About

Hi! I’m Alison (Scoops)

I spent the better part of my 20′s hanging out in a touring van, driving around the country with my husband (Jeff, aka Waff) and my good friends (Beak, Juice and 50′s), and their band, The Plastic Constellations. I spent most of my nights at a bar, a show or a party. So far, I can safely say, these times were some of the best of my life. I learned a lot of things about myself and the world around me, and especially the people I love and hold near and dear.

In the fall of 2007 I found out I was expecting a baby boy (who has since been named Finn), we were surprised to say the least, but we made a commitment to ourselves and each other to stay true to who we are, keep our good friends close and to be willing to fight, together, to carve out grand ambitions and larger-than-life dreams… We’re now 2 kids deep (Gus showed up July 2011) and I can proudly say we live by these ethos every day.

Jeff and I purchased our first house in the spring of 2010, it was a big deal for us as it for most people. We had been hit hard by the housing bubble. In 2004 we purchased a condo and within a few short years we owed more on it than what it was valued at. In 2008 we were lucky enough to sell our condo even if it was at a loss. It took us two years to get back on our feet and rebuild our savings, and making it to our first real home was a seriously big deal for us.

Our 100 year old home is located in the heart of south Minneapolis and we’ve been slowly working on making it our own over the last 2 and a half years. The blog has since become more and more focused on my adventures in home remodeling, repair and decor obsession.

Oh, and I love Bruce Springsteen! I’m slowly morphing into a super fan and taking my vacations to go see him on tour, crazy I know, but he’s just so good!

A History of the Henhouse

It wasn’t long after having my first son Finn, that domestic side of me took over. All of a sudden I found myself needing projects constantly. I took up crocheting first, then knitting, I started cooking elaborate meals and baking tons of sweets. Parties were never the same, they were always a big event that involved more than just a keg of beer and some cups. I was feeling uncomfortable and alone with this new title “mom” and my friends didn’t quite understand my new domestic endeavors. I was 26, no one I knew had kids. I was desperate to share mom successes and failures with someone. Then what do you know, my best friend in the whole world Nicole (aka Colz) was pregnant and expecting her first baby too. I wasn’t gonna be the only momma any longa! Within months of Nicole’s (Colz) daughter Elsa being born she felt the creative itch too. We started cluckin’ and there was soon talk of a blog. In February 2009 we posted for the first time as Deuce Cities Henhouse.

We posted happily together for 2009 and parts of 2010 and then as life set in Nicole got busy with her new home and quickly growing daughter (Elsa) and I continued on with the blog, making it more and more about my family and our new home. Lucky for me, Nicole still chimes in from time to time and is making her presence known as my number one contributor-in-crime.

What the heck is Deuce Cities anyways?

‘Member how I said I used to go to a lot of parties? Well, Deuce Cities (slang for the twin cities aka Minneapolis/St.Paul) was my party blog. Yep, a visual record of all of the crazy shit I have ever done. So if you’re curious to see what I was up to between the ages of 24 and 27 check it out, I won’t even try and be embarrassed.

Contact

I’d love to hear from you! Let me know if you have questions about me, the site, the house, projects or anything else you find on the blog. E-mail me here.

Thanks for reading!