let me tell you about this winery...

I will admit right here at the outset that I have a bias. I know the owners and their family, and to some extent that predisposes me to think well of their establishment. I have my criticisms, as well, but over-all I think this is a fabulous place and think more people should know about it. So let me tell you! Chaumette winery (French for rooftops) is in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, about an hour and twenty minutes south of St. Louis in the lovely, rolling hills that are part of the topography of the Mississippi River valley. It began with a harvest of chardonel grapes—a hybrid of chardonnay and seyval—and has expanded its vineyard to include Norton (red) and other varieties. Chaumette’s Estate Chardonel and Estate Norton are fabulous wines, but they have other excellent selections as well. Let’s put it this way—we came home with four different wines and joined the wine club, that’s how good we thought they were (all bias aside!).

The tasting room is in one section of a large, open facility that includes a gift shop and dining area, and three of the surrounding sides of the building include decks for dining al fresco. They also have a banquet room for meetings and receptions, and a chapel just up the hill that can be used for weddings (the chapel seats 80). The chapel, St. Vincent’s of the Vineyard, was moved from its former site at the Thompson Center, the conference center of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri in west St. Louis county. It’s tucked into the edge of the woods and has a spectacular view of a portion of the vineyard and the surrounding countryside.

Chaumette also features fabulous food at the Grapevine Grill, and on Sundays (at least) a jazz ensemble provides music. In addition, of all things for me to share, there is also a very nicely appointed ladies’ room (I imagine that the men’s room is just as tasteful, but I didn’t venture in). They have special events throughout the year, and this past Sunday when we were there (but starting too late for us to partake), they started a vineyard tour with tasting stations throughout the vineyard. Under development is the addition of a “French village” on the premises that will function much like time-share condos. Can’t wait for those to be done so we can stay there!

Okay, enough from me about this, but I just had to tell you about this wonderful place. If you find yourself in St. Louis and can take a day trip, DO IT!!!

we're back!

Good morning! It’s foggy here, a common occurrence on the mountain, but less so “down here” in the rolling hills of middle Tennessee. We’re moving a little slowly after our weekend away, so in a way it’s a nice way to reenter the world.

We had good visits with Kathy’s daughter and her family Friday night in St. Louis, then with family at the reunion on Saturday, and with a subset of closer relations that evening. Ken hadn’t seen many of these folks for more than 20 (30?) years, and he was glad to reestablish contact and get reacquainted. It was good for me to put faces with names, and to see the places he always talks about from his youth. People were very nice and welcoming to me, which I appreciated. Sunday on our way home we stopped at a winery in Ste. Genevieve, MO, owned by friends of mine, and had a spectacular visit there. I had called my friend Caroline (whom you all would know as our long-distance vet!) a few days before to see if by any chance she and her husband could meet us there (Caroline’s uncle is the owner of the winery), and it turned out that they already had plans to be there for a get together with her mom after picking up her stepdaughter from camp! It was a lovely day, not too hot, with a bit of a breeze, and we enjoyed a fabulous lunch outdoors while visiting with everyone. I kept saying to Ken and Caroline, “This is the life!” What could be better than a beautiful day eating wonderful food and very good wine, in a special setting with good friends? I’ll say more about the winery another time, because it deserves its own plug.

Today we’re getting ready for a visit from one of Ken’s cousins on their way from the reunion to a place they have near Pigeon Forge. Not too much to do in that regard, since a lot of our cleaning efforts last week were in anticipation of this visits, but there’s still some tidying up, groceries, laundry, and so on.

First, though, it’s time to get to the pool and then pick up the dogs at the kennel (it was so strange not to have them here to greet us when we returned last night!). I look forward to getting caught up with everyone!

see ya Sunday!

We're off to Missouri this weekend, where we'll have a little time with Kathy's family in St. Louis before heading to a family reunion south of the city. Sunday we're making a stop at winery owned by some friends of mine, and then we're heading for home. With any luck, we'll get back in time for the second installment of PBS' latest run of "Mystery!"

We did lots of running around yesterday to empty the house of accumulated trash, or at least assemble in one place (that would be my office) all those remaining boxes and bags that still need sorting and stashing. At least with each successive effort to tidy up, the number of things to deal with is shrinking in size. One day there will be no more boxes, and everything will have a place, even if it’s a drawer marked “miscellaneous.”

We’re stopping for lunch today in Clarksville to see Junior, then at Ft. Campbell to get my car registered there. We won’t see Junior again before his deployment, so this will be a tough visit for me. I shed a bunch of tears while I had a long chat with the almighty last night while walking the dogs, and though pleas to keep Junior safe are worth voicing, mostly I prayed that God would keep him smart. Smart will do a better job of keeping him alive. How many prayers for safety have been for naught? I worry too much, perhaps, but I’m not ready or willing to lose the family I just gained. He’s too precious to me.

Off to finish packing and head to the pool. Miss me while I’m gone, cuz I sure will miss all of you! Ciao!

what was I thinking?

