Where's my sleeping bag?

Ethel, this is the big one.  That's it - I'm done.  There's nothing else to live for.   I am a the proud owner of - count 'em - TWO sets of stairs. 

Stairs. 

STAIRS!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeek!!!

And I walked 'em today!    I know!!!

They have construction treads on them, not their final good-lookin' treads, and it'll be a while before they're complete, but they ARE STAIRS.

So, I'm going to find my pillow and sleeping bag....   'cause I'm moving in.  Okay, so there's no plumbing.  Or furniture.  Details, details. 

But let me just say this:


STAIRS!    *Squeal!* 

You just want to walk on my stairs.  Admit it. 

Stringers

And here they are cut out:

We're getting closer!

Pssssst

Hey....





Wanna see something cool?





Lookit:

Don't look at me with that tone of voice!    It *IS* cool, I promise! 


You'll see.



.

Adirondack Scenic Railroad

Our adventures with the Virginia Cousins took us to the Adirondack Scenic Railroad yesterday.    Other than the inevitable hands on ears during blasts from the train whistle, a good time was had by all:

A Perfect Friday

Our day yesterday consisted of this:

Blueberry-picking, Virginia Cousins, boat ride, roasting Glazier hot dogs and s'mores, and a beautiful Lake sunset enjoyed from the pontoon boat.   Perfect. 

Except maybe not so perfect for Bob, who had to work all day.  And STILL drove us around in the boat in the evening and made the fire for the weenie roast.  Whattaguy.

Small Town

This past weekend, I made an impromptu visit back to the small Central New York town I did most of my growing up in, from ages 5-16.  A couple childhood friends had some free time and arranged to meet the kids and I at the Firemen's Field Days. 

I don't often go back to visit, since my friends have largely moved away and we have no family there, so it is pretty much preserved in my memory as it was in 1991.  Of course, in 20 years things have changed, and a lot of that is my perception --  everything seems so much smaller than in my memory.  One good thing is that my childhood best friend's parents still live there, in the same house that I haunted in my youth, and they welcome me back any time cbfAmanda and I cook up a nostalgia trip.  Which is awful nice, since I brought my hooligans with me this time.  So, Amanda's hooligans + my hooligans = very gracious hosts. 

Amanda and I met another friend, Jean, at the fairgrounds and got to see her cute wee baby again, and sent the bigger kids on a handful fair rides... and then ran away remembering that once in a decade is often enough to visit the fair. 

We did venture back into town to watch the parade, though.  And it warmed the very cockles of my heart.  Being away for 20 years will do that to you.

Lots of shiny tractors, many of them with Dads and Kids

I used to play percussion in the marching band there...  *sigh*

My candy-hounds waiting for a lollipop to come hurling their way

"Aunt" Amanda and BabyM watching the parade. 

Baby M was all: "Mommy who?" this weekend.

I know that my rose-colored memory of my former hometown isn't reality, but it's wholesome things like the little fair and parade that help sustain my version of reality.  And is that so bad?

Kitchen Bounty

What does one do with a free Friday and the explosion of fruits and vegetables that is mid-August in the North Country?  

This:

Lemon-blueberry scones, fresh pickles, and vegetable soup!  (recipes are linked)

And some more...

I got to spend some time today up at the log house and to witness The Husband in action. 

That's what I'm talkin' about.

 

Here's some more shots of my kitchen, with its lovely walls:

... and here is my kitchen with my sister's beautiful dry-run wedding hair: 

Isn't it lovely?   She so preeeety. 

Kitchen walls

The Husband came home from work today and sat in the driveway a minute, so, since I'm nosy I demanded an explanation. 
"Husband," I says, "Were you napping in the driveway just now?"  (not an unprecedented occurance)
"Nope."
"Well, what were you doing?  Talking on the phone?"  (yes, I'm this persistant and bothersome)
"Nope." 
[Lengthy pause.]   "I was sending a picture from my phone....  to your email."

There is usually only one thing he takes pictures of with his phone and sends to my email. 

That's right. 

I jumped up and took off for my laptop and downloaded these beauties:

That's the kitchen!!  With DRYWALL up! 

Let's check the shriek-o-meter, shall we?

I'd say this is a SQUEAL!!!!