So here it is, Full. My favorite thing to be Full.
A couple in love with a new baby navigating through the unknown, hand-in-hand.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Full
I have decided to take on a photo challenge because I take photos, but without purpose. This is going along with my creative movement! So, when Adrian from Adrian Loves Owls posted this shorter challenge, I jumped on board! Hopefully I do better later this week. Also, y'all should get on board too.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Le Pergola!
Day One:
Hole Digging
(note: my cement carving did not last the next morning)
Day Two: The Dudes Arrive
These guys rocked that pergola. Pat almost lost a thumb to Richie's drill, but there was nothing but laughter, advice and good ol' chummin' that happens when hungover guys start on a project together.
I am so thankful to have friends that will come over, kick some major lumber ace for a sandwich and beer. I hope we can repay everyone that helped with a similar act of kindness! Watts, your next!
Before
Hole Digging
Mr. Haire wins an award (to be determined) for digging these holes on his own. They are 2 feet deep and that is AZ soil you see. Basically concrete.
Posts are in!
(note: my cement carving did not last the next morning)
Day Two: The Dudes Arrive
Tools with Coffee...
These guys rocked that pergola. Pat almost lost a thumb to Richie's drill, but there was nothing but laughter, advice and good ol' chummin' that happens when hungover guys start on a project together.
Working hard for their beer
Mad props to Jackie and Megs for coming over and helping me make MASSIVE sandwiches for the guys, and helping me supervise and drink some booze. 'Cuz that's what you do on a Saturday afternoon at the Casa de Haire. 
Tools with Beer...
I am so thankful to have friends that will come over, kick some major lumber ace for a sandwich and beer. I hope we can repay everyone that helped with a similar act of kindness! Watts, your next!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
No Longer Waiting...
I feel like we wandered into this new year, hoping for everything to change for the better. This includes our quality of life, reaching our goals, creating new goals, improving relationships with each other and our friends & family and everything in between. When we entered with all these hopes and dreams, we realized the only way to reach them is to stop waiting for them to happen and start making it happen ourselves! If people join in and help along the way, great!
So, to get to the point, we love to spend time outside, however, in the summer, the brutal AZ sun can prevent that from happening... unless you prune up in the pool the entire day slathering on SPF 90 and drinking cervezas (that actually doesn't sound so bad right about now she says at 9:19 am). So what are we going to do about that? How are we going to improve our quality of life? We are building a pergola this weekend and expand our living space 10x12 feet! We have been talking about this for over a year now... since we have moved into Casa de Haire really. So, finally, we jumped in feet first and started the project! Lumber was purchased, holes were dug and we already have the way too tall posts cemented in the ground. We are rounding up the troops to complete it this afternoon! Hopefully these tough dudes have it completed in enough time to enjoy the shade it will be creating, and maybe a celebration beer or two.
For right now though, I will share this little gem. It will be covered eventually I am sure, but we will always know it is there.
So, to get to the point, we love to spend time outside, however, in the summer, the brutal AZ sun can prevent that from happening... unless you prune up in the pool the entire day slathering on SPF 90 and drinking cervezas (that actually doesn't sound so bad right about now she says at 9:19 am). So what are we going to do about that? How are we going to improve our quality of life? We are building a pergola this weekend and expand our living space 10x12 feet! We have been talking about this for over a year now... since we have moved into Casa de Haire really. So, finally, we jumped in feet first and started the project! Lumber was purchased, holes were dug and we already have the way too tall posts cemented in the ground. We are rounding up the troops to complete it this afternoon! Hopefully these tough dudes have it completed in enough time to enjoy the shade it will be creating, and maybe a celebration beer or two.
For right now though, I will share this little gem. It will be covered eventually I am sure, but we will always know it is there.
(note: this was destroyed the next morning by one Joe Watt. Thanks.)
Monday, January 16, 2012
Our new spot...
My dear sweet parents bought the Mr. and I a wine club membership to a local Wine Bar just a few miles away, Vine Expressions. The first time I visited this little spot was with my parents and I could not wait to share the awesome experience with Pat! The guy that helped us each time was VERY knowledgeable and allowed us to try some wines before we made decisions on buying bottles or drinking by the glass.
The atmosphere is pretty great, couches galore that create little semi private living rooms suitable for large groups or couples. The coffee tables offer reading materials and snugly blankets if you like (I have not used them... kind of freaks me out). The outdoor space is very nice with gas fueled fire pits and cozy seating too!
The wine selection is wonderful, they feature AZ wines too, but I have not had the opportunity to try one yet.
The food there, from what we have had (CHEESE) is good. We did order the Italian Flatbread, and well, not anything to write home about. The the "flatbread" was whole wheat... which was strange, because if we are drinking wine in excess and eating massive amounts of cheese, health is not at the forefront of my mind.
The last time we went we were more than a little disappointed with the slow service. I think if we had ordered a bottle of wine, and enough cheese with extra bread, we wouldn't have even noticed the lack of attention we were receiving because the live music was wonderful.
We left a little cranky, but I know we will be happy to go back and give it a go for a 4th (or is it 5th?) time.
I would recommend checking it out, but don't go with expectations of a fast meal, go to take your time, relax and buy a bottle!
The atmosphere is pretty great, couches galore that create little semi private living rooms suitable for large groups or couples. The coffee tables offer reading materials and snugly blankets if you like (I have not used them... kind of freaks me out). The outdoor space is very nice with gas fueled fire pits and cozy seating too!
The wine selection is wonderful, they feature AZ wines too, but I have not had the opportunity to try one yet.
The food there, from what we have had (CHEESE) is good. We did order the Italian Flatbread, and well, not anything to write home about. The the "flatbread" was whole wheat... which was strange, because if we are drinking wine in excess and eating massive amounts of cheese, health is not at the forefront of my mind.
