kids | New puppy in the house...

...Toddler not pleased.

At first, at least, Cash (my one-year-old son), was seriously displeased with our new companion. We adopted a Lab/Hound mix from the shelter in Durham, NC last week:

Brooklyn coming home

She was named Brooklyn and, while this would not have been my first choice for a name, my fiance liked it a lot, and we did move to NC from Brooklyn about a year ago, so I suppose it is fitting. I am still rooting for "Brisket," but perhaps the next dog...

Regardless, she's a puppy, and, therefore, rather jumpy. Sometimes even a little nippy... Cash was, rightly, freaked out about being jumped on and lapped at by something with 10 pounds on him and far more teeth than he. My days since have been similar to that of a ref at a hockey game - constantly separating the players to keep them from fighting when you know, deep down, resistance is futile. Our recent walk out to Sanderford Road Park was a nice respite. 

We walked about 1.25 miles from the house to the park. Cash went on the swings, Brooklyn dug holes near the swings, they crawled in the dirt together and bonded over their amusement at my desire and attempts to keep them from swallowing too much of it. There's that futility again...

Where's the next adventure?

Let's check that way!

Relations have been improving steadily ever since...

stuff | Best Made Co

I found the company, Best Made, through an article in HGTV magazine - a couple turned a '50s ranch into a modern house with camp-style touches (swoon) - they had this rockin' first aid kit in their sons' bathroom. After checking out Best Made's site, where I learned that all of their items are guaranteed for life and they have seriously cool info about adventuring, I was instantly a smitten kitten and wanted to share some of my favorite items from Best Made with you today.

Find out more about the company here.

The first Best Made Adventure, in Payette National Forest, Idaho. Photo by Nate Bressler

#goals #badges

Enamel Gift Set - toddler proof!

warm wool blanket

Kevlar Sheers - they can cut Kevlar. No joke.

The Bonded Duffle

The American Longbow - I've been wanting to get back into archery,
and what a stylin' way to do it

A Good Sign  to live by

The Bucket Bag - kind of need dozens of these for all the things rolling around our house

With the Grain... Book - can't wait to start making furniture, and this would sure help

The Odel Knife - reindeer antler in the handle, people. gorgeous.

Audubon Field Guides

Big Jug of Maple Syrup - from NH, so you know it's the best

Things I Love - A Never Complete List

I made a list of things I love in an effort to come up with a blog name I love. Not sure it was a perfect project, but it was fun. Here's the list...

raspberries
coffee with cream + sugar
bread
butter
sausage
steak
cheese
Cash (my son)
his smile
his laugh
the way he pushes himself backward while in a crawling position
my dog
my husband
his scrunch-face laugh
my nose wrinkle
wooden home goods
linen
gold thread
jeans
food
chunky knit sweaters
throws
scarves
wrap skirts all the way to the floor
block prints
sunshine
trees
the color green
water
lakes
love
hugs
too many pillows
roasted potatoes with cayenne and adobo
whipped cream
yoga
hiking
mountains
snow (to play in, not to shovel - this is a wish list, dammit!)
sunrise
campfires
Blanton's bourbon
plaid flannel
...

Also, Leslie Knope is My Hero

This is my favorite moment in the history of my television watching experiences:

From KKTees on Etsy