O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

How lovely are your branches. St. Joe Tree Farm, year THREE!

Merry Christmas from Downtown Fort Wayne!!

The last couple of years we've packed up the kids and the hot cocoa and headed downtown for the annual lighting of Santa and his reindeer. There are actually three big things-Santa, a Christmas tree at Wells Fargo, and a big wreath at another building. (I can't remember right now who sponsors that). Last year we saw all three, but this year we did things a little differently. This was the inaugural year for the Parks department to have a big extravaganza at the Community Center, with crafts, the movie Elf, balloons, and all sorts of hijinx. The parks director (of whom I am fond and whose wife I think should be in the top 10 of Most Darling People in the Country list) was even there in costume. We picked up PJ at work then headed over to the Community Center first. Each of the kids made an ornament and we visited shortly with some friends we hadn't seen in a little while. Afterwards, we went back outside to brave the cold (it WAS cold!) and wait for Santa to be lit up. The kids began to grow impatient, but we plied them with hot cocoa and some snacks and they calmed down a bit till the big moment arrived. It's so fun all lit up!

Happy Thanksgiving to all you out there in Blogistan!

A great day was had by the Thuringer clan-movies, tickling, a good meal and a rocking centerpiece! Pilgrim in canoe by Ava P, Turkey hat by Master J. We've so much to be thankful for, especially for our family and friends. Blessings to you all!

One Smiling Sooper Boy

Don't let the man in the picture fool you; I spend plenty o' time in the yard of ours and our recently foreclosed upon next door neighbor's and with the Amazing Yard Appliance known heretofore as the Blower gathered up a lovely pile of leaves for the chickens to play in. They were in the middle of the yard as opposed to down at the street where they need to be because I knew the chickens would want to play in them and playing in them down in the street is a tiny bit stressful for me. So PJ, bless his heart, moved the big ole pile of leaves down to the street after my children had a blast playing in them. They culminated the leaf playing celebration by removing their shoes and socks, and were brought into the house and promptly put to bed for an afternoon nap. The End.

Thrifty Goodness

So last Friday we had a par-tay here at Chez Thuringer, and the morning of said par-tay I realized I had nothing to wear. So I left early to head over to Target to see what was going on over there, and, finding nothing, went directly to my Favorite Thrift Store. It is so good that even tho my reader is in another state, I cannot give away it's awesomeness. Anyhoo, I cruise in there, head for the dresses, and find a darling black shirt dress for $5.50. Missing it's belt, I picked up a replacement for $1. I figured I'd wear this with the patterned tights I just picked up at Target, and that would complete the outfit. But before I left, I moseyed on over to the housewears dept. to see if there was a crock pot (mine is slowly falling apart-missing knob, cracked handle, but still crocks like a champ!) as a back up, or of course good pyrex or vintage tupperware. No can do, but my eyes came across these lovely coffee mugs! They were a lovely set of six, so bright and lovely, stackable, vintagey, and awesome. Three DOLLARS! Yet, as I can be a little insane occasionally, I walked away. What??!! I know~I know! Yet I did. And yet after a successful party and a trip to South Bend and teaching Sunday School I could not get these lovelies off my mind. I was certain that somebody came in on Saturday and snatched them right up, but I knew I had to go check. Right after dropping James at school on Monday on my way out to Meijer (which I totally love but am mad at because they hosted YOU KNOW WHO for her book signing today!!!) I stopped in. Soooo many cars in the lot. It was almost too much to handle. I may or may not have knocked down a small child on my way toward the housewares area (I am kidding, I totally would know if I knocked down a small child!) and found the mugs!!! They are mine!!! Bwahahaha. I brought them home, washed them, and stacked them in the cupboard where the never used fiesta ware mugs used to reside. (I moved the fiesta mugs to a different cupboard. We never use them because the handle is too wierd for me and the mug is too small for Peeg.) And have been enjoying them immensely for tbe last couple of days. And now, without further ado, here is their Big Internet Debut!