When I wrote yesterday's post I knew that I would be visiting with my friend Debi and we would be having a girl's day. Web site? Hah! But the day with Deb was badly needed, wonderful, and we both managed some successful shopping. Not to mention that just up the street from where her beau lives are these beautiful lilies. Neither of us was sure just what they are, but they've got to be related to the cala. Aren't they stunning? Does anyone know what they are? Once I returned home I got busy getting bathrooms cabinets better organized (thanks to some help from Wal-Mart) and emptied another two boxes that had been lingering. It really does feel good to put things in order. Ken also finished closing in the garage, and he is a very happy camper! All that remains is siding for the exterior, and paneling for the interior. The house is already more comfortable.

Today I might get to the web site, but there is more tidying and cleaning to do, and a trip to the recycling center—we leave tomorrow morning for Missouri for a family reunion and a quick visit in St. Louis with Kathy’s family. Busy, busy, as usual, but such is life.

Time to walk! Ciao…

lest I speak too soon...

I think I have made a breakthrough of sorts with the website. I scoured the "help" sections yesterday in search of answers to my persistent, simple questions. Lo and behold, Eureka! I happened upon an entire section that details how to do some of the things I have been wanting and needing to do. I spent the afternoon printing off pages and pages of documentation. Today I will begin to wade through it and begin to apply those sections I need. This is so time-consuming, but, assuming that I can accomplish what I need to do, it will be worth it. My goal is to get functionality set up. After that I can tweak and fine-tune the look (though I will be sooooo tempted to try to do both at the same time!).

In the meantime Ken is close to finishing replacing the garage door with a real, insulated wall and window which will enclose the space that is now his office (and utility/storage area). There are some huge advantages to this: no more AC being pumped into a space that simply leaks air; no more hardware and equipment hanging from the ceiling; a finished room that no longer feels like a garage but instead looks like an office; and one more thing knocked off the “to do” list!

One thing at a time, one day at a time, we are moving forward.

a heavy heart

Things change when you join a family whose members served, or serve, in the military. You pay closer attention to war coverage, pictures, news footage and reports from the field. You worry when your loved one is deployed. You take it a bit personally when our soldiers are killed. When I heard the report several days ago about the soldiers who had been kidnapped in Iraq a knot formed in my stomach. I didn’t have a good feeling about the likely outcome. When I heard reports about the efforts to find and rescue them, I knew that if my stepson was presently deployed he’d have been among those efforts. I prayed that they would have success. This morning I grieved when I learned that our soldiers from Ft. Campbell would come home in a box. Ft. Campbell is our “home post,” the nearest base to us, and the one from which Ken retired. This hits close to home. This feels personal. My heart is heavy and my tears are hot.

In a few weeks my stepson will be deployed again, and he will reenter what I think of as the field of danger. From the moment he departs, I start to count down the days until he returns. One day closer to safety. One day closer to having him within reach.

I fear there is no end to this conflict, to the heartbreak of families and the grief of a nation. My prayers feel so fragile, and yet all I can do is pray.

To those who have been lost, rest in peace. For the rest, may we be granted peace.

monday miscelaney

It was one of those weekends where a sufficient moment to sit and write didn't make itself present. Lots of cleaning up, putting away, sorting, organizing and tossing (not necessarily in that order) consumed much of Saturday, and Sunday never seems to be a day when I am able to settle into much of anything.

Ken cooked shish kebab on Saturday night (see figure 1), basted with a very tasty sauce that we will be enjoying for days. For father’s day I relieved him of culinary responsibility and put in the oven something I picked up at Publix! Not exactly doing the cooking, but I found I couldn’t resist already prepared chicken cordon bleu. It was quite good.

The other event of note over the weekend was the election of a new presiding bishop for the Episcopal Church, USA; the first woman ever to hold that post, Katharine Jefferts Schori, bishop of Nevada (see figure 2). I don’t know a lot about her, but she seems impressive from what I read: speaks five languages, has a Ph. D. in oceanography, is a licensed pilot, and has a passion for and a history of inclusion in her ministry, including a facility for reconciliation. It’s not exactly a surprise that while many cheer this election, there are grumbles as well. She will be consecrated and invested in her new position in November, and it will be interesting to see whether or not she attends the eventual consecration of whomever we manage to elect when we try again (at the end of October). There are clergy in my diocese who don’t approve of the ordination of women, so I’m sure they’re not particularly happy at the moment. Interesting times lie ahead, to be sure.

Off to do my laps!

a new route

Since I don’t swim on the weekends I like to take a longer route when I walk the dogs, to try to keep up, to some degree, the pace of exercise (yes, it’s true, this is really Anne saying this, not an imposter!). This morning I was up early enough to get out before the sun was too high, and the heat of the day was low. It was a pleasant morning, with a light breeze, so I decided to seize these optimal conditions and extend our route. We detoured down a street I hadn’t yet traveled, around a new block. One of the things I love about the area where we live is that it developed over a period of years, so it has a variety of architecture, and a combination of old, wooded lots and new, converted pasturelands where the lots are open, spacious and “young” in their landscaping. I love seeing what people do with their landscaping.

There was one house that we discovered today that, when I saw it, made me think I’d been transported back to New England. Although the house isn’t “old,” certainly not by New England standards, it is colonial in style, and the lot is wooded and has the feel of longevity to it. It is nicely kept, and the house appears happy.

