Justin's Project

While my summer projects include lots of painting (fence, rooms, etc), Justin is working at rewiring our theater upstairs.  When we moved in he put in a great home theater.  He has since found some higher quality cables (for speakers, the projector, amp and other equipment), and wanted to do it in a way that all the wires were within the ceiling or walls, rather than in tracks along the outside of the walls.  So, rather than head out for a walk this evening, he has been climbing up and down in the crawlspace and I have been helping feed wires through one hole in the ceiling or another.  He really is working hard to do the best job possible, and hopefully the end result will be something he is very pleased with.  I am very willing to clean up the insulation particles that have flown around the room in appreciation for all his hard work!

40th Anniversary Party

Today we joined in the celebration for Justin's grandparents' (Sarah's parents) 40th wedding anniversary.  Almost all the kids and grandkids were there - only Travis (in Texas) and Luke (in Madison) weren't able to be there.  The weather was beautiful and perfect for a cookout and visiting outside.  The adult children did a special song for their parents, and the little kids also did a fun praise song.  There was also a funny poem by Rachel, a devotional time by Abe and Sarah put together some older and new photos into a touching slideshow of their marriage. Jonathan then put together a scavenger hunt with clues for them to find their gift from everyone (a gift certificate for massages).  

PLUS - Justin got touched by a baby and didn't implode! :)  

He had lots of fun at the party - as you can see.

  

Madelyn also wanted to make sure everyone saw the turtle they found.

  

We really had a very nice time.

Nice Evening!

What a lovely evening we had.  Our small group all met at our place for a cookout and time to visit.  There were brats, chicken, and shrimp on the grill, pasta salad, fruit pizza, strawberry pie, etc etc etc!  The weather was perfect - not to hot, nice and sunny, hardly any wind.  We were able to eat and enjoy each other's company.  After dinner we enjoyed time in the backyard, playing frisbee, relaxing in the hammock (here is Ann and two of her three daughters - Kathryn & Ellie), and visiting around the campfire.  The only ones not able to make it were Jim & Jenn and their girls – we missed you!  

Quite Possibly My Favorite...

I made Monster Cookies this afternoon.  I found a recipe for them at Bake or Break, which differed slightly from the one I had been previously using (which I honestly wasn't all that pleased with).  My eyes will never wander again, looking for a better recipe, as these came out ridiculously delicious.  I remember my aunt Phyllis making Monster cookies when I was a kid and LOVING them.  I always wondered why my mom never made them but, as I was mixing the dough this afternoon, I think I figured out the reason.  My mom realized, in her motherly wisdom, that I could not be controlled around these cookies.  Well, look at them!  Unless you are stricken with a peanut allergy (my condolences...), what would ever keep you back from those?!   (Stop licking the screen, Jenn - that's gross)  Which is why the only time I make these is when I am getting them out of my house and into other people's stomachs as soon as possible.  Though I never can make a batch without having at least one (okay, okay... four).  

On another note...

Does anyone out there know the real name for this flower?  We have them in our yard and really like them.  They get about 5 feet tall, and Justin has coined them "Pinkies," though we are pretty sure that isn't the technical name!

Time's Up...

Entree Vous is officially closing.  

Today at work we cleaned out and shut down all of the make tables, and began making meals to use up our current inventory.  Over the next few weeks we will make up as many meals as we can for people to stop by and stock their freezers with our tasty food!  Everyone that comes in is very sad to learn we are closing (as we are sad to tell them!), but it just has not been busy enough to stay open.  

This is something I have been so pleased to have been a part of from the beginning.  And despite some of the crazier or frustrating days, I have thoroughly enjoyed building friendships with the other ladies that have worked there, I have loved the food and prep work, and I have enjoyed sharing this great way of "cooking" with customers.  

I am not sure exactly what I will be working at next, though taking on more orders for cakes and desserts is a possibility.  I am not in a rush to find something, as I am heading to Peru next month and I think the last thing a potential new employer wants to hear is that you need off right away!  I am sure I will think of something soon though, as trying to be a productive member of society is in my nature!

I want to go outside!

After many nice, sunny days, we have rain today.  And while our plants and lawn definitely needed the rain, I wasn't in a rush for it to fall!  I would much rather be going for a walk or bike ride this evening than be stuck inside.  As you can see, Norm wishes it wasn't raining either!

More painting!

Okay, so most of you have seen our fence, and realize what a big task it is to repaint the crazy thing.  Yes, we got a big chunk of it done on Saturday, but that still left another big chunk!  As a surprise for Justin (Surprise!), who is out golfing today, I asked a neighborhood boy (Thanks, Luke!) over to help hold the cardboard so I could paint as much as possible.  We were flying!  As you can see, some things OTHER than the fence got painted as well!  The only parts left to paint are the areas that our plants are by, which will have to wait until fall when we cut them back (probably only another 1/2 hour of work).  But this is huge!  We really accomplished a lot, and I know Justin will be excited that he doesn't have to commit another day to this project (well, until the fall!).