It's Heating Up In Here

Gas Stove/Convection Oven Installed Today

Wishy Washy

We swapped out last week's dishwasher (right), with its huge and bulky handle that blocked my drawer with the sleeker and even cooler - ultra high functioning dishwasher shown on the left. It even has "smart dispense" which allows me to dump the whole bottle of cascade into the door of the dishwasher instead of storing it under the sink. The dishwasher then dispenses the soap as needed. Inside it has several nice features such as the china clips and flaps for all of the silverware baskets.

(double click to enlarge)

Big News!

After lots of thought and dreaming we began considering moving to a bigger home earlier this spring. We knew we wanted more space for the boys and also room for family and friends visiting. Our home on Nagle Ave has been wonderful but after 11 years we feel we've outgrown it. We've decided it's time to move on and we found a wonderful home! We're moving! This past week we made an offer on a beautiful ranch style home and our offer was accepted. Here's just a hint of what it's like ... the pictures were taken by a realtor and aren't the greatest so you'll have to come and visit us and see for yourself!

It's located on a quiet cul de sac with lots of trees. It has a fenced in backyard and seems so quiet and peaceful.

Here's the kitchen! I can't wait to have the boys sitting at the counter while I whip up something great for them!

I don't have any other decent photos that do the home justice. We are all so excited and looking forward to our move. I told the kids it would be lots of hard work and they said they think it seems like an adventure. They have their rooms picked out and have big plans for all the space in the basement. It's huge!!!

That's the big news! We hope to have lots of visitors. We'll be closing sometime mid-July.

Love to all!

Joy

Memorial Day Fun In the LP

Faiths Fish

Faiths first fish! We went to a pond that Joes uncle had made and put the fish in it for all of his grandkids to enjoy to fish! It was so nice that Faiths first fishing experience was so great! 5 fish in all and plenty of smiles!!

We went for a ride on the property it was such a great time! Faith got to drive while sitting on my lap and Joes nephew sat on his lap so he could steer

I love this picture of my 2 little sweeties

We went to the races and it was soooo much fin

Joe and I it was so HOT and we both got red even with lots of sunscreen on.

I planned some fun for the kids and we did water balloons and i got just as wet as the kids!

Faith, Joe, and skippy hanging by the pool

Faiths first night in the camper

This is the water going over the bridge on the way down. It was so beautiful and Joe was taking the pictures, just in case you were worried! LOL

We had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend! Joe's Family was great and it was like we had been family forever, they really did take Faith and I in! It was so great! Hope everyone will be here for the 4th so Joe can meet you! Hope everyone had a wonderful long weekend. We love and miss you all! Addy and Faith

May Garden

Welcome. . .

English Cucumbers

Pinks (a miniature form of carnation)

Looking north to my deck (mini deck really)

My dirty legs

Pale pink cosmopolitan and lavender buds

More of the peonies

I sprayed myself with SPF 30 but I think I may have missed a spot

My version of row planting.  Trying to keep the weeding down to a minimum.

Simple Things

Sometimes I don't appreciate the simple things until they are gone.  Right now, for me, it is ice.  It's simple - just water at or below 0 degrees Celsius and yet I can't wait to have it all the time.  It is a simple pleasure to have ice in my cup on a hot day of gardening.  I rode my bike down to Jim's Ice Cream today just to buy a cherry slush laden with little bits and pieces of ice.  It was delicious and refreshing.  In Haiti this past February I remember feeling the same way; what a pleasure it would be to have ice.  The street vendors sold glace (ice) at a few of the market places but not knowing where the water had come from I refrained.  Even in Haiti, just a month after a devastating earthquake, people understood the simple pleasure.  So this afternoon I rifled through my kitchen boxes in the basement and found an ice cube tray (I have an ice maker in my old fridge in the garage but the water hose isn't hooked up) and I filled it with water so that tomorrow I can indulge in this simple wonder. 

Memorial Weekend in Indianapolis

(Alaina's monkey cupcake) 

This just in from the news desk.  Pete, Emily Ann, Alaina, and Addison are having a great time this weekend in Indianapolis with Emily's Parents.  Pete and Paul (Donnelson) are at the races and the ladies are at home whipping up some of their own fun.  Here are some pictures of the girls!

New Hardware

And you all thought I was a crazy Knitter

Thought I would share this bus I found with you all. Paul says I am a knitting machine but I think I found someone who out does me on a grand scale. Magda Sayeg has knitted a cover over a bus in Mexico City! What to see more click here
Hmmm what shall I knit next?????????????? Suggestions?????!!!!!

