Sunday projects

I woke up this morning with another headache so I thought the entire day would be a write off.  I popped a few pain killers and we took a nap.  Much to my surprise, the usually hyper little pup settled right in.

In fact she was basically Velcro dog all day.  This was mid afternoons position.  Lol

Once our nap was over I felt like starting a new project.  Lori Brechlin offered a freebie pattern in Facebook so I excitedly drew it up. 

And guess what?  I don't have a piece of linen large enough.   Grrrr.  Deanne, I'm coming shopping!  But since I had a hooking mood I grabbed one of the small pieces I had and drew out a simple little pillow.   Here is a preview, just for Saundra because I missed her while she was at camp. Hehehe

Fall weather calls for Fall comfort food.  Beef stoup (more than a soup, not quite a stew) and homemade biscuits.  It was so good.

Now I have about 25 minutes to eat as many snacks as I can before 8pm.  I have been supposed to go to the hospital for blood work for about 2 weeks but I keep forgetting not to eat the night before.  Since I have a doctors appointment Friday I had better get it done.   

Sweet 1st Saturday of Fall

You know by now I'm dancing in the streets that Fall has arrived.  It's my favourite season.  And the first Saturday was almost perfect.  Sunny, yet cool and crisp.  Happy girl!  This morning I stripped the bed and hung it out on the clothesline.  There is nothing better than white sheets dried on the line on a sunny, breezy day.

That's not my picture but I do love seeing clothes blow on a line.  It's time to add another blanket to the bed and start to cozy up the house.  The only trouble with putting fresh sheets and blankets on the bed is that you just want to crawl back in.  Lol After some housework and Abby's 2nd walk we decided we should relax a little.  Life is hard here ;)

Now it's time for a little snack and some Netflix for awhile

Sweet, sweet Saturday's of Fall

A few minutes of freedom

Or as I like to call it - the day my heart stopped.

 

I forgot to put the garbage out last night so this morning I was scrambling.  Abby was in the living room so I grabbed bag #1 and threw it out the back door, grabbed bag #2 and then I saw a black blur roar past me and OUT THE DOOR.  No collar, no leash.......I was panicked

 

Here's how it went:

Abby:  I'm free, I'm free. Wheeeeeee

 

Me:  OMG, OMG, OMG.  ABBY COME!

 

Abby:  Nah, don't think so.

 

Me:  Abby, come now, come get a treat

 

Abby:  nothing in your hand is as good as what's potentially out here.  I can go wherever I want now instead of where you make me go.   (I swear she was smirking at me at this point)

 

Me:  (I know if I go after her she will bolt). Look Abby, treat.  Come get it. (I'm panicked). 

 

Abby:  think I'll move off the lawn to the driveway and see what she does.  This is fun

 

Me:  Abby NO, come get a treat. (I'm waving the treats, leaving a trail by the back step)

 

Abby:  this is so cool.  Every time I glance toward the road, that big blue vein in Mom's head starts to throb.  COOL!  I think I'll glance at the busy road every 3 seconds and see if I can make Mom's vein explode.  Bahahahaha

 

Me: (full blown psychotic episode in progress).  (Decides to fake a happy, playful voice). Come on, get the treat. 

 

Abby:  well, I would like a treat, and Mom is starting to turn strange colours.  Maybe I'll just move a couple of feet closer........

 

Me:  GOTCHA,  you are in so much trouble missy.  Get in that pen!

 

Abby:  SHIT!,  game is over and Mom is pissed. 

 

AND but the time this little drama played out, I missed the friggin garbage truck!   It was not a good start to TGIF

Growing like a weed

Miss Abby is growing like a weed.  I think she just had a growth spurt because in the last 24 hours she now can reach almost anything.  The coffee table and the end tables are no longer an option for putting things out of the way   The books on the deacons bench are also not safe anymore.  She disappeared this morning and when I called her she wriggled out from under the sofa.  She barely made it.  Lol 

She takes up considerable more space on the sofa and has decided that she prefers to sleep horizontal on the bed so she takes up entirely half.  By the time she is full grown I might have to sleep on the floor ;) So last night I bravely cut the sweet bread.  In some miracle, it's perfect.  Fully cooked, not burnt - my powers of estimation are improving.  My grandmother never set a timer, she said you could tell when it was done by looking at the crack in the top of the loaf.  So that's what I did and Voila!

I'm not sure it was really skill but more likely dumb luck!  Here is the link to the recipe http://www.familyfreshmeals.com/2015/09/cinnamon-swirl-banana-bread.html  

I never learn.....

I'm not a good baker.  There is a countless string of kitchen baking disasters behind me, yet I refuse to give up.  I don't know why I'm so stupid.   Cooking is different, you can make a mistake but throw in some extra water or seasonings and generally save a meal.  But all the precision around baking is too much for me.    I saw a recipe on Facebook that sounded too good to resist - cinnamon swirl banana bread.  Last week I went in search of over ripe bananas.  There is always a basket of them somewhere.  Naturally the entire town was full of green bananas.  Sigh....  So I have patiently waited almost a week for those darn bananas to ripen.  Tonight was the night.   I dirtied every dish in the house (as I always do)

Then I entered the time on the timer.  (This is where it all starts to fall apart). I tossed the pan in the oven and proceeded to clean the kitchen, get the garbage out etc.  after puttering for awhile I decided to check the timer and see how many minutes were left.

