After months of minimal posts, Roving Sugarbeet's reign has come to an end. I'm no longer roving (just passed two years at the same address for the first time since I lived with my parents!) and I'm no longer sugarbeet (a nickname attributed to me by someone whose nicknames no longer apply).
Roving Sugarbeet will remain in place for as long as the internet keeps these things around (forever?). There are many good times and fun pictures recorded here for those who would like to revisit these memories.
Tomorrow, a new year commences. Along with it, a new blog! Stay tuned, friends and family, for the blog address (via email or facebook).
Halloween!
I haven't gone out on Halloween since 2002, so with this year's festivities on a Saturday it was time to do it up right!
Melissa and I struggled to come up with a clever idea (read: we didn't spend any time thinking about it until the last minute). So we opted for the classic devil/angel get up and tried to put a cute spin on it.
Melissa came over to get ready at my house and pass out candy. We get very few trick-or-treaters in this location, but there were some and they each got a giant handful of candy.
This was my first social event since the renovation. I didn't do much, but did have a spooky little spread on the new peninsula.
Melissa's costume was kind of 80s-rocker-devil!
Steve joined us for the festivities. His costume required eyeliner and nail polish. Always the sign of a worthy Halloween get-up!
His costume was Bret Michaels, formerly of Poison and currently of Rock of Love.
Steve almost looks more like Bret Michaels than Bret Michaels does.
A great time was had by all!
Melissa and I struggled to come up with a clever idea (read: we didn't spend any time thinking about it until the last minute). So we opted for the classic devil/angel get up and tried to put a cute spin on it.
Melissa came over to get ready at my house and pass out candy. We get very few trick-or-treaters in this location, but there were some and they each got a giant handful of candy.This was my first social event since the renovation. I didn't do much, but did have a spooky little spread on the new peninsula.
Melissa's costume was kind of 80s-rocker-devil!
Steve joined us for the festivities. His costume required eyeliner and nail polish. Always the sign of a worthy Halloween get-up!
His costume was Bret Michaels, formerly of Poison and currently of Rock of Love.
Steve almost looks more like Bret Michaels than Bret Michaels does.
A great time was had by all!
My Adorable Nephews
Over the past weeks and months I've been fortunate to spend quite a bit of time with my nephews. Here are a few of the latest pictures.
Yes, crab legs make fantastic utensils!
Carter's getting so big!
Carter with Grandma Diney
Trevor loved playing with crab legs and Grandpa was happy to join him.
Yes, crab legs make fantastic utensils!
Trevor couldn't get enough of the crab legs...I'm surprised he didn't take one home!
Carter and his daddy
Silliest Thing I've Seen This Week
Most people who know me are aware that I'm not a huge animal lover. I think pets are cute and fun for brief periods of time. I'm happy that so many people are passionate about them, but I'm not sure I will ever have one.
As much as I believe animals should be treated well, spoiled even, some things just go too far. Case in point, the Pup To Go dog carrier:
Are they serious with this thing?
The dog on the left looks a little too much like Scooter for my comfort level. Mom, I had better never see you wearing one of these! Although it might be a good way to keep her from running away...
As much as I believe animals should be treated well, spoiled even, some things just go too far. Case in point, the Pup To Go dog carrier:
Are they serious with this thing?The dog on the left looks a little too much like Scooter for my comfort level. Mom, I had better never see you wearing one of these! Although it might be a good way to keep her from running away...
Almost After Photos
The renovation is not quite complete and with my job starting on Monday it will be weeks (months?) before it is 100% done. However, I've received many requests for photos so here are a few.
Remember what the kitchen looked like before?
Here's that same view today!
The dining room used to look like this.
Now it looks like this.
Here are a few other after photos.
The kitchen/dining room received the most dramatic makeover, but the rest of the first floor got a nice facelift. I will post those later, as there isn't as much to see.
I'm so thrilled with my "new" old house. It's been a long and sometimes stressful process, but mostly worth it.
Remember what the kitchen looked like before?
Here's that same view today!
The dining room used to look like this.
Now it looks like this.
Here are a few other after photos.
The kitchen/dining room received the most dramatic makeover, but the rest of the first floor got a nice facelift. I will post those later, as there isn't as much to see.I'm so thrilled with my "new" old house. It's been a long and sometimes stressful process, but mostly worth it.
