Fruits of our labor

Here we have the current crop from our wee little garden.

We'd have a lot more tomatoes if it weren't for the damnable critter that keeps taking one bloody bite out of almost every one of them and then carelessly tossing it aside right before they're ripe for our pickin'.

The eggplant, okra and pumpkin all show great signs of life and (please don't jinx it), I think they'll be producing in later weeks.

I just hope all is still verdant and healthful when our guests come next month.

The landed gentry

Who knew that the first thing we'd really go after was gardening?

What with all our space in the back yard, we decided to put it to use for veggies, herbs and flowers.

I concentrate mostly on the edibles (being the practical one of the couple) and Jim likes the more aesthetic side of gardening.

I'm just about bursting with pride over our tomatoes. Since I took this picture yesterday, one of the little gems is turning red. Yum!

But all is not perfect as we tend our own garden.

Some pesky critter keeps pilfering tomatoes, taking a bite and then throwing the uneaten part on the ground.

It's starting to make me mad and I just bought some Critter Ridder to, well, rid us of this vexation.

The pepper plant is a nice surprise. We already got one pepper from it that we used for guacamole last week. They're a little spicier than regular green bell peppers. Maybe that's why the mystery critter thief leaves them alone.

We got these flowers for a hanging basket but ended up planting them and they're holding up pretty well to all the incredibly hot (for Massachusetts) weather we've been having.

Here is Jim's flower. I'm not sure what kind of flower it is, but all the rain has brought it back to life.

I have to share

I know that we don't post very often about much of anything, pausing from our frantic tweeting only long enough to update our families on the joys of our new home.
But this French ad for Orangina is so bat-shite crazy, what with its anthropomorphized (and slightly sexualized) forest creatures, that I have to share with the few of you who still drop by to visit.

Update on our bedroom (because I know you've been waiting)

Since I think our parents are the only ones who check the blog anymore (not complaining, just saying), we thought we'd continue to focus on progress on the house. Up until last night, we've been sleeping in the guest room, which is a nice place to sleep, but we need our own space. The trip to Jordan's two weeks ago was exceedingly fruitful (I even got Richardson's frozen yogurt) and we picked a bed. It was delivered yesterday.

My first order of business was to rush out and buy linens, which I maintain is a woman's prerogative. Jim's first order of business (after his run) was to have a nap on the new bed. Chacun a son gout, as they say in France.

After all was said and done, here is where we landed. Last night's sleep was heavenly and, as I sit here typing, I'm looking forward to a nap later this afternoon.

Let's continue the tour, shall we? The other major thing I acquired yesterday was a mirror for above the sink in the master bathroom. Jim was kind enough to hang it, employing his newly bought DeWalt cordless drill.

So here's the view from under the skylight into the bathroom. This area is beginning to take on its own personality, which I like a lot.

Finally, here's the full-on view of the master bath. Behind the door, is the large shower (no bathtub, though). I have to be honest, after we picked our everything for this bathroom, I wasn't in love. But now that it's furnished and in-use, I'm really warming up to it.

We're finally living in Salem!

It's been a long time since we updated the blog and now that we moved in at our new place, I wanted to make sure everyone (especially the family) can see what's going on.

We'll start with the first floor and a glimpse down the stairs and outside from there.

Keep in mind that we've only lived here a week and getting settled into a new place is a process(!)

Rest assured, however, that by mid-June, we'll be open for business as a first-class bed and breakfast right here in spooky Salem Massachusetts. Book early for Halloween accommodation!

The view from the driveway.

Kitchen, the first room we unpacked and got ready for living.

The gas fireplace, which we actually used twice this week since it was in the 30s at night.

Despite the fact that the curtains are only tacked up, to keep the neighbors' views to a minimum, I think I like the dining room the best so far.

A peek into the basement. We'll wait to go down the stairs until Jim gets his pictures and masks up on the wall.

Side yard with the dragonfly sprinkler. The grass is struggling mightily to germinate right now.

Let us know if you want to see more. Sometimes I feel like posting these pictures is an exercise in supreme self-absorption.

New house picture

We're here at our new place and here's the latest view of the kitchen. More pics to come after we get back home to take them off the camera. Also later today, a Red Sox game!

House Update

OK, so it's time for our weekly update on how the house is going. This week's edition is about paint.

I heard from reputable sources that Benjamin Moore was the only way to go so we jumped in with both feet and got 22 (!) color samples from Waters and Brown in Salem and went to work.

Here are some of the rooms, and we hope you can see the color choices.

First, we have the fireplace in the living room. The wall will be raspberry truffle. The rest of the walls will be stardust. If you want to see them, look 'em up on the Benjamin Moore site.

Here's the dining room, right next to the fireplace. The red wall continues around the corner and meets back up with stardust.

Finally (for now), here's the basement, BKDM's domain. He picked Myan (yes, that's how they spell it) gold for the main color and a metallic copper for the contrast. Mostly, I just like that you can get outside to our back yard from the basement. Perfect for cookouts.

Oh, just one more picture

View from the back yard to the porch. The builder and I are discussing details of landscaping.

Our new home

Jym and I went to see the new house. It's coming along well and it looks like we'll be able to move in in May. I am so excited!
Tomorrow we're going to Home Depot to pick out granite, tile, paint and appliances.
I can't believe this is actually happening for us.

Fun in Vermon

While Jim works, I run all over town having fun.