The Honeymoon
Two weeks in Japan in the autumn — Tokyo, then trains south, then a week somewhere with a hot spring and no schedule.
$1,450 of $8,00018%
Gifts
Registry
You being there is the gift. If you want to do more than that, this is the list.
None of this is expected. We have a house already and most of what is in it works.
Two registries handle the actual checkout. Everything further down links straight out to a store.
Affiliate linksSome links here are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you buy through them — at no extra cost to you. It goes straight into the honeymoon fund.
The registries
Two funds
Both live on the Zola registry. Any amount moves the bar, including a small one.
The Porch Fund
The back porch is structurally sound and aesthetically a crime. This is the fund that fixes it.
$620 of $4,00016%
The Kitchen
Where most of the arguing and all of the good evenings happen.
Most wanted
Le Creuset 5.5qt Dutch Oven
The single object most likely to outlive this marriage. Braises, bread, chili for eleven people who said they were not staying for dinner.
View at Williams Sonoma: Le Creuset 5.5qt Dutch Oven (opens in a new tab)
Most wanted
Wüsthof Classic 8" Chef’s Knife
Sean has been cooking with a knife he bought in a grocery store in 2019. Please help.
View at Amazon: Wüsthof Classic 8" Chef’s Knife (opens in a new tab)
KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer
Empire red, to match absolutely nothing else in the kitchen. Ashley has been very clear about the color.
Claimed
Fellow Stagg Pour-Over Kettle
A gooseneck kettle for a household that takes coffee more seriously than it takes most things.
View at Amazon: Fellow Stagg Pour-Over Kettle (opens in a new tab)
Nordic Ware Half Sheet Pans, set of two
Unglamorous and used more than anything else on this list. The ones we have are older than our relationship.
1 of 2 taken
View at Amazon: Nordic Ware Half Sheet Pans, set of two (opens in a new tab)
Lodge 12" Cast Iron Skillet
For the cornbread, and for the eventual argument about whether you may wash it with soap. (You may.)
View at Amazon: Lodge 12" Cast Iron Skillet (opens in a new tab)
The Table
We host badly and often. This is an attempt to fix the first half of that.
Most wanted
Crate & Barrel Aspen Dinner Plates, set of eight
Cream, slightly irregular, chosen because they look like they belong on a table with a candle on it.
View at Crate & Barrel: Crate & Barrel Aspen Dinner Plates, set of eight (opens in a new tab)
Rocks Glasses, set of six
For the Wisconsin old fashioned — brandy, sweet, and an argument with anyone who orders it with whiskey.
View at Crate & Barrel: Rocks Glasses, set of six (opens in a new tab)
Zalto-style Universal Wine Glasses, set of four
Thin, alarming, and worth it. We will break one within a month and it will still have been worth it.
View at Williams Sonoma: Zalto-style Universal Wine Glasses, set of four (opens in a new tab)
Linen Napkins, set of eight
A small, unreasonable upgrade that makes an ordinary Tuesday dinner feel like something.
View at Crate & Barrel: Linen Napkins, set of eight (opens in a new tab)
The House
Things for the place Ashley made into a home.
Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set, Queen
In the cream. Everything in the bedroom is cream now; we have made our choice.
View at Amazon: Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set, Queen (opens in a new tab)
Turkish Cotton Bath Towels, set of four
The towels we own are from Sean’s first apartment and they have earned their rest.
View at Target: Turkish Cotton Bath Towels, set of four (opens in a new tab)
Ceramic Table Lamp
The living room has one overhead light and it is unkind to everyone in the room. This is the fix.
0 of 2 taken
View at Crate & Barrel: Ceramic Table Lamp (opens in a new tab)
Gallery Frames, set of six
For the stairwell wall, which has been empty for two years and is starting to feel like a statement.
View at Target: Gallery Frames, set of six (opens in a new tab)
Most wanted
Audio-Technica AT-LP60X Turntable
Ashley’s father has been threatening to hand over his record collection for a year. This calls the bluff.
View at Amazon: Audio-Technica AT-LP60X Turntable (opens in a new tab)
Stoneware Planters, set of three
Ashley keeps plants alive. Sean is permitted to water them under supervision.
Claimed
Outside
Wisconsin has four seasons and we are trying to be outside for all of them.
REI Half Dome 2 Plus Tent
For the Kettle Moraine weekends we keep talking about and have not yet booked.
Yeti Roadie 24 Cooler
Absurd for what it is, and the only cooler that survives a Wisconsin tailgate.
Weber Original Kettle, 22"
The house came with a grill that has one working leg. We would like a second leg, and ideally a third.
View at Amazon: Weber Original Kettle, 22" (opens in a new tab)
Double Ski Roller Bag
Two pairs of skis have flown to Japan wrapped in a duvet cover. We would like to stop doing that.
The Long Game
Expensive, unreasonable, and meant to last thirty years. Go in on one together.
Most wanted
Solid Oak Dining Table, seats eight
The one thing on this list we intend to still own in thirty years. Unreasonable alone; very reasonable split four ways, if anyone wants to organize that between themselves.
View at Crate & Barrel: Solid Oak Dining Table, seats eight (opens in a new tab)
The Cookbook Shelf
Six books we keep borrowing from the library: Zuni, Salt Fat Acid Heat, Six Seasons, and three we have not chosen yet.