Sweethearts Dinner!

We are lucky enough to host a Sweetheart's Dinner tonight.

This is the time of winter to insist on the kind of evening event that will stun the doldrums right out of one's system. A fancy dinner at our old stone home with other couples falls into that category quite nicely.

Over the last 168 years, there have been other parties at this house. I plan to throw a few more while we are blessed enough to reside here.

This busy bee has been in her kitchen, a-buzz with food-fun. My very first Beef Bourguignon!

-with Baked Garlic Mashed Potatoes on the side.

Please indulge me with a few pics of the "new" china:


Oh boy. Am I ever having fun.

If I remember to grab my camera for the after-dinner entertainment, I shall share how grown-ups get greedy. We are having a good ole' Yankee Swap this evening. Wish me the best of grab-bag luck!

Cottage update

A brisk stroll across the bridge was definitely in order yesterday afternoon. I took Poodie with me.

How can this view NOT take one's breath away? Someone hold me back from throwing my little green kayak into the frothy current.

From the other side of the river, we beheld our humble abode. Please note the ramshackle red garage. We have been instructed by the LOTM to now call it "The Cottage".

Upon arriving back on the ranch, we popped into the Cottage to see what was what.
Above is the kitchen.
Here are the stairs. They aren't usable quite yet. But soon, soon.

Instead of trying to use the unfinished stairs, we trotted around to the other side of the Cottage to ascend the outside stairway.

This is what it looks like up there.

Eventually, it will all make sense!

alluring winter

Who could resist a winter's afternoon stroll? Not I.

the cottage

The only blizzard I would ever order is possibly one from DQ. Oreo, please.

But today we received the Mother Nature-type with horizontal precipitation, no cookies included.

The horrid weather does not keep the LOTM from his commute: a trot down the snowy steps to the garage. ahem: "the cottage", as he has dubbed it.

The transformation has begun to make the unused space above the garage into a state-of-the-art apartment with the best view of the river anywhere around.

The entryway and kitchen will be on the ground floor.

A staircase will lead upstairs to a living room and two bedrooms. Pictures forthcoming, you betcha.

As for the view, what can I say?

Stay tuned for the amazing project that will bring us The Cottage!