We got the house!! Last two weeks have been a whirlwind. We closed on Olive's birthday, David's folks came to visit and we've been running around town meeting people ever since. The house is massive and more than home already- can't explain why but this house in this place resonates deep inside. The hunt is over.
On the practical side, for the first time ever I have more kitchen cabinets than I can fill, enough rooms to get lost in, a community where people still don't lock their doors and where the bar, hardware store, grocery and movie theater ($3.00!!) are a walk away. The Clawfoot tub and fireplace ain't bad either :)
Of course its not all beer and skittles: the refrigerator died immediately, David had to replumb a grease thickened kitchen drain from the sink to the basement and the riding mower "nothing runs like a Deere" didn't at first.
Nevertheless, we are home, and its a beautiful place:
The Wisconsin River flats, convergence with the Mississippi is west of us.
Bumper crop of apples this year, notice that the tree limbs are actually breaking from the weight of the fruit!

Cold nights (38 degrees a week ago)have starting pushing out the fall colors, with crimson sumac the brightest by far at present. Back roads are covered in walnuts.
That's all for now folks, cya in Wisconsin!