Newport Aquarium

Here are the pictures of my new friends at the Newport Aquarium. Some of you already know I have a thing with animals. It's hard to describe, but in a nut shell, they tend to love me and flock to me. I made a couple of friends at the aquarium. My favorite was the otter. He gave me a private show of summer salts, kisses, and he even put his little paw on the glass up to my hand. We also had the privilege of spending quality time with puffins and other sea birds in Newport's aviary. I was in animal lover's heaven!

Multnoma Falls

Fund With the Parents :-)

So Aaron's parents Sara and Stu spent the past ten days with us in our little home. It was a very nice trip and we had a great time. During their visit we went to Multnoma Falls, Newport, Florence, Honeyman State Park, and many other places around Portland. Here are some pictures of their stay. (I'll be posting the pictures in seperate posts by each trip and of course, miscellaneous.)

It's a Jungle Out There

So in just 2 1/2 weeks our little garden has become, well, a jungle. Take a look!

Cuddling with my Boy

As you can see Max is a momma's boy. He loves his daddy, but he's a cuddle bug with me. Here is a typical evening of quality couch cuddling!

Our Little Kitchen Garden

Last year we started working on getting our soil ready for planting this year. So far we have had success, but time will tell. Here are the pictures of our little plot of land! Enjoy!

New Furniture

Our furniture finally arrived today. Here are some pics of the completed room!

As you can see Max and Leila approve!

Fun With The Pups Yet Again!

Yesterday I took babies to Mt. Tabor for a morning hike through the woods. This is another beautiful park in the middle of the city full of trees and castle looking structures around a resevoir. We had a grand time.

Sewing is Dangerous

I started a new costume about 3 weeks ago and decided, since it is a Regency gown, I would hand sew every stitch. Yes, I am insane :-0. Well, everything has gone wonderfully smooth. It has been the most relaxing sewing project I have ever done. Untill that fateful day. I was sewing along watching Persuasion, I'm still in the Jane Austen mood hence the Regency gown, when I stabbed myself. Yes, not just a little jab, oh no, the needle went in between my flesh and fingernail on the left side of my right index finger. It hurt, but not that badly; there was no blood, so I just kept going. Well, last Wednesday, a week after the stabbing, at around 3 a.m. I was awoken by said throbbing finger, and it was the size of my thumb! So off to the doctor I trotted, where I spent a nice portion of my day off, and was prompty issued antibiotics. Luckily, I had caught it in time so there was no prodding or poking needed. It has been 5 days since the doctors visit and now it's turned a bit green, which means I have to get it drained. Yeah! So I have been warned by my doctor to sew with sterilized needles. Who knew! Here's a picture of said green finger as a warning to all, SEWING IS DANGEROUS!

P.S. I will post pictures of the dress as soon as I have a chance to finish it. The finger has delayed things a bit.

Another Fun Outing With the Pups

So, yesterday Aaron took me to a new park full of trails and wildlife. Today I took Max and Leila for our weekly hike away from ye old neighborhood. We had a grand time frolicking on the trails. The landscape reminds me of England and Scottland. It is amazing that this wilderness is in the middle of the city. Here are some pictures! Enjoy!

Someone at Google...

So, somebody at Google has a wonderful sense of humor. Log on to Google Maps for directions from New York to London. Oh, and check out step 23 and 24. Too funny! Here is a link for y'all! Enjoy! http://maps.google.com/ (make sure you click on "get directions" and then type in New York and London. It's way cool!)

Sales Woes Part II... Revenge of the Sunshine (Muwahahaha)

So, here we are again! It's a beautiful day outside and I'm sitting inside the store waiting for lonely souls to wander in to buy lots and lots of furniture from me, preferably an entire set of leather with cheese (cheese is Fabric Protection, we're weird around here, don't ask). Due to the fact that it is about 72 degrees, sunny, a little breezy, and basically plain gorgeous outside, who in their right mind wants to go and buy furniture. Therefore, I have been on point (meaning it's my turn to take the next person who walks in the door and try and sell them stuff) for oh... 2 1/2 HOURS! Oh yes, ladies and gentleman the clock ticks on and there is not a soul in here, except for Meg and myself. To make matters more annoying it's, as stated before, GORGEOUS OUTSIDE. So it is a vicous cycle, you see. It's lovely outside, so there are no people inside, and I'm bored because there are no people inside, and time goes by slowly because it's so nice outside, and I just want to be out in it enjoying the weather. Oh well! Such is the life of a commission sales person. Hope you all are having fun. Wait, could it be a car...... No it's a school bus making a Burger King run and using our parking lot as, well... it's parking lot! It can't stay slow all night. Or, can it? Time will tell!

Jane Austen

So, I have been in a Jane Austen mood these past few weeks. I have been watching all of my Regency Era movies, reading Emma, and studying costumes from the time. I seem to go through phases of eras that I'm interested in. It will eventually change, but for now, I'm enjoying the delights of the early 19th century. Here are some links to recipes, crafts, and costumes of the era! Enjoy!

Jane Austen Magazine (A website that is run by the Jane Austen center in Bath, England)

Prints George (A very funny site with interesting prints, sayings, and mannerisms)

Jessamyns' Regency Costume Companion (The name says it all!)

Sense and Sensibility Patterns (A site of Regency clothing patterns)

Demode' (A simply wonderful site full of historic costume goodies)

I leave you with this quote from Jane Austen...

"There will be little rubs and disappointments everywhere, and we are all apt to expect too much; but then, if one scheme of happiness fails, human nature turns to another; if the first calculation is wrong, we make a second better: we find comfort somewhere . . .”

Jane Austen's Portrait

Daddy and the Babies

Well, I know it's been a while since my last post; not much going on around here, just the normal. I thought you would enjoy seeing this very cute picture of Aaron and the babies. We love to throw a blanket on the floor and cuddle with the kids. This time Aaron was in and out of sleep and I managed to take couple of pictures. Enjoy!

New Furniture

The ability to purchase new furniture is just one of those glorious perks that comes with working for a furniture company. Finally, after 2 years of married life using an old day bed for a sofa, we will be getting our first set of real furniture. It's a semi custom piece, meaning I picked the fabrics that will go on the frame. It's quite exciting to be able to design a piece and have it made. I thought you would enjoy seeing the pictures our computer program spits out when you enter custom fabrics. * Note: The colors are not as brilliant in the pictures as in real life and it looses it's textural qualities through the computer. Here goes!

My Sofa

Aaron's Recliner

Rest in Peace

I found out this evening that my Pastor's mother died from cancer. It's a very strange feeling, I'm sad, but I can't cry right now. I've known her my entire life and she has been like a grandmother to me, but I guess it hasn't hit me yet. Well, I don't have much to say except I know she was a Godly woman who is with her savior now enjoying paradise. I love you, Toni, and I will miss you. God Bless.

This picture of Brad and Toni was taken at our wedding in May of '05.