As we continued our journey of discovery (new scents for the dogs, remember), I was grateful for the change of scenery. New things always have the capacity to open our minds along with our views, and I got to thinking about possibilities. At the moment we face the very real challenges of being newly married, relocated, and working to establish new businesses. The challenges are demanding and stressful, even as they contain the seeds of great things to come. In the face of our reality I am striving not to be overcome by what isn’t, but to hold in my hand, at least periodically, the joy of what is. Those moments don’t erase the difficulties, but they at least offer some grounding to offset those times that feel uncertain, and even frightening. They are touchstones of hope, and glimpses of serenity that I pray will become more frequent as we root ourselves in this life we are making.

This morning I am grateful for an early rising and the opportunity to see new things, feel old connections, and anticipate a future.

memory and marigolds

I’ve lost friends and family members to death before, but it wasn’t until Kathy died that I realized how much of my own life story went with her. When she died, knowledge of me died, too. It wasn’t the big things—lots of people know the big picture. It was the little details that fill in the nooks and crannies of who I am. Like marigolds. I love the smell of marigolds that remain on my fingers after deadheading them. It’s a tiny detail that happened to come up once when Kathy and I were talking, and I realized then that it was an intimate detail.

When she died, no one else knew about that. I became aware of that loss when I planted marigolds this spring, and deadheaded them for the first time. I have since shared this particular detail with Ken, but it only occurred to me to do so because I was freshly aware that the primary keeper of my memory was gone. It got me thinking about other things that Kathy and I shared, some of which can pass with her, and others of which I may want to entrust with others.

As we age and lose more and more of the people close to us, I am realizing that it is the loss of the person as well as our memory that goes with them that is part of our sadness. I believe that we all long to be known. We have our warts that we’d just as soon not see the light of day, of course, but I believe that, more often than not, we want someone to know us and see us down to our nooks and crannies.

I have now entrusted my love for the smell of marigolds to each of you. You may not remember it in future days, but at least the knowledge has been released to the universe, and I can be content with it being “out there.”

Bless you all, your nooks and crannies, and all the things about you that we know and have yet to discover.

speaking of splash...

When I started swimming I alternated my attire between two suits, allowing each one sufficient time to dry hanging in the laundry area. I also hung my goggles, cap, and washrag in the same place so they could dry, as well as be easy to find each morning when I packed my bag to go to the pool.

Problem was, damp suits and dripping accessories were hanging next to clean laundry as I hung those items on the same pole. At the same time, I needed a place to stash all of my bathing suits (I seem to have acquired a few over the years…). Look what I found in our collection of items for a yard sale! It is the perfect solution for hanging all the suits, including the damp ones, as well as the other paraphernalia. When I take my towel out of the dryer, I fold it and place if there with my collection, and I'm all set and ready to go the next morning. Voila!

I also want to add a brief clarifier about the previous post. I wasn’t lamenting the frequency of comments (I do, occasionally, lament that, but I’ve pretty much gotten over that syndrome!), just the lack of perceived interest in the blog. I’m not planning to quit, I was just feeling a bit isolated from humanity in general, and some friends in particular. I appreciate very much what was written by those who left comments. I love you too!

Back to work—the website is finally getting attention!!

splash

Some days it seems that I have things to post here multiple times during a day, though I usually limit my posts to one. Other days, I sit here and stare at the screen, wondering what to write. Some of my friends that blog chronicle the events of their day, others reflect with some depth on what is happening in the world, and some do a combination of the above. I suppose at various times we all do all of the above. I started this blog to stay in touch and share pictures from my world, but I think I have come to the point that I don't know why I write any more. This blog doesn't get a lot of traffic, and although new visitors are here everyday, the numbers would indicate that most don't return. My life must be pretty dull, or I'm too guarded to write about what goes on, or something. It doesn't seem to interest very many people, and I'm not sure what to make of that. Maybe the last few months have been too intense to allow me to take the time to step back and be reflective, profound, or interesting. Maybe I feel too vulnerable to be open and share. Whatever the cause, I don’t feel good about it.

I have no cause for complaint. A friend may lose her job. Another friend has hit bottom and decided its time to go sober. My sister-in-law has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Life may not be grand in this corner, but it could be a hell of a lot worse.

Well, here’s to bad days. And here’s to better ones.

baaaaaaaaa!

I carry on so much about the goats up on the mountain, y'all might think they are my favorite critter (after dogs, of course), but NO! I'm a sheep girl, through and through. Fell in love with them when I spent a semester in Scotland during college, and they've been part of my life ever since. This ram is among the collection of animals that our neighbor in South Carolina keeps. He looks rather regal, don't you think? Never did catch his name, but I'll try to remember to ask next time I'm there.

Not much happening here to report, but you never know when that might change!

oooh, check this out!

There are a variety of routes that I take when I walk the dogs. This morning we went around the block that, at one junction, is directly across the street from a pasture. Haven't seen (or smelled) any cows there for a while, but it is still a pasture. This morning we had the treat of mist lying low in that pasture. When I got back from the walk I grabbed the camera and headed back. Time was of the essence, since the sun was coming up, and even in those few minutes from the time of first encounter to arrival with the camera, the mist was already dissipating. Still, it's a lovely vista, isn't it? Just one of the reasons I love where we live.

you call this a budget?