Seattle Trip
On September 22, Grandma Dottie, Mom, Bonnie, and I boarded a plane for Seattle. We took a similar trip in June 2007 and decided it was time to visit the relatives again!
Grandma Dottie grew up in Seattle and has many relatives in the area. Two of Grandpa Irvin's sisters moved out there after growing up in South Dakota, so there are many people to see on that side as well! Dad's parents also have relatives out there...quite the South Dakota/Pacific Northwest connection.
After a quick and easy flight, we arrived to warm and sunny weather in Seattle. We stayed with Jan, Grandma's sister's daughter, who lives in West Seattle.
Mom, Bonnie, and I went for a walk (and sit) along Jan's street, which faces Puget Sound.
After one night at Jan's, we packed up the mini-van and headed north to Stanwood. Grandma's sister Ardis lives there with her granddaughter's family. Ardis' daughter Lynne lives across the street and was kind enough to accommodate us. It is quite the family compound!
Two sisters enjoying a lovely day on Lynne's patio.
Another set of sisters doing the same! Lynne's beautiful flowers are visible in the background.
When we visited in 2007 I became great pals with Bree-Anne, who is Ardis' great-granddaughter. She remembered me when we came back this time! She's in second grade now and really kept me hopping!
Grandma Dottie made kumla for the group, who don't eat it on a regular basis the way we do. They all seemed to enjoy it and were happy to get some tips from Grandma so they can make it themselves.
After two nights at Lynne's, we headed south about four hours to Vancouver, Washington. Grandpa Irvin's sister, Ione, lives there with her daughter Judy. On our last visit, Ione was living in Seattle but has sinced moved to Vancouver. Her move offered us the opportunity to visit a new city and Judy was kind enough to host us for two nights.
Judy lives in Vancouver, but her home has quite a country atmosphere. She keeps a horse, chickens, and alpacas (shown below).
The weather was gorgeous almost our entire visit. We spent so much time outside! Here are Ione and Diane enjoying a chat on Judy's patio.
Judy has four grandchildren, two of whom are shown below. Georgia and Julia provided much entertainment during our visit!
Grandpa's other sister, Dorothy, lived in Seattle and passed away a couple of years ago. Her three daughters live in the Seattle area and ventured down to Vancouver for the day/evening on Saturday.
The Mydland cousins have this strange thing where any time a group of them get together they line up by age and take a picture. It was impossible to get a photo of everyone behaving nicely - too much talking and laughing!
On Sunday it was time to return to Seattle. Here's Grandma and her sister-in-law, Ione.
This is one of the only photos I have of the traveling gang.
On our way from Vancouver to Seattle we stopped by Nancy's house in Tacoma for snacks, coffee, and a little lunchtime wine. (Nancy is third from right in the cousin photo above).
Grandma didn't want Nancy's dog to go without a snack...
Nancy and her dog on the front porch of her lovely 1901 home that overlooks the south end of Puget Sound.
We made it back to Jan's house in time for more family visiting! People really go out of their way to get together when Grandma is in town.
This little guy, Mikko, was a bundle of energy and so cute!
Here's Mikko's sister, Ava, and their dad. She is a doll!
After all the family visiting, we took time to do some sightseeing! Here's Grandma at lunch in the rotating restaurant atop the Space Needle.
Mom and Bonnie remember going to the locks on every visit to Seattle as kids, so we couldn't miss that!
Grandma has the most amazing memory. She was able to recall the addresses of four homes she lived in as a child in Ballard. Her father was a carpenter and would build a home, the family would live in it, he would sell it, and they would move on to the next one! Of course we had to drive by some of the houses! Here's Grandma in front of one:
Since we were in Ballard we had to also stop by Grandma's alma mater, Ballard High School. For years she has made me do (sometimes embarrassing) things like stand in front of signs while she took my picture. Now I got to do the same to her!
I also have a terrific video of Grandma, Bonnie, and Mom singing the school song ("Go, you Ballard Beavers, go, you shingle weavers..." Um, what's a shingle weaver?) I'm having technical difficulties with video at the moment, but if I can solve that I will post it!
