Mawwage.

... Mawwage is what bwings us togethew today. Mawwage, that bwessed awwangement, that dweam within a dweam. And wove, twue wove, wiww fowwow you fowevah...
So tweasuwe youw wove...

Today is mine and Matt's 7th wedding anniversary. The celebration of the day us 2 best friends decided to announce to the world (actually, we eloped so it was more like 2 friends we asked to join us and be our witnesses) how much we meant to one another. I am so lucky to have him in my life, as my friend, partner and well, twue wove.

April 29, 2001

green acres is the place to be...

This post is dedcated to those of our family and friends still stuck in Taxachusetts who maybe still cant understand why we moved our family to New Hampshire. This is how we spent our April 20th...

This is a little place known to us locals as Dort Road. Its wonderful and there is soooooo much space and land for Maizy and Annabell to run like crazy. Even tho the water is still pretty cold (about 44 degrees) that didnt stop Maizy from jumping in the rapids and treating the place like it was her own water park. She would swim in place for a few minutes and then, when she got tired she would let the current carry her down river and somewhere she climbed onto the banks, ran back to us and jumped in to do it all over again. Annabell didnt seem put off by the cold water either. She enjoyed stepping in and throwing rocks for Maizy to chase.

In other news I was delirously happy to get out and start playing in the garden this weekend. I did mostly spring cleaning. But I was able to get my planters all planted with coleus and pansies for now. ( I know they will change over the season.) Here are some pics that will end up as 'before' shots to compare at the end of the summer.

really, I am happiest when I have soil under my fingernails. AND I even have strap marks from the sun!!! How loverly.

shes got the bug too.

It would seem Annabell's itching just as much as me to start the fun. Today little girl- promise!

doe-a-deer

Having been born and raised in the Boston area, my own personal experience with wildlife near my yard is somewhat 'challenged'. Our idea of wild animals were pesky squirells ripping into garbage bags an occasional skunk and many, many pigeons. Not to be forgotten was the year that the MBTA built Alewife Station at Fresh Pond in Cambridge, driving Cambridge's version of wildlife (RATS!) into the adjacent Arlington neighborhoods where I lived. So you can probably guess moving to New Hampshire was a totally new experience for big city-Jen. And you can also imagine my reaction the first time we spotted deer in our back forty. I gathered up my (then) 2 year old daughter and (then) puppy Maizy and in an honest attempt to keep them quiet and non-threatening went out back. The dog of course, flipped out immediately. While trying to contain her, Annabell noticed a ball and became extremely loud in her requests to play with it. Hindsight being what it is I probably should have just appeased them both and given them the ball to play with. But in my excitement over the newly discovered sanctuary that was my back yard I opted to make them wait. You can probably guess this scene did not sit well with our 4 legged guests. As they ran off I moped and kicked myself for not being satisfied with watching them from the window. They never returned- at least not when the crazy lady and her screaming brat and mangey mutt were in sight.

Until,

Can you see them? These are clearly young, possibly new deer. Im almost positive they have not been informed of our past mis-adventures in trying to observe them peacefully. They seem curious but not threatened by Maizy's barking at them. At some point they just become annoyed with her (as do I) and move on. I am SOOOO EXCITED to see these 2. I told Matt I want to name them. They are in my yard repeatedly- they are MY deer. Tho I decided its better not to try to explain this to them. My dad says there must be a buck around too if I am seeing these 2 young ones. How COOL would it be for him to grace us with his presence. I hope he finds my yard worthy! I have not decided on names for (my) deer. Any suggestions? Bambi and Filene seem way too obvious BTW.

strawberry season

Its here- they are on sale again at the market. Today while Annabell slept I made her a treat. I had planned to take a very delicious picture of my creations, but she woke before I could. I think these pics convey the sheer joy that is a chocolate covered strawberry better anyhow. And lets face it- I could have laid them out on a cardboard box and you would still be left craving some.

TAG! Im it, and other stuff

Woohoo- Ive been tagged! Look out youre next! ;-P

Here are the rules:

1. Link your tagger. Post the rules

2. Share 7 facts about yourself (random or weird)

3. Tag 7 friends

4. Leave a comment letting them know they have been tagged.

1. I have an addictive personality- just ask my coffee maker.

2. I have a Palatal torus. google it.

3. I wear 2 toe rings.

4. I am a procrastinator.

5. I love new hair day (see below). No really I do. Its my own personal high.

6. I have a vintage purse collection but dont like carrying a purse.

7. I still watch (&enjoy) the Golden Girls.

In other news:

I got my new hair yesterday! I love it. heres a couple pics of moi.

That is my hair savior, Christa with me. She is so fabulous and comes to my house to do my hair. (Dont mind the kitchen- still a work in progress- I wish I had a kitchen savior as well) Due to some unfortunate events, she does not have her 'hair license' and wont get it soon. It really is a shame because she is wicked talented. But on the upside I get her all to myself! The texture is great and I love love love the color. Its medium intense burgundy with jet black lowlights. The pics dont really do it justice.

raindrops on Annabell Rose-s,....

Gramma got this adorable slicker and boots for Annabell like 2 years ago. It fits her now and just in time for April showers! She loves going outside and has to splash in every puddle she sees. She sings the the Laurie Berkner tune "Boots" all the while. If it has to rain at least she is enjoying it!

In other news we FINALLY painted the kitchen cabinets that have been off the hinges for oh I dont know EVER! When we bought the house it was clear to see that not only did the woman who owned it prior not care much, but that she had not a decorating bone in her body. My kitchen is well, original to say the least. I wouldnt say 'retro' because that denotes a coolness factor which is sadly lacking. This house was built in 1955 and I am sure in 1955, this kitchen was the bees knees. But now its just YUCK. Picture it: Ten by ten room. The floor is some sort of speckled Linoleum, which even when clean looks dingy. RED formica countertop. The cabinetry has all been stained a rich honey color to match the woodwork thru out the house. This would not be so bad if it werent for the fact that once upon a time someone decided to paint the doors and drawer fronts blue. I know what your thinking- "blue is always a nice color". Nope. This is ugly blue. I did not believe an ugly blue existed until i saw it in my kitchen. So I got it in my head, "Ill just paint over the blue with another color." I primed and painted this creamy pale color that I had in my paint stash. (I have a sick addiction to Home Depot's 'oops' paint shelf that I'm sure will come up again later) We put one cabinet up and hated it. So now for months I have had no top cabinets except for that one mocking my interior design sense, and all the bottom cabinets and drawers are STILL ick-blue. Now come the debates with Matt. Neither of us likes the idea of painting ALL the cabinetry including the frame work. It goes against our inner voices that tell us how nice and natural stained wood looks. I offer up the option of refinishing the cabinets and staining them again. Which my blue-collar working husband quickle shoots down as too much work. So as a compromise that (at the time) seemed sensible, we decide to buy some paint that closely resembles the color of the stain. It seemed all was going to be okay. I bought "Spiced brandy" paint and brought it home. 6 months ago. Last weekend we FINALLY painted them and put them up. and well a picture is wort a bazillion words:

Thats right, its hideous.

After the 2 of us staring at it for a long silent moment, Matt says:

"When people come over just say, - - -"

I offer, "That someone broke into the house and painted the cabinets?"

So today we begin stripping and sanding and will polyurethane them. Tomorrow we will begin the search for acceptable countertop options. Matt doesnt see the pressing need, but then again he isnt the one in the kitchen all the time either....

I am also getting my hair done today and will post a pic later of that. Have a great Saturday peoples!