Westward Ho!

The day has come for me to move my tush out west! It may have been nearing noon when this picture was taken, and while my vehicle may still be sitting in good old Ridge Hill Trails, it was packed... and I was in it... with a smile on my face... (life is so much better when you don't get up too early)

Success! I left many things behind on my westward journey... but thank goodness I had a spot saved for my basil! 

Mom and I ready to hit the road! Please note the tremendous breathing space in my back seat. I'm feeling pretty good about my paring down capabilities.

1084 miles to go until we reach Colorful Colorado!

Pike's Peak or Bust!

In 2008 I was a camp counselor on a little mountain not too far away from Colorado Springs... and Pike's Peak. While this was not my first time in Colorado, it was during this summer that I really fell in love with the area. This was also the summer that Matt and Sonya made their way west. But as Matt and Sonya began to settle in, I packed up my bags and headed back to the flat region of Indianapolis. 

From that summer on, every time my feet landed in Colorado and I looked up at those Rockies, I thought "Yep, I think I could handle living out here!" But for three years there was always a reason not to move, mostly because I was putzing my way through school back in Indiana. Then, last August, we spent our family vacation in Keystone, Colorado and as those all familiar words started to pop out of my mouth, I had a revelation - I could actually move to Colorado! I no longer had any excuses, I was done with school and was in a job where I could save a couple bucks. So last summer, I began to take my dream a little more seriously. 

Now my dream is about to become a reality! On July 12th, Mom and I will be hopping into my trusty Toyota, along with whatever belongings I can cram in, and setting off on our westward journey. People ask me what I'll do when I get out to Colorado.  Well, I'm not entirely sure... I just want to go hike some mountains! 

As John Muir said, "The mountains are calling and I must go." I don't think he was referring to the remarkable Rockies... but I am!

A Tour of The Crayon Box

I've decided to come shake the cobwebs off the good old Salmagundi. I'm not sure how many more uses it will have but for the moment a blog seems to be much handier than email.

About a month ago Courto and I moved to the Old Northside with two other girlie whos and some of you have not seen pictures of our new abode yet. This is a problem, because it really is a lovely place. We have affectionately dubbed it The Crayon Box for reasons you will soon discover on our little tour.

Home Sweet Home

A view from our side of the duplex

Our back porch

Our lovely front porch

A view from the porch of our corner, we like to keep track of what is going on in the neighborhood.

We spend a lot of time relaxing out here

Entryway

The parlor

If you stop by in the afternoon, we could share a spot of tea in here.

Our little purposeless nook, except perhaps for tying your shoes.

The dining room

This handy pull out door separates the dining and living rooms.

The living room

Our little butler pantry which we discovered serves as a nice buffet line.

The kitchen, the door goes out to the back porch.

The stairs to get to the basement are hiding in the back right corner of the kitchen. I neglected to take pictures this time around.

This view of the main floor from the parlor is what inspired the name of our abode - The Crayon Box - it's got all your basic colors, in variations.

Going up to the second floor from the dining room.

Courto's room

Her new desk from Grandma & Grandpa

And her spanking new Amish bedroom furniture

The slave stairs come up to the second floor from the kitchen.

Second floor hallway, linen closet on the left, slave stairs right after that and then Courto & Brianne's bathroom.

Second floor hallway, stairs going up to third floor.

My little reading nook, free of my room's wonderful distractions. The door goes over to the other side of the duplex.

Danielle and I's bathroom

Although this bathroom is smaller than the other, I like it much better because of features like this brick wall.

The door to the left of my chair goes into an attic storage room.

My bedroom

There is still a bit more unpacking to do and more pictures to hang but we are pretty well settled in and thoroughly enjoying our downtown accommodations!

"Cheese, Gromit!!"

Last week I had a little Wallace & Gromit party. And guess what? I actually took a few pictures with people in them! I thought you all would appreciate that. But first, a picture of the appropriately decorated "chalkboard" is necessary to set the scene:

And a close up of the food is also quite important.

Whenever you watch Wallace & Gromit it is absolutely essential to eat crackers and cheese and sip some good English tea. Grandma, do you recognize your milk glass? They worked perfectly for my little party! Thanks for passing them along.

Getting a candid snap - Danielle and Lauralee - friends from Redeemer and good old Courto.

And a lovely posed photo. I think Danielle M. was too busy thinking heavenly thoughts about her English tea to look at the camera.

Round Two for Epiphany

Some of you may remember that last year I made a personal discovery of a long standing holiday - the Feast of the Epiphany. Well guess what? Another year has passed and today we were bequeathed yet another Feast of the Epiphany! Last year, due to the shortness between discovery and holiday, my celebration was very small. I was determined to have a grand celebration this year but I had a bit of an epiphany today: I am a big procrastinator! Well... this really wasn't much of an epiphany but my procrastination did most certainly affect my preparedness. However, I am making progress toward my grand Epiphany celebration! For starters: This year I had four guests, an Epiphany greeting and a properly made King's cake.

Still Estivating... Check Back In 2011

In June this blog unknowingly began its estivation in cyberspace junkyard and it missed the fact that its estivation had expired when autumn set in on September 22 and then doubly expired yesterday on the first of winter.

I'm now trying to summon it back home but it may take a few days, maybe a week or two. I should probably just wait for the new year to start to make sure it's really sick of its extended stay in the cyberspace junkyard.

Just thought I'd let whoever is still out there know I'm trying.

Happy National Doughnut Day!

While at the dentist this morning I was browsing through the newspaper and discovered that today is National Doughnut Day which means... you can pay a visit to Krispie Kreme and get a free doughnut. Dunkin Donuts is also giving out free donuts however you have to by a beverage to get it. And who knows what local bakeries are doing it too!