Our next project

Chris is gearing up for his next house project.  He scored a new bathroom sink at an incredible discount.  This puppy will replace our pedestal sink (no storage and no flat surface) sometime in the new year. Yay!

The holiday season

Somehow the end of the year is quickly creeping up on us.  I have no idea how next week can already be Christmas!  And it’s finally COLD here!  Currently we’re sitting at 3 degrees, with a wind chill of -10.  Yikes!

This past weekend we attended Chris’s annual Military Ball.  Unfortunately, we didn’t take any pictures!  I tried when Chris was receiving an award for his service at the Republican National Convention, but there were too many big burly men standing at attention!  During dinner I got a crash course in reading Army rank from the patches everyone’s right arms.  Some of it stuck, much of it was confusing (A single chevron, a chevron with a “rocker”… a chevron plus a rocker and an eagle in the middle…)  In case you’re ever curious I found this cheat sheet…

Yesterday my dad and I braved the latest snow to do some Christmas shopping at the Mall of America.  We made good time and hit up some good stores out there.  We ended with a trip to Target and a late lunch at a local café.  Our annual Christmas shopping trip is one of my favorite traditions of the year. 

In the next couple of weeks we have a lot on our plates!  Chris is finishing up finals this week, we’re both busy at work and next week Chris has jury duty!  We also have several family holiday parties to plan/attend and at work we have our big family New Years Eve Party on the 31^st.  (Chris often volunteers for our winter events and spends the evening hauling supplies all over the park!)

Until next time- stay warm! 

Snow bingo part 2

The image didn’t attach the first time…

 

Snow Bingo!

As we’re gearing up for our first real winter storm of the season we also have to hear all the weather reports that change every 10 minutes.  Here’s a game we may start playing this winter… Snow + Bingo= SNINGO. 

Virgin's bower

After some sleuthing around yesterday it was determined that this very cool plant is Virgin's Bower, or Clemanis virginiana.  We found it on Pike Island where the Minnesota River meets the Mississippi River. 

Walking in the woods

Chris and I are on a secret mission.  We have this winter before the snow begins to accumulate and in the spring up to our wedding to accomplish this task.  I can't tell you what it is right now... but I can share our journey!  It requires us to walk in the woods near water, and if we're going to walk in the woods we might as well bring McClane- and carry a big stick.

Poor Bella, has to stay home and entertain herself.  Something tells me she doesn't mind having the run of the place!

While we're out and about we might as well take some pictures of the beautiful and interesting things we come across. 

A first

I've never done this before.  It's 4:56 am and I'm about to try and hit some post-Thanksgiving sales.  (One more cup of coffee to go...)  I think I'm still drunk on gravy and stuffing...

Later..
It's 1:45 pm.  After two square meals, a shower and a nap I'm really ready to face the day!  Chris and I hit up Target at 6 am (two sets of queen sized 700 thread count sheets for the price of one) and then over to Lowes.  There we picked up a shop vac, two shelving units and a Christmas tree stand.
I did feel a little guilty this morning- I wish I could have gotten some of my Christmas shopping done!  Oh well, I've about a month left right?

The wild west.

This past weekend was the annual fall conference for the Minnesota Naturalists' Association. This year the it was held near Pipestone, MN which is in the far southwest corner of the state. For the most part this section of the state is incredibly flat and void of water.  It used to be a prairie pot hole region... now it's miles upon miles of agriculture and any water is tiled out of the fields. This area also has a ton of wind generators. (The bison in the second picture is not real, but they are native to this region.)

At Pipestone National Monument the landscape changes drastically.  For instance we found running water!  The second is that is the only place in the United States that Pipestone, or Catlinite, is found.  The pipes that are used in sacred Native American ceremonies are made from Pipestone.
It was a really neat place, it was so shocking to drive for hundreds of flat miles to suddenly stumble upon this ripple in the lanscape.  Very cool.

