55.335-04:00Happy Birthday Caroline!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAROLINE!
Hope you have a marvelous day and Cheers to you!!
XXOOMiriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-90066453414504380112011-07-03T08:23:00.002-04:002011-07-04T08:26:55.934-04:00Happy Birthday Erin!!Happy Birthday Erin! I hope for a marvelous celebration and a fantastic year!(an oldie but a good photo--remember the nuns betting on the ponies behind us? They did much better at picking the winners. I wonder if they were cheating....)
Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-75780035837175830302011-07-02T08:08:00.002-04:002011-07-05T10:08:28.854-04:00Anniversaries
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
Today is the 11th anniversary of Caroline and Darren. Congrats and happy day to you and we are wishing you many more.
Darren and Caroline
And then I realized that I missed my other sister's anniversary-- it snuck by me (nor was it on the calendar that I put together to remind of important family events. It will be next year!). So, here is a belated Happy Anniversary to Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-11784088236693501462011-07-01T07:59:00.000-04:002011-07-04T08:04:43.718-04:00The Back Path
Our back path down by the alley is an amazing little section of the yard. We basically ignore it and the lilies, lavender, sweet Williams, sneezeweed, balloon flowers, and irises go about their business. The jasmine bush (far right) sends out beautiful tiny gorgeous smelling flowers in the early spring. The butterfly bush (left side) beckons the bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds into our Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5014405429081203032.post-75370564325651133632011-06-30T07:31:00.000-04:002011-06-29T09:39:00.487-04:00There's an "H" in ItYesterday was a non-cooking day for me. Home from work in time to get to my pilates class at 6. Then after the hour at the gym, an hour at the dog park with Will and Stirling. That puts us back home at 8ish, with all of us famished. But I failed to go to the grocery store to pick up more vegetables to eat with the leftover fish I cooked last night.
So, pasta it is. Pre-made noodles. Pre-madeMiriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073692079418738172noreply@blogger.com1