Back to work

After a nice little 4 year "vacation", I have returned back to the old grind.  I have started a position as a bookkeeper with a engineering firm in Rio Linda. Its a 45 minute commute with absolutely no one else on the road. No traffic = easy commute. The books and filing system are in shambles. I definately have my work cut out for me. I've been there for 1 week now and love it. I didn't realize how much I missed it. They use the same accounting software as my last job, which makes things easier. I really enjoy the people I work with and feel very welcomed.

I was going to put Finnigan in daycare, but Billy got laid off and is able to watch him while I'm at work. Saves us on $$ and lets him get to experience what I've been doing the last 4 years. I think he has a greater appreciation now. He's a great "Mr. Mom". He's patient but firm and is constantly playing with Finn. He can cook by just throwing things together, where as I need a recipe. The kitchen is usually a disaster by the time I get home tho, but he cleans up. He makes me coffee in the mornings and makes sure I have lunch for the next day. The laundry is done and all I have to do is put my feet up and relax. I could get use to this.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was quite mellow. We went to Grandpa Brian and Antje's for a fantastic feast. Visited with friends and family. Finn ran around and entertained everyone, including Bella and Buddy the dogs. Got to bring home some nice left overs too. No pictures this time. I get to busy interacting and forget.

Happy Halloween!

This is our second year out here and have started a nice tradition for the Halloween season.  Every year we have gone to Impossible Acres on Road 98 in Davis. They have the greatest little petting zoo with baby animals you can hold and feed and play with. Goats, sheep, cows, chickens, pigs, alpacas, horses, etc.... We like to go in the middle of the week to miss the hoards of people. It only costs $4 per child. 1 parent for free. Pumpkins start at $2 and the giants are only $25. Such a wonderful place.

 

 

 

This little calf was so skinny and so sweet. We almost took her home with us. (All their animals are for sale too)

 

Finn's $2 pumpkin he designed himself. (I cut it out for him)

Not bad for 3 1/2 

Cuter than Casper

 

Not only did he make out in downtown Dixon, we also hit downtown Vacaville and went to a friends neighborhood in the evening by Travis AFB when it started to rain during the last leg of our candy journey. We brought an umbrella so we were prepared. Since we live in the country, we don't get trick or treaters. Which was kinda nice cause I got to go out with Finn and dad instead of staying home and handing out candy.  We had a great time and were ready for bed when we got home. Whew!

 

 

The Crafty Hooker

I have taken up crochet again. It has been almost 10 years since the last time I crocheted.

Now that Youtube exists, I have been able to learn a lot more.. at my own pace and for free. Here are some of the items I have been making. I have also opened a store on Facebook to sell my projects. I'm having a lot of fun with it and kicking myself for not keeping up on it. The Facebook page is www.facebook.com/finnigansfinds1.

 

My collection keeps growing

 

Owl Hat (and the cutest model ever!!)

 

Newsboy with detachable flower brooch

 

Texting gloves

 

Newsboy hat

 

Slouchy hat with detachable flower brooch

 

Rose Brooch

Owl iphone case

 

I mustache you a question... Do you love coffee? Cozy

 

Ear Warmer/Headband 

More coffee cozies

On to Arizona

My dearest friend went in for surgery and asked that I come and help out around the house and be her personal chef. I was happy to do it! I got to hang with my besty and Finn got to go on his first airplane ride. He did really well!!

 

 

 

Finn swimming with Bozley in the Arizona heat. The pool was about 98 degrees, but still refreshing since it felt about 200 in the shade!

 

Uncle Scotty teaching Finn how to play Angry Birds.

 

They got along famously.

 

Finn found the dune buggy in the garage and kept bugging Scotty and I to go for a ride.  Melissa calls it the damn dune buggy which Finn picked up quite quickly. So all week was, "I wanna drive the damn dune buggy, can we go in the damn dune buggy now?"

We had a wonderful time. Thanks you guys. See you soon!

Mt. Rushmore or bust!!

Since Billy had been working so hard on the windmills (12 plus hours a day) and had a little extra $, we decided to take a trip along the northern states.  We had a great time!! I thoroughly enjoyed driving the motorcoach. What a blast!

 

 

 

Starting the trip off right.... with ice cream!!

 

These two are inseperable!

 

Now I see why they call it big sky country. It was beautiful to watch the storms passing by.

 

 

The water was just right.

 

Deadwood!!!

 

More of Deadwood

 

We made it to Mt. Rushmore!!

 

It was quite aww inspiring.

 

I love the fact my husband can't pass up an antique store as much as me. This place was amazing. It had everything!

 

Beautiful Yellowtone Valley

 

Old Faithful

 

 

More of Yellowstone

Ladies and Gentleman

The ladies are all grown up and laying their eggs nicely. We have a new addition to our flock. He showed up one day in the garden. We shooed him off, but the persistant little cock was not going for it. I've heard of stray dogs and cats, but a stray rooster? New to me. We decided to let him stay after a long conversation of being nice to the girls and to us. The minute he attacks, he'd be in the stew pot. I believe we have come to an agreement. He is very sweet to the girls and protects them from predators. Mostly from Chica the kitten. :)

 

 

Rocky the Rooster

 

 

Sweet Pea.... The TV watching chicken. She is quite the character.

 

Here she is again. Snuck into the house and made herself right at home. Luckily no poop!

 

This is Hazel, Sweet Pea's sister. Complete opposite!!

 

 

Rio and Big Red (aka Percy)

 

Some of our 1st eggs.

 

 

Our Free Pool!!

Living in Vacaville gets really hot!! Being water lovers, we knew we needed a pool. Since we rent, well we couldnt exactly put an inground in. And being low on funds, we checked out Craigslist and found a Doughboy for free!!

It took my fantastically capable husband 3 days to tear it down and a few more weeks for us to dig out the spot and put it back up. (I love the fact that not only can my husband do anything, but will!)

 

 

Walls up!!

 

Finally filling it up

 

Yaaa!!! Its done! (Sort of)

 

Our make shift deck made from pallets. (These too were free)

 

Ruby LOVES the new pool... NOT!

Not a day went by this summer that we did not use it. It is definately not as pretty as an inground, but it serves its purpose. And did I mention it was free?

Has it really been that long?? Lets start with the garden :)

WOW!!! I have obviously been busy if the last post I had was in April!
So, what have we been up to? Lets find out, shall we?

Lets start with the garden.....
Planting, Growing and Havesting

Yummy, delicious Iceburg, Romaine and Mixed Greens

 

Red Potatoes

 

Beets

 

More of the lettuce with Broccoli in the back. Tasty!

 

Finnigans strawberry plants

 

 

I ran out of room for a couple of my starters, so I used some of our wedding shot glasses.

 

Peppers and Tomato seedlings

 

Lettuce was the easiest to grow. And the most eaten.

 

The old dog pen used for pole beans and squash

 

Broccoli

 

 

Just a few things from the garden :)

 

 

French Zuccini

 

Cherry Tomatoes

 

Crookneck Yellow Squash

 

I had so much produce I couldn't keep up. So I put a sign out front and sold quite a bit of fruit, vegetables and eggs.

 

More produce

 

French Plum Preserves

 

Fig Chutney in the pot

 

 

Fig Chutney in the jar

 

Canned Tomatoes

Jalapeno Pepper Jelly (This is my favorite)