And Then There Were Two...

One dog or two?

Apparently we have a thing for brindle.

Welcome To The Yellow House

Meet the latest addition to the yellow house.

Though he looks exactly like his sister June, is equally hard to photograph and is also a South Bend native....

This is Enzo.  Quiet and thoughtful. A shy and adoring brother. Smart as a whip, water bowl diver. Lover of all things edible....and squeaky.

We can't wait to watch him grow.

Welcome home Little Dog. We love you.

Junie B. - August 2011

Happy All Saints Day!

The  night before Halloween, giddy with anticipation, Henry asked me where "Halloween comes from." Taking a deep breath to allow me moments to think (all parents have been there before) I was proud, when in the depths of my cob web infused brain, I was able find some Halloween information.

I told the story of All Hallow's Eve and led into All Saint's Day. Gaining confidence, I added the meaning of Trick or Treat. Of course, it was all done in 2nd grade speak - making it far easier for mom to spin a yarn and sound really smart.

This was the first year in 15, I haven't made a costume. Doug and Henry did some shopping to create a Luke Skywalker in black. There is a name for this and I've been told no less than 20 times but it again escapes me. Jedi? Max fashioned a light saber holder and pocket for important space stuff out of duct tape which hung on an old, black belt cut down to Henry-size.

Ella chose to be a hippy. Especially nice since most of her costume will be worn again. Bonus: the hairstyle works with her distaste for styling products, combs, brushes, etc. No need for a mother/daughter Halloween cat fight.

Jake was a 15 year old consuming mass quantities of food. (his friends dressed as the same) Max had multiple costumes, one was a greaser with his new black leather jacket. Because Dad was sick and Mom is lame, Max, dressed in army garb, volunteered to cruise the neighborhood with Luke. Here they are with Jack O' Lantern faces.

Doug, inspired by a slide show on Facebook recreated this amazing lantern. He is truly an artist. After the original tiny pumpkin fell to the floor (a la Humpty Dumpty) he replaced it with a spaghetti squash.

My greatest contribution (besides shopping at Claire's Boutique and making sloppy joes) was June's ensemble. Since I call her "Bug" it seemed fitting to recycle Ella's ladybug wings from her 2nd Halloween. A black tulle skirt completed the look. She clearly wanted to be where the action was. After 15 minutes she forgot she was wearing the bug costume and spent the evening greeting Trick-or-Treaters. I have no shame for my dog-costume antics. It makes me laugh.

The weather was lovely, friends stopped by and there are Reese's Peanut Butter Cups leftover.

I hope your Halloween was wonderful, your costumes creative and that you are able to scam some good stuff out your kids' treat bags when they are at school.

Even saints need candy.

A First Sleep Over

When That-Boy-in-the-Back-Yard needed a sitter because his parents were away we were happy to roll out the sleeping bag.

TBITBY and Junie B. played all day. They chased and wrestled and rendered one another sticky with spit.

He's quite handsome isn't he?

At the end of the day they were very tired and they cashed out on the leather sofa together.

June says it's strictly platonic.

Everyone Eats Their Veggies

A week or two ago, I decided I was done with the over-grown broccoli plants in the garden. The two modest heads and small bits made about a meal and a few crudite bites. I pulled the plants and piled the fat, woody stalks covered with squeaky leaves into the chicken run. They immediately fell upon them and did a bang up job of stripping off the leave. A day later, I pulled out the fat, woody and now leafless stalks and tossed them aside to deal with later.

June took it upon herself to deal with at least one of them for me. She carried it around and shook it. Threw it in the air and chewed on.

She loves her veggies.

What a good dog.

Just Another Manic Sunday

I came home from work at Williams-Sonoma today after a torrential morning down pour and enjoyed sangria and really tasty cheese on the patio with some neighbors.

They left and then the rain started....again.

It was a nice summer rain. Cool and redolent of childhood summer days when there was rain but no lightening. Running in the gutters at Memorial Park.

The company and libations were better. There were no bugs.

We were getting soaked, even under the umbrella, so we moved to the porch.

The rain still came and poor June looked for playmates, even though she was soggy.

The afternoon of tremendous accomplishment continued. The rains stopped, again, and the chicken went onto the grill....

Hope your Sunday was as chill, albeit manic, as mine.

Dog Days of Summer Redux

Well, here we are again.  The oppressively humid days of a mid-western summer. This sight, Henry giving Junie the ice cream cone he hadn't finished, made me think of the last time I shared the dog days of summer.

Murray got a popsicle - or a popsible as Henry called it since he was still small(ish).

Guess the dog days of summer are always a sure thing.

Enjoy the air and pour an iced tea.

Junie B. is 1!