The last time we went we were more than a little disappointed with the slow service. I think if we had ordered a bottle of wine, and enough cheese with extra bread, we wouldn't have even noticed the lack of attention we were receiving because the live music was wonderful.
We left a little cranky, but I know we will be happy to go back and give it a go for a 4th (or is it 5th?) time.
I would recommend checking it out, but don't go with expectations of a fast meal, go to take your time, relax and buy a bottle!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
New Year: Resolutions
I am not one to make New Year Resolutions because nobody ever keeps these resolutions, right? Well, I have decided to have a few, just for some motivation and hopefully start some habits. If I write it down, perhaps it will hold me accountable!
Stay tuned.
- Create crafts at least once a month
- Finish my afghan
- Finish my cowl
- Start an Etsy Store - products to be determined
- Eat Cleaner and Healthier
- Workout more regularly / including yoga 2 times a month
- Blog at least 2 times a week
- Stick to a budget
- Answer my phone more often
Stay tuned.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Looking Back: Christmas 2011
Christmas came and went in a flash. Pat and I not only had both sets of my parents here, but also his cousin and her boyfriend came to visit. My sister and brother-in-law traveled to the Virgin Islands on holiday, and we were left with their pup, Abby.
Mostly I enjoy Abby. She has more energy than I do, which can be challenging at times, but usually can be diminished with a few sprints in the back yard. Last Thursday this was not the case. She kept me up until 2 am... Pat slept on the couch. By the time she had brought me to tears I decided to wake Pat in hopes he would know what to do. He didn't. She finally nested herself in a beach towel and fell asleep. Separation anxiety, gets ya every time.
My mom and John got here Thursday and stayed with us Friday. It was a blast. We drank wine until the wee hours of the morning, or so it seemed. And on Saturday, my dad and Lisa arrived to spend Christmas eve with us.
I made a terrible frozen Lasagna for dinner (which stayed cold) and I burnt the bread. I would say, besides the wine and salad, I ruined Christmas. It is so unlike me to not have a Christmas Eve dinner planned, but I could have never planned for this Christmas. I never have felt this behind and chaotic. Still, we watched The Muppet Christmas Carol as I always do on Christmas, much to everyone's chagrin, and drank champagne and had Christmas cookies. Pat and Dad fell asleep. Lisa tried to be enthusiastic as I recited every line and lyric.
However, Christmas was as Christmas should be, a time for family and love. We awoke Christmas morning and had mimosas (thank God). Once I had less of a hangover, we spent the afternoon with Pat's family and the evening with my Mom, John and Grandparents. A traditional ham dinner was shared and love was in the air.
Although I can't wait for 2012, I am eager to hold on to this Christmas, as I feel it is the last one of its kind. Children are coming, whether they are ours or nieces and nephews and I will no longer be the only one looking forward to Christmas jammies, traditions, Santa, carols, decorating trees and houses...
so merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
Mostly I enjoy Abby. She has more energy than I do, which can be challenging at times, but usually can be diminished with a few sprints in the back yard. Last Thursday this was not the case. She kept me up until 2 am... Pat slept on the couch. By the time she had brought me to tears I decided to wake Pat in hopes he would know what to do. He didn't. She finally nested herself in a beach towel and fell asleep. Separation anxiety, gets ya every time.
My mom and John got here Thursday and stayed with us Friday. It was a blast. We drank wine until the wee hours of the morning, or so it seemed. And on Saturday, my dad and Lisa arrived to spend Christmas eve with us.
I made a terrible frozen Lasagna for dinner (which stayed cold) and I burnt the bread. I would say, besides the wine and salad, I ruined Christmas. It is so unlike me to not have a Christmas Eve dinner planned, but I could have never planned for this Christmas. I never have felt this behind and chaotic. Still, we watched The Muppet Christmas Carol as I always do on Christmas, much to everyone's chagrin, and drank champagne and had Christmas cookies. Pat and Dad fell asleep. Lisa tried to be enthusiastic as I recited every line and lyric.
However, Christmas was as Christmas should be, a time for family and love. We awoke Christmas morning and had mimosas (thank God). Once I had less of a hangover, we spent the afternoon with Pat's family and the evening with my Mom, John and Grandparents. A traditional ham dinner was shared and love was in the air.
Although I can't wait for 2012, I am eager to hold on to this Christmas, as I feel it is the last one of its kind. Children are coming, whether they are ours or nieces and nephews and I will no longer be the only one looking forward to Christmas jammies, traditions, Santa, carols, decorating trees and houses...so merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Appreciate
I would like to say I learned to appreciate simple things like a fine red wine, or how I can make a mean garlic dipping sauce for bread, but let's get real, I already appreciate those things. The one thing I really learned to appreciate this year was my family (friends included, because I only have very close friends).
Now, if you belong in this "family" group, you may be saying to yourself, "If you appreciate me so much, why don't you ever answer you g.d. phone?" Well, I am not going to lie, I am still working on that. But through out this year I have really learned what it is to be family, an how my family supports my little family here in Casa de Haire. From the wedding to being unemployed, people jumped on the band wagon to help where they could, and that is what it is all about...
PS In 2012 I PROMISE to answer my phone more!
Now, if you belong in this "family" group, you may be saying to yourself, "If you appreciate me so much, why don't you ever answer you g.d. phone?" Well, I am not going to lie, I am still working on that. But through out this year I have really learned what it is to be family, an how my family supports my little family here in Casa de Haire. From the wedding to being unemployed, people jumped on the band wagon to help where they could, and that is what it is all about...
PS In 2012 I PROMISE to answer my phone more!
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