Two notes: 1)I might have more than one reader if I wrote shorter-like, "Had party, went to thrift store, found cute mugs, went back and bought them, now am happy!
2) Did not get any good Halloween photos as James was scared of Ava's costume and crying for the photo ops. He got over it, tho, and had a great time trick or treating. There's just no photographic evidence of it.

Thinkin' About Getting Back into the Blog Saddle

I googled PJ the other day. A couple of local blogs had the schedule of the council meeting last week which featured our one and only, and a couple of really old blog posts from yours truly were the only applicable things to really come up. So I looked at said really old blog posts and thought, "Wow, this looks like I used to have fun with it!" Sometimes it seems like the day is filled with so much minutiae and perhaps I have lost the sense of how to get past that so I have stopped blogging. I've been missing something in my life, and was thinking lately how I have an urge to be creative but have trouble carrying through. Perhaps the blog would be a good place to start. I don't need any exceptional skill (except to spell correctly and 1) am pretty good with that and 2) hello, spellcheck!) like working a crochet hook or sewing a straight seam. So we are going to start here. Slowly. But hopefully make it feel like less of a job and more of a creative outlet. I'm getting back in the saddle. Prepare to be underwhelmed.

My boyfriend's back and he's gonna be blogging, hey nah, hey nah...

If you want to become even smarter than I know most of my readers are, (all one or two of you!?) you could see what is going on in Peter's world. It's good stuff.

I Just Can't Get Enough

10th Annual River City Rat Race

Where PJ not only completes the 10k, but has a new personal record!

Things One Sees on an Amish Farm

A Pony and his Cart

A Horse Drawn Lawn Mower


Two Sweet Children with their Pumpkins and Gourds

Even More Fave (really, it's all quite wonderful!)

New Fave

James' Amazing Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch!

One of the things I have been fortunate enough to enjoy with both kids in school now is participating a little with each one. For instance, I have been helping at Ava's school, and additionally I was able to come with James on his first field trip to Kurtz Farms pumpkin patch! We met at school and waited for the school bus. We got partnered up with a friend from James' class, and when the bus was ready for us we climbed aboard. We went out Maysville Road, and James was so excited because it seemed like we were going so fast. We saw horses and cows and sheep, and before you knew it we were at the farm. We got off the bus and went to Pumpkin 101. The lady from the farm did a great job keeping the wee ones engaged, and showing them the different kinds of corn, pumpkins and gourds they grew at the farm. They had some really big ones! Toward the end of pumpkin class, the kids received instructions on how to choose their very own pumpkins, and we climbed onto the big cart and the farmer pulled us with the tractor out to the pumpkin patch. James and his buddy each picked out a really nice pumpkin, and before you knew it we were heading back to the barn and onto the bus. It was a particularly cold day out and James was ready to get out of the cold, but sad to leave the farm. It was a really fun trip, and a good time (and pumpkin!) was had by all.

And He Ran..He Ran So Far...

...well, not quite away. But holy moly the man of ours ran a half marathon again this year! He worked hard, and he beat last year's time by about 5 minutes! He placed 335th out of 2279 overall, and his total time was 1:48:21. We are so proud of him.

Honorary Degree Much?

Perhaps winning the Nobel Peace Price has taken some of the sting out of not being awarded an honorary degree from Arizona State University.

Surprised and also not...

Senators McCain and Kyl have officially lost every right to ever talk in any way shape or form about ACORN. They decided that it should be okay for the government to give contract money to companies who do not allow retribution in the form of lawsuits for little instances like rape, kidnapping, locking someone in a shipping container without food or water, and threatening further harm should the truth come out. Why wouldn't we as Americans be proud to place our tax dollars in the care of such fine upstanding companies? The surprise is that I saw McCain's name on that list. Some freaking maverick. Jon Kyl has accomplished what I thought was impossible and become more than a joke. But then again, if according to him, maternity care / reproductive issues should not be covered by health insurance (why should it? he doesn't need it!) it stands to reason that such treatment is acceptable to him. Deplorable.