New to Seattle since our last visit...Sara! We met her at her apartment (right in the heart of Grandma's old stomping grounds) and went for dinner at a nice place on the Sound, followed by cupcakes and coffee back on Market Street. It was great to see Sara!
On Tuesday our trip came to an end. Over seven days we logged 600 miles on the rental van, visited with dozens of relatives, drank gallons of coffee, and ate bushels of tasty food. We can't wait to do it again!
Grandma Dottie grew up in Seattle and has many relatives in the area. Two of Grandpa Irvin's sisters moved out there after growing up in South Dakota, so there are many people to see on that side as well! Dad's parents also have relatives out there...quite the South Dakota/Pacific Northwest connection.
After a quick and easy flight, we arrived to warm and sunny weather in Seattle. We stayed with Jan, Grandma's sister's daughter, who lives in West Seattle.
Mom, Bonnie, and I went for a walk (and sit) along Jan's street, which faces Puget Sound.
After one night at Jan's, we packed up the mini-van and headed north to Stanwood. Grandma's sister Ardis lives there with her granddaughter's family. Ardis' daughter Lynne lives across the street and was kind enough to accommodate us. It is quite the family compound!
Two sisters enjoying a lovely day on Lynne's patio.
Another set of sisters doing the same! Lynne's beautiful flowers are visible in the background.
When we visited in 2007 I became great pals with Bree-Anne, who is Ardis' great-granddaughter. She remembered me when we came back this time! She's in second grade now and really kept me hopping!
Grandma Dottie made kumla for the group, who don't eat it on a regular basis the way we do. They all seemed to enjoy it and were happy to get some tips from Grandma so they can make it themselves.
After two nights at Lynne's, we headed south about four hours to Vancouver, Washington. Grandpa Irvin's sister, Ione, lives there with her daughter Judy. On our last visit, Ione was living in Seattle but has sinced moved to Vancouver. Her move offered us the opportunity to visit a new city and Judy was kind enough to host us for two nights.Judy lives in Vancouver, but her home has quite a country atmosphere. She keeps a horse, chickens, and alpacas (shown below).
The weather was gorgeous almost our entire visit. We spent so much time outside! Here are Ione and Diane enjoying a chat on Judy's patio.
Judy has four grandchildren, two of whom are shown below. Georgia and Julia provided much entertainment during our visit!
Grandpa's other sister, Dorothy, lived in Seattle and passed away a couple of years ago. Her three daughters live in the Seattle area and ventured down to Vancouver for the day/evening on Saturday.
The Mydland cousins have this strange thing where any time a group of them get together they line up by age and take a picture. It was impossible to get a photo of everyone behaving nicely - too much talking and laughing!
On Sunday it was time to return to Seattle. Here's Grandma and her sister-in-law, Ione.
This is one of the only photos I have of the traveling gang.
On our way from Vancouver to Seattle we stopped by Nancy's house in Tacoma for snacks, coffee, and a little lunchtime wine. (Nancy is third from right in the cousin photo above).
Grandma didn't want Nancy's dog to go without a snack...
Nancy and her dog on the front porch of her lovely 1901 home that overlooks the south end of Puget Sound.
We made it back to Jan's house in time for more family visiting! People really go out of their way to get together when Grandma is in town.
This little guy, Mikko, was a bundle of energy and so cute!
Here's Mikko's sister, Ava, and their dad. She is a doll!
After all the family visiting, we took time to do some sightseeing! Here's Grandma at lunch in the rotating restaurant atop the Space Needle.
Mom and Bonnie remember going to the locks on every visit to Seattle as kids, so we couldn't miss that!
Grandma has the most amazing memory. She was able to recall the addresses of four homes she lived in as a child in Ballard. Her father was a carpenter and would build a home, the family would live in it, he would sell it, and they would move on to the next one! Of course we had to drive by some of the houses! Here's Grandma in front of one:
Since we were in Ballard we had to also stop by Grandma's alma mater, Ballard High School. For years she has made me do (sometimes embarrassing) things like stand in front of signs while she took my picture. Now I got to do the same to her!