Catching up

There's so much to try and stay on top of that I'm drowning in lists!  But don't worry, I love it!  Chris and I have started a new workout routine: P90X.  It's pretty intense and we're nearly done with week 2.  I'm loving the fact that my ab muscles are reappearing and I seem to be growing some biceps!
Mother nature continues her year of weird weather.  After a strangely cool and humidity free summer (we only ran the air conditioner for a total of two weeks all summer!) we have had the wettest October on record.  Now, we've had a couple days in a row of snow!  Nothing is sticking, but still it's too early for snow... and I love winter!
On the wedding front Chris and I have booked our ceremony site and our reception site.  I've also started our wedding website.  It's a work in progress, but feel free to check it out!
http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/KristaProkosch&ChrisJensen
Isn't our kitten the cutest thing?

 

Bella's gained two pounds (she was four pounds at her vet appointment last week) and is up to date on all of her shots now.  She's the sweetest kitten, she loves to be around Chris and I and is getting friendlier and friendlier with McClane.  She's still pretty small and I not-so-secretly wish she would stay small.  =D

Last but not least my sister Katie came out to Minnehaha Falls last week and took some pictures of Chris and I.  Enjoy!

On this day in history

Here’s a fun page that I try to check out daily.  It provides a brief history on this day in history.

So, on THIS prestigious day I share my birthday with some important historical cornerstones and interesting people.

Events:
1792- The cornerstone of the White House was laid during a ceremony in the District of Columbia.
1943- Italy declared war on Germany, its one-time Axis partner.
1960- Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy participated in the third televised debate of the presidential campaign, with Nixon in Hollywood, Calif., and Kennedy in New York.

Birthdays (in no particular order):
Margaret Thatcher
Marie Osmond
Nancy Kerrigan
Paul Simon
Lenny Bruce

Check it out: On this day in history

 

Snowy Monday morning

Last week I kept forgetting to take, and post, pictures of the beautiful fall colors here.  Now, it’s snowing!  It’s been snowing all morning and we’ve gotten a couple inches of the white stuff.  I know it’s not going to stay, but I’ve got the itch to head out and make a snowman!

 

Oh the count down

It's been an action-packed couple of weeks and the fun will keep going through this weekend. I am attending a Park and Rec conference on the other side of town this week. This is my first conference with this organization and it's been a new experience for me.  I've spent the past 6 years or so making a name for myself in the naturalist world (and have done a fairly good job!) but I'm starting all over with this group. Not that I'm complaining at all because it's a humbling experience!
The knot.  Have you heard of this website? It's kind of freaking me out that they've got a countdown going for me on both the wedding website I'm creating and their "homepage" for me.  (It's 240 days if you're dying to know!)
Well, it's early and I have to get my day started. Today I'll be in Blaine and then jet home to celebrate Chris's birthday. Tomorrow we're going to New Richmond to celebrate my Dad's birthday and hang out with my uncle who's flying into town today. Saturday back to Blaine to welcome a new cousin into Chris's family before heading BACK to Wisconsin for a friend's Murder Mystery party. 
Whew! I'll try and take some pictures this weekend!

Who knew?

Fiancé or fiancée?  I knew that there were two spellings, I never paid attention to what they meant etc.  But as Chris pointed out last night- there is a difference.  I looked it up today and learned that Chris is my fiancé and I am Chris’s fiancée!

 

I'm engaged!

Chris proposed to me yesterday! A big group had been corralled into going to watch Chris and the gang sing karaoke. Little did I know that Chris's nervousness and excitement wasn't JUST about singing! After he finished his song Chris called me up on stage and got down on one knee and popped the question! Of course I said yes! I'll try and get a copy of the video to post soon.

After a hard day of eating greasy fair food.

Cowgirl weekend

This past weekend was the annual girls camping weekend. A bunch of girls get together each year for a crazy adventure. Each weekend is themed- last year was Lumberjills, this year we were cowgirls!

We set up camp on Friday night and headed out early Saturday to canoe the Cannon River. It was supposed to take 2-4 hours... it took us 6! We ran into a bachelor party about halfway through and it was downhill from there. I guess we were quite the sight- imagine 5 girls in cowboy hats sitting on rocky island eating lunch. About 10 boats landed on our island and a few more passed us by and then started to furiously back paddle to land on the beach. After we launched again two of the boats stayed with us for the remainder of our trip.

