About
I’m Jen, he’s Jason. We’re newlyweds with a love for our home, dogs, and all things DIY!
We both grew up in the ‘burbs – Jason just outside Philadelphia and me on the edge of Milwaukee. Jason attended college in Baltimore and graduate school in North Carolina. I went to college and graduate school in Minnesota. In spring of 2003, we met on a beach in Miami and fell in love shortly thereafter.
We were married on a beautiful Milwaukee day in October 2008. You can read more about the best weekend of our lives here: pre-wedding fun (including a skating party and brewery tour!), getting ready, the ceremony, between the ceremony and reception, and the reception.
We were loving life in the big city. We lived in an amazing old home in Minneapolis – built in 1920, it had all of the woodwork, quirks, and charms that you’d expect from an old home. We took advantage of everything from public transportation to walking to restaurants/shops to visiting with our neighbors. And we loved every minute of it. (You can read about our adventures in the city here).
But, then, Jason unexpectedly got an amazing job offer in rural* Michigan. We were intrigued. And thrilled. And, although our life in the city was close to being everything we ever dreamed of, we decided to give country living a try.
We purchased an 1800 square foot center entrance colonial surrounded by 9 acres of woods in May 2009. Built in 1960, it doesn’t have the charm and character of our Minneapolis home, but we hope to add charm and style as we turn our new house into our home.
Our dogs, Barley and Jezebel round out our little family. Barley is a 3-year old mix that we adopted from a shelter 2 years ago. Jezebel is our baby puppy – we adopted her a few weeks ago and continually remark how big she’s getting! She’s now about 3 months old and continuing to learn not to potty in the house. (Don’t worry, carpet removal and wood floor installation is on our DIY to-do list!) The dogs get along much better than we ever imagined they would – they’re constantly playing, sunbathing, or sleeping together. It’s adorable.
We hope you’ll join our adventures in home improvement, DIY design, and country living!
*Disclaimer: we’re only 25-30 minutes from the nearest {small} city’s downtown. But with 9 acres, bugs the size of your head, and a well, this is as close to country living as we’re gonna get!
Just ran across you blog. Love it! And love to add Michiganders to my blogroll!
I stumbled upon your blog via my dashboard! Awesome blog!
Found your blog via http://www.brooklynlimestone.com/, and I am so happy I did! Your blog, photos, doggies, and DIY projects are all great – you’ve just added another “faithful reader”.
I love your blog! I found you through NewlyWoodwards posting about your cute stockings…question though, how do you like your TV over your fireplace? We are thinking about doing the same thing but I worry about neck strain and the awkward angle since TVs are usually lower. Would love to hear from you! Adding your blog to my Reader!
Okay one thing I wanted to mention… you might want to keep the old carpet for the baby years. Carpet is soooooo much easier than hardwoods for having babies – you can sit down next to them easily, they can crawl with traction, etc. But you don’t want new carpet with babies (or toddlers, or little boys for that matter). I’d consider keeping the old stuff for a bit, if you can stand it!
Hey! I just found your blog and I absolutely LOVE it! You two are too cute! I just added your blog to my page: http://www.DesignBuildLove.co
Your house is super cute!
Just came across your blog. Love it.
I’m also a Michigander that has been temporarily living in Arizona. Big change for me.
Just found your blog and LOVE it. DIYing, dog-loving, newlyweds is right up my alley
, can’t wait to read more abouty your growing family!
I just stumbled across your blog and already love it! We just had our first baby a few months ago, and are about to break ground on our new house in the country – so I really dig your site! Can’t wait to read more.
Hang in there!
PS – My little guy is 4 months old now and I hardly ever cry at Subaru commercials anymore.
I just came across your blog and I love it. I had a baby the first day of September so she isn’t far behind your adorable Lilly. I read about pumping – yes pumping 3 times a day in the office sucks! Especially when your employer only allows you to take 4 weeks off. (Not enough employees for us to have to have FMLA.) I am bookmarking your site and will be back!
Join the rural Michigander club. From rural Michigan myself, totally love the cuteness of the puppy sleeping on other dog. Blog is often and I shall be back.