Wintertime 2023

Bits and bobs from early 2023.

First and foremost! A new family member joined us in 2023 (well, technically in the final few days of 2022). After 9 months of being kitty-less, we were finally ready to add a new cat to the family.

One thing we didn’t consider, though: every other family in the metro also thought that winter break would be a nice, calm time to add a furry family member. We tried (and failed) to get appointments with our local Human Society locations, so we turned to cat-specific animal rescues in the metro. We heard back from a few, with Angie’s Angels pairing us with a cat that seemed to meet all our needs: not a kitten, but still young; okay with being a single-cat household, and good with kids. So off we went one chilly winter day, new cat carrier in hand, to meet with “Aki/#12-1262”, or as we call her – Mei Mei:

Love at first sight. We filled out all the paperwork and settled the bill and we whisked her home.

She was a rescue from a hoarder house full o’ cats, so she is not the most cuddly cat (clearly not something she grew up with, poor thing) but she’s friendly and playful and was just a smidge over a year old when we took her home, so she’s slowly warming up to our affections. Sometimes these days, she even crawls into our laps for snuggles (HUGE progress, given that you could only pet her in small amounts when we adopted her).

She’s definitely made herself at home, and we’re glad to be a cat family again.

That said: we still miss our baby Halle Berry. Our little shrine still shines bright.

It was a bit of a snowy winter (!!), which I have grown to love. Lots of people complain about northern winters, including people that grew up here in the midst of it. But you know what? Winter is what you make of it.

Yes, it’s long and dark and it’s cold and snow means maintenance. But you have to lean in if you’re going to live in it. We put out twinkle lights in rooms and lots of candles. Love a good cozy sweater and lots of blankets on the couches. Love a roaring fire in the fireplace. We are firm believers in that there is no bad weather, just bad gear, so we all have quality cold-weather outerwear. And my dudes: I love to take walks in the dark. I love that deep winter crispy-crunchy weather. I even come to enjoy shoveling! I bundle up and put on a good podcast, then head outside and enjoy the weather and the alone time. Embrace winter, and it’ll be good to you too.

(Picture below is after one of those teeny snowfalls that you don’t bother to shovel so it’s probably not a great example, but it makes me laugh because I opened the garage door to head to work, to find Pete footprints all Family Circus style on the driveway. Clearly he forgot something and made a few personal mental circles.)

Moose fell in love with books this winter. He’s always enjoyed reading, but it really took off in 3rd grade.

(A peek into Meeper Club, for those that aren’t members… There’s a lot of stuffed animal buddies and cozy blankets in that bed.)

As I do every winter when we’re stuck at home for months without traveling: I got itchy and moved things around the house a bit. The kitchen/dining area got the refresh this winter, with new shelving coming up and a lot of cleaning/reshuffling of pantry items.

I would love Love LOVE to change out that light fixture but that’s not something Scott’s willing to mess with, womp womp. Oh well, better ugly fixtures than fires.

As usual, cabin fever led to a quick day trip to Milwaukee. The MPM will be moving in the next year or so and they don’t plan to move the Old Milwaukee exhibit (noooooooooo), so we took a trip there on this visit.

I hope they bring the late 1980s aesthetic with them when they move, that’s all I want to add.

We tend to be major creatures of habit when going to Milwaukee, it’s usually Kopp’s or Safe House for meals. This time was no different, back at Kopp’s for some burgers as big as our heads and a cup of custard to share.

Another winter tradition: one big trip to the Asian market. Global Market meant Shin Ramen Black in bulk and ice cream cones from the dessert freezer case.

Ice Cream for Breakfast day in February, which we now celebrate at home because I’m too cheap to overpay for ice cream sundaes these days.

Scottie and I even squeezed in our usual annual “playing hookie” day where we just go do what we want in town and pretend it’s an evening date.

Cocktails!

Gurrrrrrl, this grain bowl was the best thing I had in awhile.

In reality: most days looked like this – taking out my “teeth” (Invisaligns) so I can slug down a coffee when picking up kids from school, in-between meetings. SO EXCITING.

Admittedly, while it’s kind of a pain to leave work and bundle up to fly around town picking up kids every day, I really do enjoy it. Seeing your kiddo’s face light up and walking speed up when they spot you in the line of parents waiting for kids on the playground cannot be beat. Mommy pick-up over riding the bus any day.

Aaaaand – I just realized that’s all I got for the winter photos, huh! Just know that while we are primarily stuck in town and it’s bitterly cold and the drudgery of life kinda dominates, I still would not trade a Northern winter for anything.