A Happy Birthday, and A (albeit beautiful) Disaster...

My mom and my aunt came down for my birthday weekend. Happy birthday to me! What a great day we had- lazy morning, lunch out at a fantastic Italian restaurant, shopping in the village, dinner at home, followed by ice cream cake! It was pretty much perfect!

After such a big full day, I had planned a lazy, jammie clad, day of crafts and chatting around my kitchen table. Over morning coffee, we notice it snowing, ever so lightly. Of course, Grace had to get out into it! Our first snowfall in the mountains!

Of course, it won't stick. It's not even Halloween! And, it's so pretty (and delicious to seven year olds)!

Hmmm... maybe it's sticking a little. Then my uncle calls and asks if we have been watching the news. Umm, no. "Chopped" is on. Duh. What's that? A Nor Easter? You don't say!

Some of the first trees down. They were beautiful flowering pears lining the street at the edge of my front yard.

We used brooms and rakes to try to shake the heavy snow off of their leaves. Here, Casey is actually up in the tree shaking it.

And in spite of our best efforts...

this still happened. And this...

The trees continued to creek and crack, late into the night. This morning, I was anxious to see the damage in daylight.

The morning sun on the snow covered trees was stunning! A true wonderland! Oh yeah, until I turn my head and survey our new "landscaping".

This is our driveway. Armed with a handsaw, a snow shovel, and three pairs of capable hands, we set forth to clear it. Our neighbor, across the street, came over with his chainsaw to help us clear the last (and heaviest) tree. And, our wonderful neighbor, to our left, came over with his snow blower and cleared the end of the driveway.

Casey is out buying our own chainsaw, so we can tackle this...

And, that's the story of how this...

became this...

R.I.P. trees. You were beautiful, and will be missed.

I am thankful no one was hurt. I am thankful we have no significant structural damage. We have electricity and phone. Many do not. My prayers are with all those who have weathered this storm.

Wishing you a happy home! Thank you for stopping by!

*photos by C. A. Denny

Chicken Soup for the Wonderful (kind, generous, etc.) Souls Who Love ME...

Today I made a huge pot of this for you...

Homemade, yummy, chock full of veggies, chicken soup. Don't worry that it looks slightly oily- it's olive oil, and my momma would tell you it's "good for your coat".

A little birdie told me that my blog has caused a few of those close to me be a little concerned. Truthfully, I have been a bit blue. Maybe even a dark shade of blue. But, I am happy to tell you that I am feeling much better.

It's true that not everything has gone as planned. Okay, nothing has gone as planned. And, at times, it seems like a new obstacle is around every corner. I know that's true of everyone, but at some point, don't you just need a few days where everything is smooth sailing? I've come to the conclusion that may not happen for me, but I can readjust my attitude to focus on the positive parts (or moments) of each day- and there are many.

I went to a Bible study with some friends on Tuesday. I've decided to not focus on the fact that I was inappropriately huggy (a la the loneliest woman alive) or that I discovered a glob of toothpaste spittle on my shirt after I arrived, but on the fact that I left having six more new friends. And, I came with three! Amazing!

I've worked out every day this week- always the key to my happiness, or at least "even-keeledness". Although I am almost never in the mood, I always feel so good after. I never think "I shouldn't have worked out. That was dumb." Ha ha!

The kids have come home from school happy everyday this week! Thank you, Lord!!!! And, I'm back in my kitchen cookin' for my loved ones- where I belong! All is (finally starting to look) right in my world. Enjoy the soup, and I thank you for stopping by!

As always, wishing you a happy home!

Since My Last Post...

Since my last post, I have settled my downstairs. Walked in our youngest's room at least a dozen times to "settle" my score with it, and been so overwhelmed, I walked back out. The basement shares a similar story. I won't even share the tale of horror that is our new tiny master bedroom closets and grandiose wardrobes. A reason to buy more clothes to avoid digging through boxes? :D

I have spent time with this handsome gentleman, Oliver. He belongs to my new neighbor, and friend, who entrusted her two Cheshires, with me and my children, for a week, along with a key to her gorgeous home. She doesn't know us that well. ;)

My parents have come and gone. Which was wonderful, but all too brief. I think their visit was all of 36 hours. So happy to have them in our new home, but hoping they used an open mind- I am still up to my eyeballs in boxes in some parts. And, yes, I cried for a good hour after they left- like I did when I got dropped off at summer camp when I was twelve. At least this camp has pinot grigio in the canteen!

