Back in Black

And white, and caramel. Introducing Homer (4 yr old jack russell/rat terrier) and Hannah (3.5 mo. old Australian Shepherd).

New resident

Been a long time 'tween posting. Here's the newest member of the Fam: Snapple! We are destined to find our pets in parking lots, it seems. This yearling snapping turtle was headed for neverland in the middle of a crowded Hy-Vee parking lot. We hope to take him from 30% survival chance to a couple years up, and release him in Squaw Creek behind our house. Gosh he's fun to watch, as he chases the guppies around his aquarium domain.

Eleven years young!

A great weekend was had by both Gddtrs, their folks, and a special friend who was also turning eleven! The two princesses (theme of the celebration) had a blast with a pinata, enjoyed the requested-spaghetti dinner plus a crown cake, and fairly DANCED through the weekend! A huge thank you to M for asking us to host the occasion. We love you! Shout-outs to E for winning FIRST at the vball tourney, and good luck at State next weekend. We're so lucky to have you for friends ...

Don't try this at home

Alternative title: IF I HAD A HAMMER

Bottom line is the stove/oven is cleaner than it's ever been. Note to self: "no need to take apart the bleepin' door to do this next time." And yes, I really did use the hammer (with a shim) to get it back together. Duh.

Got firewood?! But no more lilacs ...

Whoa, what a late winter blast. An entire weekend snuggled inside (with ham & bean soup, and a first-run test of french bread in the breadmaker) while Mother Nature culled the deadwood. Bless our neighbor's heart for chainsawing the (11" diameter) big branches across the lane so the plow guy could get through. We lost a big pine in the very-back yard, and just about all our lilacs. These photos don't show much as the snow had buried the big debris.