...boring updates...

ants like peonies:

all of my irises turned out to be purple:

the cats (phineas & napoleon) nap on our bed, choosing their side carefully (knowing the wrath of jon's allergic reactions). they're lucky he lets them live here.

Jon's Beloved:

dog boarding

A year ago, margie went to stay at

for the weekend and came back with ripped, bloody paws, depression, and exhastion. Although an open boarding area sounds nice in theory, the neglect of the irresponsible staff doesn't balance the cons. Her owners were not happy, to say the least, and Jon almost called Child Protection Services [canine division] on their A$#es !

...

We just got back from Duluth.

While we were gone, this time Margie stayed at

in White Bear Lake, MN.
She had her own 2-room kennel, outings, friendly staff (who treat the dogs like their own pets) and a bath that has made her fur smell soooooo good.

She came back to us happy, albeit grumpy for being left behind for 2 days, and very healthy-looking! Sadly, she almost looked better than when we left her!

The point? We HIGHLY recommend Goldwood Kennels!!!

It's worth the extra 10-20 miles out of your way. (and cheaper!)!

Knowing that the dog (who is a family member) won't be beaten, neglected, and catch a case of dysthymia is a comfort. aaaaaaah, breathe easily. The dog is safe. And pampered!

hilarious

McCain Vows To Replace Secret Service With His Own Bare Fists

Art of War (Arthur DeGuerra) THE MOVIE

Through the lense of Jon's cinematic eye, we catch here a glimpse into the behind scenes of the making of Art of War the movie (a zombie comedy... zomedie). This movie will premier this August 23rd, at an uptown theatre in Minneapolis. Come Join us! Because if you don't, no one else will.

no one had their lines memorized; quick script reading before takes was common:

Zombie Drew:

Val (played by susan) kicks some zombies in the bollocks:

the blood:

Insane office workers band together planning to overtake the living dead:

their Honorable Office Master (flanked by the office scanks) agrees to go to war against the zombies:
the stars of the story fuel up on prison burritos and load their weapons:
Beardo takes a quick moment to write in his diary. Keep Out!


Dave, the sound guy, records the sound:
Darryl. That is all. Darryl.

a good combination: psychotic individuals with weaponry:


And... Action!

more stars of the film look motivated as they wait four hundred years for planes to stop flying overhead in order to get a good shot of one lousy scene:
Arthur DeGuerra: armed and ready:
Holly Golightly showed up to help out with acting and motivation:
Jon directs as the actors listen intently:

THE ZOMBIES:


(alison feigh)
.


[[Police ask: What are the living dead doing on your front lawn???]]
Jon directs some more while Dustin produced:
Wendy (carrie) gets her arm eaten by her boyfriend--turned-zombie, as her brother Art, waits with ax in hand:


white boards were needed for lighting purposes:
WHEN ZOMBIES ATTACK... ... ... SLOWLY:


(sam meyer)



(kristin)


On Location in a Parking Ramp...
Susan helps zombie-make-up-ify Tom Butler:


Krista Stocks, the true make-up artist on set, paints Josh Feit:


Josh after a kill:

Zombie Alison (who in her personal life writes safety books for children) killed several people on this particular day:

"AChkGHLOUGHccckkkAahh":
Let me eat you:
(paul robbinson)



(holly & nataly)


KING OF ZOMBIES in the zombie-alien lair:




If you choose to not attend the premier of this homemade movie...

You will be eaten alive.

(more details to follow).

food(ies)

Jon loves his new ginormous charcoal grill/smoker. Last Sunday he made the most delectable mesquite smoked pork tenderloin.

Now, Susan does not like pork tenderloins (unless made by her gourmet chef friend Meredyth who puts it with herbed chevre cheese and rosemary garlic mashed potatoes), so had a hard time eating it - very picky about meats - but even she had to admit its mouth-watering flavour. The grill was one of our best buys this summer (as we are often obsessed with cooking and dining).

Today, Susan wanted chocolate cake. She had been reminiscing about her mother-in-law's infamous chocolate-chocolatechip-bundt cake and got a craving.

And today, a new cake was born: Chocolate Hug cake: devil's food hugged by raspberry wine chocolate sauce, and sprinkled with confectioner's sugar. So rich and delicious you might get a little dizzy.

After dinner, Margie and Jon played: who can bark louder at one another?

It was quite delightful to listen to.

remodeling the kitchen

this was our kitchen when we first moved in:

shortly before we officially moved in (during painting week) we painted the walls a rich sunset yellow color. apparently no photos were taken of it during this phase (phase 1: obsession with a yellow kitchen), but here is a shot of the wall indicating the color:

phase three, entitled: obsession with black and white kitchen, came to fruition today. a week ago, susan became obsessed with re-redoing the kitchen in black and white (having attained a love for the colors [or absence/presence of all color] several months ago). she quit her job last friday (think, if you will, back to a time when jon once wrote to an evil company he worked for: "i'm going to lunch...and never coming back.")... quite abruptly due to their lack of ethical practices and professionalism, and decided to use her time wisely - creative home improvment project. so, without further ado, here is the black and white kitchen!!!

...and yes, i know you are judging me in your head, or perhaps outloud while your spouse in the other room says, "did you say something dear?" while you mutter: "black walls??!" And to this i respond: YES! Black walls! I Love them! I love my black and white kitchen. I should be a designer on Trading Spaces (the materials here only cost $70 for new hardware and paint). You might note it's a bit reminiscent of an italian restaurant mixed with the 1960s pop culture. And I'm in LOVE.

meals not included (unless you come over).