Moments 05 20 :: Week 05

Never noticed this pine tree produced baby pink pine cones! The whole tree was filled and it was amazing. Another benefit to actually being home more.

Third year of Murph. 1 mile run, 100 pull ups (I did dumbbell rows), 200 push-ups, 300 air squats, 1 mile run. Usually it's done on Memorial Day at the gym. This year was a bit different. 

Homemade ricotta. Homemade lemon jam. On sourdough. 

Such a handsome guy. The weather was amazing last weekend, and he certainly took advantage of it.

Memorial Day looked a little different this year. After a full weekend of yard work, we all decided to take Memorial Day off. We even got the boys out on a bike ride.

We stopped by the park to learn how to through boomerangs. 

Do I sleep? Or do I stalk the neighborhood? Oh, it's hard to be a German Shorthaired Pointer. 

Exciting news! This guy (who didn't want to be photographed) got his temporary license. We have yet to get out driving. For some reason, he is in no rush. I don't get it.

H got surprise mail this week with another awesome yard sign. Thanks WMU! Senior awards were also released this week.  Usually they are given out during the Senior breakfast, but of course that couldn't happen this year. H received the following: 

- Nicolet Scholar Athlete Award 

- Booster Club Knight Pride Award (Swim) 

- Spanish Honor Society 

- SHH Wilberto Cantón Outstanding Service to the Community

Brian has been trying to work outside instead of the dungeon. As soon as he got up, this was the scene. Looks like she's on a zoom call!

Gorgeous day. I cannot get enough of the lake and love that we live so close to it. 

Gretel even got to dip her paws in the water.

Moments 05 20 :: Week 04

Saturday last weekend was really nice. We got a ton of yard work done (and still have a bunch more to do this weekend). But Sunday, it looked like this. It rained non-stop and the water rose so much it covered the streets around us. Thankfully, once it stops raining, the water goes away pretty quickly, but I know a lot of people had issues after this rainfall. Meanwhile, the boys had a great time running through the streets, and Gretel even got to put on her long leash and go swimming in the verge since it collected so much water. She loved it.


Had to submit his U17 (!!!) soccer photo for next year. He's almost as tall as me too. How does this happen?


Anyone else have a mini garden on their window ledge?


Miracle of all miracles. We started this puzzle on New Years Eve. -- and finished right in time for Memorial Day. Granted, 95% of it was me, and thanks to our dark house, I could only work on it when it was light outside, but still. This was a doozy.


I can't remember the last time I worked on a puzzle. The boys got this for Christmas. "It will be fun!" I said. I had no idea how difficult this was going to be. For most of it, it is basically impossible to figured out the pieces by looking at it. I had to literally take them all and test them out in each spot. The first half of this endeavor took forever. I would get a piece or two a day and half to walk away. I still haven't been able to take it apart. I cannot believe I finished this.


One of the good, not so good things, we've been doing lately is Christina Tosi's Bake Club. It's a daily thing she's been doing on instagram. C and I started doing it, and now I'm hooked. It's usually pretty easy stuff, and I'm honestly learning a ton including how to be a little more creative (I'm a recipe follower). Some of my favorite things we've made are citrus jam, ricotta, a ridiculous icebox cake made with Cool Whip, grilled cheese with red onion jam and these Ritz cookies.  Actually, everything has been pretty amazing, and it sounds crazy, but I feel like accomplished every day when I make something.

Moments 05 20 :: Week 03

Some crazy, beautiful flower Brian picked up for me. <3


Made a huge batch of fire starters. Also got a giant firewood delivery this week. Ready for summer.


My Mother's Day breakfast. So delicious. Even included a side of elderberry syrup.


My guys. Cannot even begin to imagine life without them.


Found this oldie but goodie of my mom and me. Thinking it must have been my 17th birthday?


Then there's Brian and his mom. I'm guessing he was home from college for Christmas. Too funny.


