Right around the corner.

It's only one month until Valentine's Day - crazy! We need to start shopping for valentines for the boys' classes fairly soon, as I like to have them done earlier. And it's easier on all of us if the boys aren't stuffing the little sacks with goodies the night before, too.

I guess I should look into getting out my Valentine decor soon as well. I never did get my New Year's stuff up this year (all I really have is a few vinyl clings), but I've got a fair amount of stuff for Cupid's Day.

Simple Baklava.

Back when I was heavily craving all things baklava, my friend Karyn was able to find a neat recipe for me: Sugary Pastry Crisps. I have renamed it to "Simple Baklava," and I thought I'd share it here for any others who want the taste, without all the work.

( 'Simple Baklava,' including a picture )

Moving in, Part 1.

Remember that we moved in November? November 3rd, to be exact. And then I sorta slipped out of LiveJournal for a while, what with all the unpacking, painting and organizing. But I did take pictures! Err... even if they didn't get posted in a "timely fashion."

I intended to edit/process some of the pictures, but I realize now that if I actually take the time to do that, I'll never get through them. So I'm just posting them all as is - take it or leave it. And I'll put small captions under the photos, but there won't be a lot of actual story to go along with them.

And - obviously - this will be in a few parts. *grin*

( Part the First. )

And because I now have them, here are the dimensions in our new house:

Garage: 11'-10" x 27'-5"
Patio: 12' x 12'
Family Room: 12' x 12'-2"
Living Room: 12'- x 14'
Dining Room: 9'-1" x 11'-1"
Kitchen: 8'-1" x 9'-7"
Utility Room: 5' x 7'-9"
Office: 9'-1" x 10'-1"
A.J.'s Room: 9'-1" x 11'-3"
Jack's Room: 10'-1" x 14'
Master Bedroom: 11'-3" x 14'

We have three storage closets in our entry, and there aren't dimensions listed for these (at least, not on the floorplan I have), so I'm unsure of their sizes. There are two linen closets in the hallway, as well as two full baths (one is off the side of our master bedroom). And Philip and I each have our own closet in the master bedroom as well. In addition to the patio, there's a shed, as well as a 'service area' - with dimensions of 8'-1" x 4'-9".

In other words, we have a LOT more space than we did. :-D

Moving in, Part 2.

More pictures - these are mostly of the yard stuffs.

( Part the Second. )

Moving in, Part 3.

More moving pictures - all kinds of random stuffs.

( Part the Third. )