Working in the Yard

When we start working in the yard we really get, "We're really doing this moments!?!?"  Especially because Joe is a control freak and Alex is also a tad of a control freak.  But one thing we have in common is our love of just having everything looking tip top shape.  Our new house had a great yard with not a lot of plan to it so we have come up with PLAN and the plan.  The PLAN is a couple years out and the plan is what we are doing this year.  So far in the plan we are adding a shade garden, pergola garden, vegetable garden in raised beds, perennial flowers, two fruit trees, and new chicken coop.  That seems like a lot and it is, again, really these are the moments that make up seemed cracked out on gardening love.  It is sad when the nurseries call us and make fun of us for being there a couple times a week.  

Start of the garden boxes in our backyard.

One day, Macy and Abby will share a chicken dinner.  Just not today. 

Alex is taking apart an old swing set.  We have taken some of the pieces of the set and incorporated into our garden.  Reduce, Reuse & Recycle. 

The chickens got out to help the clean up as well.  They love to eat our bugs and we love them to do it. 

Off topic, Joe helped out our bestie, Laurel catch a swarm at her house.  Alex was taking pictures and watching out for bees so he didn't get a sting.  He is allergic.   

Look at the cool cone.  It was awesome.

Joe all suited up!

Coming up with an action plan.  Notice Laurel's coolness and my tension. 

Laurel carrying part of the swarm to the new hive.  While I am making sure a bee didn't land on my neck.  I was the hero because I put the lid on the super and didn't crush the queen. 

Vacation in the Caribbean

We needed a well deserved vacation so we decided to rebook our cruise. Instead of returning to the Baja as originally planned we changed to the Caribbean. We went on Carnival, which is okay if you like kids and you think fancy dress is maxi dress.  Although the drink specials were fantastic and the ports were perfect for what we wanted.  We also met some nice people, made some new friends, and relaxed! So mission accomplished. Enjoy the photos and the mini-stories.

Joe's first time swimming with the sting rays in Antigua. 

Huge ficus!

We went to the botanical gardens in Tortola because they canceled our shore excursion.

 

Of course the only other gay couple on the boat was assigned to our table.  We made great friends and had fun laughs.  This is Alex and Michael from Atlanta, Georgia.

Joe sitting with the queen.  I think she needs to close her legs, they are wide open. 

Alex also got an audience with Queen Elizabeth. 

Warming the House

First of all we have amazing friends who are very thoughtful and show great support to us.  We were so pleased with the housewarming, the company, the guests, and all of the great memories.  In true fashion, we planned a great menu but made some last minute changes.  Thanks to my two gals in shining armor for coming to my sanity rescue.  In case you missed it this was the spread, homemade bruschetta with our heirloom tomatoes, clam or clap whichever way you read it, veggies with Darcy's Dip, antipasto plate, spinach salad, assorted cheeses, figs wrapped up with prosciutto, and finally cookies made at the last minute (thanks to Seema and Laurel), brownie bites with an orange frosting (thanks to Laurel again), and chocolate dip strawberries (also thanks to Laurel).  I wonder what La would have done with her weekend if it wasn't for us.  

Amazing company, amazing food, great wine, and a great night.  Enjoy some of the pictures, apologies that the flash was not on all night long.  But we like to keep it dark, makes for better skin tone. 

The bar ready for drinking.

We love this picture wall, so many fun memories!

Alex and Emily getting everything ready.

Milena, Cheryl, Vlad, Derick, Brandon in the living room.

Rich, Jessica and Alex.

Joey, Xander, Debra, Louie.

Chantelle, Angela, and Jason chatting in the hall.

John and Kelly.

Megan and Shawn.

B.J and Heather having some Grey Goose.

Jeff caught me in the bathroom.  I was just fixing my hair.

Dessert maker and future wife?

This was the after party.  Look at the new wines to try.

It's Been a While

Laurel from, Exchange in the Hive said that we need to update our blog.  I agree because so much has happened since October.  By the way, it feels like it has been two weeks since then.  We bought a house 1.2 miles north of where we were currently living with Grandma.  We now have a 4 bed, 2 bath, corner house, which we are madly in love with.  It has been quite an adventure to move and start all of these things when we have had no background knowledge on home owning.  Special thanks to our families, including our mothers who forced us to make about five small loads the night of the move before we tuckered out  It was drama free for the most part, even though we had some problems with our big furniture.  That's okay, we love to shop!

Our first house!

In true "We're Really Doing This?!?!" fashion, we decided to start renovations right away (the first week).  We enlisted our friends, Derek and Adam to come over and help.  We traded a lot of beer for some amazing work.  What seemed like a "small" project turned out to be five weekends, again because of the lack of background knowledge.  But they have been so cool and we love our new laundry room.  Everything else seems to be in great working order.  Our goals for the new house: finish the laundry room to completion, create a huge garden space, install a new tankless water heater, and gutters?   More pictures and adventure to come from Zenith. 

Adam installing lights after they added all of the framing.Joey (Derek's wife) and I installed all of the instillation.  Can you count how many Bud Light bottles are in the room? 

 

Premoving picture: The chickens had to move as well.  Alex painting.