Don't have much to say for now

I am sorry for not posting. There is some yucky stuff going on 'round these parts. Some stuff to worry about. I am enjoying autumn, preparing for a couple of fun things (Halloween! Progressive Party with some neighbors!) but altogether it is taking what I've got to keep it together. It will all be okay, but for now, I am on cruise control. Not much else. Will check back in soon, hopefully with some good news. And I won't leave you hanging on other stuff, like pumpkin patch, or PJ's race. But please be patient for now.

Holy Indiana State Bat Festival, Batman!

So a couple of weekends ago we traveled three and a half hours south of our burg to the lovely town of Terre Haute, Indiana. The occasion was the annual Bat Festival, held at Indiana State University. PJ has long had an interest in bats, and recently when there was an article in the newspaper about the epidemic of "white nose" that is plaguing the bats and how the cause is unknown, PJ instinctually felt a call to action. But what can we do? Well, we can be aware, give to the people who are doing good research, and build a bathouse! He had wanted to do one in Mesa, but, for all of you who had been to that house, being boxed in and ten feet away from your next door neighbor are not optimum conditions. I put my foot down. However, here I think we are in a really good location, being farther away from neighbors and so close to the end of the alley, there's good access for them. When we woke up that particular Saturday, PJ and I had decided it was a folly to put the kids in the car for a 7 plus total hour road trip, and were ready to call the whole thing off. But Birdie called us out on it, and you know, she was right. We did need to go, to get some information, and see what we can do to help. So in the car we hopped. It took almost three and a half hours to get there, and we found the university pretty easily. There were seminars and demonstrations and activities for the kids. PJ went to the bat house seminar, while I took the kids to see the different exhibits of bats and to the kids' activities. A good time was had by all, and there was even a side trip to Indiana's largest waterfall, Cataract Falls, the same location that held the only covered bridge left in that county. Stay tuned for that post, next folks!

Dad and Mom's Amazing South Bend Adventure!

So a few weekends ago we went to South Bend to attend the wedding of our friends Mark and Emily. Their fete was held at the world renowned Tippicanoe Place. It was incredible! The ceremony, performed by the City Clerk, was held on the landing of the stairs and it was standing room only. Vows were said, there was a reading from Madeline L'Engle, and there was not a dry eye in the place. Until the phone started ringing. Some quick thinking guests who happened to be standing behind reception took care of it, but there's only so much one can do in the middle of a wedding! After the vows, we went to the receiving line where we wished Mark and Emily our best, got reacquainted with his folks (they came to dinner once before we left South Bend) and then went upstairs to catch the Michigan / Notre Dame score. Yes, it was a football weekend (when is it not?) AND Emily's family is originally from Michigan! Everyone, although drinking, was kind and showed good sportsmanship and there were no barfights. After a while, dinner was held downstairs in the dining rooms that at one time were parlors. We knew nobody at this lovely affair besides the bride and groom, so were unsure about our table mates. But these two couples, one older, one younger, were so much fun. The younger were engaged to be married next month, and the older from northern Michigan and very old fashioned. But so incredibly warm hearted and funny. The meal was amazing, and we went downstairs to witness some dancing. After a while, we skipped out and headed down the street to PJ's favorite South Bend joint, the Fiddlers Hearth. We struck up a conversation with the gentleman who came in and sat next to us, and then his lady friend. They were very interesting and the whole evening was a blast. We even spoke a little to another gentleman down the bar a ways who had lived seemingly all over this country-even Scottsdale at one point! After too many pints (which followed drinks at the wedding) we stumbled back to the bed and breakfast. Our proprietress had upgraded us to an even lovelier room than we were expecting, with a bath in the room. Well, a shower. But we had optimum privacy. I didn't take a picture of the actual room before we left, but the sink area next to the door did make it onto the camera. The house itself had been moved from another block over at one point some years ago, and was on the National Register of Historic Places. The house was very comfortable, with two parlors downstairs and a sitting area tucked upstairs in the landing. Our hostess went above and beyond to make our stay there beyond pleasant, and she accomplished this task beyond measure. I wanted to stay another day!

View from second floor hallway leading downstairs

Front View of the Innisfree

Sink area, w/c and shower around the corner.

Health Care fer reals y'all

Okay, I am posting because I really enjoy a dry sense of humor and some irony. And because my secret boyfriend is in it.

