The Grand Exodus Has Begun

Much like Charis and Jay's move into the Minneapolis house almost exactly a year ago, we had a very typical hot and humid midwest summer day for moving them out to the farm this past Saturday. The rains held off though, and half the boxes and furniture in the house were graciously packed up by our wonderful family, then promptly unpacked two hours later in Colfax. The farmhouse is looking beautiful (if I do say so myself) and is wonderfully complimented by the furniture that has been generously handed down from all of our parents. There is a little bit of everyone's family at the farm, creating our own version of a castle out of chaos. The peonies are in full bloom, the vines are making their way up the sides of outbuildings, and the horses are fat and happy. Flannery and Gus are great cat-heroes, adjusting to yet another (and hopefully their last) move. Aside from the bed boxspring falling on Flannery (who miraculously trotted away from the scene), they seem to be managing just fine (aka, cowering under the bedroom covers for a few hours before venturing out into the farmhouse for a look at their new digs).

It was really hard to leave the farm that gorgeous Saturday evening after a satisfying day of moving and a hearty bbq dinner at the picnic table with the family.

Chris and I have space galore at the Minneapolis house for anyone looking for a place to stay this summer! That is to say, it's very quiet and sparse...but still our home for a few more months. I wonder how long I'll continue to see phantom cats prance by our room out of the corner of my eye, or mistake the neighbor's music for the sound of Jay's horn from the basement. My morning just isn't the same without Gus following me around, begging for a few minutes of birdwatching time on the porch before I go to work. But, this will be a good summer of adjustment. We have a lot more change to look forward to - I feel like we're all on the cusp of when the really good stuff starts to happen.

Mom and dad came home to Minneapolis from China the same week Charis and Jay moved to the farm - it's great to have them in the neighborhood, especially now that the house is a little lonelier. It's been such a treat to hear mom and dad's travel adventure stories unfold as they process the enormity of their experiences. We await photos and more details to come and have already enjoyed chrysanthemum tea, candied ginger and other wonderful souveniers.

I haven't talked to Charis and Jay since Saturday, but imagine they are busy getting the barn and pastures ready for the arrival of both Charis's training horse and also our newest member of the farm horse family early this week.

Plans for the deck continue to unfold and the posts will be dug and cement poured as the next major step. Many thanks to Eric for setting up the electricity in the basement for our washer and dryer. We will think of you each time a fresh load is taken out of the washer to hang on the line to dry. Also thanks to Kevin for more deck planning advice, and dozens of premature thanks to those of you who will get roped into helping us measure, cut, place, and nail the boards that will create a fantastic outdoor living deck space (and hot tub home)!

And that's the latest news from Minneapolis/Colfax. Have a happy Flag Day (and 37th anniversary, mom and dad)!
-Becca