I've encountered several projects, like this one- a newly hatched dinosaur. Such "projects" make it challenging to keep a house clean and unpack. But, I know, all too well, that someday, all too soon, I will miss finding such projects.

I know this because tomorrow, my first baby, will turn seventeen. And, next year, she will be away at college for her eighteenth birthday. I can't exactly explain why this hurts so much, but it makes me feel like I have swallowed a hot coal.

Meet Nikki. She is Oliver's sister, and wearing a rare expression for herself. She is a Cheshire, after all, and is usually smiling. But, I thought her expression was perfect for some of the other things we've been dealing with lately- bullying. Our little Gracie has been hit TWICE in the past week by two different children on the school bus, and teased about her glasses! We moved here because we believed the schools were top notch! Thankfully the school seems to be on top of it, and the situation is improving. Still, if you are the praying sort, please say a quick prayer- it has been heartbreaking.

And, I got to sit on my pretty new front porch, and watch a rain storm.

Arthur watched me watching, from inside. He is sitting on top of a club chair in the living room.

It thundered, and poured.

And it was beautiful.

Seems like Someone was trying to show me the sunshine through the rain- literally.

Reminding me to keep smiling.

Kind of like this beautiful, gummy smile.

Thanks for stopping by! Wishing you a happy home!!!

Overwhelmed...

I have been putting off writing a new post because I really wanted this blog to be a place of lighthearted wit and mirth. And, frankly, I am feeling way to overwhelmed to be funny. Adjusting to life in the country has been harder than I expected, and I feel as though I am wading my way through a veritable sea of boxes. Each box contains a mish mosh of items- perhaps a sneaker, a colander, some Windex, and a precious photo of a family member. It's hard to wrap oneself around the logic of packing one's house this way. Perhaps our packing team was a group of monkeys after a Starbucks binge. Not sure, I wasn't there. Too add to the fun, I get to discover something broken in at least one out of three boxes.

Here's a Shaker box, a Christmas gift from my parents, that held my knitting.

And several frames and home decor items. And a lamp. And dishes. Disheartening.
We did manage to buy some beautiful new appliances.

D'oh! Too bad the fridge didn't fit. Sorry, appliance delivery people, who had to hear the "conversation" the Mr. and I had after she refused to slide into her cabinet.

I guess this is what they mean when they say to measure twice. It actually wasn't as bad as the picture makes it look. It took the hubs and I four days, a sander, a plane, a Dremel, a hand saw, and an electric jigsaw to rectify the situation.

And voila! She fits! I never knew how much I could appreciate not having a giant refrigerator sitting in the middle of my kitchen.

We did take a day off to visit our town's Apple Fest. It is the one day a year that our sleepy town adds on an extra 30- 40,000 visitors. Our quiet village looks like this, just for one day.

Amazing! We did have a great time, and the rain mercifully stopped for almost one whole day! We ate some delicious food, browsed thousands of arts and crafts, listened to great music, and enjoyed being together in our new town.

Yesterday, my husband took two out of three girls to the Orange County Choppers shop. Our beloved mini schnauzer got something he's wanted for a long time...

his very own O.C.C. leather jacket!

I'd tell him how handsome he looks, but he obviously already knows it!

Thanks for stopping by, and I wish you a happy home!

Erin... At Home, Finally.

After a hurricane delay, ten minutes in the worst motel in America, a week at Homewood Suites by Hilton ( I can't reccommend this hotel highly enough for a pet friendly hotel in the NYC area), we are finally H-O-M-E. Not that she's officially ours- we close in a week. We took early occupancy, in our big, empty, wonderful house, so the kids could start school quasi on time. And, I am so happy! Furniture comes tomorrow, and I will be even happier, and I will be ecstatic when we close.

What do people do when they have hours (days) to kill in an empty house with no tv or internet? They wrangle their silly little dogs into silly Halloween costumes. Of course.

Please, allow me to introduce you to a couple of our neighbors. We are only 50 miles north of Manhattan, so I knew the residents might be a little rougher than we are used to. But, I was a little put out when they decided to help themselves to the apples right off of our tree!

He calls himself "Chuck". I have no way of knowing if that is his real name.

We both need to lose a couple of pounds. Maybe we'll become walking buddies.

But, it's this gal who really takes the cake. She shows up and eats apples right off our tree. Sometimes she brings her kids, which is fine. It's her husband, though, that kinda gives me the creeps.

Who does that? He's all glowy eyed, staring into my kitchen. Nervy.

And I've heard rumours about a Bear family. Apparently, they lumber all over the 'hood, where ever they like, and occassianally knock over your trash cans. Sounds a liitle annoying, but perhaps I'll warm up to them.

