There is a store called Fustini's in the downtown area of Traverse City that specializes in fresh oils and balsamic vinegars from around the world. As Kathy would say, "how cool is that"!
After an afternoon of traveling, I finally was able to enjoy a scrumptious dining experience with business friends. Chef Eric at the The Boathouse prepared us a not three, not four but a seven course meal (wow)! My favorite was the Morel Chanterelle Bisque or the white hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows (double yummy). Each course was paired with a wine from Bowers Harbor Vineyards. If you're ever looking for a vacation spot that isn't the hustle and bustle of a big city, consider Traverse City, Michigan. I always have a great time up there and the people are wonderful.
Check out the light fixture. The decorator of this restaurant, hung round table cloths with curtain hooks on a metal round piece. Pretty creative. I suppose it's easy to change for the season.
We had to get outside today and take advantage of the beautiful weather. Another idea for a photo series would be bridges. They are pretty amazing if you stop and look at them.
Ryan works pretty close to this awesome outdoor playground. He's been dying to play on it but thought people would stare if he didn't have a child with him. Finally we had a nice sunny day and both boys took advantage of it. Yet another benefit to having a child :)
After browsing through about 8 more furniture stores, we decided to go with couch one number. I know there were a lot of comments about it being too light/white but it just looked really light in the image. The actual color is Cognac. Anyways, the couch is really long so we won't have much room at the end. Today, I stubbled upon this steal. It was marked $17.50 which isn't too bad. Wait, it gets better . . . it was marked 90% off!!! So I purchased it for $1.75. The funny part was I only had $1.30 in change so I had to make a mad dash to the ATM.
This is my favorite porch in the area; I notice something new on it each time we walk by. If you look closely, the ceiling is painted blue. I've heard it frightens mosquitoes and ghost away (maybe we'll have a blue ceiling one day). Next, they have blue and white stripped curtains (love it). You can't see it in this photo, but there's a clock behind the porch swing. You don't have to stare at the arms ticking while drinking your mint julep but you can casually glance behind you to see if you're late for your very important social gathering.
My mom brought this flower home tonight from her garden club meeting. I forget the name of it (anyone know?). I placed it on the side of this bowl for a drink and it decided to dive in.
One of my favorite aspects of the new house is our neighborhood. We live in an older section of the city and each house is completely different. On the way to the grocery store (yes, we can walk to the store), this wagon caught my eye. Such a cool idea of using it as a plant holder. Can you believe the size of that aloe?!
I've been looking for a night stand to paint but haven't had any luck. It's not something we needed right away so I knew I had time and wanted to find one with 2 drawers and under $30. There's quite a few flea markets around so I thought I would eventually find one. Today, on our walk, this beautiful stand was abandoned on the corner! Perfect.
Harrison is sharpening his teaching skills on Ryan. He's really enjoying the chalkboard wall. Now if we can just get him to stay on the "black wall" and not the floor, boxes, other walls, clothes, cat . . .
Just like his mama, it takes Harrison quite a bit of time to wake up. Whether it be in the morning or an afternoon nap, we need a good 15 minutes before we're ready to face the world.
Tonight we officially moved into our house (kinda). We are living out of boxes and trying to get organized which is a monster of a task. To escape the madness of the house, we went out for fried pickles and milk shakes. These two foods somehow make everything better :)
My hometown has a gorilla mascot for a vacuum cleaner store. Why? Good question, maybe because they're hairy? Tough? Mean? Everything you want in your vacuum. The store used to be located on one of the busiest intersections of town. With all that exposure, gorilla was kidnapped. Not once or twice but several times. He was always returned; not sure what ransom is these days. The store now has a new location on the north side of town and they wheel him in every night for safe keeping. This guy has been through a lot so next time you're vacuuming take a moment to give thanks for the gorilla mascot.
