At Terry's request...

Sorry that we can't show a time- lapsed photo. Just imagine the hum of the motor and the electric glow of technology~

Jingle those bells

Well, I got my bells in gear this year and worked off some of that turkey by decorating the house for Christmas yesterday. Our Pom-Pom tree sure makes the house sparkle! Nyx has taken her spot under the tree as usual and this year she's helping to ward off Atticus and his wily tail from getting too near the glass ornaments. She and the scary piggy bank that makes a lot of racket are a great team! Also, the fire extinguisher is close at hand just in case the aluminum tree decides to ignite from the ultra- low energy lights (VERY unlikely, but we want to be prepared just in case the curse of the Pom- Pom returns). Sure is pretty!

Turkey, turkey, turkey!

We hope everyone had a fabulous and filling Thanksgiving! We had a lovely time with our friends Clare, Stephen, Jared and Maeve. It was quite a feast and, as you can see, we all declared the meal a culinary triumph!

Waaaah! I don't want to rake anymore!

It's been too long!

David , Atticus and I got to spend last weekend visiting Terry, Danielle. Jim, Eloise, Diane and Woody in the autumnal paradise that is their home in NY. We had a wonderful time talking and playing on the front porch, taking walks, playing football, eating waffles and building bookcases for their living room. And Atticus learned a lot about manners from his oh-so-patient cousin Woody!

We had lots of fun and are hoping that our next visit won't be too far away! Thanks y'all!

The one you never see

I've found that as most photographers, it's as if I don't exist. So here's a few of me and Atti that David so nicely took tonite.

Wait a minute...

Atticus and I accidentally wore the same outfit today. Unfortunately, there are not any fish in our neighborhood or ducks to be hunted.

And yes, he did make me change clothes. How embarrassing!

Yea, Jim!

Our nephew Jim started pre-school this year. What a smart little man he's becoming! Just look at the knowledge spouting from his head! Your Aunt and Uncle are very proud!

Mr. Peck

So, our neighbor to the right of us has taken to calling Atticus, "Mr. Peck" after the actor who played Atticus Finch on screen. I think it's rather fitting, too. Maybe he'll have multiple names...

Things are going well. We're all a little tired, but enjoying each other. David built a beautiful "doggie door" for the back pantry where Atticus spends the day and night. It's a lot easier to handle than the pet gates we were using and much more stylish! He's a pro!

If anyone has any good tricks on how to curb nipping, send them our way. We look like we play in rose bushes!

Getting acquainted

As they say, "the more, the merrier!"

All is well here on Plymouth Rd. Atticus has had a very successful week in the world of house training, crate training, "doing your business," sitting and learning when close is too close, according to Nyx.

Aside from the normal puppy habits of chewing and having to go ALL THE TIME, he is a very well- behaved dog and will most definitely be at the top of his class when we begin the puppy manners class in a few months!

Atticus walked/was carried over to see Maeve, Clare and Stephen this morning and did very well socializing with someone not much taller than he. Stephen took lots of pictures and I will post them soon.

I think it's time to "do some business". Hi to all!

We're going to turn into vegetables!

Green chard, red chard, rainbow chard, beets, arugula, kale, zucchini, yellow squash, eggplant, romaine, green lettuce, red lettuce, radishes, cabbage, collards, cucumbers, basil, garlic, shallots...

This year, we decided to join a Community Supported Agriculture group here in Baltimore. This means we get lot of fresh organic veggies (everything listed above this month) every week! Sounds great, and it is, however it is quite a challenge to get through all the veggies before the next round comes. And we're even halving a share with Clare, Stephen and Maeve!

It has been fun to find new recipes that utilize these ingredients. We've made a delicious kale and chard tart quite a few times, eaten lots of greens sauted with garlic, and this week we made beets and beet greens with butter and horseradish. Yum! I hadn't had a beet since I left home!
The beets were so pretty cooking, I had to take a picture.

If anyone has any recipes they especially love, please send them my way!

Shameless doting...

Eloise Marie Chouinard- 2 mos+
Jim Chouinard- 3yrs
Maeve Reichert- 19mos

I don't do muggy

you know, you would think that being raised in the South would make me somewhat resistant to heat and humidity. almost like i should have a special protective layer that Northerners just wouldn't have that would make me more tolerant of the temperature.

but, no. i think i am exactly the opposite. i am finding that out of all the people i know here, i am the one who is most sensitive to the heat! sweating, moaning, miserable. i'm a mess! and it's only June!

Luxes and tigers and bears, oh my!

New endeavours

So in between all the yard and house projects we have, I've decided that I need some hobbies to occupy my time.

I've started learning how to play the drums (much to my neighbors' delight!). I have a long way to go with that, but it's a great way to decompress after work!

I've become ADDICTED to crossword puzzles. (I am quite sure that I was genetically destined to this, it just took a while to surface).

I've also started to try my hand at sewing bags and purses. Over the years I have collected some really cool vintage fabrics from thrift stores and such. I figured this might be a great way to use it and maybe even make some money one day! I've never attempted sewing without a pattern, but I'm finding it to be much easier and more fun.

These are pictures of my first 2 bags. Hopefully there will be more to come!

Hi everybody!

Well we've created another project for ourselves, but I really think this will be fun!

This way we can share what we've been up to with everyone without clogging up your inboxes! I know that makes you happy!

We'll try to be good at posting! We promise! Love to all! L&D

Testing 1-2-3

Let's see if this works...