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

Funniest video probably ever

At least to me. We found this when we were relatively new hoosiers, and it was quite funny. Driving back from Terre Haute today through Muncie triggered my brain that I hadn't watched this in a while. Having been here for a bit longer, it seems so incredibly spot on. The Carhartt coat, the Elks Club dance, the minivan, the BOB EVANS! (we love our Bob Evans!), Sears, the main drag going through town. It epitomizes small town life. Plus they reference Fort Wayne! So please watch and prepare to laugh. There are naughty words, so not in front of the kiddos. This one's for you, Jen!

Random Thursday Evening Thoughts

1) I am glad I did not drive home behind that weird pickup truck that was spewing mosquito spray out of the top of the cab again tonight.
2) If I need to have a wake/service, it should be at D.O. McComb on Lake Avenue. So very pretty.
3) This banana tastes so good.
4) I love the smell of freshly baking bread. After yoga all of downtown was alive with the smells of Aunt Millies.
5) I am pretty sure the guy two mats down from me at yoga fell asleep during the final relaxation. Same guy who was making really strange noises at the end last week. This week was snoring noises.
6) I really like the lights at Friemann Square. Sort of seventies, but in a pretty way.
7) I really do not like the music they play at yoga classes. Same as massage music. New agey, and it makes me a little irritated. Maybe I need a home practice and should listen to Mussorgsky.
8) I have awesome friends and am so very grateful for them.
9) My sleeping chickens are pretty much the cutest things eveh.
10) I am out for the night. Sweet Dreams, y'all!

Mini Rant

"I was incredibly disappointed in the tone of his speech,” said Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).”At times, I found his tone to be overly combative and believe he behaved in a manner beneath the dignity of the office. I fear his speech tonight has made it more difficult — not less — to find common ground."

Is this the same dignity that was shown to our President by shouting things like "You lie!" and holding up signs and playing with pdas? Hmm.
Does he truly want to categorize the President as "combative" when his party has done nothing civilized when it comes to this subject (and others too).
Does he want to prattle on about "bipartisanship" and working together when members of his party claim that they want to work with the President and Congress on health care yet tell their constituents behind the Presidents back that they are going to do everything to defeat it? (I'm talking to you, Mr. Enzi.)
I think President Obama tried to bring some dignity back to government last night. Too bad our elected representatives didn't follow suit. It's disappointing.

Sleepy Chicken

Somebody works so hard at school that she comes home incredibly sleepy. Some days she takes a power nap. The super kitty loves these days.

Big Girl on Her First Day of First Grade

Our big girl started a whole new school this year.

She went right in with the help of a few family members, and is off to a great start. She begins her ensemble arts classes next week (hers is on Monday's and this is a holiday). To hear her talk about her day is amazing. Drama games, art class, her teacher. She is another girl altogether.



Oh, Ava, the places you'll go...

Abundance

First there was this:

Then there was this:

Finally there was this:

And then there was beer. The End.

Bring It!

According to yesterday's newspaper, there's a feud brewing between the Old Farmers Almanac and the National Weather Service.
I'll side with the Farmers over the scientific data, even if they have Pinpoint Viper HD-those farmers usually get it right. But DANG if they didn't give us quite the forecast!


Wishful thinking says to go with the other guy, but I think I'll stick with the Farmers and be glad it's at least dry. Y'all know where I stand on ice storms and snow drifts.
I'll be thinking of all my AZ peeps this winter, yes I will.

I Just Can't Wait!

As happy as I was to see a Coen Brothers movie trailer the other night, this makes me squeal with glee. George Clooney, a Scotsman (albeit not Mr. McAvoy) AND Boston on the soundtrack? Two tickets, please!

Holdover till the Thriftstore Holy Grail appears?

This may find itself into our home till some Bavarian Goodness presents itself garage saling/thrifting. Guten Tag!

Latest Crush

I have the biggest wonk crush on this guy. Not only is he smart, but he calls out people right and left, and stays sane and polite doing it. Read him if you haven't already.

