Puppy love

Well, Daisy is double the weight she was when we scooped her up and brought her home. She is getting huge! And she just keeps learning. Doggie sit-ups, down, wait, walk nicely on leash, off...she is shining in puppy kindergarten! Daisy had her first Thanksgiving at her grandma's!

Visit to Louisiana

I am so late with posting lately (might have something to do with a wild, furry animal keeping my attention...) Mike and I had the opportunity to spend a few days down in the bayou (Louisiana) to visit Mike's grandma, aunt, and uncle. His dad and father were visiting too, so we had a nice little family reunion. It was beautiful, fall weather there and Mike bought me some new cowgirl boots!! We did some walking and relazing. Mike and his uncle rocked out for us and we ate some yummy southern food. I wish it was closer to us so we could see them more often!

Happy 5 Years, Babe

Mike and I just celebrated our 5th Year Wedding Anniversary!! I can't believe it was 5 years since that sunny, chilly day in Bristol, that we put rings on our fingers.

Awhile back, we had discussed trying to go away since it was a big year. However, then little Daisy walked into our lives so going away didn't seem like an option. I called a special restaurant in town to see if they happened to have an opening for the weekend of our anniversary - we have been trying to get reservations there for years. They did! So we got all dressed up and had a 3-course meal, and enjoyed the fancy atmosphere and the slow pace of a delicious meal. We ended up sitting next to a couple celebrating their 25th!

I am forever grateful for this guy. I thank the universe every day for that lucky day that I met my soulmate, who is now my beloved husband and partner. Love you babe.

the first month

Well, it has been just about a month since we adopted little Daisy.  She has grown a lot and she is getting very comfortable in her new home. She has learned a whole lot in her first month home.

She can: handle buses driving by on our walks; almost handle ambulances with their lights; loves joggers and all people on walks really; climb the back stairs; escape from her crate from the side AND from the roof (!!); find mommy's slippers; sit and wait for dinner; run after ducks; hang at the farmers market; and run up and down the hallway really really fast and for a really long time. Daisy basically goes and goes until its time for a crate nap. Phew! We are getting serious exercise in with this little pup.

Little Tiny Cute Daisy: Home!

Well, a week ago, we drove 2 hours away and scooped up little Daisy, at about 13 weeks old and about 12 pounds big! She is such a love and I think she loves her new home. She is keeping us very busy, but more very soon!

homework

Well, this September marked the first year in a (VERY) long time that I did not have a first day of school. SO STRANGE! I have managed to fill up my time plenty this early fall school semester. Working at a university still keeps me in the spirit of 'going' back to school. And I even finished a manuscript of my dissertation for journal submission. I have found some different kind of homework though...stay tuned!!

September Sky

I have said it 100 times, I love fall. (mums, pumpkins, sweaters, soups...) All of it! Another amazing thing about the beginning of fall? The sky. It is just incredible. And the sparkly ocean. My grandma always mentions the early fall sparkly water, sitting in her chair overlooking the view of the ocean.

In a recent whirlwind trip home, I was on fast forward for the most part. In about 50 hours, I managed to see as many family members as possible (this is no easy feat!!) But all of a sudden, at one point, Kevin and I found ourselves with about 45 minutes of no plans/no running. I always say that when I visit RI, I never have time to see the ocean. So we grabbed the cute kids, got coffee and pumpkin muffin (YES!) and drove to a little beach. And stared at the clouds and sparkly ocean for a little while. It was fantastic.

excited for an adventure

ever the explorer

look at those clouds!!!

high tea

I love tea, all kinds, and I drink it all day. I have always thought that I must have lived in England in a past life. The idea of taking a tea break everyday is brillant. There is a sweet, fair trade tea shop in my town that recently started doing afternoon tea. My cousin got me a high tea gift certificate for my graduation and we have been trying to make a reservation since May but they have been booked all summer!! Finally, we made it. It was awesome. The set the table so fancy, with English style tea silverware - there is such a thing - special spoons, tiny forks, tiny knives. We sat and enjoyed three courses - finger sandwiches, scones with lemon curd and cream, and dessert. The food was delicious and they use as much local finds as possible! Plus a few pots of tea, all at a leisurely pace.  I want to go back soon, anyone?!

Where did the summer go? As usual...

the summer just flew by. I had a little tiny surgery, had some recovery/down time, got some beach days in, but the highlight was a week in the green, green mountains of Vermont. K & H invited us to go on vacation with them. So we did a serious search and found the absolutely perfect cabin in the mountains. It was everything we wanted - in the middle of the quiet mountain, with no neighbors in site, just the view of camel hump mountain from the giant back porch (where we spent most of our time). Yet, in just 15 minutes, we were in a cute little downtown or on the way to site seeing.

o2 peeking out at the deck

front, side year

sitting on the porch, being auntie

our kitchen, the 2nd most used space

our view of camel hump mt

We did a ton of site seeing and had adventure days. We found a few all-ages friendly hikes. One hike was a beautiful walk around the base of camel hump mountain with bridges and sounds of bears (near by!!) Another hike took use along a stream and up to a view of a giant water fall, named Glenn Moss.

the explorers 

near where i swear i heard a growling bear

We also did some walking around towns and we ate a whole lot. We visited the Alchemist (long, tortuous story, inquire for more details), Ben & Jerry's, an apple cider mills, some packed antique shops, and an awesome burlington tea shop (sister to the one i went to in Prague!!). Mike and Kevin made it to the top of Camel's hump one day and we spend an entire day chilling in the giant burlington farmers' market. It was a jammed packed week, yet we had a lot of down time on the back porch, sitting by a lake, enjoying long lunches, sitting by the fire at night. It was such a wonderful trip!

warning: do not buy these lanterns!