Meet Stuart

Hey guys!

About two weeks ago I got a contagious urge that spread to my husband. I wanted a friend for Simba, a kitten that could snuggle and play with our large, still growing Maine Coon. Now I might sound like a crazy cat lady, and maybe I am, but there's something special about opening your family to a new member, to automatically feel a bond with a little being that solely relies on you. Derek and I found the perfect addition: Stuart.



I suppose it was meant to be. About two weeks Derek and I set out on a scavenger hunt, popping in and out of two humane societies and two Petsmarts to no avail. We were searching for a medium/long-haired kitten about 8 weeks old. The following week, I surveyed Indyhumane.org and waited for kittens to be posted to their list of adoptable cats. I revisited the Humane Society when a beautiful long-haired kitten was posted and as soon as I got there, the family right before me snatched the application. It wasn't meant to be.

Later the next week, I visited once again to find out that the adoption center is closed on Thursdays. So, on Friday three kittens were posted and I was waiting at the door for it to open at 1:00 pm. There was a very long line, with about 15 people waiting behind me. Once the doors opened, I saw the female medium-haired Simba look-alike (but with gray hair) and handed in my application. In addition to this adorable kitten, there was another heart-breaker that kept chasing his tail and falling off the shelf in his cage. He was so adorable, but I had already made up my mind. I was at the checkout counter, about to purchase a female, medium hair when the clerk informed me that my apartment complex would require an additional pet fee and deposit. Well, I wasn't planning on that, nor was I informed of that detail. I left in a hurry, and quite frustrated. Once home, I straightened things out with the apartment complex and then called Derek, who happened to be on his way home. He continued to drive straight to the Humane Society to see if the kitten was still available for adoption. She was not, but the cute, playful gray-haired male kitten was still available. And so, Derek brought home Stuart. After looking for awhile with no success, Stuart ended up in our home, and we couldn't be happier!

Stuart Guggenberger

Simba was a bit sour about the new kitten. He hissed and tried to claim his territory by always being on higher ground, but he's coming around. Today they wrestled a bit, but Simba really just looks like an older bully. He his four times Stuart's size, but can't help it. With time, they will be fine!

And so, there he is. Stuart Guggenberger. What a stud.

Snuggle time with mom

Watching the Today Show with mom

Simba's warming up to Stuart

Back in Indy

My two boys!

Now that our European adventures are over, I don't have as many adventurous stories to share with you. However, Derek and I have moved back to Indianapolis and plan to not lead dull lives. We've settled into our apartment, Derek has started back to work at Freudenberg, and I'm on the hunt, the job hunt that is. I'm striving to fill our calendar with dinner dates, volunteer opps and explorations, and Derek's alright just taking it one day at a time. Can't say I blame him.

Anyways, this weekend we enjoyed the sun, our couch and the gym. Yesterday we visited Fort Harrison State Park for a long, fresh-air filled walk followed by some beer tasting at a new local brewery, Triton Brewery. This is what I love about Indianapolis - there is always something to do, even if you have to dig a bit to find it. With many state parks nearby, microbreweries popping up everywhere, unique neighborhoods and towns to explore, and not to mention, a thriving downtown culture, we'll have no problem staying busy at our own pace.

We've joined separate gyms; Derek's feels more like a "guys gym" or workout basement. Mine offers every type of class I could want, as well as my end treat, the sauna. For church, we plan to visit a few in our area and join where we feel most comfortable.

I plan to use this blog as I previously have - to share our adventures and lives, whether gallivanting around Europe or making a home here in Indy.

And lately, my adventures have been in the kitchen.  Here's what I came up with last week, and both meals met my husband's approval:

Butternut squash soup: Before

Butternut Squash Soup: After

In chicken broth, I boiled one peeled butternut squash, a head of cauliflower, two potatoes, half bag of mini-carrots and two small onions. After all vegetables were tender, I used my awesome new hand blender to puree the vegetables to an edible soup. I topped with a bit of paprika, and done! Delicious!

I adapted my recipe from this Allrecipes pizza crust entry. I like to add some garlic salt/powder and basil into the mix for a flavorful crust. Top with your favorite pizza toppings! We use olive oil, tomatos (no sauce), mushrooms, onions, peppers and sometimes, squash. And of course, meat for Derek!

A day in the park!

Beer sampling @TritonBrewing