Oops!

Exciting weekend around here - we were on an odor hunt in the kitchen (can you spy the cans of room deodorizer). In the process, we pulled the refrigerator out of the cabinet and blew out the compressor unit. Yes, this is dust flying in the house - nasty. Our conclusion was that there was a dead critter in the ceiling and we would just have to "ride" it out. However, we were not correct in that assumption . . .

2 weeks ago, we cooked 4 whole chickens for a potluck. After getting most of the meat off, Scott threw the pan in the upper oven and we forgot about it. The origin of the odor became clearly apparent when we used the upper oven yesterday. "Gag, shiver and wretch" does not cover our reaction . . . do I hear a "duh!"

The argyle gypsies and their gymnastic genius were busy while we were making a big mess

Sten was also busy at the shop - starting to look like a real beast

Ooops!

By Golly, he'll do what I say next time!

Truth is, I did not hit or throw anything in anger. A wrench accidentally slipped and caused this shiner. We've been calling him "Bruno" around here. By the way, doesn't that shirt really "set off" his eye(s)?

Someone get this man a Hat

This is what a harried (not to be confused with "Hairy") father of 3 looks like after running from one kid's event to the next. This weekend was especially crazy - water polo, 2 soccer games, 4H Horse riding event, and (the most difficult) - dealing with a herd of VDB's. Poor guy hasn't even had time for a haircut, and claims he doesn't need one (argh)!

Artisan Bread

Scott is on a "roll" . . . he has really taken to this bread making endeavor and is cranking out 2 loaves every other day. He picked up a 50 lb sack of bread flour at Costco last week. He usually makes one loaf for us and another to give away . . . perhaps you'll be the lucky recipient!

And the show goes on . . .

Happy Birthday, Scott! It's a little difficult to wrap a planer,

but he looks thrilled anyway, don't you think?

What a mess! This thing puts out the sawDUST!

I don't think we'll ever get this place clean!

Hearing protection is extremely necessary

Ok, so I decided to use my hideous color and it
just might turn out to be my favorite room yet.


The linoleum was installed in the hall/laundry/bathroom
today - it looks so clean and new,
I can't stop peeking in at it - I love it!

We are building a storage closet in the family
room that is going to have a rusty
metal roof and barn doors that slide on a track.
A place to hide all my treasures and/or junk

Beginning of project

This is a "real man's" seam ripper. Crow bar to the rescue

What a difference a (FULL) day makes

Finally, some color! I had a different color in mind and painted a bit of it as a sample. My highly opinionated laborers all looked at me questionably and told me I was nuts. So if anyone needs a gallon of Wooden Porch Swing (sounds good, eh?) paint from HDepot, it's yours!

Good ole Dad, or should I say sore Dad after rolling the ceilings
Mr. Detail - thank goodness for steady hands and lots of patience -
Mr. J had the tedious job of cutting in at the ceiling.
Will and Scott after spraying the primer

Italian Night

We had some old friends over for a "make your own pizza" feed tonight. Old for sure! It was Mike A and Scott's 45th birthdays. They went through Junior High and High School together.

I decided to mimic that famous picture of those workers sitting on a beam over NYC - don't know if that's obvious or not? It was awesome to get together but we were missing a family - ahem - I think you know who you are!

Kenzi and Milah rolling their dough

Ryan, throwing his pie
Chef Boyardee

Aaaah!

I stumbled onto a memory stick that contained some older pictures today . . . I guess time flies while you're busy doing laundry and wiping snotty noses. It makes me a little frantic, wishing I could just stall the clock for a bit now, and "freeze" these incredible little people (one who is taller than me) that are getting older by the day. boo hoo . . .

The puppy he had long dreamed about . . . love at first sight

One of my all time favorite pictures of Scott - he ABSOLUTELY DID NOT want a dog and we kind-of (well we definitely) went against his wishes and got one anyway. This is the first moment he held Danner and despite the gnarly look on his face, his heart had already melted.

Fun at the lake

Some cooperation at the studio - I must've bribed them with ice cream, donuts, and a trip to the zoo!

They were grumbling about this one and Sten couldn't figure out why the girls were wearing "ugly nightgowns" as he put it . . .

Wanna come over?

In Scott's newly domesticated life, he has decided to take up bread-making. This is his first loaf and it was delicious - not a big fluffy loaf, but a crusty rustic bread. He ran into HIS kindergarten teacher in the grocery store and she told him about this no-knead recipe from the NY Times. Give it a try - it's yummy! Please note, he looks a little scruffy because he's apparently taken a grooming boycott. This is Milah, getting ready in her bathroom. Before we left for CO, she was too small to operate the shower on her own, so she is very excited to have her own space and she is keeping it immaculate. No comments please on her choice of footwear with her nice outfit.
Milah and Maren were playing school, and I had to snap this one - take an extra look at the word, "correctly".
We had a little Colorado weather here in Oregon! It didn't stick around long, but I sure hope we get some more.