That night we headed into town for dinner and dancing where Katie and I ran into two of our coworkers! Good times! Sunday morning we broke camp and headed to a nearby park to try our luck at Geocacheing.

Bikes v Cars v Motorcyles

Lately I've been taking the parkway home. It bypasses a busy stretch of highway with several lights. The speed limit is 25, and ultimately takes the same amount of time as the highway. But I enjoy driving through the slow drive through the park after work, and I can avoid stop lights- I HATE STOP LIGHTS!
Taking the parkway also means I share the narrow road with roadbikes. During rush hour I may end up tailing a biker or two for most of the 2 mile stretch. I have no problem waiting for a break in oncoming traffic to pass a biker with the appropriate amount of distance between the two of us. I will admit, I take a little bit of pleasure in forcing the folks who think this route is a short cut to slow down to the posted speed limit.
Anyway, yesterday on my way home I was behind a biker and couldn't pass him legally. Behind me was a long line of cars. Two or three back was a guy on the motorcycle who kept weaving out into the other lane to see if he could pass. Finally, he had the narrowest window to pass and he took off (nearly colliding with on coming traffic) and was on his merry little way.
As I approached the next intersection, a round-a-bout, there was a significant back up. It seems our motorcycle friend had wiped out in the middle of the roundabout and was trying to pick up his motorcycle and get it turned in the correct position.
The motorcycle guy was doing his best to get on his way, and away from someone who had stopped to help. It wasn't until I got into the roundabout myself that I saw why. Minneapolis Motorcycle Police were approaching the intersection. He did get on his way before the police got there, but I think a few scratches on his bike serves him right for being in such a hurry!

Nearly done

So, I'm a little behind on posts. I haven't felt very well the last couple of weeks, but thankfully I think things are starting to settle down.
At the end of the second week of Chris's training we had the windows replaced. I'm am SO happy that we now have three FULLY functioning windows that open so easily and have screens!

And here are some more pictures with the room ready for furniture!

The bed will sit under the windows.

Lots of closets! And Chris installed the A/C unit today. The extra insulation and sealing up the crawl spaces has made a world of difference!


Farther back picture looking towards the stair case.

Chris has done an amazing job planning, implementing and managing this project!

Lost in translation... or maybe not

Chris and I have been able to talk just about every day while he’s been gone, and I’m very thankful that we’ve had that opportunity.  A real year-long deployment is going to be a rude awakening for me.  (My sister gets to talk to her fiancé, who’s in Iraq, about once a week.) 

Today he mentioned his favorite Barnaby story.  At one of the castles he visited they had to check their bags and purses.  Nobody was allowed to bring anything IN that could be used to smuggle artifacts OUT.  So Chris asked “What about a bear?”  Which apparently didn’t translate well because the clerk just stared blankly at him.  So he grabs his backpack and pulls out Barnaby.  (I’m imagining a nice satisfying “plop” sound as B is pulled out by one leg and set unceremoniously on the counter!)  I guess the clerk busted out laughing!  Can you imagine a 30 year old man- obviously military at that- pulling a teddy bear out of his backpack?  She said she didn’t know, but when Chris showed her his camera with the other pictures she gave him permission.  Oh too funny.

Only five more days until he comes home! 

A few more

More pictures of Barnaby and Chris sightseeing in Itally.  =)  One week until they return!

Barnaby's great adventure

Barnaby has taken another adventure.  This bear has traveled the Midwest with me during my roving naturalist years- but he has had a fairly low key and stationary life for the last few year.  That's all changed with a trip to Italy.  He went with Chris last week- and here are a few pictures from his adventure... so far.

Weekend projects

With Chris gone for a couple more weeks I have a few things left on my to-do list. I need to do some touch ups upstairs and I'd like- wait I think that's all that's left on my to-do list! Wahoo! This first week has been busy- intentionally so.
Yesterday the carpet was installed. Chris has my camera- which has a picture of the upstairs pre-carpet but post-trim. So we're a little out of order, but I'm sure you get the idea:

Yesterday I my mom and dad came over to help me work on a landscape project. I forgot to take a before picture. But I have a picture of the area from last year's fence project. My dad pulled out all of the hosta-like plants and repositioned them, planted a hydrangea, added a few items from around the yard, and helped me estimate how much mulch I needed. Today I added the mulch and the plant in the front triangle.

