7 Quick Takes Friday

WOAH — I have been gone a long time! This summer is going by quickly and busily. I submit for your approval, the first 7 quick takes in a long time…

1. I have a new house! Husband and I moved from Chicago to Indianapolis last week. We moved from a small one-bedroom apartment in Lincoln Park to a three bedroom house in the eastside neighborhood of Irvington. Irvington is named after the author Washington Irving. It’s one of the historic neighborhoods. We’ve moved into a Craftsman style bungalow built in 1927. I am a little bit in love with our house. 🙂

The pictures are of the front of the house, the kitchen, the dining room (with the amazing built in buffet and unique windows), and the view of the living room and dining room from the front door (with the amazing built in book cases).

2. We live about four blocks from the public library — which is completely wonderful. I’ve walked there a few times already, once to get my card and a few books, another time with my mother-in-law to show her around. There I found some wonderful cd’s which I’ve been listening to. Most notably, Emmylou Harris’ Blue Kentucky Girl, and a silly compilation I love called “Songs that got us through WWII”. It’s nice to have some good music to listen to while I’m doing some of the tedious things one has to do when setting up a house — like mopping wood floors and unpacking boxes.

3. We are finishing the process of installing our very own organic garden in our very own backyard. Did I mention I love my house?  We have planted four varieties of tomatoes, cantaloupe, bell peppers, cucumbers, squash, and lettuce. Needless to say, I am super excited! We live in a pretty crunchy neighborhood, so several of the neighbors also have gardens and have been able to offer some tips. I’ll post pictures when I have a chance.

4. I have just finished reading “Still Alice” by Lisa Genova. Go and get it from the library right now — well, once you finish reading my wonderful blog — you won’t be disappointed. It’s about a woman who is 50, a psychology professor at Harvard, and develops early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. It’s told from her perspective. It’s brilliant.

5. I love strawberry season. It’s wonderful.

6. I’m going to make pumpkin-chocolate chip protein bread as a trial run for snack food in Yellowstone. Will post the recipe and the results if it’s a keeper. 🙂

7. We are getting a dog by the end of the summer. Anyone have any suggestions for breeds that are good for families and that are fun and playful? We’re hoping to adopt a dog from the humane society, but will be good to have some breeds in mind.

I hope you all have a blessed weekend — and Happy Father’s Day to all the men in our lives!

Go on over to www.conversiondiary.com to thank Jen for being our hostess!