Last night I tuned in to HGTV's "wedding on a budget" episode with the hope that I might find some inspiration and get some ideas for ways to cut expenses on our wedding celebration. What a joke! The couple in question was getting married and holding their reception in their back yard, a focal point of which was a pool. They had $8000 to work with, total (including food, which got $3000 of that total--they didn't mention the bar!). They revamped the yard, moving dirt, building a cabana, bar, benches, platform for over part of the pool, decorations, etc. For starters, most brides out there considering a backyard wedding wouldn't have these particular challenges, so their own plans (and budget) would look radically different. So much for brides getting ideas from THIS show! Then, as they conferred about how they were doing on the budget constraints, it occurred to me that what wasn't factored into any of this was the labor! They spent an entire day (and then some) with the professional crew and 15 volunteers with the bobcat, built four different units, layed a patio, installed lighting, covered benches, etc. They didn't talk about costs related to invitations, clothing, catering help (who was going to clean up all that food created by the professional chef?) or any of those additional details. All I can say is, this is was not as advertised. Bummer. Back to my own devices...

playing with hair

It was time for a haircut, so I scheduled an appointment with someone new for two things: cut said hair, and start playing with ideas for how to wear my hair for the wedding in November. Yes, it's a ways off, and perhaps this task could have waited, but there was a strategy in starting early. What if I need to grow my hair longer for a suitable style?

So, yesterday was "play with hair" day. Sad to say, I forgot to take the camera, but the woman I went to happened to have a disposable, and she said, "we'll just make this yours, and whenever you come, we'll take pictures." Her name is Sloan, and she's wonderful. She coiffed a "do" that I'm not sure I'll use (lots of curls piled onto my head--does that sound like me?), but we have time to try different things, and she has advised me NOT to cut my hair, but to let it grow. She spent time with me, we talked, it was easy to be honest, and she gave me some ideas for things to think about for "on the day." When it came time to pay up I realized I had left my checkbook sitting on the dining table. "No problem," she says, "just mail me a check." I already had her business card with the address.

The check is already written. She'll be getting one of those notes I referred to earlier. Thank you, Sloan! In the meantime, what should I do with my hair?

notes

I call it synchronicity. My friend Clare recently rediscovered a collection of cards that she has accumulated. Almost simultaneously, while unpacking boxes and trying to settle the chaos of the guest room, I unpacked a stash of stationery and note cards. Greeting cards that had been unearthed had already been relegated to an available storage space, and fortunately, the note sheets and cards that I now encountered fit sufficiently into their appointed space in a drawer of the secretary. There seem to be mountains of them.

Fortunately I have lately rediscovered the joys of note-writing by virtue of tackling (albeit belatedly) the thank you notes that lingered from our wedding. Aha! Renewed interest in writing combined with an abundant supply of stationery can mean but one thing—using them up! I have meant to work on (as in improve) the frequency with which I correspond, so it seems that the solution has been dumped nicely into my lap, or in this case, my drawer. Perhaps if I take a couple of days a week to write just one note, I can brighten at the very least my own day, and perhaps bring a smile to someone else’s as well. I think I’m onto something here.

Keep an eye out, you never know when your mailbox may contain an unexpected piece of mail! (Maria, I know I at least owe you something!)

feeling spoiled

This has been one of the most gorgeous springs I can recall, and when I get up in the morning and see deep blue skies and those long, early morning shadows cast by brilliant sunshine I breathe deep sighs of contentment. What a treat. We DID have some hot and humid days last week, but more than the usual share of gorgeous days has been the norm, and I have loved it. Most of my plants are doing well (although the Mexican heather got scorched in last weeks heat and needs a little r and r), and my hydrangea almost seems to be purring. Now if only it would manage another bloom! In the meantime I enjoy the one she has put forth. And the cool crispness of the morning air-- sounds like an invitation to walk the dogs...

kiwi time

No, this doesn't mean that the fruit is ripe for consumption, though it may well be! It just so happens that I have an extra clock that didn't really have a home in my new abode. It's a cute little clock, so it occurred to me that I could set it to New Zealand time, and that way I wouldn't constantly be trying to do the math trying to figure out when my kiwi friend, Clare, might be within reach of her computer for a wee chat. So, Clare, this is for you! The clock sits up on a shelf by my desk, and as I type this it's nearing time for you to be getting up and enjoying your day off to celebrate HRH Queen Elizabeth's birthday. Shall we all sing a round to Lilibet? I happen to have a postcard of her handy, and I could prop it up here on the desk to pay her homage. Better yet...

consider the thumb

and how much we take it for granted! I believe I may have sprained my right thumb, caught, as it were, in the loop of a dog leash when said dog took off out the door with her usual enthusiasm, pulling the leash taut around my thumb! Crunch! It's amazing how limited my activity has become with the onset of pain. Fortunately I am able to type here at the keyboard, but even that has its limits. I am most distressed that other activity (gripping, for instance--we have no idea how often we grip in the course of the day), has had to come almost to a screeching halt, which means that my office, within reach of being cleaned up this afternoon, must now wait for its due reward. Sigh. Just one more thing...

