Homeowners?

That's right, folks! We could be homeowers tomorrow evening! Yesterday, we went looking at homes w/ our wonderful realtor. She showed us 5 houses in Marshall. This house was the fourth one we went to (as well as the one we had been stalking on the internet). We LOVE it so we put in an offer.

It's certainly not typical. It actually has 4 floors....3,000 square feet! We definitely don't need that kind of space right now, but it would be nice in the future, and it's a great deal. Its sort of like a bi-level where there are only half flights of stairs, but this is a "quad-level."

There are 2 1/2 bathrooms and 3 bedrooms so we'll have plenty of room for visitors(and children...one day)! There is a huge backyard with a SCREENED IN treehouse (Steve's cousins are very excited about that). If they accept the offer we'll have a wood burning fireplace in the living room which is important for this non-michigan native.

I am already stressing out about furniture and paint colors and we don't even have the house. My plan today is to find some good decorating websites so if you have any favorites, send them my way.

We should know by 6pm tomorrow (Friday) if we have it. Then, it will be time to CELEBRATE...or pout. Wish us luck!

My (re)new(ed) obsession

About a year ago, I started beading. When I decided to to to Michaels to get the stuff to teach myself how to bead, Woodz definitely thought it was a phase! I couldn't argue with him. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it, but it was summer, and I was bored!

I LOVE to make my own jewelry. Before the wedding, I felt guilty beading because I had so much wedding stuff to do, but now I have all kinds of time...and nothing to do.

Recently, I picked up some chain to make charm bracelets, and I have become obsessed! It doesn't require as many beads so I can pick out my favorites or use some old leftovers, and (if you ask me) they are so cute and fun.

I made this one to wear to a wedding we are going to Saturday. It matches my dress perfectly (another reason to make your own jewelry). I love the "W." I'm proud to be "Mrs. Woodz."

This one is fun! It was time consuming to make all the little charms, but I have time!

I used shells from our cruise/Florida vacation for this bracelet. (Thanks Steve for drilling all those holes!) It's a bit loud, but so fun!

I love the swirly beads I found at Hobby Lobby (HL is 2 minutes away from my apartment...no joke).

So, my girls, you probably know what you're gettin' from me for Christmas this year. I take requests (look for a Colts design soon).

Tomorrow, we're heading to Marshall to look for a house, but I'll be heading to their cute little bead shop for more beads!

Tourists

Sunday, after Bets and Kyle left, we decided to continue to tour this wonderful area we moved to. We drove about 45 minutes to Fennville, MI to pick blueberries and raspberries at Earl's farm market.

There were SO many blueberries, and they are so easy to pick (no bending or hard pulling required) so we picked 15 pounds! We also picked four baskets of raspberries and picked up a bottle of strawberry cider. Today, my job is to clean and freeze blueberries as well as make some yummy blueberry treats.

When we left Earl's, we stopped by South Haven. South Haven is a small beach town on Lake Michigan. It has a TON of little shops and restaurants and a lighthouse! We didn't stay long, just long enough to eat and walk down to the lighthouse. We'll definitely go back. Hopefully, we will have more visitors to take with us!

I thought it was funny.

We saw this sign on the way to South Haven. I was so sad Kyle wasn't with us any more because he would have found humor in it. Seriously, SHAG NASTY...haha...poor people w/ that last name.

Our First Visitors!

Last weekend, we had our first weekend visitors! Bets, Kyle, and Owen came up to visit for the weekend. It was so great to have them in.

Mostly, we relaxed at the apartment, oohed and aahhed at Owen, and played Wii, but Saturday, we went out and toured the area a bit...in the rain. First, we took the Retherfords to our favorite candy store that sells "retro" candy and drinks. Then, we stopped at Red Robin for burgers. Owen LOVED Red Robin because it is so colorful. After stuffing ourselves, we drove to St. Julian winery for a winery tour and wine tastings.

Unfortunately, they had to leave on Sunday, but before they left, we got some excellent pictures of Owen!

He's getting so big! He really likes to move so we couldn't get any pictures w/o his arms and legs blurred! :)

Sweet face :)

(I think he's waving "bye.")

Thank you, Retherford family, for driving all the way up here to see us! We had so much fun!

Amish Blogs

Since we've been in Michigan, we have been able to spend more time with Steve's grandparents, Matt and Arlene Woods. They are so sweet. I love talking to both of them.

