The Great Escape and a secret

Sweet little Abby had a little Houdini moment today.  You see, a friend loaned me this great wire enclosure.  It's perfect for when I leave the house.  Abby is safe and she can see so she doesn't feel so trapped etc.  

So this afternoon I went to the grocery store.  I put her in, listened to a bit of whining on my way out the door, and didn't worry.  I came home an hour later to find THIS

There she was, in her favorite spot, looking pleased as punch.  OMG, I panicked.  I don't know how I didn't drop the groceries (and break the eggs).   How did she get out??  Is she ok?  Did she climb out of it?

Meanwhile while I'm flipping out, standing there in stunned disbelief, she is happily wagging her tail and licking my leg.  Then I made a closer inspection of "the scene of the crime"

The friggin little bugger figured out the bottom of one joint wasn't fastened and she was FREE! 

Well, I do admire her ingenuity but let me tell you......I have since sealed off the "escape hatch" with duct tape.  Good luck next time Miss Smarty Pants!  I will say, she was very well behaved during her little adventure.  Nothing out of place or destroyed and no accidents.   Not to say there aren't still accidents, just none that particular time. 

Now for the secret part.  I had to laugh at some of your comments on my stuffed peppers (Angela and Kelley).   I don't like peppers either.  Yuck!  But they do look pretty and they make a lovely container for the stuffing part.  I just eat the insides and throw out the pepper.  Sometimes if I'm having company I'll cook with peppers , just because the colors make the food look prettier but I don't eat them.  Lol

And Kelley, I used to call cauliflower "monkey brains" when I was a kid.  Wouldn't touch them!  

Stuffed

Someone dropped me off a bag of peppers.  They looked almost too pretty to eat. 

 I decided to try a different stuffed pepper recipe.  I found 3 recipes online and took a bit from each and made it my own.  I hope I can remember it next time.  A couple of them ended up in the freezer.  

Miss Abby insisted in supervising.  She's developed a fondness for a certain spot in the kitchen by the back door.  She likes to lay on my old dirty sneakers that I use for mowing the lawn.  They are old, gross and torn.   She doesn't chew them, she just naps on them.  So, yet another quirk emerges.  Lol

This is her favorite spot while I'm having my morning coffee.  Every morning it's the same.  

She stretches out against my leg and looks particularly annoyed when I have to move.

I tried to post this last night but for a few days my internet has been temperamental. But yesterday and earlier today it was just plain annoying! This morning I spent some time on the phone with tech support and it seems better.  Photos or webpages wouldn't load.  Apps wouldn't update.  Connections just dropped.  Grrrrr. Hopefully it's fixed.  

Holy Humidity Batman!

I'm not kidding.  I just mowed the lawn and this is what my hair looks like.  It's not as long as hers but it's just as wide.  Lol

I don't even think a hat would fit on my head right now :).  Don't even bother reminding me of last winter.  You haven't seen my hair!!  It's almost criminal.  And I discovered last night my drivers license expired. (On my birthday which was a few months ago.....OOPSIE!).  So naturally on a day my hair looks like I stuck a fork in an electrical socket is the day I have to get my photo taken.  Which I have to live with for 5 years, embossed on a piece of plastic.  Lovely!

Abby doesn't seem to mind.  We've been practicing walking on a leash.  She doesn't pull at all and seems to just natural trot along beside my leg. It look a little work as she initially wasn't happy with a leash but she's such a good girl. 

She has so many of Millies traits. Like having to get as close as possible (Velcro dog)

She starts out on her blanket beside me and then gradually creeps closer and closer.  I love this little girl.  I'm so glad I didn't let the Lola experience keep me from trying again. 

Well gotta run.  Abby and I are heading to the beach for a few hours. 

She's settled in

First, thanks for the warm welcome you all gave Abby.  She has adjusted perfectly. In fact, I can hardly believe she's only been here a couple of days.  It's like we've been buddies forever. 

She is the perfect combination of playful puppy and cuddly couch potato. 

With her jet black fur and black eyes it's hard to get a good picture of her.  She loves her squeaker toys

She's a bit of a picky eater but that could just be from the transition. She has only had one little "accident" which was mainly my fault. 

Our first night didn't exactly go as planned however.  At 11pm we went to bed.  I had her kennel all ready.  In she went and it was all downhill from there.  Lol. I anticipated some crying and whimpering for a few minutes.  I did not anticipate howling, wailing and screaming like a banshee for the next 2 hours.  Oh and did I mention the hurling herself at the sides of the kennel??  

I tried patience but at the 2 hour mark I made an executive decision. I got her and put her in bed with me.  I know, I know.......bad!  But she snuggled in and didn't move until 7am.   I figure all dogs eventually end up on the bed so why wait?   Yes, I know it's bad but the banshee cry was worse. 