finding normal

A routine is finally beginning to emerge here, though there are no time parameters to settle it exactly. For now, that's okay! Morning coffee, walk the dogs, head to the pool, come back and tackle the daily sudoku in the paper and get on with the day. The sudoku sometimes gets bumped to a point later in the day, but one way or another I find that page in the newspaper! Activity within the day is still pretty much focused on this business of settling in. The biggest challenge is the lack of storage to have a place to put things. Thank goodness we have two huge utility shelves that are in the "utility room" section of the garage. We're trying not to dump everything there, and I'm getting much better at just throwing things away (or recycling, when possible). It really is possible to live with less, and I am even parting with books! The accompanying picture this morning doesn't really have a good "before" to show you, but let's just say that there really wasn't anything in this part of the room before. But this is where we have our "still" time. Coffee, sudoku, happy hour, reading, or just conversation. It's about taking time out, and it certainly helps me feel normal! Disregard the electrical cord across the rug--at the moment it is functional, not decorative!

before and after, living area, part I

It's feeling like a slow news day here, so how about some "before and after" pics from the house? The living room is fairly spacious, so there are lots of angles from which to shoot pictures. It runs the whole width of the house, and traffic from the bedrooms to the kitchen/dining area bisect that space, so it is effectively two spaces. We have the conventional "living" area, with sofas, coffee table and TV, and what I am calling the "leisure" area, where we sit to read the newspaper, have happy hour, or just enjoy quiet or conversation in front of the fireplace. For this post (and the one immediately following) I'll show one view of the living area (I find blogger difficult when it comes to arranging photos, so we'll have to live with one angle at a time). Hopefully the angles from both before and after are close enough to make the comparison, although the upholstery the previous owners had is very similar to ours.

Before:

After:

before and after, Living area part II

Here's another view of the living area.
Before:
After:

two weeks in!

Today marks two weeks since I started to swim every day (M-F), and although the timing of getting to the pool seems to vary on a daily basis, it's definitely becoming part of my routine-in-the-making. I know I have needed to get exercise, and I definitely need to lose some weight and "tone up." This is how I plan to aid that goal! I have decided to weigh-in on the first of each month in terms of statistical tracking, so tomorrow will be d-day for that. I don't look any different (I don't think), and I can't really tell about clothes because they shrink in the wash! Anyway, this is a long term effort, and although I would love to drop ten, even five pounds in these first two weeks, I know that is not going to happen! What's important is that I finally took that first step, or lap, as the case may be. This morning I did notice improvement in my cardiovascular capabilities, so progress is definitely afoot. Three cheers!

remembering

Driving to church this morning I passed Nashville's National Cemetery. When I saw all the flags dotting the landscape I knew I had to have a picture to post here. After church Ken and I drove through, and I noted the gravestones from various years, acknowledging the lives that offered themselves during various conflicts our nation has undertaken. Those buried here didn’t necessarily die while serving, but it was humbling all the same to see row after row of stones marking the graves of those men and women who had been in our armed forces and found that association meaningful enough to want to be buried in the National Cemetery. I’ve never lost anyone I have known as a result of their service to our country, but being married to a veteran, and having a step-son now serving, the picture looks a little different than it did before.

To those who serve, I offer my prayers. To those who have given their lives, I offer my gratitude.

we're so excited!

The day didn’t start out so well—my morning swim got cancelled because thunderstorms with accompanying lightning meant evacuating the pool (indoor and outdoor pools share a common filtration system, so …). Bummer! I was so psyched to swim and keep up my 100% attendance rate!

But! We had an appointment in Nashville with a photographer late this morning to talk about doing our wedding celebration, and we’re very happy with how that went, what we’ve seen of her work, and so on. The success of that was followed by a fabulous lunch at the place where we met with the photographer, Bread and Company, which makes great soups (sorry I didn’t have my camera with me, because a picture of their food-case would make you drool).

While we were in town we decided to stop in at the Cathedral, where the ceremony will be held, to pick up some information, and that all went better than expected. We then seized the moment to pop next door to the Holiday Inn Express and see about reserving a block of rooms for our out of town guests (another option in addition to the hotel where the reception is being held), and THAT was a great visit. On to the Wildhorse Saloon, a Nashville and country music landmark, to see about having our rehearsal dinner there, and THAT exceeded our expectations!

So! We now have a photographer, two hotels with rooms blocked, and our rehearsal dinner site lined up, and we are thrilled with it all. If only we would win the lottery so we could pay for all this!! We still need to meet with a florist and get the cake squared away, but those things are less time sensitive than the above, so we’re feeling very pleased with what we’ve accomplished.

If you haven’t already marked your calendars, do so now, because it’s going to be a fun weekend!

Welcome, Jacob!

My goddaughter and her husband had their first baby on Sunday, Jacob Alton Burbridge. Woohooo!! He looks like he'll be a charmer, and I can't wait to meet him, but it may be a while yet before that is possible. In the meantime I'm drooling over pictures on a website the new dad put up. Here's one of them... Get lots of rest, Johanna!! xoxo

snapshots

Just to prove to y'all that we ARE making progress getting settled in, here are a couple of pictures of things around the house. I collect pitchers, so a display of those hanging in the kitchen is one of them. The other is our wine bar, LOL! This picture was taken right after restocking it after Ken made a trip to the Class Six store at Fort Gordon. Gotta love those military prices!

word for the day: wet!

