Yummy Pizza

Just had us some yummy pizza from Bullman's Wood Fired Pizza in Billings, MT. Now heading East with very full tummys.

TV/Dining Room Remodel

John and I were so excited to start on this room.  Originally the garage, this area was one big open space.  We new right away dividing the room would be our best option.  Even though we wanted two designated areas, we didn't want to "wall" the rooms either.  Making a built-in area for John's he-man sized TV/stereo system was something we had to consider also.  What we came up with turned out to be a TV island of sorts which separates the two areas.  TV room on one side, dining area on the other.  As the island was being built I noticed it kept getting bigger and bigger.  We had designed it to have one pillar on each end, but the proportions were off so we trucked back to the lumber yard (120 miles one way) and picked up two more.  As the TV area grew I was finding that my dining area was shrinking.  Oh well, I pretty much have the rest of the house, I'll give him his space.

TV Side Before

Dining Side Before

Adding Archways

Divided After

Dining Side After

TV Side After - Vintage Cameras & Transom Windows Above TV  

Front Door Before - This closet was removed also.

Front Door After

Removing closet & framing hallway to back door.

Hall to back door w/built in benches.

I Think I'm Nesting

Recently I've felt that ole' "nesting" feeling.  You know, the feeling pregnant women get when they're about to deliver.  They go around cleaning up the nest preparing for the rascals wee ones.   Sanitizing, straightening, organizing, scrubbing, and general detailing.  Well, good news for all, especially John, I'm not pregnant, maybe just a little menopausal.  I have although been in "that" mood.  Note the pics below.  I do hope it sticks around awhile (I feel like I'm just getting started).

Our dishes are black and red.  The black are a bit hard to spot in the photo.  I have always preferred having the dishes in a drawer vs. a cupboard.  Easier access.

Lids neatly organized.  I actually threw some out.  I don't think I really needed a lid for every bowl since the bowls are all alike.  How often would I actually be using every bowl and lid.

Bowls all nicely stacked.

Pantry

 I have since gotten ahold of the spice cupboard and the utensil drawer and pretty much all the other kitchen cupboards.  Next is the hall closet and bathroom.

There's Monsters In My House

Raycee, Briley and I had a blast making these fun little monsters.  They were so easy to make using craft paints, tissue boxes, an egg carton, and a few wiggly eyes.  As much fun as Briley had painting her monster, my joy was 10 fold just watching her.  And...we all scared Papa when he got home.  Hehe! Thank you Mariah over at Giggles Galore for the great idea.  

Next we gathered up some leaves in the front yard, more fun than the project itself, and glued them together to make the two adorable foxes.

First Fish Feature

Do you remember your first fish?  My mother was an avid fishermanwoman, whatever, and would often take off on a fishing exhibition anytime, day or night.  For her it was all about location.  Going down to the local fishing hole dangling your rod over your shoulder and sporting a sack lunch was OUT-OF-THE- QUESTION.  The "perfect" location was usually down a steep bank with a rocky barely-there shoreline.  That in itself probably would be manageable once we were set-up and established in our spot, but my mother was never actually set-up or established.  To begin with we would spend the first hour or so carving steps in the side of the bank to haul down her fishing gear.  And the gear came in great abundance.  I guess you never know what's going to be biting that day and you must be prepared with the proper rig, or is it jig?  Apparently, I didn't have much interest in the whole "sport."  Not only did my mother have an arsenal of gear, she packed enough food for twenty people.  (note:  I'm an only child,  the total count was, at the most, three.)  We would haul down massive coolers full of potato salad, coleslaw, pork and beans, burgers, dogs, chips, and every condiment thinkable.  Plus, coolers of beer and soda.  Three hours post arrival our life's belongings were perched among rocks, boulders, tree stumps, and much brush.  Alas, the lines are casted out (or whatever that's called), we drop in our lawn chairs (wobbling on unstable ground), look around at mother nature, and sigh with relief.  Unfortunately, the moments of tranquility are short lived.  Snagged line.  I try to avoid the pleading puppy-dog-eyes by not making eye contact, but then I hear in the sweetest motherly voice there is, "Robin, my line is snagged.  Would you please."  So I find myself wading out in slimy, mucky, fish smelling, water to untangle a line that has hooked itself on a fallen tree branch.  This pretty much sets the stage for the whole day.  Adding in the fact that back then sunscreen was just for geeks.  Not good news for this tender Northern flesh.  The sun was NOT my friend.


I do remember the feeling of catching that first whopper though.  Adrenalin flowing way too fast to even keep up with the auctioneer-style sideline tips on how to reel the big guy in coming from over my shoulder.  Oh, the pressure.  Then, there it is dangling from the line.  A moment of pride, quickly taken over by my own unexpected gasp at the sight and sound of "Whack!"  Off went his head.  Minutes later mother was offering up some fresh grilled fillets.  Ugh!  The poor guy.  I'm wayyyy too sensitive for this sport.


My granddaughter, now three, recently caught her first fish.  She was giddy with excitement.  Even anxious to touch it and take a closer look.  When the little guy finally took it's last breath she was right there taking it all in.  I told her the little fishy must have went to sleep.  Her explanation, "Nah grandma, he's just dead."  So much for sensitivity.

Our 10mi Shopping

We didn't just eat in the cities.  Of course we shopped.  Here's just a smidgeon of the fun we had:

And after all that...I really needed this:

In this color.  I bit of Autumn on my feet..you like?

Our 10lb Weekend

John and I took off early Friday morning for another "spur of the moment" trip to the twin cities.  No agenda, just rode trip for two.  Living in a small rural farming town we are greatly limited in many areas including cuisine.  When we take off on one of our excursions we tend to be intrigued by the food palette available.  We actually begin salivating with anticipation as we pull away from the house. The two of us must stay calm, take deep breaths, and resort to the "eeny, meeny, miny, mo" technique to make our dining selection.  Unfortunately, on this particular trip I suggested a "multiple choice" style and John agreed.  After reviewing A, B & C, we chose D.  All of the above.  We're so weak.

Fresh organic ginger from Caribou Coffee.  Refreshing.

Saturday Lunch @ The Cheesecake Factory

My selection was the Thai Lettuce Wraps.  John chose the Meaty Fire Roasted Pizza.

So delicious, colorful, and messy.  Yum!

It would have been completely, foolishly, unthinkable to not have cheesecake at

The Cheesecake Factory.  We did share though. 

We went light for supper.  Spent the evening at John's cousin Steve's house.  Steve is a joy to hang out with and the evening was perfect.  Thanks for entertaining us Steve.

Sunday lunch @ Bubba Gumps. Coconut shrimp.  No need to say more.  We hung out here awhile and watched the Vikings kick some Cardinal butt.

Sunday supper @ Chevy's with family.  John & Lynn LaBahn, Steve LaBahn 

and Mary & Steve Korngable.  John and I shared nachos.  Our all time favorite 

food to eat anytime anywhere.  Great food, great company, great trip.