Happy Birthday
Jibbibity, Bug, June B, JibbyJu,
Pup, Jibbity Ju, Pubberz, Jibbs
Dirty Girl, Bad Dog

We Love You!
Every pretty girl needs a pig's ear on her birthday!

XOXOXO

My New Baby

Today while at Woodman's I wistfully breathed in the marvelous fragrance of the itty bitty in the baby aisle. I tried to maintain focus on the task at hand rather than shop for baby accessories I don't need. I swiftly hustled down the aisle, my cart over flowing with food for the large, sometimes smelly and continually hungry. Lingering would have brought the heartache that creeps in when I am reminded my baby days are over.

But never mind, one able to make a baby out of anything...perhaps I should re-phrase that....baby anything I am typically undaunted. Beyond my beautiful children, I mother anyone/thing allowing it.

Junie B.


A beautiful bowl of dough.


A chicken.


Or this little cutie I picked up at the Green City Market.


With tender love and care, she'll make my days brighter, grow toward the sun and someday share little baby figs of her own.

I can't wait.

In the meantime, if you need a sitter, I am in the book.

Why?

Why...


do I....


take so many pictures...



of my dog....



in the same position...


...constantly?

Same reason we took 500 pictures of our babies in the bassinet, sleeping soundly, not moving one - single - muscle.

And we're really, really, really glad we have them.

Also, cause she is so freakin' cute.

Love Hurts

I tell Ella boys are stupid.

Last Sunday, while presumably flirting over the fence line, June got her right pinky nail stuck in the chain link. A trip to the vet, a painful removal and lovely pink bandage. Poor Bug!

Hopefully, June has learned what her big sister knows.

And to be fair, I tell the boys girls are crazy.

Snow Day

Ahhhh, a snow day. A highlight of childhood.


The snow was perfect and the whole family was home.

They dug tunnels.


The neighbor kids of all ages worked together to build "the coolest snow fort EVER."


I think June had more fun than any one. Added bonus, she was too tired to create puppy havoc inside.


Just a bit of snow lining the sidewalk.


I promised Henry an adventure so we walked the 7-11 and the donut shop through 20" of snow. It was really tons of fun!


From the front door.


Somewhere there is a sidewalk.


Henry was the first to volunteer for work. He's trying to dig a path to the hen house.

Yesterday was a great day and today will be another one (detect note of sarcasm). It's too cold to go out and the natives are getting restless. Time for arts and crafts before all hell breaks loose.

Ahhhh, the highlight of every mom's snow day. Sending them back to school.

Nurse June

Doug hasn't been feeling well. Monday he gave in and stayed home to rest. He took a nap on the sofa and June was more than willing to comfort him.


Didn't she do a good job?

Meant To Be A Farmer

Yesterday, in the way only a puppy can, Junie B. was tormenting Milly. She never really hurts her but sufficite it to say, when I rescued the poor thing she was pie-eyed and soggy. Since it was so cold, I thought I should dry her off and warm her up a bit before returning her to the yellow hen house. Isn't that what a real farmer would do?


She was exhausted by her ordeal. So I wrapped her in an old towel and held her like a baby. I really miss holding babies.


Once she started to warm up she perked up a bit.


We enjoyed a little light reading. It wasn't The Little Red Hen, but still of that sustainable genre. She began to feel better but her fluffy feathers were still a bit matt-y. Max, my right hand chicken wrangler, and I gave her a bit of a blow out with a cool hair drier on low.

Isn't that what a real farmer would do?

Okay, in my defense I was wearing a flannel shirt.

It had a cute, trendy cut in a funky plaid with pearl snaps. Does that still count?

2....1....and Now It's The Year!

Two, then one day before Christmas.....

We had an especially lovely dinner with dear friends. Thank you for a really fun evening!


In her spare time, my dearest friend Holly baked all of these wonderful cookies. SHE can make spritz and those tasty Norwegian twists. Her chicken coop kicks butt, too.


Are you a fan of Holmes of Homes on HGTV? Not me, I am a fan of Henry on Homes. If you need any handy work done, call. Don't Grandmas think of the best gifts?


Oh my! A trifle! Don't you wish you had this recipe?


Through the screen door, a Christmas Eve delivery to Margaret.


A houseful of family and lots of good food.


The annual scratching of the lottery cards. Thank you Uncle Jono! We actually won some this year.


A very tired Christmas puppy.


It was a Glee-ful Christmas in the yellow house. They are GLEEKS. Notice the backward "L's"? Irony?


I know they are mine but could they BE any cuter?


I busted out the favorite cookies, cocoa crinkles. Perfect with a cup of Jake's fancy cocoa. I always hide some of these lest there be none for Christmas.


And now the new year is upon us. All good things are ahead. We are healthy and happy and together.

We are so blessed.