Let's just say it's been a wet weekend! We had some decent weather, but water was everywhere yesterday when the hot water heater decided to give up the ghost. Thank goodness I caught it about as early as was possible. I had taken the dogs out for a walk, and it was on our return that water greeted us inside the garage door. It had been dry when we left a mere 15 minutes before. I was able to turn the water off, but damage had still been done, most directly to the rug that is on the floor in the area that serves as Ken's office! We are now the proud owners of a brand new water heater and a still-damp carpet, but the crisis was contained, fortunately. What remains to be seen is whether or not our home warranty will cover the cost, since I couldn’t locate the paperwork about that to call them and receive instructions! The plumber thought we might have a problem since I didn’t call them first. We’ll see.

The bad news/good news part of this is that I had to stay home to await the plumber, and therefore didn’t get to church. No paycheck for that day. But I did have unexpected hours available to me to get some things done, and I made good progress on a number of projects. I am feeling a little less overwhelmed by what remains to be done, and that, as Martha would say, is a GOOD thing!

We still have water this morning in the form of rain, so it was a short walk for the dogs! We didn’t get as far as the mailbox at the end of the street where this lovely rose is blooming, but at least I have a picture of it to look at and to share with you. Other water in the forecast is the local pool, where I will go shortly to continue my efforts at exercise. I’m two for two at the moment, woohooo!!!

Stay comfy and dry!

puppy love

Okay, so Juliet's not a puppy, she's five years old, but to me, she'll always be my baby. Every now and then when I've been gone from the house, I would return to find one of my slippers somewhere in the traffic pattern from their domain in the bedroom to the front door. More often than not the slipper (sometimes a shoe) would make it more than halfway between the departure and arrival points, and it was always just one slipper. Not chewed, not soggy, just relocated. Yesterday I came home from running errands and found not only my shoe, but one of Ken's, as well, in the living room near a spot where Juliet likes to park. I had to laugh. Obviously she was missing mom and dad. Now if only she would figure out that if she brought both slippers from the bedroom I could change my shoes right inside the door!

flip sides

I'm a lazy person, and I know it. As acknowledged in my previous post, I hate to exercise, and it is the last thing that I will do without incredible incentive. I mean, just look at the fact that every place I live has a fence, invisible or otherwise, so that I didn't have to worry about walking the dogs. Until now. We have the fence to install (the invisible kind), but since we moved there have been other things more pressing than getting the fence in. And besides, we DO have the alternative that the dogs can be walked!

So I have been walking them twice a day. Juliet is a long walker—she has figured out that the longer it takes her to do her business, the longer she gets to stroll (smart dog, my Juliet). Dooley dispatches with the necessities within a couple of yards, but when I take the two of them together (which doesn’t always happen) he’s along for the duration on Juliet’s terms.

It has been a beautiful spring, so walking hasn’t felt so much like a hardship. The mornings (and evenings) have been crisp and comfortable, and it has been wonderful to watch everything green up and bloom in the neighborhood. But it’s also a really nice neighborhood, with pleasant houses and yards, and I just love that when people drive by they wave to you. Plus, around one corner there is a considerable pasture, so there is a lovely expanse of landscape with a view of nearby rolling hills.

Yes, I’m a begrudging walker, but there is a flip side to this effort. And much as I will be glad to have that fence installed (and soon, I hope!), I think I might miss these necessary walks. They’re just not the same when they’re voluntary…

today is the first day of the rest of my life...

I know it’s a saying that is a bit frayed around the edges, but there are times when it really does apply. After all the activity that has ensued during the first few months of this year, we finally have a chance to be at home and get on with our life here. I’m making progress with the unpacking stuff, but I think I’ll refrain from referring to that very much anymore since it’s quite the boring topic!

Today marks the “first day” because I actually made it to the pool to start my exercise regimen of doing laps. I’m basically allergic to exercise, and swimming is one of the few ways that I choose to exert myself. So today was the day. I’m so out of shape, I think I managed a little more than a quarter of a mile, and oddly enough the muscles that fatigued first were in my hands! Who knew? The experience was otherwise fairly painless, so I’ll head back tomorrow and hope for a modest showing of improved stamina. I don’t care much anymore about how I look in a bathing suit, but I DO want to look good in a wedding dress in November. And as far as that goes, shopping for it more than a few days in advance necessitates doing something about weight issues NOW! I just hope I can find something “for the mature bride,” when the time comes.

Wish me luck!

the daffodil principle

The story goes that there is a hillside out in Colorado just off the beaten path that, in the spring, is simply awash in daffodils. Tucked into the hill is a small cabin where a woman lives amidst all this splendor, and spends some of her time planting the daffodils that bring thousands of people to see them every year. When asked how she could possibly plant so many, her simple reply is "one bulb at a time."

I need to keep this principle in mind when I get overwhelmed by the tasks that still await at the house. My office. Ugh! (the picture is the living room in a former, not-so-glorious stage.) But I made good progress yesterday emptying a few boxes, sorting through contents, and at the least, making decisions about what things need to be kept and which could find their way to the great paper beyond. Separating them into proper categories and making files (and, gracious! Filing them!), can wait. I need to feel some sense of accomplishment as I go, and I need to see the number of boxes that still need attention dwindle in mass.