I could not resist

This morning I took a lovely 2 and a half hour drive to check out..........a poodle puppy.  There were 2 black ones left.  I picked up one and she was lovely.  Then I picked up the other one.  She immediately cuddled in and nestled her head in my neck - just like Millie used to do.  Well, I was a goner! 

Meet Abby (9 weeks old)

She's a purebred miniature poodle and she is absolutely adorable.   She has a sweet, calm temperament.  She loves to be held and cuddled.  Actually she insists upon it. 

She arrived home with me early this afternoon, and respectfully explored the house.  No holy terror of destruction, just curious and loving.  

She's not a big fan of her bed - only staying in it a few minutes 

She prefers my lap, and I don't mind one bit!  

Just July

A few of you have checked on me in my absence. I'm fine, just the regular July busy stuff.  Lots of people on vacation at work which makes it crazy.  And my US family is visiting at the beach.  So as soon as I get off work I drive out to the cottage and do this

Walk on this

Feed these

And just enjoy this beautiful July weather.  

Oh no, it's happening again

I'm not sure how it happened but I've let something creep into my mind again.  Puppy thoughts.......

Poodle puppies - a breed I know and understand.  Cuddly, affectionate, smart poodles.   HELP ME!

Ok peeps, I need your thoughts and advice on this.  Am I crazy?  Should I?  Shouldn't I?  Pros? Cons?

I need your thoughts on this.  My mind can't be trusted ;)

A mood

I just realized I haven't posted for days.  I also realized it was because nothing happened.  And nothing happened today either except I find myself in an inexplicable mood.  Just a mood.  A just don't give a shit kind of day

Monday.......Pfft, whatever

Fast cars, Wild women

Lol.  A lethal combination right!  The girls went on a little road trip today.  This was our ride....  (I wish this was parked in my driveway everyday)

What's better than a sunny summer day with friends and a hot red mustang convertible?  Nothing!

We cruised through the county road with hair whipping everywhere and music blaring.  We ended up on the Fundy Shore in Parrsboro.  First stop was Sweet Briar Boutique.  Dresses were 40-60% off.  We had a little fashion show and I think we all came home with something.  Next stop, Henry and Lucy's - a fun, eclectic little shop.  Everything from antique, funky, repurposed and completely unique.  Check out Deannes blog post about it.   https://hookingrugs.wordpress.com/2015/07/03/deannes-diary-henry-and-lucys-parrsboro/

I picked up this fabulous martini painting.  It's going to hang in my den.  I just love it. It's bright and funky. And as a bonus, I talked her down in price a bit.  Wheeee

Next stop - lunch on the wharf.  Scallops and fried clams! 

And of course you need to stop at the giant beach chairs.  Big chairs, little girls at heart!  

Nesting

I was chatting with a friend recently and she asked me what I've been doing.  I told her I've just been hanging around the house.  She smiled and said "ah, you're still nesting."  I guess it's true.  I'm a homebody at heart. 

Today another round of domesticity hit. It was sunny  with a good breeze, so I put a line of laundry out. I love watching the clothes blow in the wind.  Then I hit the grocery store and saw the first delivery of fresh local strawberries.  I immediately thought PIE.

I think the last time I made a homemade strawberry pie was under the guiding hand of my grandmother when I was a teenager.  I must say it was tasty!  And the smell when it came out of the oven was heaven.   I don't add rhubarb like everyone else.  Mainly because we never did that when I was growing up. Just pure strawberry pie. 

Then I went looking for a few small starter house plants.  I found some bright ceramic pots at the dollar store and repotted them. 

Nesting is fun!

Happy Holiday

O Canada!  

July 1st came with great summer weather.  There were lots of events downtown but I decided to stick to my plan.  I woke up early and decided to get busy before it got too hot.  I know, just a few days ago I was complaining I was cold.  Welcome to Nova Scotia where you can experience all 4 seasons in a few days.  Lol 

I admit for a few minutes this morning I waffled a bit on whether or not I would work in the house or go out and play. But common sense prevailed and I quickly started painting before I changed my mind.  

In progress -  goodbye blue

And here's the new warmer color. Much better I think 

It's not a very sexy color but I like it. I still need to paint the ceiling because now it looks bad compared to the new walls.  I think I have enough white paint left over from the kitchen project a while back. Now I need to work on some pillow shams and a few pieces for the walls. And then this room will be done.  

And to treat myself for the holiday I bought a a couple of small filet mignon steaks, fried mushrooms and made a twice baked potato casserole.  Mmmmmmm

All in all it was a great day.