Sunday, May 31, 2020

There Is Something Magical About Warm Homemade Cookies


One of our big concerns, when we bought our house back in February, was the neighbors. I'm sure that's a big concern for most new homeowners. No one wants shitty neighbors. We were lucky back in July of 2012 when we moved into the home that we rented for almost 8 years. We became close friends with a lot of neighbors. 

Saturday, May 30, 2020

We Will Probably Have This Conversation Years Down The Road


Before I dive into this blog column, I need to explain something. The house we bought in February has 3 bedrooms. The majority of the house had been updated with everything from new hardwood flooring to freshly painted walls. The sellers, who are great people, ran out of time and weren't able to paint 2 out of the 3 bedrooms. 

Friday, May 29, 2020

We Do Not Need To Belong To A Facebook Group To Spread Light And Love And Sweet Cheer


A little over 2 weeks ago, I joined a group on Facebook. I typically do not join groups. I have my reasons. However, a couple of friends invited me to this particular group. I looked into it. Joined.
This group was similar to dozens of Facebook "ding dong and ditch" groups that popped up and spread like wildfire. The theme was delivering wine and goodies to spread love and cheer during to your neighbors and people you didn't know these dark times brought on by the COVID-19. Silent angels of sorts.

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Lobo Could Be The Next Model For Nike Hats


Over the weekend, Lisa mowed all of our lawns. There is a lot to mow. We have a front lawn, side lawns, and 2 fenced in backyards. It takes a while. Midway through mowing, usually around 1-ish, I make Lisa lunch. A sandwich. Chips. Fresh fruit. While Lisa is eating, Lobo perches himself on my leg. It is a tradition of sorts that began a couple of years ago.

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

We Are Grateful For Moments Like This


In October of 2019, we purchased a new 2020 vehicle. At the time, we had no idea that 4 months later, we'd be buying a house. And, the purchase of our new vehicle was before that week in November when the last of the puzzle pieces were fit together. We realized nothing was going to change and why it wasn't going to change. 

Monday, May 25, 2020

This Piece Was Meant To Be


Lisa and I are not fans of store-bought home decor. For those of you who visited our home we rented from July of 2012 until February of 2020, you know that we are unconventional. Our home was decorated with vintage and antique pieces, rustic pieces that we restored, pieces that have been passed down from generation to generation, and handcrafted gifts that our friends and family gifted to us. Most everything in our home has a story behind it. 

Sunday, May 24, 2020

Another Lil' Bodacious DIY Dog Mom Project Is Done!


Last weekend we received a gorgeous rustic ladder that measured at almost 6 feet tall. It was a gift that we really appreciated. We had the perfect spot for it. The short wall that separated both of our living rooms.

Saturday, May 23, 2020

We Were The Wine Fairies Today...


Yesterday I mentioned that I joined a Wine Fairy group for our county on Facebook. Within 24 hours, the Wine Fairy visited us. A complete stranger left us a Sweet Basket O' Goodies at our front door. We were ecstatic. 

Friday, May 22, 2020

A Mysterious Wine Fairy Visited Us


I am continuously getting invites to join this group or that group on Facebook whether it's Pampered Chef Parties or Sip and Sparkle or...whatever. I've joined a scarce few over the years. I stay away from the rest. But. This week I was invited to a local group by a couple of friends. It's a women's only group who are spreading love and cheer in the form of wine fairies. In Windham County. Where we live. 

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Paint And Time And Love And Effort Can Make All The Difference


The new house that we purchased in February has a garage. We were excited about that. It was in dire need of a few repairs and a fresh coat of paint. This is the before photo of the right side. Having that arranged before we closed on the house was not a problem. Last month, the contractor arrived. He worked alone on the first day. The following day, his wife assisted him. Great people. We extended our hospitality on both days. We were very pleased with the end result. 

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Be Kind. Be Aware. Be Safe.


Someone made a comment to me the other day about the absence of posts about the COVID-19 pandemic on my social media streams. They were mostly referring to my personal Facebook account. "You're usually outspoken. Candid. The only thing I've seen on your Facebook wall about the pandemic is the face mask bands you made." Well. There's a reason for that. 

Monday, May 18, 2020

Not All Dogs Have 4 Paws...


One of the pet pages that I belong to on Facebook posted something recently that caught my attention. It was a cartoon photo accompanied by a quote from Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette. She was a well known journalist, mime, and actress and best known for her novel 'Gigi.' 

