[little talks]

 -of monsters and men

This weekend has been full of little delights! 

*it's raining right now, breaking the streak of blistering 90 degree days this week.

*my husband and I went out to a delicious breakfast consisting of seafood benedicts (yum!) this morning, making it home just before it began to rain. eggs benedict is perhaps my most very favorite breakfast/brunch item, and these were particularly delicious.

*we had a lovely Friday afternoon, picking up Giordano's deep dish pepperoni pizza and watching the third Harry Potter - since we moved to the Chicago area, Phil and I have had a Harry Potter and pizza night at least once a month. It's a nice slow way to eventually buy all the Harry Potter movies, and a good backup plan for a relaxing weekend night :)

*that evening, after Harry Potter, we were able to drive into Chicago to spend the evening with Phil's cousin and his wonderful girlfriend. We scarfed down delicious peach and raspberry cobbler and played Parcheesi (there was definitely a "P" theme on Friday - Harry Potter, pizza, peach pie, and Parcheesi....whew!). If you haven't played Parcheesi, I highly suggest you do! It is a more complex, grown-up version of Sorry, but without the insincere apologies. The game enables players, who, landing on the same square as another opponent, to send their opponent back to start while reaping the additional benefit of moving 20 more squares. There's definitely a promotion of vindictive behaviors! We had an absolute ball playing games and talking til past midnight. 

So, on this rainy Sunday, I am feeling quite domestic. I have visions of a small Craftsman cottage set peacefully on a lake, nestled amongst trees and blooming hydrangea bushes with a gorgeous golden retriever bounding around the yard.  

Now, mind you, this vision is still many years off, but for whatever reason it resonates with me today.

Of course, this house is just an approximation. I do adore the Craftsman style house, with all the intricate detailing and woodwork.

 These hydrangeas are gorgeous, but I think I would want white for my front yard :)

 

 I'm simply drooling over the fall foliage in this picture. Can it be fall now, please?

And of course, the house wouldn't be complete without a critter frolicking around in the yard. For now, this is the cute golden puppy that will complete the picture. Though, those of you that know us well know that we have had a running, rotating list of about five or six different dogs that we want to own eventually. 

1. Australian Cattle Dog (heelers)
2. Australian Sheedog (aussies)
3. Labrador Retriever (chocolate, of course!)
4. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (tollers)
5. Shiba Inu
6. Hungarian Vizsla 
7. Goldendoodles (Phil's not so sure about these yet, but I'm working on him!)

Enjoy your Sunday!