iPhone Photos of the Pups

BJ just sent these over to me via the iPhone... they love each other... awwww....

I Could Kiss BJ...

...for wanting to move out to the country. This morning... AH-mazing.

I think we have...

...officially offset our carbon footprint. :) Spring has just sprung and we have already planted 108 trees! Between this year and last year... easily 250 trees planted!

Orchid Show...

This weekend we had such a nice visit with my parents! They got to meet our new pup which was an added bonus. On Saturday we headed out for lunch with Eric and Erin and got to catch (on accident) the orchid show at the Krohn Conservatory!

My Famous Mom!

My mom is so great! :) Check out this video highlighting one of her classes at Saint Mary's College. I am so fortunate to have her help with financial things too. This year she helped me complete our taxes... by myself... using the actual forms! I checked my work with TurboTax and was spot on. :)

http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/41312962.html

why I couldn't resist...

Here's more of our new addition. She's had three names in the past five days... and we've finally settled on Zoe.... my great friend Jess had a beagle named Zoe and so without thinking that's what I kept calling this new one... even though we had changed her shelter name (Chelsea) to Delilah. But then we discovered how close Delilah and Layla sound... so Zoe it was. Hope Jess doesn't mind! :)

New Puppy!

We got Layla a new friend today... we're not quite sure what she is... Here are her Petfinder photos...
She came from (as BJ describes...) the in-sorry-shape Aurora animal shelter. She had been there since February 17th and we don't know much else. The best news is that she is handling Layla's spazziness like a pro. She's independant but so sweet - she curled up in my lap the first second I met her. Now... we just need to figure out a name...

Outlet Boots

Ever since Alaska I've had my eye out for a great pair of rain boots... thank you outlet mall! :)

Falling Water

On our way back from Seven Springs Chris, Chrissy, BJ and I were able to stop in to visit Frank Loyd Wright's famous 'Falling Water'. It was amazing! We weren't able to get a tour of the inside... but this meant less people overall so we were able to walk around nearly by ourselves!

Seven Springs (PA) Ski Trip

We had an awesome mini vacation this weekend in Seven Springs! JUST what we needed. :) Can you tell I was too cold to care about showing my face?

Valentine's Day Treats

I love my husband. :)

Gorman Heritage Farm

For Valentine's Day BJ and I signed up for a tree pruning class at Gorman Heritage Farm and we LOVED it! We learned all about pruning fruit trees, met some nice people who also love fruit trees and... as an added bonus... we were able to see dozens of baby lambs, many of which just a week old!

BJ's Photos... Interrupted

BJ was taking photos when he spotted a few of these guys in the next lot over... a little scary! :) Thankfully Layla wasn't with him or we might have one less dog right now.
Can you spot the two coyotes in this photo?

BJ's Photos of the Snow...

Winter Photos

Just wondering if our road will EVER get plowed.
The back yard in all its glory. :)

Snowed In

So I've finally been set free after three days snowed in! BJ planned ahead and so he was prepared to stay at a friend's if need be on Tuesday night (thanks Tom and Erin!)... so I was on my own for a couple of days. I've got a few winter photos to come... but here are some of my house companions.

Just had to grab some photos of Sid before I kicked the cats off the couch...
Layla was quick to remind me... stop taking photos and get them OFF!!
Here's a hourly occurrence in action... Sid making a hiss face at Layla. We decided that Layla actually does back off with this warning (and it's warranted... Layla is big and Sid is small and very vulnerable). Look at those EYES! I love love love her eyes... even when she's ticked off. :)
Layla reluctantly submitting. Oh the humiliation.

Daily Progress

Our paperwhites bulbs (thanks Linda!) have been so much fun that I think I'll be making this a yearly tradition. They grew about an inch a day and are now so tall I have them held up straight with raffia.

This is Why...

...my plants are all succulents. Anything else and they would be devoured.

Jungle Jims

For those of you who haven't heard of it, there is this amazing international foods store just north of Cincinnati (very close to BJ's work) called Jungle Jim's - it's ENORMOUS. Anytime BJ makes a quick run there he ends up spending over an hour... and leaving with all sorts of strange fruits, olives, and veggies. Here's the colorful assortment from his last trip (my OCD side just had to put them in ROYGBIV order). :)

Making Granola

I had the week of New Years off so I made a point to work up some granola cereal (my Grandma Marie's recipe) - it takes a while but is worth it! Yummy!