So, today’s ongoing effort is to tackle, “one bulb at a time,” what remains. It will take me more than today, and probably more than this week, but perhaps if I envision a hillside of daffodils as my reward I will feel inspired to persevere. Boxes? Bring ‘em on!

so long, farewell

and thanks SO much for such incredibly good television during the last seven years! (Okay, so I'm a day late posting this, but I shut down the computer last night to get it packed and we just now got home from our trip and I am unpacked! well, mostly...) It appears that the rest of the world was tuned into Survivor or Grey's Anatomy, so I may be the only person who visits here who watched the final episode of "The West Wing," but it is my absolutely all time favorite television program ever, and I wouldn't miss it. So is my mother. In fact, there's no such thing as television at the farm in South Carolina (sometimes to jerk Mom's chain I'll joke about installing a satellite dish and she simply cringes), but the family matriarch actually borrowed one so that she could watch the last episodes of HER favorite show! (You should have seen my jaw drop when I arrived at the cottage last week and saw the television, I couldn't imagine what it was doing there!) Imagine, to our horror, as we gathered around the tiny, 12" set with rabbit ears, and the program was pre-empted by weather coverage! OMG! We were so disgusted that ten minutes into the hour we called the television station to protest. They claimed they wanted their viewing audience to be safe, but frankly, the weekend crew was simply clueless! Anyway, although it wasn't the best hour of television ever written, it was a well done conclusion to this most special program. Oh, how I will miss this administration and its witty staff! But thank goodness for Bravo and reruns, and the joys of owning DVD's. ... Okay, enough of my rambling. We return you now to your regularly scheduled blogging.

lazy, rainy day

A nice way to spend a Sunday and the last day of vacation, though the picture I'm posting isn't from today! Maybe this is a good occasion to do one of those "polls..." Jules tagged me earlier this month to do the following:

5 things that make me smile:
--my honey
--my furbabies
--time at Melrose (our tree farm)
--babies
--the aroma of good cooking

5 things I can see on my desk:
--uh, will have to defer this until my office is unpacked and things that actually belong on my desk are there to describe, and perhaps even see!

5 things that kept me busy this weekend:
--a visit from dh’s kids
--catching up on some emails
--reading a few blogs
--the Sunday NY Times crossword puzzle
--packing to head home from vacation

5 things I am doing this week:
--traveling home tomorrow
--having my car windshield replaced
--continued unpacking in my office
--continued unpacking in the guest room
--attending a pot-luck dinner for our Commission on Ministry

5 things I said to make someone smile:
--I love you
--I’m thinking of you
--I miss you
--I like your beard
--these shrimp are awesome!

Hope you have a great day!

happy birthday to me!

It's been an absolutely gorgeous day here, and we had the treat earlier today of a visit from Ken's son, daughter, and son-in-law. In addition to a birthday celebration at lunch I was gifted with a mother's day card and gift, which was quite a surprise, and very touching. It hadn't even occurred to me! (In the picture are Ken and me, Ashley and Travis with Maddie, their Yorkie, and Junior)
While they were here we meandered down the road to see our neighbor's collection of animals, a highlight of which is always the camel! Meet Sally--she's really quite a love, and very affectionate.

There were also turkeys, deer, miniature horses, a kangaroo, goats, sheep, ostrich, emu, pigs, ducks, horses, cows and of course, dogs! You all know I love dogs, but I can't resist Sally.

Tonight our friends in Augusta are coming for dinner, so the party continues. Wish you all could be here to join us. I'll save you some cake from lunch, or if you prefer, we're having strawberry pie tonight. Bon Appetit!

happy birthday to me!

It's been an absolutely gorgeous day here, and we had the treat earlier today of a visit from Ken's son, daughter, and son-in-law. In addition to a birthday celebration at lunch I was gifted with a mother's day card and gift, which was quite a surprise, and very touching. It hadn't even occurred to me! (In the picture are Ken and me, Ashley and Travis with Maddie, their Yorkie, and Junior) While they were here we meandered down the road to see our neighbor's collection of animals, a highlight of which is always the camel! Meet Sally--she's really quite a love, and very affectionate.

There were also turkeys, deer, miniature horses, a kangaroo, goats, sheep, ostrich, emu, pigs, ducks, horses, cows and of course, dogs! You all know I love dogs, but I can't resist Sally.

Tonight our friends in Augusta are coming for dinner, so the party continues. Wish you all could be here to join us. I'll save you some cake from lunch, or if you prefer, we're having strawberry pie tonight. Bon Appetit!

talk about a breeze!

Talk about a breeze! The winds were so strong during the night that they woke me up, and for a while I wondered whether a tornado might be getting stirred up! Fortunately the worst thing to blow through was a cold front, so we woke up to 60 degrees in the house, and 50 outside! It’s a good thing Ken had chopped wood, because it was employed to build a fire!

Our sunset last night didn’t rank up there among the most spectacular we’d ever seen, but it’s hard to argue with any kind of sunset when you’re sitting on your front porch facing a wonderful view. A nice happy hour spread doesn’t hurt either!

