viola!

i just have to post pictures of our new fire pit. not bad for under $100 and two days of work. oh wait, i guess that doesn't include the hours spent picking wheelbarrow upon wheelbarrow of fieldstone out of the yard.

hmmmmm, yep. totally worth it.

are you enjoying your summer?























the project even warranted a visit from ruby's grandma and grandpa wednesday night. even though it was mona's "tv night," she couldn't pass up the first fire!

(quiz: can you find the beer bucket?)

wedded bliss

you know you have finally hit summer mode when the weekends and weekdays have become one in the same! i enjoyed an amazing weekend in the city celebrating the beautiful wedding of a dear friend. it was filled with laughter, love, dancing, and lots and lots of food. dinner at the st. paul hotel was second to none. estetica salon near cathedral hill was top notch, and we could not have ordered better weather. as i sit three days later, finally recovered, I find myself in full preparation mode for the week ahead: five days entertaining the in-laws...

how we country folk stay busy

blogging 2.0

my dearest husband suprised me yesterday after school with an early birthday present. i am absolutely thrilled at the thought of staying connected no matter where we travel!

i'm baaa-aaack!

the internet returns! yippee!! stay tuned...

i've got a new job, i've discovered some hidden gardening talents (who knew?), and there are only 12 days until my kid-free summer begins! things are on the up and up.

birds freak me out

and yet this morning, i found that they've snuck into nearly every room in my house. how did this happen?


in the kitchen.


in the living room.


in the windowsill.


in the dining room.


in the bathroom.


in the office.

introducing, the "schwii"

today was one of those days where everything fell perfectly into place. the sun was shining brightly and i enjoyed a relaxing morning with my ruby girl.

around noon, i got a phone call from my mechanic saying my car was ready for pick up. i threw myself in the beat up courtesy car and headed down the road, eager to bring my little vibe back home. minutes later, i stood at the service counter and dreadfully reached for my wallet, only to be told--

"she's all yours, miss. everything was covered under warranty. have a great day!"

what?! you fixed and washed my car, let me waste all of the gas in the loaner car, and i owe you...nothing? come again?

then i went to the DMV to get a new license. was there a long line? no. was everyone friendly and helpful? yes. seriously, has anyone ever experienced that?

my good fortune didn't stop there--oh no, my friends. on my way home i stopped at wally world for dog food. there, i received a return phone call from my (hard to reach) physician. not only was she able to change a prescription for me over the phone, but she called it in to the pharmacy for "priority" pickup since i was already there. conveniently, this allowed me enough time to peruse the store and happen across the nintendo wii i have half-heartedly been searching for since christmas.

i bought it without a second thought!

i'm telling you folks, you don't mess with a day like today.