Update

So I realized that I haven't put anything on here since we painted the wall. Well, it's probably because nothing has really happened. We went over to Rich's boss's house and picked probably 100-120 pounds of pears. I think I'm going to attempt to can them by myself, I'll let you know how that goes.
I got some wedding pictures printed and now we have one little collage frame on the wall with some pictures in it, that's a nice new addition.
Oh yeah, I have also been bitten by the sewing bug. I am currently making myself a dress out of this really cute green material that has little circles on it. I hope it turns out ok. I also got some material to make Rich some short-sleeved work shirts and then I found out I don't have a pattern for that after all. So those have been put on hold until I can go get a pattern. That's okay though, one project at a time I suppose.
I went to a bunch of meetings at OSU and got discouraged about school for a while. I was told my credits wouldn't transfer so I would have to take at least 4 more years of school with the possibility of 5 if I couldn't switch over to Interior Design at the right time. So I went to my last meeting and well...I decided to change majors. I met with a different advisor and I decided to go with nursing. I feel really excited about it and can't wait to start the classes. They will mostly be science classes for a while but I don't mind, I like that anyway. I will be taking one Interior Design class a term though so I can keep my scholarship.
Well, that's just a little update about what's been going on around here. Like I said, it's not a whole lot but we are really just enjoying the sunshine and being together.

Paint #2

So I finally got a picture that shows what the paint color actually looks like. We really like it!

Paint!

Rich let me paint the other day. We went down to Home Depot the other day and got some paint swatches and took them home to look at them. We decided that we didn't like any of them and so we went back. When we were there Rich pulled one out and said, "That's the color I want." So I said that we should just buy the gallon and start painting, no need to keep doing this back and forth game, just get paint and well... Paint! So we did. We got home and Rich did all the edging and then I painted the rest of the wall the next day. Here's our new wall! I completely changed the room and we really like it. Rich said it was a little dark at first but it's grown on him already!!

Before

Rich's cool painting techniques

After...The wall is actually a whole lot darker than this picture came out to be

Rolling Pin

So I just wanted everyone to know about my rolling pin. Robbie got me this non-stick rolling pin and I wasn't quite sure how it would work so yesterday I made a pie...just for the rolling pin...and to use up some apples. Anyway, it worked great! It didn't have anything really stick to it and anything that did just rolled right off so it was great. I didn't even have to flour it first! So, THANK YOU ROBBIE for the greatest rolling pin ever!

Backpacking 101

So I have my first ever backpacking experience this past weekend and it went great! I discovered that it is a whole lot like camping but instead of driving to a campsite and getting all your stuff out of the car, you have to hike to the camping site so you have to carry everything. I suppose you could take whatever you want but you will have to carry it so I only took the necessities. I was told how I should have packed my backpack...fill the bottom with newspaper and then just my clothes on top so that my pack is super light and then let Rich carry the rest. Well that plan was thrown out the window when Rich came home and wanted to see how I packed and well...he kindly repacked it for me. After both of our packs were finished we were on our way.We met up with some friends in Salem and then headed over towards Marion Lake. It was so pretty! It was a short trip but that's okay. It made it feel more like a long weekend that way. As we were getting ready to hike back the 3 miles (!!!!) to the car, Rich informed me that we could probably switch packs if his was more comfortable because both packs weigh about the same! We didn't switch but I couldn't believe that we were both carrying 20-something pounds. CRAZY! We made it back pretty quick and came home and basically went right to bed. We were both SO tired. So overall, I think I had a great first experience. I had a lot of fun. Here are some pictures from the trip!

Adam, Kathryn, me and Rich

Here's a crawdad that Rich found in the lake.

Marion Lake


Another view of the lake

Packing my bag for the trip back

Thank You

Hello everyone!
I just want you all to know that I have been working on the thank yous since...well the wedding and I'm finally getting the first wave of them out today. So be looking for yours in the mail. The next wave should be out tomorrow but I'm waiting on a couple addresses. I'm sorry they have taken me so long, but I really have been working on them. I know you'll be happy when you get yours in the mail. Love you all!

Pie Time!

Last night Rich came home from work and informed me that he lost at CatchPhrase at work and had to bring something for everyone to eat the next day. He decided that he wanted to bring an apple pie so this morning I had a mission. I wanted to make the best looking and tasting apple pie they ever had...I have no idea if it actually worked out that way but I sure put a lot of time into this pie today. I thought that it would be pretty easy because I've made pies before and then I noticed that we had no pastry blender. It was okay though because I just used a fork and my hands and it worked out pretty good. Then it came time to roll out the crust and well...we have no rolling pin. Luckily I used my noggen and used this tall bottle of balsalmic vinegar and wrapped it in some plastic wrap. I rolled out the crust filled the pie plate with apple goodies and then made a little lattice top for it. It seems that every time you double the recipe you still don't have enough for the top crust. That's ok because a lattice top is quick. Then because I had a little bit left over and I didn't want to throw it away (and I wanted to cover up a couple little mistakes) I wanted to make little shapes to put on top. I realized we have no cookie cutters so I made a little star and then cut them out in the crust... After baking the pie it looks and smells delicious. I hope everyone at his work loves it.

And of course I had to take a picture of my amazing pie :)

Check out that golden brown touch on all the edges.

Game Time...

Last night Rich and I decided it was time to get the games out now that we have room to play them. I of course went for the scrabble set. I was completely prepared to loose because we all know that Rich knows more and better words than I do. I got off to an early lead!! After loosing a few words that I thought for sure were words I ended the game and well... We'll let the board speak for itself...

(This one's for you Meg)