Winter projects

This year for Christmas I made Ricardo his first hand-knit sweater. He asked for one years ago, but I refused, citing the sweater curse. Anyway, now that we've been married for three years, I felt it was safe to finally knit it. It was a clandestine operation... I knit on my days off and at night before he got home from work, stuffing it under a blanket when I heard him unlocking the door. Anyway, I'm happy to report he was thoroughly surprised.

Here's the finished product.

A close-up of the yoke.

Another close-up. There are 5 different colored yarns used.

I had a bunch of left-over yarn from the sweater, so I decided to make an afghan. I found a pattern I liked, and got started making these crochet "wagon wheels."

Charlotte gets her first whiff of wet wool. (All cats seem to love the smell of wet wool... it smells like sheep.)

At first I thought I'd make a small afghan, but then the blizzard hit, and I got the idea to make a blanket big enough to cover our queen-size bed. I have a ton of yarn in my stash (you really don't want to know how much), so this won't be a problem.

Charlotte inspects the new batch.

Now that I have over a hundred of these suckers made, I'm getting close to the amount I need. I figure by the time I finish sewing them all together it will be 70 degrees outside and I won't need a wool afghan... but I'll be ready for next winter!

Johnny turns seven

Our oldest cat, Johnny, turned seven on Wednesday. Lucky for Johnny, it was his mom's day off, so she could spend the whole day with him. And then when the weather turned unexpectedly warm, we couldn't resist going outside for some gardening and sunshine.


Johnny in the herb garden -- he's still getting used to his harness and lead, and got tangled up a few times.
But most of the time Johnny spent the afternoon blissful, soaking in the sun. His mom planted three packets of beet seeds while he sprawled out on the grass.

Later that night, all the kitties gathered for Johnny's party, and enjoyed the plate of tuna (shaped into a number seven -- his mom is goofy that way).

All in all, it's fair to say that Johnny Cat thoroughly enjoyed his seventh birthday.

A weekend of firsts

This weekend we had our 1st days of 70+ degree weather, our 1st two barbecues of the season, and our 1st blooms.


Finally! Spring must be on the way, because the crocuses are blooming. Last fall I planted a ton of new spring bulbs, and I've been anxiously awaiting their blossoms.
Bonnie spent some time admiring the new flowers.

But Clyde was happy just to spend some time in the sun on his cat matt.

A beautiful weekend comes to a close.

Two years ago today

A trip down memory lane...

Leaves are turning in Brightwood

Our color doesn't compare to my old stomping grounds in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, but our neighborhood has a few nice sugar maples.

The colors are just starting to pop.

Taken on my walk home from the bus stop -- love to walk in the dry leaves.

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

Last weekend Ricardo and I headed out to the country for an ol' fashioned hayride to a pumpkin patch.

Jen on the hayride with our pumpkins.

The pumpkin patch is huge, with lots of different squash growing everywhere.

Ricardo and his pumpkin, as inspired by the Dada movement.

Our hiking boots in the hay. Finally, it's cold enough to wear flannel shirts and boots!

Our car was packed with apples, cider, indian corn, gourds, pumpkins and corn stalks. I had to hang out the window -- those corn stalks are huge! But look at that beautiful caramel apple waiting for me.

Birthday wrap-up

I know it's been a while since I've posted, but here you go -- the 40-50 double birthday wrap up. Our party went well -- the weather cooperated, and we had about 30 people come by for our backyard bbq. I didn't have any time to take photos, but luckily Londa snapped a few:

The hosts wearing goofy beads.

The grill-meister hard at work.

For Ricardo's birthday he wanted to go to Ebbitt's (where we got married) for oysters and dinner. I managed to surprise him with a slice of cake.

They did such a good job! How did they know to put paint cosmos on the plate?!

For my birthday I took the day off and decided that no restaurant meal is better than my own home-cooking (sound familiar, Mom?). I made myself a stuffed, roasted chicken.

The perfect plate -- the only thing missing is the creamed onions -- but Thanksgiving will be here before you know it!

Ricardo responded to my "50 never looked so good" post with this cake :)

Nor'easter night

We had quite a storm with about 5 inches of rain in a few days. When I got home Ricardo had a big fire roaring in the fireplace.
What a treat to have one more cozy night in front of the fire.

Vince loved it, too!

How YOU doin'?

Our kitten Vince chillin' in front of the fireplace on Sunday night:

Dads told him it would be the last fire of the season, so he really got into it:

BBQ blowout

Our neighbors and I had quite a party this weekend in our backyard...

Ricardo chilling before the guests arrive.

Dave & Jen: the grillmasters

The spread: jambalaya, smoked ribs and a crawfish boil

Jen's chicken yakitori

The crawfish boil


Jen loves her dessert: grilled pineapple

Merry Christmas

After out big shindig the night before, we didn't feel like doing much at all. Samantha and I spent most of the day on the couch while the boys played with their new toys.

Vince with his new balls -- how did Santa know that Vince loves balls?

Johnny investigates the stockings and the mice that Santa brought.

Christmas Eve Party

We threw a Christmas Eve party, and I got a little carried away (as usual). Here I am before the party began with the appetizers (once the party got started I completely forgot to take any other photos).


What a spread!

A detail of the cookies... so pretty (if I do say so myself).

The bar -- the hot spiced cider was the hit of the party (thanks again, Martha).

My frozen vodka looked so cool!