The newest addition

Cooper, asleep on the couch this morning

We got him last Sunday in Mitchell. He's eight weeks old and the same breed as Callie (American Brittany).



How cute are they?!?

Oregon!

Last week, I attended the National Camping Institute. It was held at the Oregon 4-H Center outside Salem. There were tons of people there, including the four other South Dakota 4-H educators(and here we all are by the canoe pond). It was an incredible conference with so many great camping-type people (which, of course, meant lots of spontaneous singing).



Oregon was green, sunny, and the trees were blooming. I pretty much wanted to bundle it all up and bring it home with me. We spent a lot of free time just sitting in the sun.



My first look at the Oregon Coast (at Neskowin) during our tour of the Three Capes Loop. I loved the coast and watching the waves roll in. I probably could've spent the whole day just sitting there.




More Neskowin



The coast at Cape Meares



More Cape Meares



The coast at Pacific City (where we stopped at the Pelican Pub)



I had some time before my flight home, so I took the train into Portland and went to the Saturday Market. Shannon from Arkansas joined me, and we saw tons of awesome photography, jewelry, sculptures, paintings, and gifts. I restrained myself and only bought one necklace (but I'm going to check out the websites of a few of the artists I saw there). It was 65 degrees and sunny--the prettiest day they've had yet (I asked) and the place was packed with people and dogs and kids.



(Food I can't get in South Dakota)

I enjoyed my chicken satay and curry while soaking up with sun and listening to a band. Way better than sitting in the boring airport ;)

It's a good thing she's cute

My dog likes to wake me up in the morning. It isn't a new thing. She usually whines in my face or scratches at the wall around 6:30 or 7 (when I normally get up for work).

This morning, I woke up to her barking at the back door at 5:40 am. Too early! I walked out and told her "No! Go back to bed," and she did. Whew.

At 6:30, I woke up to her standing next to the bed, whining at me. Since it was time to get up anyway, I got out of bed and went out to let her outside.

She didn't follow me out of the room.

About a second later, I heard her jump back up onto the bed. When I went back in the bedroom, she was curled up under the covers right where I'd just been sleeping.

Brat.

Not too snobby to ask for help...

The good news? I just won a book from this blog, BookSnob, for explaining how/why I'm a book snob (and yes, you have to click the link to see my winning post). How cool is that?!?!

I got to pick my prize, so William Zinsser's Writing About Your Life will be showing up in my mailbox someday soon. I can't wait!

So why do I need your help?

I am in a serious reading rut.

For the past few years, it's been young adult literature (which I love). Recently, I've taken a turn toward non-fiction (also good), but I really need some new book ideas.

Want to help a girl out? Comment with your favorite fiction picks, and I will be forever grateful.

Valentine's Day

Cranberry scones for breakfast (made by me).



Working on some little socks for my new niece, Dixie (I'm an aunt!!)

We also had a lovely dinner at my parents' house. John made all the food, and my dad picked up the tab (yay for free, delicious meals!!) So it was homemade bread with boursin cheese, chicken coconut cream soup, salad, teriyaki salmon with pineapple salsa, chocolate covered strawberries, and red cake with cream cheese frosting...mmmmm.

Earlier this weekend...



Callie had a crazed look in her eyes , so on Saturday I put on my snowshoes and tromped around the backyard with her. She loooves the snow. If you throw snowballs at her, she'll catch them in her mouth and eat them. I even saw her carrying part of an icicle around like a stick.



All the snow in our backyard. She can walk over that really tall spot by the fence, but (thankfully) she's only ever done it when John was on the other side.

Sunday morning

It's been a lazy morning so far, drinking tea and window-shopping on Etsy (loving this and this) , taking pictures of the dog and the windows.

Yesterday, we (John, Mom, and me) painted trim for the doors and windows, and we hung some stuff up on the walls--so we're that much closer to a finished house!

I've also been taking pictures of the Game Jam at DSU (my favorite pic so far)--a 48 hour global game design contest. My dad (who's a professor there) has been there almost all weekend with his students, and I've been stopping by to take pictures and help them eat some of their junk food. John's going to help judge the games this afternoon.

And tonight, I'll be watching Emma on PBS with Mom and Erin. <3

Happy January!

Whew...

Tomorrow, I'll have been at my job for 3 months. It hardly seems possible, but it's true.