I also have a terrific video of Grandma, Bonnie, and Mom singing the school song ("Go, you Ballard Beavers, go, you shingle weavers..." Um, what's a shingle weaver?) I'm having technical difficulties with video at the moment, but if I can solve that I will post it!New to Seattle since our last visit...Sara! We met her at her apartment (right in the heart of Grandma's old stomping grounds) and went for dinner at a nice place on the Sound, followed by cupcakes and coffee back on Market Street. It was great to see Sara!
On Tuesday our trip came to an end. Over seven days we logged 600 miles on the rental van, visited with dozens of relatives, drank gallons of coffee, and ate bushels of tasty food. We can't wait to do it again!
Sink and Faucet
A sink and a faucet. One would think these would be simple to select, but I can't believe how much time I've spent searching and agonizing over this choice! Here's what we've chosen:
Kohler Simplice faucet in vibrant stainless.
We also liked some of the more modern faucet designs like the one below, but decided that a larger handle would be more convenient. In addition, there is a wall/window right behind the sink that would prevent the handle from extending backwards.
I can't wait to use this sink! It's the Blanco Diamond Super Single Bowl. This thing is huge! Interior measurements are 30.5" x 16.5". Forget bathing a baby - I'm getting in there!
We've always had double bowl sinks and realized that we don't really need a second bowl. It would be nice to have a large bowl (>80%) for washing and a small bowl (<20%) for the garbage disposal, but I couldn't find exactly what I wanted. I like that the drain is offset in this sink so that dishes can sit to the left and the drain can remain open for using the disposal.
I love the look of stainless steel sinks but all the water spots and scratches drove me crazy. I've also had almond/bisque fiberglass that stained and chipped as well as light colored corian that was pretty resilient but did hold some stains. I think the black will resist (hide?) stains and look great with our black countertops!
Some may recall my disdain for the potential effects of granite and wonder why I'm ok with buying a sink made of 80% granite. That's a good question and one I'm still struggling with a bit. There are just so many benefits to this material in terms of durability and appearance with no comparable alternative the way Cambria quartz was to granite. (Hello Cambria, make some sinks!)
It's such a relief to have these selected. Now we can order countertops!
Kohler Simplice faucet in vibrant stainless.
We also liked some of the more modern faucet designs like the one below, but decided that a larger handle would be more convenient. In addition, there is a wall/window right behind the sink that would prevent the handle from extending backwards.
I can't wait to use this sink! It's the Blanco Diamond Super Single Bowl. This thing is huge! Interior measurements are 30.5" x 16.5". Forget bathing a baby - I'm getting in there!
We've always had double bowl sinks and realized that we don't really need a second bowl. It would be nice to have a large bowl (>80%) for washing and a small bowl (<20%) for the garbage disposal, but I couldn't find exactly what I wanted. I like that the drain is offset in this sink so that dishes can sit to the left and the drain can remain open for using the disposal.I love the look of stainless steel sinks but all the water spots and scratches drove me crazy. I've also had almond/bisque fiberglass that stained and chipped as well as light colored corian that was pretty resilient but did hold some stains. I think the black will resist (hide?) stains and look great with our black countertops!
Some may recall my disdain for the potential effects of granite and wonder why I'm ok with buying a sink made of 80% granite. That's a good question and one I'm still struggling with a bit. There are just so many benefits to this material in terms of durability and appearance with no comparable alternative the way Cambria quartz was to granite. (Hello Cambria, make some sinks!)
It's such a relief to have these selected. Now we can order countertops!
Carter's Baptism
Carter was baptized last Saturday, September 12th. Many family members were in attendance and all had a wonderful time.
We had a wonderful time and were blessed to be part of this special day for Carter.
Jon and Amber getting Carter into his gown
Carter in the beautiful baptismal gown that Mom purchased in New Orleans
Jon holding Carter over the font while Amber, Trevor, and Uncle Greg look on
The Healys with the priest after the baptism
Carter with Mom, Dad, and Grandparents
Carter with Mom, Dad, Uncles Jack and Vance, and me
Jon and Amber hosted a party at the Days Inn after the baptism. Several family members not photographed were also in attendance. Many of us played cards while the kids swam in the pool.
Trevor and Kailey enjoyed being pulled around the pool by Marilyn. She also went down the slide!
We had a wonderful time and were blessed to be part of this special day for Carter.
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