Happy Fat Tuesday!

Happy Fat Tuesday! Above are pictured Paczki (pronounced Poonch-key)'s-- the traditional Polish filled-doughnut served on Fat Tuesday. I picked these up, still hot, Monday night at the local doughnut shop ([town I live in] Donut's). Until I moved states, I had never experienced the deliciousness of a Paczki. This is a day that I can certainly get behind -- Who doesn't like an excuse to eat a doughnut!?! Enjoy your day!

Our "offices".
True to our techie intro... Pete and I each have our own cubicle-type computer set-up. Over the weekend, we added to our set-up's. Pete got a second (and larger) monitor. I got a more comfortable chair. These computers are separated by a transom; this transom used to house sliding doors used to separate the living rooms. The base of the trim on the transom can be seen in the picture of my office on the right.

Cold + Snow = Nap day

Although we've had a few tantalizing glimpses of spring recently, I am reminded today that February is still a winter month. It has been snowing all day. Pete ran an errand this morning, and reported that the road conditions were not good. So, we've had a very relaxing day at home.

The above picture shows our favorite napping spot -- in front of the fireplace, on the two ottomans/leather chairs. Pete is napping there now. Our dog has been dozing on the above chairs. I took a nap in that spot earlier, and woke up feeling supremely relaxed.

Stay warm.

Happy Valentine's Day (belated)

Happy Valentine's day! Here are some little snippets of the day at my house (L : gritty photo-- Fruit & Flowers tea stewing, M- Roses from Pete, R: Angel Food Cake -- served last night @ dinner with strawberries & whipped cream - yum!)

I hope your day was spent with the ones you love!

This weekend we were blest with company again! :) My sister, Jenna, and neice, Jaedon came in town to see my cousin's new daughter and family (her sister-in-law's, and me). It was so fun to see & spend time with these two (and see the others that they came in town to see)! :)

Life, in general

A two minute blurb... about life, in general.

It seems that last year ended with the expectation that this year would be similar... same jobs, same house, same dog, etc. as last year. Pete and I are at a fairly stable point in our life, and there was really nothing to indicate that, aside from new anniversaries, etc. life will be much different this year.

However, than the new year rolled around. I am now studying ~3+ days a week to take an admissions test for Grad school. Pete came home the other evening inquiring how I would feel about a *potential* temporary 3-12 month relocation to Korea for sometime later this year. [For the record: I would welcome the opportunity.] And... we no longer have any cats. It seems that life is subject to change at any moment; it certainly keeps us from being bored!

Lazy Saturday

Given the cold temperatures and snow recently making travel more difficult, Saturday's around our home have have been "lazy" with a Sunday-like feel to the day. We have not accomplished anything large on Saturday's this month--the largest feat being the weekly grocery run & laundry. But, we have been able to catch up on sleep, and work on some of our less strenuous personal goals... For instance, this month, I have finished 3 books in front of the fire, and have started to review some of my old coursework from college. [I am toying with the idea of taking a graduate admissions test and going back to school for Fall 2010 or so...]

But, it feels wonderful to ease into 2009; I am enjoying a "pause" in our life induced by the insulating snow and cold of winter. I hope that, if winter cold & snow has found you, you are warm, dry, and relaxed... enjoying a cup of coffee (or your beverage of choice).