I HATE gas station restrooms (actually airplanes are worst). I try at all cost to avoid them but sometimes nature calls and you have no choice. I noticed this sign "Please put all paper in the trash can, not the toilet. Thank you!" Well, technically it's called toilet paper so it is paper, do they want it in the trash? I dismissed the sign and put it in the commode. Then I was grossed out wondering if others put it in the trash can b/c lid looked pretty nasty.
As I was driving tonight, I was listening to a Taylor Swift album. It's full of stories about young love, heartache and one song about appreciating her parents. It made me think how BLESSED I am to have a loving family and wonderful friends, whether they are across the street, in a different county or state or even country. I cherish all of my relationships and can't imagine my life without any of you!
Good news and bad news. Week One for Fantasy Football is coming to an end and it's a nail biter tonight. Brady and the Patriots ended up pulling out a victory in their throw-back uniforms. However, I lost to a team called BeaGors. Better luck next weekend.
The bathroom finally starting to take shape. We have color on the walls and a working toilet. What else do you really need? It's probably going to be my favorite room in the house.
The TOTO has arrived! As we were unpacking the new toilet tonight, I couldn't believe the wrapping. First, we cut the sides off the cardboard box. Then it was surrounded by packing peanuts and sprayed stiff with what looked like insulation foam. Then another cardboard box. At least, it arrived in all one piece.
Tonight we headed north to check up on B-Dub in college. At the restaurant, while we quizzed her about college life, Harrison was entertaining us with his shaking of the shakers. Shake, shake, shake. And yes, we cleaned the mess so the waitress wouldn't hate us.
Mr. Frog hung on to this leaf for about 3 hours this afternoon. We kept waiting for him to jump away but no dice. I wonder if he was sleeping with his eyes open?
Okay, it's not Bead Board Madness but it's definitely coming together. Looking better each day and still working out the kinks. BTW, no we're not moved in yet. Maybe this weekend? We have moved the majority of our boxes and quite a bit of furniture but haven't made the leap.
We tried on the chalkboard wall today and I'm very pleased with the results. Ryan wishes the wall was smooth but in our house you'll never find that (well, except the new drywall in the bathroom). I can't wait to write my "to do" list and nightly menu. Yes, I love organization and this is awesome.
It's the opening game of the 2009 football season and our neighborhood is overflowing with tailgators. The stadium is a couple blocks from our house so we were in the heart of all the action. We took Harrison for a walk to witness all the crazy college football fans. He had a good time but decided it was a better perspective to have Ryan carry him than ride in this stroller. We had to call it quits shortly afterwards because 25 pounds of a wiggling baby is exhausting.
A friend suggested I order the guacamole tonight because it's quite tasty and part show. The waiter wheeled a tray in front of us and scooped out two avocado then I got to decide yah or nah on the onions, tomatoes, jalapenos, cilantro and fresh lime juice. I went for the works and it was pretty good. But I must say Ryan's is my favorite which is pretty funny b/c he's never tried it before. He used to be a REALLY picky eater but after almost 9 years together he's getting more adventurous taste buds. Maybe by 2010, he'll try it but then again I'd have to share it :)
Ryan has played Fantasy Football for several years and I always wanted him to draft Tom Brady but he's never gotten him. Last year, I became part of a league and was SO excited. Unfortunately, the draft was during Harrison's bedtime so I randomly shouted down players I had heard of, while Ryan was on the computer downstairs. I was able to get my star quarterback but the rest of my team sucked. For those of you who don't know, Brady suffered a season ending injury in the FIRST GAME! Ahhhh, my team went straight down hill from there. Even our cat Lucy beat me that year.
Drywall is now complete. I drove up after work tonight to prime the walls. It was a project that shouldn't have taken too long but did. On another note, it's the beginning of the month and we're not moved in yet. However, I'm guessing within the next week we'll have enough finished to move in furniture.
I'm obsessed with clean edging. I love how clean and fantastic it looks once completed. Two of my co-workers know people who trim it with SCISSORS. I can be a little anal but can you imagine?
