plaid and polka dots

Last weekend, my sister took our family pictures.  I am starting to work our Christmas card (so many design choices!), and the first step was a nice family photo.  Since I found Sophie's navy and pink sweater first (thank you, TJ Maxx), I built the wardrobe for me and Josh around that.  (Isn't that what everyone does?  Plans their wardrobe based on what their dog is wearing?  Ok, maybe not, but I do.)  I opted for plaid for Josh and polka dots for me.  I like how they work together.  I'll like it even more once Sophie writes her annual Christmas letter (see 2012's card here) and I finish designing the Christmas card...

Happy Halloween

Sophie is a penguin this year for Halloween.  She loves her costume, obviously.  It took about 15 treats...and 20 minutes to get this shot.  And thanks to Red Stamp's awesome iPhone app, Sophie can send her well wishes to everyone.  Enjoy!

Halloween card courtesy of Red Stamp

Happy Yummy Treat Day!

Sophie would like to wish everyone well on today.  She cleverly coined today Yummy Treat Day.  She's a smart one, that Sophie...

Happy Halloween

Tonight was beggar's night in town. Sophie dressed as a bumble bee. She didn't try to eat her costume this year, but she hated the hat (even though it had really nice holes for her ears). It was my first year handing out candy. Next year, I won't buy a giant bag from Costco. I still have about three pounds of candy leftover...since only ten or so kids stopped over. I loved seeing the little kids dressed up in costumes (the lion and Captain America were adorable)! Maybe Sophie will go door-to-door next year...

Long Days

Today, I worked from about 8 AM until about 10 PM. It was a long day, and I'm having a hard time winding down. However, Sophie is not. She's ready for bed. I wish, for just one day, I could be Sophie. I think her life is pretty divine. And I'm a really good sleeper, so I think I could manage it...

It's The Little Things

This weekend Josh was home. He spent Saturday golfing; I napped for four hours, read a little bit, and watched some TV. Today, we went to church (where the pastor preached about patience - one of my struggles), grocery shopped, ate my homemade g-free BBQ chicken pizza, attended my nephew's football game in Waukee, I did all our laundry, cleaned the master bathroom, and then while I was working out, Josh grilled steaks. It's nice to have him home. I feel so much more relaxed (thus the nap yesterday). Tonight, Josh is doing some reading for class. Sophie (who is in a bit of a food coma after eating almost an entire t-bone) is snuggled up next to him. It makes me very happy. I wish all nights ended like this.

Just An Ordinary Day

Have you ever heard Ordinary Day by Vanessa Carlton?  I got the CD in high school, and this was probably one of my favorite songs.  Maybe it's the piano.  Maybe it's because I always wish I knew how to play the piano.  Maybe it's her soothing voice.  Anyway, I feel like every day is ordinary, but it's what you make of it that makes it special...or not. 

Today was a pretty nice day.  I started the day remembering an admired professor after a sudden death.  Maybe that's what made today special...appreciating today for what it is and not dreading it.  Today was what I would consider to be an ordinary office day, if there is such a thing.  I had nearly three straight hours of meetings this afternoon, and during them, I couldn't help taking a picture of how we made it through the meeting:  Laffy Taffy. 

This week, I spent the whole week in the office.  I think this is a summer record.  I don't think I've been at my desk for this long in about three months....maybe four.  It was a nice change of pace.  Anyway, earlier this week, I went to a meeting, and came back to find my co-worker's office looking like this.  It's pretty typical to do little projects at our desks.  I've polyurathaned projects, stained wood, and used a hand saw at my desk.  It's just what we do, but I couldn't help but capture the moment.

While I was at work today, my mom called and asked if she could go over to my house and make me an apple pie.  Um, yes?  I actually forgot about it during my marathon meetings this afternoon, so walking in my door and being greeted by the aroma of fresh apple pie was quite a treat.  I ate two pieces for dinner.  It was amazing.  Honestly, I'll probably eat a piece of it for every meal until it's gone.  It's that good.

The crust she used was one I had on hand from Gluten Free Pantry.  It was delicious - flaky and buttery - unlike any other gluten-free pie crust I've tried.

Then, I took Sophie on a walk.  I love my neighborhood.  I love walking around the little lake.  Sophie loves it, too.  There are lots of smells for her to explore.  I hope to live in our neighborhood forever.  Once they build the HyVee a couple of blocks from the house, it'll be even more amazing.

I Love Sophie the Schnauzer

 I have become what I never thought I would - I'm completely obsessed with my dog (read more about Sophie here, here, here, and here).  Sophie Spike Haugo has been a part of our family since July 2008.  She's wonderful.  She makes me happy.  She makes me think of others.  She's made me more compassionate.  Every night, before I go to bed, I take a big breathe, and let it out slowly.  I learned that from Sophie.  She helps me relax.  She gets excited when I'm excited.  I could keep going, but I'll stop.

Anyway, tonight, Sophie was a crazy dog on her walk.  She ran as fast as she could go until she ran out of leash, then would fiercely sniff the grass until I caught up with her...and the cycle kept repeating.  Now, she's passed out on the sofa across the room from me (apparently she wanted to stretch out).  However, earlier tonight, she was staring at me from the dining room as I played on my computer (see photo below).  I really wish she could talk to me.  I think Sophie has a sarcastic and funny personality, and I can only imagine how that would sound.