Love the warm weather!!

Faith playing with her camper in the camper! (thanks joy)

1,2,3 GO

Playing in the pool at nanas

In Faith's class at school they learned about growing things and they planted grass now she "cuts it's hair" to keep it maintained. Its so cute!

We have a busy few weeks and i'm sure there will be some more great pictures to show everyone! Love to see more pictures and stories on here! Hope everyone will come up for the 4th this year! Who remembers the water balloon launcher?? What was/is your fav 4th of july experience??

Happy Birthday, Isaac

We met for Isaac's 12th birthday in Green Bay. The birthday boy............ and

his brother were treated with a hot fudge sundaes.

What a fine young man you are Isaac. Your infectious smile will always win my heart. Happy Birthday!

We remember you . . .

on this Memorial Weekend

Marvin Nadeau, Pilot and 2nd Lieutentant, Army Air Corp, World War II

Joseph Apap, US Navy, World War II

Peter Ulrickson, Corporal, Marine Corp, Vietnam War (killed in the line of duty July 9, 1969 in Vietnam)

Charles Apap, PFC, U.S. Army, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division (killed in the line of duty July 15, 1944 in Normandy, France), awarded the purple heart.

The pool is open!

We knew beautiful weather was headed our way this week so we set up our pool on Sunday. By Monday morning it was full and the solar cover on. Yesterday the boys took their first plunge ... into the chilly 68 degree water!

Adam was the 1st one in!

Isaac was next!

We've been loving the warm summerlike days here! Today when they got home from school they headed straight to the pool (now with balmy 74 degree water!) to cool off after track & field day at school. The pool is open for the summer and you're all invited to take a dip!

Love, Joy

Getting Closer

The kitchen was a buzz on Monday. Lots of "little" things took place including the installation of all of the lighting and the ceiling fan. I ended up finding a reasonably priced brushed nickle fan at Lowes. It is definitely the right fit. As I type right now, the faucet, garbage disposal, and dishwasher are being installed. Yippee. The stove and microwave will follow sometime this week. On June 7th my refrigerator arrives. I am very excited to have the appliances arriving. It makes it feel like we are getting close.

Enjoying our visit with Sara

We stopped for a cone to cool off in our travels with Sara. Oh we had lots of fun together. If only she could stay longer.

I think you should petition . . .

I was going to write a post today about my favorite microwavable meal.  It's what I had for lunch today:  Trader Joe's Chicken Tikka Masala.  Oh was it good.  It's not just me who thinks so, there are tons of reviews out there on the deliciousness of this fine frozen feast.  I thought that after reading the post you might make your way to your local Trader Joe's and pick up this delicacy that can be whipped up in less than 5 minutes and perhaps even grab a bag of frozen naan.  Mmmmm!  After I indulged and before I wrote the post I did a little research to find out where your nearest store is and well . . . you might have to come visit Pete & Emily in Chicago or myself here in Detroit.  Oh the tragedy - no Trader Joe's for you.  Oh my heart is breaking.  Mom and Dad in Atlanta drive nearly an hour in order to stock up on their favorites.  So I'm not sure if I should mention that Trader Joe's is so fabulous.  That they have a good $3.00 bottle of wine (three buck chuck), chocolate covered everything (sunflower seeds are my favorite), tomato bisque soup, frozen salmon roulette's, pretzel loafs, nuts of every kind, organic vegetables and fruit, should I go on?

So, I have concluded that I think you should petition . . .

Love, T

ps.  new pictures from the garden (antique irises) and the kitchen (new lighting, new fan, and hopefully by tonight some of the new appliances) are on their way!

Commensalism [kə-měn'sə-lĭz'əm]

Commensalism:  A symbiotic relationship in which one organism of one species benefits while the other organism of another species is neither harmed or helped.

Some people dislike the peony flower due to the fact that they have a symbiotic relationship with black ants. In early spring, the peony buds will secret a small amount of nectar, which attracts the ant. The ants will then pull slightly at the peony petals to get to the nectar. This helps to loosen the peony's petals and makes it easier for the flower to open. The ants are not absolutely necessary to helping peonies bloom, but they are helpful and do not harm anything. Most gardening experts advise against trying to kill the ants.  (credit:  http://www.plantingflowerbulbs.com/peonies-and-peony-flowers.htm)