Before:

After:

A couple more pictures of landscape projects:

I added the mini-fence edging to this area. I'm hoping it'll keep the woodchips from running away when it rains- I kinda think they look like tombstones!

I added edging, mulch and a couple hostas by the garage:

Chris if you're reading this, I mulched and edged all the way to the fence. And pulled out the dead ferns. =( But they look good in the compost. =P
So, with that said I'm exhausted. I'm thinking a popsicle, the couch and a good book might be the way to spend the rest of my day!

Just for fun

Crazy wildlife photo

Another crazy picture compliments of Adam Borgstahl. (Click on the picture and look closely at the green heron's bill.)

Three weeks

Well, I'm a single girl for three weeks. Boo. McClane and I are holding down the fort until Chris returns from a three week "thing" in Italy. (I'm still not sure what to call it- training maybe?)

Conversation this morning

This morning I subscribed to the local newspaper... at first he wasn't sure he could deliver the St. Paul Pioneer Press to Minneapolis. I live two minute walk from the border of St. Paul. I can almost see the river from our house- which is the border. I was ready to argue that point- they deliver to Wisconsin but they won't drive across the river? But, that argument was not needed.
So, on to the details of the subscription.
Marcus: Can I get your first and last name?
Me: My first name is Krista- K-R-I-S-T-A
Marcus: Okay, let me spell that back C-H-R
Me: No.
Marcus: Oh I'm sorry will you spell it again...
Fast forward to my last name.
Me: Prokosch- P-R-O-K-O-S-C-H
Marcus: Okay let me spell that back P-R-O-C-O
Me: NO!
Marcus: Oh, I'm sorry. C-A?
Let's just say, that bill oughtta be really interesting.

Birthday sushi

I've never made homemade sushi before... I'll be trying again soon. It was delicious!

Happy belated birthday Katie!

Not exactly red...

...but kind of orange... Autumn russett according to the paint chip/can. We like it!

McClane has been doing a fairly good job of staying out of our way. He does have some white spots on him from last week's primer frenzy. Somehow he got his chin whiskers coated!! He wouldn't sit still for a shot of that though. Here's one of him with his new buddy. (Who by the way is already missing two ears, an arm and a leg!)

Progress

A couple new pictures of our attic/bedroom project.  We finished priming the other day and yesterday Chris put the first coat of paint on the the kneel walls.  We had been talking about painting the chocolate brown- but changed our mind when we got to the store.  Any guesses on what color we'll be painting the end/window walls and closets?

Independence day

My sister and spent yesterday with our parents. We ate lots of yummy food, played games, giggled over pictures and videos from the past and watched fireworks. What a great day! Here we are at the park waiting for the fireworks to begin. I've never been so close to a fireworks show before!

Knee High by the 4th of July

Our garden is doing MUCH better than last year! Last year we were squashed at the starting line when the dog decided to lay in the freshly mulched soil.
This year we've already had some strawberries, peas, LOTS of lettuce and one hot salsa pepper! We're eyeballing the loads of grape tomatoes ripening on the vine.

Visit daily... it's worth it

I have a small list of websites that I visit daily (other than email).
1. The BBC
2. Woot
3. MPR
4. The breast cancer site
and my favorite
5. Cake Wrecks Blog

Check it out when you have a minute, and you're going to want to book mark it. It's a great break from the mundane!

Attic progress

Chris and I have been working remodeling the attic for quite awhile now. We got as far as we could this winter and then hit a dead end. We had stripped out the old paneling, ripped out the old drywall (whoever installed did a horrendous job), discovered loads of bat guano, framed in two closets and upgraded the insulation.

From earlier this winter before we started putting up the drywall.

Okay, when I say "we" I mean Chris. =) But WE hit a dead end earlier this spring after we had got most of the sheet rock up. We hired a contractor to finish this up before Chris leaves for Italy next month. Here's an updated shot from roughly the same spot.

And finally, a few more shots from different spots upstairs. It's almost time to pick paint and carpet!

See mom- we'll now have a wall over the stairs (and soon a railing!)