wandering

Saturday, when I woke up, was sunny and inviting. So we hopped in the truck and went drivin'. And I said, "Turn here, let's see where that goes." And a little while later Matt said, "I wonder what's down this road." And so we went and this is what we saw.

We passed a little vineyard. Funny thing to see when you think you're driving into a neighborhood.

We spotted a little sign for a nature preserve and decided to check it out. It was a wise decision.

We walked over hill and dale

And found our way to the water.

I think it is such a nice gesture that bench resides in memory of someone. It is a lovely tribute.

While we were looking at the sea, we decided that we were actually facing our house.

This was confirmed with a little help from the zoom. And we were puzzled to find a barge out in the sound. It wasn't visible when we got home. It is an unsolved mystery.

And then we found this charming little lovers' lane.

Unfortunately it was already occupied.

But we consoled ourselves with plans to come with a picnic when some of our visitors arrive this summer. Jenna and Dex, perhaps? Rob and Kate?

And this is our self-portrait.

spring.spring.spring.spring.

hunting and gathering

In reference to the previous post about the grill, I now feel slightly embarrassed to tell the following story. However, it's kind of amusing, so I will sacrifice a bit of my pride.

Matt and I have adapted the "hunter and gatherer" mentality since moving to this area. Except the "hunting" refers to keeping a keen eye trained towards the curb on Sunday afternoons and the "gathering" involves surreptitiously darting about and shoving various items into our car.

No, we're not stealing. Sunday is the day before trash day and we're just helping out the garbage trucks. And you wouldn't believe what gets curbed.

The grill, for example. I saw it while I was out running and Matt stopped by after work to check it out. We actually talked to the owner, who said we could have it because it was finicky and they got a new one. After Matt cleaned it out, it worked fine for us.

Some of our finds are less exciting. Like this laundry basket:

And this large wicker trunk:

But remember our Christmas bonanza? We picked up a whole plastic tub of ribbon that went on the tree,

(bike not included)

stockings for the banister,

and several small artificial trees, one which became Moosey's.

We also got a set of three plastic drawers but those are unglamorously storing all of Moose's earthly belongings in the basement.

I was pretty pumped when we picked up these one day after church - a matching set of two tall floor lamps.

And a couple weeks ago we got two of these chairs.

Like my chair model?

I'd love to recover them and finish this table for a little breakfast nook.

We'll see how far my creativity takes me. If anyone wants to come up here and get crafty, you're welcome to! I'll take you on a tour of the neighborhood and you can keep whatever you find!

Thursday - The New Friday

Yesterday was a little crazy for me. I'm not sure if I mentioned I'm nannying now for a family - it's going very well and I really enjoy it, and I'm sure I'll write more soon. However, something was in the air on Thursday and by the time I left the house, I was really drained.

When I got home, I was surprised to see Matt's truck in the driveway. As I opened the car door, I gave the air a sniff. It was just like a little cartoon mouse sniffing the wavy lines of cartoon smells wafting from the pie on the windowsill. In my case, the scent was coming from our porch. Matt was grilling dinner.

I'll tell you later about how we got the grill.

The point right now is that I couldn't have been ANY happier.

Turns out while I was making spaghetti-o's and helping with homework, Matt was driving to every gas station in the three villages to find propane. Of course he ended up at the WalMarts, where all good things come at happy whistly prices. Then he had to go buy some meats (like Mother Hubbard, our fridge is bare) and had it all going by the time I dragged myself home.

I decided to lie in the grass and stare at the trees while Matt finished our meal.

Me: exhausted and content starting at trees.

Matt: made the marinade.

Me: looking at the sky.

Matt: checking on his kabobs.

Of course helper is never far behind.

Table for two, please.

Or three.

bebe shower

Yesterday I had a little baby shower for my pal Lori, who is having a little girl in June. It was fun to have tons of girly pink and green stuff everywhere! I also love how all of my nice things are mostly wedding gifts, which make them extra special, because every time I pull them out it is with a little prayer of thanks for the people who love us!

I made cake pops! Classic shower food.

Pink and Green candy bar. The pretty canisters are from my mom.

My favorite multi-purpose wavy-edged Y-engraved plate/bowl, from Mrs. KP Russell.

I have a thing for party banners.

It made the cloudy day seem a bit brighter.

Darling coasters from Meg in Bolivia that matched the pink/green idea.

My new uber-cheap dessert plates my mom and I picked up at the PB outlet.

I also have a thing for pitchers. The one on the left is from my favorite Kitengela in Kenya, gifted from JHunt. The one on the right is a wedding gift from my grandma.

Welcome to the baby shower. I will take any cake balls or cheese cubes off your hands.

beautiful on the inside.

I love this commercial. Welcome to Moose's world.

The ladies love him.

discovering

Over the past week, I've found some wonderful new spots right around where we live. Unfortunately - or maybe fortunately - I didn't have my camera with me. Although it always drives me nuts when I can't take a picture of something beautiful or noteworthy, I think I actually remember the moment more clearly when I'm forced to etch it into my mind instead of frame it with a camera.

Last weekend Matt and I ran through our neighborhood and enjoyed the beautiful new colors of spring. On the way home, we followed for the first time a path that led off the road towards the marshy bay of Flax Pond. On the path we found a deer frozen only feet away. After she bounded off, we followed the trail through the grass to a bridge, which I believe must only be accessible at low tide. We tiptoed through the mud and paused in the middle of the worn bridge to survey the incredible beauty of the water and the sunset. Hopping over gaps in the weathered planks, we crossed to the other side and picked our way through to a few sand dunes that line ocean. We were farther out on the beach than we'd ever ventured before and as we walked towards familiar territory, we came across an unusual tree set back from the beach. It was completely covered in old buoys. It looked wonderful, and I love that we've found the secret work of someone from days past. I have a strange fascination with the buoys that wash up on our beach and have brought home a small collection since we first moved in. I haven't decided what to do with them - they're tossed in our garden shed - but it's nice to know someone else thinks they're worth collecting.

We walked home, chilled by the evening wind and even more grateful that God blessed us with a respite in this charming area.

As I said, I had no camera with me, but when I got home, I had to take a picture. I had run a couple miles and crossed to the center of the old bridge before I looked down and noticed that in my haste to get out the door, I'd put two different shoes on. In my defense, the one on the right is just and updated version of the one on the left . . .

new hobby.

Last weekend, while Matt was busy seeing the White House

and getting the backstage tour of the Capitol,

snapping sweet shots of the monument,

and eating Ethiopian

with these two pals,

I was playing in the dirt

with this little helper.

I decided that I'd like to try my hand at growing some foodstuffs. I don't have a green thumb or much knowledge of what in the world to do, but I'm going for it. I'm become familiar with the gardening shelves of our library, if not the pages of the books I bring home. They have pretty pictures. :) I also started a half-hearted attempt at a compost pile . . . maybe next year it'll be ready to go. While I know nothing about anything, I am pretty sure that the many wild animals roaming our woods would be detrimental to my garden. So, when my parents were out here, my handyman dad built me a garden!

Here it is in its tightly sealed state. No animals allowed!

And this is me working away.

Since lettuce can tolerate a little cold weather, I planted it a few weeks ago. Voila! My little lettuce seedlings! I didn't know . . . I just planted the whole packet . . . they're going to need some thinning out pretty soon.

I started big tomatoes

and cherry tomatoes

inside. I started peppers too but no sign of them yet. Maybe I forgot to actually plant the seeds? I don't know.

If you're a pro gardener and have advice or tips or you-must-do-this's, please share.