We went to Kansas for Christmas. I was so worried that we weren't going to be able to go...all the weather forecasts were calling for blizzards. Right before we left SD the governor called a "state of emergency"...but the roads in South Dakota were totally fine. Nebraska though...that was slow going, but we made it! We had a wonderful Christmas, and then had to stay an extra day at my Grandma and Grandpa's because 81 was closed in half of Nebraska. Took 4 of us at least an hour to dig our driveway out (Yes, John, you were right. We should get a snow blower!)

We came back to work like crazy on the little house (our for-real rental house that wasn't finished yet) and we celebrated the new year by moving all of our stuff out of our temp rental to the little house(in sub-zero temperatures). Finished at 2:35 am on January 1. Thank goodness for my parents' and Erin (who packed up our whole kitchen single-handedly!)and John. I think my parents are right--it's a New Years I'll never forget.

Had to stay at my parents' house for a few days while the kitchen got finished and the hot water got hooked up (that week we also were both traveling, me to Sioux Falls and John to Omaha--the weather kept us both out an extra day, but that meant more shopping time with my fun coworkers, so I didn't mind).

We've been in the house for almost 2 weeks now...and things are somewhat put away. Life is kind of getting back to normal (and Callie is back with us, acting crazy and enjoying her very own fenced back yard--even though the snow is up to her neck in some places)

We still need to paint the trim and paint the doors...right now I'm totally ignoring all of that...the idea of taking things back apart...painting...sanding...

How about we wait until it warms up? Like in May?

=)

Thanksgiving Pics

John carves the turkey...



...while Callie begs for scraps (she was very interested in the whole process).

We had Thanksgiving at my parents house, and John did the cooking. He went over early to get started, and then I walked over about an hour later. It was so surreal to be walking to my parents' house for Thanksgiving. Every now and then it hits me that we actually live here, and I live blocks from my parents and Erin--something I never thought would happen. Thanksgiving morning was one of those times.

(and it's REALLY been hitting me the last couple days as I try to shovel the snow from the driveway--BRRR!)



The table set and ready to go! We had turkey, cranberry jello salad, homemade rolls, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie and cranberry apple pie (I FINALLY got some of John's famous cranberry apple pie). I know my mom appreciated having John around to cook because she bragged about it to her sisters (and now he's been lined up to cook for Christmas, too--good thing he enjoys it!)



Mmm...mashed potatoes!



Rugby, one of my parents' dogs, making a very Rugby face. Rugby is my parents' youngest dog (just a little over a year old) and he and Callie play and play and play. I'm not sure what either of them will do when we move to our actual rental house and she comes back to live with us (puppy play dates!)

Halfway done (almost)

On Sunday, I finished the front of my Aran Accent Vest (my first ever non-sock garment!). I've been working on it (on and off) since August 15th, but I had to take a long break with the moving and new job (my brain was so fried I couldn't knit without messing up). I did have a bit of trouble with the decreases and one design element that I didn't go back and fix, but I'm really excited about how it's turning out. I think (hope!) that it's going to fit right. When I hold it up to myself, it looks like it will.

I'm really liking the yarn. The only drawback is that it makes the cables harder to see (but on the flip side, it makes any mistakes harder to see!). Depending on the fit and how the back goes, I may make the vest again in a solid colored yarn.

I also started some cabled socks, which I really like, and they make up for the Jaywalker socks that aren't working.at.all (size issues, even when I fixed the whole laddering issue). I may try the Jaywalkers again making the next size up, but I think I'm going to need a big, long break from them first.

Lake Herman

It was actually sunny today (!!!) so we took Callie out to Lake Herman State Park. She loved it, just ran and ran and ran, sniffing everything she could find. Also, unfortunately, she found something dead to roll in (ugh!). Up until that point, John hadn't encouraged her to swim in the lake, but she smelled SO bad that into the lake she went. John threw a stick for her several times, and each time she'd run out of the water, up the hill, shake off, and roll in the leaves (I'm guessing it was a little chilly)



She spent some more time running and running around...and forgave John for throwing those sticks into the cold lake.



All that running, rolling, and swimming wore her out. She was conked out during our short trip home (we had to keep a a couple windows open--the lake only helped the smell a little). Once we got home, it was time for a BATH!

