Happy New Year! December 31, 2008

I would really, REALLY like to say that I’m getting all dressed up to celebrate at a New Year’s Eve party with friends or even at a fun Iowa City nightspot.  Ahh, someday soon I’ll have a home big enough to host my own party!

I’m actually sitting on the couch in my lounge pants flipping between Pride & Prejudice (my all time favorite movie) and Lifetime trash (so addictive!), surfing the internet, and listening to Zoey sleep.

I’m not big on resolutions, I’m fairly satisfied with all parts of my life, but I do have ideas (home projects), to-do lists (wedding scrapbook, de-clutter), and goals  for the coming year.  Here’s hoping I can check a few of those off in 2009! 

I wish everyone a fun and safe New Year’s Eve – raise a glass for me – and all the best in the new year as we ring in 2009.

Go Hawks! December 31, 2008

Miss Zoey is ready to celebrate a Hawkeye victory tomorrow in her new yellow collar.  She can now show her true colors!

Zoey (and the rest of us) say, “GO HAWKS!”

Movie: Valkyrie December 30, 2008

Last night Josh and I saw Valkyrie with two other couples.  I was a little hesitant to see the movie because I am not familiar with WWII and was afraid I might be a little lost.  It turned out to be a fantastic movie!

Christmas in Pictures December 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The goodies!

 

 

 

 

 

Zoey couldn’t stand waiting!

 

 

 

 

 

Gotta have the sweets table!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two hunters showing off their rain gear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ice!

My Biggest Yet! December 28, 2008

On Friday afternoon, Dad and I headed into the timber, our muzzleloaders in hand, ready to take our Christmas deer.  We spent five hours in our box-blind, saw about 20 turkeys, but still no deer.  We heard ice breaking on the creek to the west and waited with baited breath to see if anything came up over the bank.  I turned behind me to see if any deer happened to mosey out and sure enough, three deer made their way past us.  One deer stayed on the edge and I thought it was a smaller buck.  It turned back, heading towards a tree where Dad had left a doe scent patch and as we examined him more carefully, we thought he just might be a shooter buck.  As he stood broadside, Dad “grunted” a little to get his attention, he stopped and turned his head toward us…he definitely was a shooter!  At 5pm, I pulled the trigger; it was just dark enough to see the spark from the primer, and as the smoke cleared, we waited with anticipation.  After a few moments of catching our breath, we located my buck and Dad let out a laugh!  One of his antlers had shed (fallen off) as he fell…the other came off as we were loading him in the truck!  Wow, what a hunt!

Interestingly, my brother had caught this particular buck on his trail camera in late August (second picture – during velvet, while the antlers are growing) and again in mid-October (first picture).  The pictures below are from the trail cam.  Thanks, Nick!!

Merry Christmas! December 24, 2008

Imagine a picture here…I tried to post a picture of the nativity scene, but am having technical difficulties…use your imaginations.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, enjoying time spent with family and friends, remembering your many blessing, and celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.

I will be taking some time off to be with family and friends and will return on Monday.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas With Zoey December 24, 2008

Josh and I enjoyed a nice Christmas Eve, Eve at home with Zoey last night.  We had a nice dinner and then all opened presents together.  Zoey got me hugs and kisses (Hershey’s!) .  Josh got me a Williams Sonoma cookbook and some clothes from Ann Taylor Loft (thanks for helping him K!).  Josh received some clothes and a grab bag of items from Zoey (chop sticks, sushi dishes, pistachios, poo bags, and man lotion).  Zoey received the coat, some toys, and a yellow color…she’s a true Hawkeye dog now!!

It was so much fun to share our Christmas with Zoey!

Date Night December 23, 2008

Josh and I enjoyed a very nice dinner at a new local spot, Vesta, in Coralville.  Josh called it, “the dinner of my people,” because their menu is Mediterranean inspired with an American flair.  Thanks to R & L for the little ‘push’ we needed to try it out.  I had the lamb (of course!) and Josh had the ribeye (duh!)…we’re so predictable sometimes.  The wine was great, the meal was good, and I can’t wait to head back and try out their pizza.

We spent a relaxing evening enjoying a quiet dinner, talking about the many blessings we have to be thankful for in 2008, and looking forward to what 2009 has in store for us.

Happy Festivus! December 23, 2008

Happy Festivus to all of you and here’s hoping you don’t have too many grievances!

Our 4-legged Neighbors December 21, 2008

As Josh and I prepared lunch, we glanced out our back slider to see some 30-40 deer pouring out of the timber behind out house.  We spent about 10 minutes with our faces pressed against the glass trying to spy that big buck we know is out there…I only caught a glimpse of what might be a ‘big one’ way back in the timber.  I did manage to snap a few shots of Zoey getting in on the action, a smaller deer close to the drive, and a little buck that has potential in the coming years.