It’s a gorgeous day out there today, and there are few plans, so I’m hoping to make a date with one of the books I brought. Ken and Mom have some errands to run, so I will hold the fort while they’re gone and enjoy some leisure. Hope it’s a delightful day for you all!

ohhhhhhh, so breeeeeeeezzzzzzyyyyy!

It’s a blustery day here in south central South Carolina! The day began overcast and chilly, and then the sun blew in along with some fairly gusty wind and some warmer temperatures (moderated, of course, by that brisk breeze!). Ken has been busy with assorted honey-do items, and I have kept myself occupied with less strenuous activity, LOL!

When we arrived Tuesday afternoon Ken split some wood so that we could have a fire in the cool mornings or evenings (see photo!), then we settled in with mom on the front porch for a little happy hour before dinner.

Other activities (I can’t even begin to enumerate the fullness of Ken’s list) have included dinner with our friends in Augusta last night, and the installation of two ceiling fans—one in the living room, and the other on the front porch (to help keep away those nasty flies!). It has turned into a beautiful afternoon here, and with any luck we’ll have a nice sunset to watch from the front porch.

I’ll keep you posted!

putting down roots

Literally and figuratively, the process is underway. We are fortunate at our new house to have a decent display of foundation plantings. I'm a flower girl, though--must have flowers! So a few days ago I got some vincas for the front bed, and this morning began the process of putting them in. Turns out I needed more plants than I bought on that first outing, and I decided to be inspired and add some variety near the doorstep, as well as park a hydrangea at the corner near the driveway. So, dark pink and white vincas will dot the front edge of the foundation bed, vari-colored pink and white geraniums will frame the drawf spruce on either side of the front steps, and ageratum will get to hog the little bit of sunlight that graces the front of the house. It felt good to plant! Here are the flats from the second round of shopping, with the vincas already planted in the background. I'll give them all a few weeks to establish and grow a bit before doing an "after" picture. For now, it is like water drenching the parched soil of my being to have blooms to look forward to, and to know that this beauty came from my hand. Ah, I love spring...

another day, another failed election

After three attempts over three different electing days and 35 ballots, the collective wisdom of our diocese appears to manifest itself in the decision to call it a day. The slate will now be thrown out, a new nominating committee will be constituted, and we will start all over again. Interesting times lie ahead for us here! ... There wasn't much opportunity to accomplish much else after all of that yesterday. Dinner, walking the dogs, and sermon preparation before heading to bed. I think a nap is on the agenda this afternoon, and then, perhaps, some time to try to get caught up! I'm going to cross my fingers...

Ole!

Imagine an accent on that e, in honor of Cinco de Mayo! And yes, it's now thethe day is now over, but I'm seizing the moment before going to bed to offer this report! It was a wonderful time; we had a blast planning the menu, cooking the food, and yes, even cleaning up! (OMG, what a joy to have a clean living room, though of course don't go look in the guest room which has become the new "staging area" for unpacking and trying to decide where things should go!)

Our menu started with the obligatory chips and two shades (mild and hot) of salsa, queso fundido, and of course, margaritas! For dinner we prepared quesadillas, pork taquitos, roasted corn and black bean salad, chicken mole, garlic shrimp, refried beans, yellow rice and Mexican rice, and of course there was sour cream, guacamole , cilantro and more salsa for garnish. The idea was to everyone to have a taste of each dish, more like tapas portions, than entrée portions. And it seemed to work! No dessert (except for the cookies that Debi brought to share—thanks Deb!), but who had room anyway? Except for the salsa and refried beans we made everything from scratch, and boy howdy (as we saw in the south), what a difference! Pictures show Ken preparing the queso fundido, the chicken mole (before the chocolate was added!), our “spread,” and guests when we sat down to eat. It was really a lovely time with lots of laughs.

On Saturday: round three of trying to elect a bishop. I’ll report back!

a little incentive

We've decided to host a small Cinco de Mayo party on Friday, so the race is on to get this house in order! The kitchen still needs attention (but it's doable), and the living room is next, but will be more difficult. I keep asking Ken, "where are we going to put the videos and DVD's?" and I keep getting no answer. Maybe those boxes will go into the tub in the guest bathroom for the occasion! My office isn't a public area, thank goodness, because there's no way that it will be in any kind of order by Friday night. I make progress every day, but there are so many things to put away, and so few places to put them! I've become an expert in triaging, but it is still a time consuming process.

The good news is that there is hope for the guest room, which has been serving as an overflow "we'll get to this later" area. Yesterday we took the remains of the yard sale, as well as clothes, to Goodwill and a local community help center. I finally accepted the idea that it is unlikely that I will fit into a size 8 skirt ever again, so parted with a lot of items. That now makes space to store fabric in the closet in the guest room, LOL. There are still other craft items, like dried flowers and such to make wreaths, and yarn for knitting projects (most of them were at least begun!). Not sure what to do with the latter, since I just don’t have the time for knitting that I used to have. Oh well.
Here’s a peek at what the guest room might actually look like again once it can be reclaimed! When we’re a bit more tidy I’ll take some “up close” shots of things around the house so you can see how things look. For now, time to get some sustenance to go with my coffee and get about the day!