Walking

The weather has been gorgeous here for the past few days--sunny and 60 degrees. So we've been taking Callie for some walks around town, trying to appreciate what may be the last bit of warm weather before the cold, dark winter.



Yesterday, I went to the Tour of Tables event with my mom. It was a lunch for the Domestic Violence Network, and each table had a hostess who decorated it (so we had a beach table, a few Christmas tables, one that displayed the host's hippo collection--called "Hippo Heaven," and many more). Our table was all Christmas village (the light up ceramic buildings) complete with a Santa and sleigh that circled one of the chimneys, so a few people had to dodge Santa as they ate their lunch. Mom introduced me to a bunch of people, including one person to offered to be a camp volunteer (only been here two weeks and I already have a camp volunteer? Nice!).

Then I went to the library in the afternoon and got a stack of books (Small Wonder, Reading Lolita in Tehran, A Great and Terrible Beauty, Brisingr, and two kniting books).

Today, I'm planning on reading and knitting, visiting a 4-H club at 2, and hoping some of these clouds go away (and maybe grilling for dinner--fingers crossed!)

Move Moving Moved

(Callie with John in our moving truck before we left Ohio--I thought it would be a really cute picture, but the sad thing is you can tell how out-of-sorts she is about the whole thing)

On Monday, October 19th, we arrived in Madison, South Dakota--finally here after some marathon packing sessions and 20 hours on the road. John drove the u-haul for all but 2 hours and with no CD or tape player was at the mercy of whatever radio stations he could get (lots of Taylor Swift!). I listened to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies almost the whole way, and Callie slept for almost the whole drive--was a little confused when we stopped at the Motel 6 in Cedar Rapids (told her it wasn't our final destination, but she doesn't understand English, so who knows). We worried about having to leave her at my parents house when we got here (our temporary rental house doesn't allow dogs) but she's been playing and playing with the other dogs and happier than she's looked in months (much happier than she looks in the picture--and we're the ones who are sad and missing her). Anyway...

On Thursday the 22nd, I started on my job as Extension Educator here.

On Friday the 23rd, we drove 7 hours (after work) to get to Heather and Brian's house in Kansas City, so that on Saturday we could hang out with Christina and Brent, and then go to our 10 year high school reunion. Had an awesome time--Oklahoma Joe's for lunch and then into Lawrence for the reunion. On Sunday, we drove the 7 hours back to our new home.

On Monday, John got a new job, Catering Supervisor at Dakota State University, and he started on Tuesday, and put in a long week the very first time around.

Saturday was Halloween (we carved pumpkins, ate pumpkin muffins and had the most trick-or-treaters we've ever had come to the house).

Sunday was our one year anniversary (and 4-H recognition event). For our anniversary, John made sausage gravy and biscuits for breakfast (his best biscuits yet--they were awesome!) and then sausage-stuffed chicken for dinner, with squash soup, green beans, mashed potatoes, and lemon souffles. Sooo good!

Whew...

John's Famous Scarf

Our knitting group's work it being displayed at the public library this month, and John's Irish Hiking Scarf was my contribution (my first knit scarf---made back in 2005...luckily, behind glass you can't tell it's acrylic ;) ). One day, I'm going to have to make him a wool scarf.

Things have been crazy busy here--moved to a different rental house (LOVE the new place), turned 29, and took a quick trip home to South Dakota.

I'm looking forward to the weekend--nothing planned other than a trip to the Paw Paw Festival, maybe taking the dog for a walk, and maybe making some granola.

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!

First veggies...

John with our first chili pepper and the second cherry tomato of the summer.



Yellow tomatoes, almost ready to go!



And the socks I started this morning. How cute are they?? They're the Jaywalker pattern in Knit Picks Felici.

Bibs are the answer

...to how I'm going to make gifts for all these kids that keep coming into the world. I like to make toddler socks, but I really can't keep up.

Easy Peasy Baby Bib Pattern: http://itchymcstitchy.blogspot.com/2009/01/easy-peasy-baby-bib-pattern.html

(Made with Bernat Cottontots in Lime Berry)

Cute, huh?

Garden update: We're afraid we may be losing our squash to powdery mildew--alternating between spray and miracle grow to see if we can get them to pull through. The tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries are all doing fine. John's Brandywine tomatoes are just now starting to flower/bud. We had one ripe strawberry, but I waited too long to pick it. Something else ate it before I could.