What is this mess?

We're moving to a new rental house this week, and this is just the beginning of all the packing we need to do. We got the keys last night, so I'm going to start moving stuff today (John has to work all day--so he's off the hook).

I'm so excited about the house I wish I could move EVERYTHING today. It has closets! Lots and lots of closets! It has a completely dry basement AND pipes that don't freeze in the winter. It also has a bigger kitchen, an upstairs bedroom-a.k.a John's Man Cave (which will be complete with guns, computers, and a tv) and another room we can use for guests (and maybe a little knitting, sewing, and photography gear). So excited!!

On a side note, I think this town sets me up for REALLY low expectations when it comes to houses. I swear, I dream that one day (one sweet day) I'll have central air-conditioning and a dishwasher. High aspirations, right? ;)

When I'm not packing, I've been working on...



...my Aran Accent Vest (made with Donegal Tweed Homespun yarn). It's the first knitted garment I've ever worked on. I'm really happy with it so far (but have to take a break because I'm confused about the decreases--I'm waiting for reinforcements ;) ).

I just realized earlier this week that I've been knitting for 4 1/2 years. 4 1/2! I couldn't believe it's been that long (guess I've always thought of myself as a newbie knitter). Guess it's time to start trying some harder patterns.

Dogsitting at Nancy's

Callie and Brady--just chilling.

On Friday, I went out to Nancy's house to dog-sit for the weekend and brought Callie with me. She had a great time running around with Brady, exploring the woods, and getting muddy in the creek.

While she was wearing herself out, I was knitting, knitting, knitting and watching LOTS of cable TV. I finished my first Jaywalker sock (but it's a little messed up-laddering-ugh!) and started on my Aran Accent Vest (which I really think is going to be too big-double ugh!I may have to frog it and try a different yarn). On the plus side, I did start reading from a chart for the very first time!

I also took some pictures...



This picture doesn't show the shallow cow-pond off to my left--the one that Callie decided she needed to swim in. What can I say? She LOVES smelly stuff. Unfortunately for her, she smelled so bad that she had to stay outside all afternoon, and then get soaped up twice with coconut-smelling shampoo (and that first wash smelled like coconuts AND cow poop--yuck!)

S-U-C-C-E-S-S

John's birthday cake!

(Two layer, from scratch yellow cake with homemade chocolate frosting)

Recipe here

My first two layer, first yellow cake, and first time doing all the tricks to make it pretty. I could just show the picture and let you assume that I was totally cool and confident during the whole baking process, but that wasn't entirely the case.

I made the cake the night before and was convinced they were burning and looked like "mutant cake" (put too much batter in each pan so they got really tall). Then it was time to make the frosting before the party, and I was a quarter cup short on sour cream. John thought it'd be fine without it (I was not convinced), so he made a quick trip to the grocery store (thanks John!).

=)

John is...

very excited about his new camera! =)

He wanted me to let him open it yesterday (no way!) but I caved in when he wanted to open his gifts this morning. He's already been taking pictures all morning and has to recharge the battery so it will be ready for the party tonight.

More garden pics

John's Brandywine tomatoes are finally making an appearance. He has four so far and more on the way.



More chili peppers ready to go!



A cute green cherry tomato.

The tomatoes have all gotten really tall--way over the tops of their cages. I've pretty much let them all get tangled up together so they can support each other (not sure how we'll move them when it's time to mow the yard, though)

The strawberries aren't really doing anything (should they be producing strawberries by now? I'm not sure).

And, unfortunately, we lost the acorn squash to powdery mildew (gave up on them a couple weeks ago).

In non-gardening news, we have a busy weekend planned. John's Mom, Grandma and Aunt Kay are coming to eat at Lui-Lui's today (he's working, but I get to go). Then it's time to clean, clean, clean the house before people come over for John's birthday (tomorrow!). I'm also going to make him this cake from Smitten Kitchen. Fingers crossed it turns out okay!