A Few Introductions

Last night, I hit "post" before I was done.  Opps. 
In the future, I'm going to try and aim for a Sunday night posting of the previous week's home and garden highlights. 

And now for a few introductions: 

Meet Holly: 

She's the essential accessory to any home and garden activity around here.  I'm pretty sure she thinks she's supervising.  But seriously, we really lucked out with this cat.  I got her for free at the local vet clinic almost 3 years ago.  She was the last kitten left of a litter of SUPER beautiful long haired pointed 5 week old kittens.  She was the only one with a more random coat pattern and short hair.  I had to have her...and I brought her home without asking Steve.  He's a dog person.  Good thing he likes me!!  However, she turned out to be a perfect compromise.  She the most social (dog-like) cat I've ever met.  She fetches and goes for walks with us, as well as entertains the baby immensely.  We love her. 

Meet the House: 

It's an 850 sq ft 1949 post war cottage.  2 bedrooms, 1 bath.  We love it for:  its neighborhood, the big yard, its affordability, and beautiful established sycamore and birch in the front yard.  We struggle with:  the small size, the big yard, the maintenance that comes with living in an older house. 

Purchased 2 1/2 years ago, we have done the following projects: 
*all new siding (DIY-the old siding was painted cedar shingles which were in terrible condition)
*all new windows
*built a garden shed
*painted entire interior (except bathroom)
*replaced dishwasher and washing machine (when existing ones pooped out on us)

Meet the Yard:

I don't have any good pictures of the back yard at this point, so you'll have to use your imagination.  Picture a large rectangle of grass, one maple, and a garden shed.  That's pretty much it.  When we first purchased the house, I was enthusiastic about a blank slate.  Now, I am discovering WHY a 60 year old house has a blank slate for a yard.  The soil is almost entirely clay and rock.  This is normal for the houses on the hill I live on, but actually a little abnormal for the region close to a river.  In zone 3 (Western Garden), we are lucky to have one of the longest growing seasons in the northwest.  I am hoping to someday take advantage of this blessing!

Meet the Kitchen: 

A lot goes on in here.  Each week, I'll post a highlight of culinary activity.  For example, this morning I am making some butternut squash for the baby: 

Mash and serve.  Yum! 


See you next week!