Little House in the Big Woods

As promised, here are some pictures of our new house (just renting.)

Here is our kitchen:

 Hey! A laundry room!

 the office:

bathroom 

living room:

More recent projects and stuff: this is what I'm working on for above the couch. It still needs tweaking.

 It felt so good to unpack all my cookbook friends.

 doing a little Valentine's decorating:

 We had a bunch of snow through which Jud prances.

I really needed somewhere to put my earrings (other than the Ziplock bag they were in), so I attached some lace to a thrift store frame, et voila! Yes, Pinterest buddies, I know.

 Until a few weeks ago, our TV was sitting on the floor. I picked up a TV cabinet on Craigslist and am having fun putting real-lady-things on it. I was feeling crafty and spray-painted a glass vase white. I like the way it turned out.



So there you are. Someday I'll post pictures of the outside and our bedroom, etc., but today is not that day. My next project is going to be making curtains for the living room. I've never sewed anything in my life, but Cousin Kelly is graciously teaching me.

Weekend in Oklahoma

Last weekend Jesse and I flew down to Oklahoma to see our nephew Connor baptized. It was a real pleasure to watch this little guy make new steps in his life. We love the Singer family so much.

 After a little front yard baseball, we got to go to Connor-bonnor's birthday party at Hey-Day, which is kinda like Chuck-e-Cheez, bu way better...

 Jesse is such a good influence.

 As Connor's starting cub scouts, Jesse thought he needed a Swiss Army Knife. Kid delight. I think his mother's quote was, "sutures in our futures."

 They had a really cool ropes course above the arcade. They strapped us in and we monkeyed around.

 We also got to go to Connor's basketball game, in which he was a total stud and stole the ball and scored a basket. This is not when he scored the basket. But he looks really cool.

 This is when he scored the basket.

 OK, the good stuff.

 Jamie couldn't believe her baby's so old.

 And then we all went back to the Singers' for some Kinect Michael Jackson action.

We miss these guys and so wish they lived closer.

Christmas, as promised

This Christmas was our favorite so far. For the first time, we woke up in our own house and opened presents by ourselves. It was magical. Among the highlights in the gift department: superhero glasses for Jesse, a beautiful pitcher for me, nice bath towels, a gift certificate for a mani-pedi (yeah, for me), glass cannisters for our kitchen counter, and other nice stuff. Yes, this is me in the morning.

So every year, mom made a cinnamon roll braid for Christmas breakfast, and I swear, every year she'd apologize for it not rising properly (even though it was always good). Mom, turns out the secret to a light and fluffy braid is to buy the damn dough.

Jud and Molly had a nice Christmas and got a rope-duck that lasted aproximately 4 days.

 I surprised Jesse with adoption papers. Planning on turning those in this spring.

 Our windowsill caroler with the sunrise behind her.

 We found lots of Jesse's old mission stuff in the move, so I put together a memory shadow box for him.

Then we spent the evening with family. A really nice Christmas.

Still Alive

Hi friends. We're still alive. Just lost a little (lot of) sail-wind there for a while. Jesse and I had a really nice Christmas, pictures coming soon. In fact, upcoming posts include pictures of our new house (we moved!), Christmas, and our trip this coming weekend to Oklahoma for our nephew's baptism.

I have to say, it's been a tough couple months for the Thorsons. Even so, we've been made aware of some people who've had it a lot tougher. So glad to report that we have each other and our health. And our dogs--they're important. Blogging friends: thanks for all the distraction you provide. I love knowing what's going on with friends afar. Family: we miss you. English countryside: I absolutely ache to go on a walk with you.