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Onion Rolls And Electronics


I made homemade onion rolls for Lisa. They're her favorite. I don't make them often because they're a little time-consuming. In addition to making the dough, I have to finely dice a medium onion. Simmer half of it in butter until partially cooked. Let cool. Add to the dough when I knead it. Then, with the other half of the onion, I make sugared onions to spread on the top after they're done rising and ready to go into the oven.

Saturday, May 16, 2020

This Has Kept Me Awake At Night...


I heard from an old friend last week. In short, she's always been that honest friend. She could easily be the poster child for George Carlin's quote, "Everyone appreciates your honesty until you're honest with them. Then, you're an asshole." I'm fairly certain we've maintained our friendship for over a decade because of our appreciation for each other's honesty. 

Friday, May 15, 2020

10 Blessings And Beyond...


I took this photo 4 days after we signed on our new house. It was a Sunday. The day after we officially moved out of our old home. All of the kids were snuggled on the sofa with Lisa. Before finding her comfy napping spot, Willa, our most animated child, got on Lisa's lap and gave her an extra hug. I captured that moment. This photo speaks a thousand words for so many reasons. 

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Time Spent On Our Back Porch Is Always An Adventure


At our old home, we always had a Buffet O' Bird Feeders on the front lawn. We enjoyed watching the many species of birds especially early in the morning or when the sun was setting. Within a week after moving into the house we bought in February, we put our Buffet O' Bird Feeders out in the big backyard. It didn't take long for the birds to enjoy the wide selection of seed and nuts and suet. 

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Rocks! Rocks! Rocks!


This time of year, Lisa is usually in her woodshop building birdhouses, garden signs, and other cool Spring projects. I'm busy in the Bodacious DIY Dog Mom Project Workshop working my magic with paint, detailing, and varnishing. However, this year, the COVID-19 pandemic has temporarily changed all of that.

Monday, May 11, 2020

We Are So Grateful To Have Kind Neighbors


One of the big concerns about buying a house is the neighbors. After all, those are the people who will be in close proximity. In 2012, when we moved into our old home, we were very fortunate. A couple of our neighbors introduced themselves immediately. Over the years, we became close friends with a lot of our neighbors, had a lot of great times, and made many memories.

Sunday, May 10, 2020

Happy Mother's Day!


We want to extend a Happy Mother's Day to the women in our life. Our elders. Who raised us to be strong women over the years. Our Mom's. Our Grandmothers. Our elders who are and are not blood-related.

Friday, May 8, 2020

We Danced In The Rain And Delivered A Sweet Package...


Throughout the entire COVID-19 pandemic, Lisa and I have done everything we can to spread lots of goodies, light, love, and cheer to our family and friends. We've delivered meals and goodies. I spent a couple of weekends making face mask bands for the people Lisa work with and beyond. We have extended our gratitude to our friends and family who have sent us toilet paper, yeast, and grabbed flour for or us.

Thursday, May 7, 2020

We Are Beyond Excited For Our New Mother's Day Comfort Chairs

Every year for Mother's Day, Lisa and I surprise the other with a gift from our furry kids. We're Dog Moms so Mother's Day is a celebratory occasion for us. This year, our kids decided to surprise each other with a gift of comfort in the form of chairs.

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

New Cinco de Mayo Traditions...


Today is Cinco de Mayo. For the past 4 years, we had a tradition. But, this year it changed. For obvious reasons and beyond. I shrugged it off, but...

Monday, May 4, 2020

Our Kids Have A New Dog Bed Compliments Of Four New Seat Cushions We Kind Of Forgot About


A couple of weeks after we bought our new house in February, Lisa bought 4 chair pads for our dining room table. Burgundy. Very well cushioned. Unfortunately, our dining room chairs are large. The cushions were too small. Lisa put them in a large tote bag. In our entryway closet. To be returned.

Saturday, May 2, 2020

Let Us Embrace The Motto Of, "Great Things Are Done By A Series Of Small Things Brought Together."


The weather was absolutely gorgeous this weekend. Warm. Sunny. I did housework while Lisa did yard work. Our kids enjoyed plenty of time outdoors in their playground. Lisa built another birdhouse in her woodshop for me to detail in my Bodacious DIY Dog Mom Project Workshop. I decided to make a gorgeous, decadent cake to mimic a Hostess Chocolate Cupcake.