We ended the day with a delicious crab leg and lobster dinner. Such a treat.


This little one flew into our window. I tucked it's wings under, and about 30 minutes later, it flew away. Such a cute little bird.


That's 20 yards of mulch for the boys to spread. They are sure going to be busy.


I've been working out in my driveway, and the other day, it was cooler, but sunny. As soon as I was done, this is what I found on my mat which was really nice and warm.


This little bunny decided to hop across our driveway! There is no way it would have survived in our yard (...Gretel), so I contacted the Humane Society Wildlife department (they are amazing) to confirm it was of size to be on it's own, and relocated it to Doctor's Park. Hopefully it's doing ok. Baby bunnies are the cutest!


Still taking epic walks with Gretel. When we have time, Beach Drive is our favorite. We alway make sure to take a moment at Lake Michigan. It's just so amazing.


See that number below the date? That's the number of days we've been in quarantine. 60! Crazy. I look at how crazy our spring was supposed to be and am so thankful for the time we got. We were supposed to be in St. Louis this weekend, and Appleton all of next weekend for soccer, for example. The first couple of weeks were a challenge because I'm used to a lot of alone time. But now, I'm starting to get a little sad thinking of my people leaving. Never have we spent this much time together, and I'm happy to report, we still really like each other. Oh, there are a lot of challenges this world and we are all dealing with though. The economy is a mess. Politics have gotten ugly. How people handle the virus is so varied and difficult to navigate. It's a lot. It's a long, uncertain road ahead of us, and I just hope everything turns out ok.

Moments 05 20 :: Week 02

We visited my mom & dad briefly on Saturday. It's so strange having them home and never getting to see each other. My mom is having a really hard time with the fact that we won't hug them. It was pretty amazing, because where we live, most everyone is wearing masks in stores, staying away from people, etc. Not out where they live! I kid you not, people were at the bars outside hanging out, we passed by a lemonade stand, and we drove by an outdoor store, and no one was wearing masks. It felt really strange to me. Anyhow, it was great to see them. Got to see their new house progress and even took the Sachs moped for a spin. The boys got a huge kick out of it for sure.


Can you believe I used to ride this thing to work when I didn't have a car available?


It was a gorgeous weekend. We all needed it, that's for sure.


Perfect way to end a great day.


Gretel and I have been going for some really great walks. How lucky are we to have this in our backyard?


Just a girl and her pillow log.


Found this amazing nest in our yard. Sadly, when I looked today, the eggs were gone. Stupid crows I'm sure.


Some pretty buds in our yard.


Our first year with a magnolia tree.


One of the best habits I've had over the past couple months is sleep. Pre-pandemic I would get 5.5-6.5 hours a night. I get at least 7 hours lately, which is my happy amount of sleep. Amazing what a difference it makes.


My old guy.

Moments 05 20 :: Week 01

I've got to be honest, we have not been doing a great job supporting local restaurants. We've only picked once. Maybe twice? After a particularly rough week of learning, decided to order Pete's Pops --  something C has been requesting.


They are one of our favorite treats at the summer farmer's market, and they didn't disappoint. I had the Lemon Poppyseed, Brian went for his favorite, Thai Tea, and the boys each had a Coffee N Donuts. Delicious.


What meal prep looks like every single night.


What a beautiful night for a Zoom call with his high school friends.


One of C's friends was celebrating his birthday, and roaming the streets with some other friends. C couldn't wait to see them (another was to the left by the tree). Even the pouring rain couldn't stop them.


This is our reality, unfortunately. C is just not doing well with remote learning. Fortunately he has a lot of support even now, but there's only so much we can all do for him. It makes me so sad. I cannot wait for school to be over this year.


He did whip up some amazing peanut butter chocolate chip cookies though!


My favorite bus stop as seen on my walk with Gretel. A moss covered roof, structure that looks like it should be in a state park, community bulletin with printed notices, large overhanging tree. It's perfect.