Merry Christmas!

This weekend we ...

1. Stumbled upon a roadside Volvo show hosted by the local chapter of the Volvo Club of America. I see membership in our future. We left with some official official gear and I think Justin is already dreaming of getting Ness* all dolled up for next year's show.


*Ness is our 1989 light blue Volvo 240 station wagon. She's more than a car...she's a lifestyle.

2. Walked up to the Dogtown Street Music Festival and St. James Homecoming picnic with the boys and some friends. The highlight of the music festival is a toss up between the man who was enthusiastically playing the spoons and the man who didn't seem to realize he was playing the hammer dulcimer out on a street corner. Also, I think that St. James has the exact same rides out for kids that they did in 1987 when I used to go with my Grandma Hessbabes. Also that lady working the car ride looked familier, too....

Please note that someone is still wearing their Volvo pin.

3. Scored some absolute classics from the records that were donated to my parents' church record sale. Four words: Baby, I'm-a Want You.

Barns, Weddings and Pies - Oh My!

My friend Jen got married last weekend! Jen and Chris had their wedding at Kuhs Estate and Farm in Spanish Lake. It was beautiful. Every last detail from hay-bales covered with quilts under the old oak tree for the ceremony to the gorgeous wildflower bouquets lining the dinner table was full of love, care and style. Straight off of a pinterest pin board. I definitely should have taken some pictures....I was too busy eating the amazing food from Entre and the homemade pies from Jen's friends and family.

Speaking of pie...I made not one, but two pies on Saturday! An apple for the new Mr. and Mrs. and a peach (without cinnamon) for my Mr. I was a little nervous about all this pie making, but it was a breeze thanks for the Pie Tutorial from Pam recently featured on the Pioneer Woman's blog. I mean, she makes a mean meatloaf so I figured her pie crust had to be worth a shot! (Seriously this meatloaf is amazing. Also, I wish I could watch her new TV show. Here's hoping its on the internets soon!)

I followed Pam's instructions to the letter. I used all better though since Leaf Lard isn't something I have any idea on how to find. Also, lard kind of grosses me out. The parchment paper for rolling out the dough is brilliant. That Pam, she's a thinker and I will be using this method for every pie I ever make. Ever.

The Boys

Eisenhower says hi. 

Sometimes Hank likes to sing.
He has a beautiful voice.
Ike...not so much.

Nap time is the best.
I would spend every Saturday
afternoon like this if I could.

April's almost over?

This month has flown by. And, in case you're counting, there are only 181 days left until our wedding. We've been busy around the house getting the garden ready for the summer and planning for the fall. Coscto has seen us often and we've made good use of the Volvo.

Planting blueberry bushes,

And building rose beds,

And potting Ranunculus,

And putting in new flooring in the kitchen and basement,

And keeping an eye on these trouble makers.

We could all use a nap.

The house is really coming along. I simply cannot wait to live there.

A Little Help

Ike loves wedding planning so far.

No time to write.

I adore my puppy. He's cute. He's taking up all of my time. No room for blog writing this week, but here are some pictures:

Ike makes a friend.

In the kitchen, everybody helps?

Brothers all tuckered out.

Even I can't keep my eyes open.

Welcome Home Ike!

Meet Eisenhower.

To Do

Coming soon...

The pitter-patter of puppy feet!

Yay!

I had a wonderful puppy growing up. When I was in 7th grade I convinced my mom that I would be safer at home after school if I had a dog to guard me. It was a sucker-move. And, she fell for it. We went to the pound and a tiny 5 pound ball of fur fell asleep on my shoulder. She came home a week later. We named her Tabitha (Tabi for short) after a very long family debate and she was with us for 14 years. She was the best.

Tabi

I've been debating bringing a new four-legged friend home for quite some time. I love puppies. They are warm and snugly. The sleep on your feet. They are, after-all, (wo)man's best friend. I've been visiting the local animal shelter off and on for a while, but just haven't met the right one yet. Then, last week, it came to my attention that the breeder that the boyfriend's dog is from had some puppies that were looking for a good home.

I've held strong for a few days, but I think I've finally caved. Just look at these faces! On Saturday I'll be going to meet some puppy candidates and, hopefully, bringing home Eisenhower ("Ike") or Ruby.

Eisenhower "Ike"

Ruby