I'm sure Sophie was trying to tell me something, I just don't know what it was...

And for your viewing pleasure, here are some of my favorite photos of Sophie.  I have them all at my desk at work...and some of them are framed at home.  I just can't get enough of her!

Sophie on her first day home with us

Sophie's first time outside.  She was afraid of the grass.

Sophie and I bonded when Josh was on a work trip.

Our 2011 Christmas photo

I swear Sophie is smiling here...

Sophie has also had her time in the spotlight (literally).  She modeled for bhg.com a couple of years back.  Here she is next to her pumpkin. You can even download the stencil here.  And here's what I had to say about Sophie back in 2009 (she was in her crazy chewing phase and I thought it would never end!):  Sophie, my schnauzer, chews, destroys, and eats everything in her path -- shoes, rugs, paper, laundry sheets -- she's not picky. She's destroyed cell phones, hairbrushes, wicker baskets, water bottles, and lots of dog toys. She's a sweetheart, though, and oh-so adorable. -- Rachel Haugo, Sophie's owner

Sophie the Schnauzer as a pumpkin

Here is an outtake from the photo shoot.  She just likes to smile!

Smile, Sophie!

Then, back in 2010, Sophie appeared in an editor's photo for my former magazine.

The magazine staff with our dogs

And then, this past spring, Josh brought Sophie downtown for a photo shoot of mine.  Sophie was a little scared of the orange chair, but she was a trooper.  She just really wanted off the rickety chair...and wanted to play with the ball.

What a great-looking coat rack...

So, anyway, this post shows a tiny snippet of my love for Sophie.  I think she's amazing.  I'm so glad she's a part of our family.  Thanks, Jon and Pam, for picking a good dog for us!

The Best Dog Ever

I love spending time with Sophie.  She's the best dog in the world.  She has perfect manners (what dog do you know who can eat off a fork?), adores me (gets CRAZY excited when I get home), and has the ability to make me happy when everything else sucks.  Here are some pictures I took yesterday.  She's adorable and I can't get enough of her.

Before & After: Sophie's Hair

This week, I took Sophie to her daycare/hair lady to get her hair cut.  With the 100+ degree temperatures here in Iowa, she was getting a little overheated every time she went outside.  I tried to get her in last week, but they were full (apparently I'm not the only pet parent who thought their dog needed a haircut).  Anyway, on Thursday, Sophie got a haircut.  Here she is before and after her cut.  I think she's absolutely adorable with lots of hair, and then also when she is trimmed.  It's probably her super cute eyes - they get me EVERY time.  Sophie, do you want a treatie?  Ok, sure.  Just look at me with those sweet brown eyes and you can have whatever you want.

Sophie can see without her bushy eyebrows blocking her sight.

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Sophie Turns Four

Today is Sophie's birthday.  She turned four years old.  I used to not like dogs...at all.  I don't like germs.  I don't like poop.  I don't like drool...or dog hair...or dog farts...really, the list goes on for a while.  Anyway, Sophie has totally changed that for me.  She makes me so happy and helps me to appreciate things in life I took for granted before - like greeting people when they arrive.  She makes me feel like the most special person in the world when I get home, and for that I am so appreciative.  She has also taught me to feel more compassionate.  I love how other people love Sophie - it makes me feel like I did a good job.  One day, when I have a human baby of my own, I hope I can show it as much love as I do Sophie. 

Sophie lying down

Sophie sitting pretty

Sophie sitting (and anxiously awaiting a treat)

Sophie's birthday treats - peanut butter treats, carob bones, and a birthday lollipop

Sophie really wanted her birthday lollipop.

The anticipation and the kill...

Another Front Porch Makeover

After I get done with a photo shoot, I'm always inspired to do something to love my home even more.  After sprucing up my mom's front porch, I felt inclined to make my own front porch look better.  Every year, I plant flowers.  But this year, I decided to take it a little further.

In an effort to enjoy my outdoor space more, I bought some outdoor furniture.  Every year, Josh and I say we're going to buy furniture when it goes on sale.  And for the past five years, we've forgotten to buy the furniture when it goes on sale.  So, I convinced him to let me buy some reasonably priced furniture.  Tonight, I was working late at Lowe's, and stopped by the outdoor furniture department while on my way to the checkout counter when I spotted the perfect furniture set.  I was hoping Josh would also love it, so I set it up outside before I even walked in the house.  Josh agrees with me that it's pretty fabulous.

The flowers are beautiful.  The furniture is perfect.  Now, all I need is a footrest, a new rug for the front door, and maybe a keg full of Crispin.

Before

Before

After with flowers

I love a planter full of flowers!

Beautiful planters!

...And my first garden!

New outdoor furniture

Enjoying a cool beverage on a hot night.

Sophie also enjoys sitting on the front porch.

Also, I can now officially cross off one thing off my 30 Before 30 list!  I planted my first garden with some plants from the farmers market and a few from Lowe's.  It consists of two tomato plants, one basil, one strawberry, one cilantro, one mint, and four broccoli plants.  I also threw in two flower plants on the front corners for color.  I'll add the tomato cages in a couple of weeks.  I can't wait to watch them grow over the next few months and eat the fruits of my labor...as I sit in my chair and enjoy a little bit of nature.

Orange Blossom Tomato

Cilantro

Strawberry

Basil

Mint

Broccoli

Rose Tomato