Found this little gem on sale at the Health Food Shoppe. I wasn't sure about the tea tree, as I am not necessarily a fan of the scent of the tea tree oil I have, but holy wow this smells like Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies. I think thinner with every hand wash at my kitchen sink.

Knock, knock...

Do you think I can talk PJ into installing this when we do the "Big Front Facade Front Door Re-do"?

Hello, Unlimited Budget?

Kate Spade is sending me some vintage-y inspiration. Perfect for puttering before I go get our big girl from her first day at school. The sweetness is here.

It's been too long...

No excuses. But for now, I will share that I have about 270,691 photos to put onto the computer from Didi and Papa's visit, school starts next week (YIKES!) and I am in love. Go here to find out more, and know that I have two goals beginning the start of Sept; yoga and blogging. Three times a week min. even if it is utter nonsense. Wait, that's what I throw at you now. Unless of course one of these (oh yes indeed it comes in orange, and green too, a suitable backup color!) comes into my life, then I will have to take a sabbatical and throw the (newly homeschooled if we are on the road) chickens into this lovely thing and travel to visit my family and favorite virtual neighbor. Right now, I am off to see Julie and Julia with my favorite actual neighbor!

Is it time for a new vaccum?

All white with the tiniest bit of orange? I think I'm in love...everlasting love.

Bike Lust

I am oh so in love with my Townie, but my heart contracted when I saw these Alexander Girard designed lovelies. These guys put together a presentation that will make you swoon. Head on over here for a preview of the tastiness that is Electra.

Oh my heaving womb

I am sorry, I know this may produce an unfriendly visual. But today we rode to the park on our bikes, and there was a largeish group of kids there. Usually Ava will find someone roughly her size and introduce herself and I am not required unless there is some swinging. James and I usually go and slide the whole time alternating between his two favorites. But this time was different. Ava went and made a friend right away, but before I could ask James which slide he wanted to go down first, another little boy came up to him and asked his name then introduced himself. James trotted right after this nice boy (who was older than James but not too much) and they played really well together the whole time! Ava's friend even inspired her to try new things that she hasn't wanted to before. All in all what a great morning at the park. But the bittersweet thing is that although it really was awesome to see both kids making friends and having fun, my little boy is not so little any more. First the potty, now this. Will this be enough to make us reconsider a third?

Oh, We're Back in the Saddle Again

So this morning after tennis (where we remembered her water bottle but not her racquet and had to go back) we sat Mr. James on his potty. I took off the pull up he had on and his shorts for good measure. I figured today was a work/cleaning day, the kids would be outside most of the day, and why not let him run free. He didn't seem to mind going in his underpants, maybe this would be different. He has come back into the house several times yelling that he has to potty, and while he doesn't complete the task each time, as far as I can tell there have been zero "accidents" and we are three for three on the potty. That child has had a lot of m and m's today. And I will continue to dole them out cavities be damned if it gives him the incentive he needs. We are defenitely making headway. Go James!

Three Rivers Festival Parade 2009 Without 350 Photos of the Parade

This year I didn't even take any pictures of the parade itself. Maybe should have of the classic vw's, but alas the only photos to be taken were by my husband of our children. PJ left on his bike pulling the trailer full of camp chairs and a thermos of coffee down to the parade route to secure us a great spot. Five minutes later it began to THUNDERSTORM. That's how loud it was that it needs all caps. I was worried about him even though I knew he would not worry about it at all. I packed the kids up just as the storm passed (it was sprinkling lightly) and drove downtown. We found PJ right away. He was relatively dry! He waited out the worst of it on the porch of a vacant house across the street from the site he found for us. He covered my chair with his umbrella, and as the kids chairs are mesh they dried out pretty quick. I tried to insist that he take my chair as he did all the work, but ever the true gentleman he wouldn't let me. I brought snacks for the kids but there was so much candy that they didn't eat ANY of it (even James!). The parade ended after about an hour and a half. It was really fun. We saw a bunch of folks we know-that was fun. And Ben and Katie and the girls came down and hung out too. The kids had a blast together. So here is the one picture to share of this year's parade. Its the cutest thing at the parade, too!

It's messy but I got over it and got out the hose

Bubble time!