Kidding aside, I've never met a more welcoming, generous, or friendly group of wonderful folks in all my life. We have been offered everything from coffee to air matttresses, food, basically anything we need. We have wi-fi thanks to our next door neighbor who brought over a transmitter and password for us. I've already been on a fun run to Target with a new gal pal! Life is good! To quote my most adorable niece, "life just keeps getting better and better".

Thanks for reading, and have a happy home!

What I Did On My Summer Vacation...

While other kids met the annual beginning of the year assignment with moans, I always secretly relished it. How fun to get to write about trips to the beach, picnics, camp, or even just sharing the sheer joy of endless days doing nothing. And, we had quite an eventful summer. So, I'll relive a childhood favorite and share...

What I Did On My Summer Vacation by Erin T.

We started our summer by packing up our Chicago suburb rental house, in preparation for our move to Long Island. Then I boarded a plan with my three beautiful daughters to visit with my parents in western NY while we waited to close on our house. My husband left for work in NY (and elsewhere- he manages 50 states), and visited us on weekends.

We celebrated the birthdays of both of my parents!

We bought passes to, and spent several happy afternoons at the same amusement park that I went to as a kid and worked at as a teenager. Now I have the pleasure of watching our youngest ride some of the same rides I loved when I was her age, and watch my older two on some of the newer, scarier rides that weren't there when I was a kid!

Then our housing deal fell through. Disappointing doesn't describe it. But, at least we were at my mom and dad's. We had to start over, and reassess whether Long Island was the best place for our family. We decided to start over in Orange County, about 50 miles north of Manhattan. This turned our 2-3 week visit with my parents into a summer long adventure. Which, they handled graciously.

We celebrated The Fourth of July with a barbecue, parade, fireworks, and obligatory Jell-O cake, in flag form, of course!

I bought a kayak, affectionately named "Yellow Boat". The reasons for her name are more personal than I care to share on this blog. :D I spent many happy hours on the Niagara River in her, mainly with my brother, an athletic outdoorsy type, happy to let me tag along. Here, we had beached our boats on an island in search of ancient bird bones and eggs. My bro, wild man that he is, found a bounty in minutes.

We brought home this crazy, lovey furball of a dog to my mom's. So generous of my parents to let us housebreak a puppy in their house! He is a mini schnauzer named Arthur, and we are all in love!

I spent my 15th anniversary to my gorgeous husband, here- The Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, NY. I booked it after watching a hilarious episode of  "No Reservations" in which the mystical charms of The Mohonk actually turned Anthony Bourdain into a relaxed, happy fellow. It was definitely an experience! Unfortunately, we had to combine pleasure with house hunting, so we didn't get to take advantage of a fraction of the resort's amenities.

After two failed attempts at making offers on other houses, we went into contract to buy this house, site unseen. Crazy. I know. The hubs has since been in, taking hundreds of pics, and I couldn't be more excited! But, now we wait to close. And wait. And wait.

We spent three fun filled days with my aunt & uncle at their beautiful home on Cattaraugus (sp.?) Creek!

We visited two different beaches. We built countless castles, and collected an obscene amount of shells, driftwood, sea glass, and assorted beach ephemera. "Hi. My name is Erin and I am an apothecary jar junkie."

 I got to drag my family to visit a place I haven't been to since I was a child, Genesee Village Museum. It was as magical as I remember it! A happy surprise was my 14 year old was as into it as I was. We went on Laura Ingalls Wilder Days and bought matching bonnets!

I made it to the Erie County Fair for the first time in my life! It only took 36 25 years! The deep fried mac & cheese and mashed potatoes on a stick were worth the trip alone!!!

And, I got to spend more time with my BFF than I have since we were kids. She makes me feel 12 again, and can still make me laugh until I pee! Oh, and she's a great mom, prayer warrior, beautiful (inside & out), great loving friend.

We had bonfires, barbecues, amazing dinners, bike rides. I got to watch some of the last episodes of our beloved "All My Children" with my mom- already mourning it's imminent end.

We left my mom's yesterday. You would think a grown woman wouldn't cry after spending 3 months with her parents. I did. I am now homesick for my childhood home. Now, we wait, in a hotel in New Jersey, with 3 kids, 3 fish and a dog, to close on our new home in New York. I only know that it could be any day. We would love to rent from the sellers while we await closing day, but they seem to not be interested in that arrangement. So, we wait.

Thank you for reading my first entry (if you made it to the end)! Please follow me! I promise all entries will not be so interminable!

Wishing you a happy home!