Recently, I shared with Matt that I have always been interested in Amish people and their lifestyle. He is also very interested. He even has amish friends who he spends time with (and drives around). Matt has a ton of funny stories about Amish people and a wealth of knowledge, but he isn't much of a talker (maybe that's where Steve gets it) so he sends me home with reading material.

Last week, he sent me home with a book that I HAD to read (haha). This week, my assignment was to read The Budget. It's a national newspaper for Amish communities.

Let me tell you...it's HILARIOUS! The funny part about it is the form. It doesn't have "front page" stories or anything like that. Basically, it's a blog on paper for the amish. People write in from different communities to tell what's going on in their area. Mostly, people tell about the weather, crops, weddings, birth, deaths, who was at church, who is traveling, and (gasp) who wasn't at church.

Some people write random blurbs about unexpected things that happen in their life or funny things that happen. I didn't read all 50 pages, but here are some things I found on the first few pages.

Topeka, IN-"Mrs. Clara Miller had her 101st birthday on June 17th. We heard that she was hoeing weeds in her garden that day." (haha....way to go, Clara!)

Conneautville, PA-"While helping pick strawberries, Lydia M. Delagrange, 3, stepped on a rusty pin sticking straight up. As small as a pin is, how often would the chance be of it falling and sticking straight up? She is still not walking on it as it was really sore. Luckily she had a tetanus shot not long ago, when she had her forehead cut with a chain saw." (No joke, that was in there....a THREE year old....cut with a chain saw!)

Cross Hill, SC-"Our little three year old neighbor boy came the back way to our place with his bicycle and his daddy was here and asked the boy why he had that sleeveless bed shirt on and he said that was the only muscle shirt he had." (too funny)

Sugar Grove, PA-"The Mrs. had a sore foot so she soaked it several times and we put drawing salve on. One evening I saw a small dark thing and got a hold of it with tweezers and pulled out a piece of (I think) thread around 3/4" long. It is healing now. Must be she swallowed it and it came out of her foot?" (Nurse Karla, is that possible?)

There are more, but I won't bore you with them. I think the next lesson in my Amish class with Steve's grandpa involves a field trip to Shishewana. :) I hope it involves snacks!

Happy Fourth Birthday, Syd!

As I type, a four year old is talking to herself in my living room. You might think, "Megan, you have driven her crazy!" but I think she's actually happy. She has to be! She's been spoiled.

Last week, Steve's Godaughter and cousin, Sydney, turned 4. We decided to have her spend the night for her birthday instead of buying her another toy. Last night, we brought her to our apt. in Kzoo, played Wii, had chocolate fondue and put together a princess castle. Then, today, we went to Build-a-Bear, rode a carousel, swam, and ate at McDonalds. What more could a four year old want!?!? Here are some fabulous pictures.

She shares Steven's love of marshmallows.

Eventually, we gave in and just gave her the spatula to dip! haha



The Kalamazoo Mall has a beautiful carousel!
Her puppy, Lucy, from Build-A-Bear. Yes, she has a bathing suit on w/ matching leash. :)

Peaches!

Last weekend, while we were in KY we bought a BUNCH of peaches. KY peaches are sooo good. Normally, I eat them very quickly, but this year, we just couldn't eat them fast enough and they started to get a little mushy.

Now, before being married, I wasn't much of a cook, but being home alone this summer I have enjoyed getting crafty in the kitchen. Soooo, I searched my favorite recipe website www.allrecipes.com and found two fabulous peachy recipes: peach muffins and peach bread. I didn't take pictures, but they were both very good!

This weekend, we are going blueberry picking at a farm that has all kind of fruit. Who knows what I will be able to make?!

Some of my favorite recipe websites are www.kraftfoods.com, www.realsimple.com, www.rachaelray.com. Their recipes are very simple and practical. Do you have any favorite recipe websites I should check out?

You Gotta Regatta!

Last weekend we went down to my parents' place across from Madison, IN to enjoy The Madison Regatta. Every year, Madison hosts a hydroplane race. Along with the race, there are lots of other festivities. Even though it was kind of rainy this regatta, it was still a lot of fun.

One of my favorite parts of the Regatta is the parade. People begin saving their spots on Main Street early in the morning (this year we even saw some spots saved the night before). There are always a lot of "floats/groups" there that suport Shriners. Last year, we made bets on how many there would be. This year, we decided to make it a tradition. My dad and Woodz occupied themselves with documenting the experience.

That's right! There were eight this year. That's at least 4 less than last year (we forgot the exact number). I am not sure if the population is decreasing or what!?!?! I lost the bet....I guessed 9. :(