Do you want some ketchup or mustard with that?

We had some interesting visitors tonight. One was a 2 and a half foot tall monkey holding a pumpkin. We had an few angels, a butterfly, pirates, some nondescript gargoyle-ish creatures, and a member of the star wars groupies with a really cool light saber that made crashing noises when it hit things. About 9pm, way too late for little kids to be out, we got a knock at our door. Opening it up we found ketchup, mustard, and a pregnant nun (escorted by two others...apparently not well enough, considering the nun). Puma wasn't too sure what to think of them either!
Don't you all have a calculus test tomorrow????

New Arbor

It's difficult to find time to finish projects when the list is really long of items demanding attention but we finally finished putting in an arbor in our front yard. It's holding a Jasmine plant. Originally the plant was under the window but I had misread the growth rate (20 feet not 20 inches...oops!) so we needed to move it. People who know things about plants roll their eyes and smile when they here I thought the Jasmine was going to be small but the picture did make it look that way and I don't know much about plants. Learning by trial and error I guess. Anyway, now it's found a new home and can grow as big as it wants.

Toketee Falls

Weekend Adventure

Saturday a good friend from grad school drove ALL THE WAY DOWN to visit and go to Crater Lake. I think it's one of the most beautiful places in the world. We were going to hike down to the water but it decided to snow the day before and we weren't prepared for to hike in it. We still enjoyed the view. It was rather weird going from the Burg in the valley where summer is just ending, to the surrounding mountains in full autumn color, to winter white, and back again all in one day. I live in an amazing place! Here are a few pictures of our trip, including a waterfall we stopped at along the way. Apparently there is also a hot spring near this waterfall but we couldn't find it.

By the way: Crater Lake is one of the clearest and deepest lakes in the world. On clear summer days when the sun is directly overhead the blueness of the water takes my breath away. There's no way to describe how incredible it is.

Last Flowers of the Season

I planted some bulbs my mom gave me and look what came up recently! I love the beautiful surprises. Rather than just enjoy this flower falling over in the corner of my yard I thought I'd bring it inside. It makes me feel like summer is still here for a bit longer. Our two year old cat Puma likes it too...

Too much temptation

Our Cat

There is a reason that I can't have flowers in my house. Well, I can, just in very limited places. Okay, one place: Over the fireplace. It's the one place the cat cant get to where I can still display flowers. We have also given up on Christmas trees, real or fake. Puma either eats the tree or the lights. Either way it's a bad thing. Visions of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation dance through my head everytime I think of it. So, to accomodate a cat, we won't have Santa leaving presents under the tree as a tradition. Probably a good thing since it's all a big lie anyway.

Special Sesame Chicken Salad

We got this from the Taste of Home (August/September 2007) Magazine.

1 Package (16 ounces) bow tie pasta
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup white wine vinegar
2/3 cup teriyaki sauce
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 cans (11 ounces each) mandarine oranges, drained
2 cans (8 ounces each) sliced water chestnuts, drained
2 cups bite sized grilled chicken
1 1/3 cups honey roasted peanuts
1 package (9 ounces) fresh spinach, torn
1 package (6 ounces) dried cranberries
6 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
1/4 cup sesame seeds, toasted

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and place in a very large bowl. In a small bowl, combine the oil, vinegar, teriyaki sauce, sugar and pepper. Pour over pasta and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Just before serving, add the remaining ingredients; gently toss to coat. (Makes a lot!)

((We only put some of the "sauce" on the pasta...saving some to put on the salad at the very final step before serving. We also didn't completely follow the exact amounts that the recipe calls for...but kept pretty close.))

Our New Fence

This picture was taken from the vantage point of our soon-to-be arbor (near the front door). The fence went in a couple of days ago and completes (?) our year long project of landscaping the front yard. We think that it makes our little strip of land feel bigger. And several people have driven by slow enough to holler their approval to us.

Highlights of the Year

Our kitchen remodel finished (well,almost): So, if you have never done any remodeling before and think you want to tear your pathetic, stinky, rotten kitchen down to the studs and start over and you think you can get it finished in say, six months (while working fulltime), it's not going to happen. Also, it might not be a good idea. It worked for us but only after over a year of not having a kitchen and spending every second of free time working on it. Although we learned a ton about electrical codes and plumbing I'm pretty sure the next house we buy will have a decent kitchen already. At very least we will know what we are getting into if we make the attempt. We do love our kitchen now however. The dishwasher isn't in yet but, other then that, it's pretty much finished. The only picture I could find is from awhile ago but you can see the difference! The before picture is really dark because there was only one light in the kitchen. We made sure light would not be a problem in the new one.

Highlights of the Year

Christmas in Europe: Last Christmas we were able to spend with friends and family in Europe. Joe had never been before so it was a great opportunity for him to see places I love and explore new ones. We hung out for two weeks with some good friends who live in Germany. The four of us drove to Paris and spend a few days wandering around the city. None of us speak French so that made everything a bit more interesting. After a whirlwind tour of the city we left for Austria to spend Christmas with my cousins. That was amazing as well. We both love that family and enjoyed the luxury of spending so long with them. A rare event! Anyway, it was a wonderful adventure for us. We have not been able to travel much since getting married and I think doing so was very healthy for our marriage.

Welcome!

Congratuations on reaching our new website. We have wanted to do this for awhile but just now finally got around to getting it up and running. Soon to come will be updates on our recent adventures. Pictures will be added shortly as well. Check back now and then to see the Richards' news.