I had entered the time but forgot to push START!  So now I had no idea how long it had been in the oven and how long left to leave it.  Arrrghhh  So here it is.

It looks good and smells great but there's a really good chance it's possibly half raw in the middle.  It still cooling so the verdict is still a mystery.  If it is halfway edible, I'll share the recipe in my next post.  But I may have to go looking for more bananas and try again.   In Fitbit news, I finally broke the 10,000 steps a day on Sunday, Monday and again today.  Woohoo!  

Just Remember

Today is World Alzheimer's Day.  This is a disease that not only tragically affects the patient, it affects the whole family.

Statistics around this disease are frightening.  Researchers say the number of people who will be diagnosed is expected to double in the next 20 years.  Nursing homes have long wait lists already, yet demographics show that the population bubble for seniors is growing.   Many Alzheimer's patients are cared for at home for as long as possible.  Let me tell you from experience, it is not an easy job.  And despite how common this diagnosis has become, there is still a bit of a stigma attached to it.  I don't believe people intend to be insensitive but the truth is, most people start to drift away after the big "A" takes hold.  My mother had some fiercely loyal friends who hung in there with us to the end.  But many others kept their distance.  

I would bet that almost everyone knows someone who is currently a caregiver.  So here is my request in honour of World Alzheimer's Day - reach out to a caregiver.  It can be something simple, like delivering a meal so the next night they don't have to cook or pop in for a short visit and chat.  For many caregivers, they lack someone to have a real conversation with - they often feel alone.  You don't have to understand everything they are dealing with, you just have to give them a pleasant distraction for a few minutes.  You know, sometimes it's hard to even take the time to have a relaxing bath if you are worrying that your loved one might wander off or hurt themselves somehow.   

Especially if someone has limited support resources, your quick visit might be enough to change the tone of their day. Final thoughts......  

 

Simply Sunday

Another weekend is winding down.  Cooler temps today and some rain showers so a perfect indoor day.  I did get my reading done this morning.  I will say, it was mind numbing.  Lol. This is one of those courses I won't enjoy, just have to get through it.    And I actually (you might want to sit down) ...I actually bound a couple of rugs.  Yes, I said a couple - that's two!!  Remember I said I wanted to do a whipped edge but couldn't find my whipping yarn?  Well, I dropped the phone behind the sofa and found the yarn. Lol. Sad but true.   Here there are, all bound and hung in my hooking room

 

I do love a whipped edge even though it takes so much time

In other exciting (?) news, Miss Abby lost a tooth!

So the tooth fairy brought her a new bunny

Another busy work week ahead and a cursed homework assignment due.  Thankful to have a job but wishing the 4 day work week   would catch on. Lol.  Have a great week folks 

Restless schedule?

You know how I whine regularly about how I don't sleep well?  Now I have proof.  I have been wearing my Fitbit faithfully all week and I have been using the sleep tracker mode.   WOW!  I will say last night was the worst stats but not by a lot.  

 

Eight times awake and 41 times restless?  No wonder I wake up exhausted.  This was not a great way to start the weekend. I originally had a "plan" for the day but it quickly fell apart.  I did eventually get my errands done, but in the most inefficient way possible.  

 

And my lawn desperately needed to be mowed for what I "hope" is the last time this season.  And naturally the mower AND gas can were empty.  I hated having to put a stinky gas can in my new vehicle.  Oh well, that's what us independent women have to do.  Lol. 

Had to say that because I saw this on Facebook and loved it. 

 

 

I think I got all my running around done so tomorrow I can hunker down and do some work.  I'm taking a course for my job and have a huge reading list get through.  Certainly not the most riveting of reading material but necessary.  If I'm a good girl and get it done early I might even bind a rug.  Woo

The weather forecast sounds like an inside day anyway. We had summer visit again this week.  My fall sweaters and boots are 

yearning to get out soon. 

 

Guess I'll close with the latest pic of my baby. This is her "pay attention to me" face.  Such a sweet girl

.. 

 

First day

Hi folks, it's me Abby.  Guess what I did today?  I went to school like a big girl!

I had so much fun.  I was a little scared at first because there were some really big kids there but my Momma protected me and helped me make friends.   I did make one special friend.  Her name is Shelby and I think we are going to be BFF's

Really we just wished our Mom's would leave and let us have recess the whole time.  We tried to play with each other when no one was looking.  Hehehe. But our Moms kept pulling us apart to try and "teach us stuff".  Maybe if I "learn" all the stuff I can have a play date with Shelby.  Fingers (or paws) crossed.   Momma said she was proud of me and I did get lots of treats so I do like school.  It was a little confusing at first.  I need to pay attention to my momma because there is another black poodle just like me in class.  And guess what her name is?  Yes, it's Abby.  I'm a bit competitive like my Mom so I have to make sure I'm smarter that that "other" Abby.  Lol.  Well, I'm kind of tired out after all that school fun.  Hope Mom lets me talk to you guys again soon.  

Chunky and Fit

We are back from the vet.  Abby once again was a superstar.  No fear, no fussing, not a squirm or whimper as she got her needle.  She tried to visit and give kisses to whoever was near.   She's such a sweetheart.  And she really is a chunky monkey.  She weighed in at a whopping 7.7 pounds!  Geez, she's only 4 months old so she still has lots of growing to do.  Compared to Millie she's going to seem like a giant to me.  

Today's mail finally delivered my Fitbit.  I'm anxious to start using it and see how it works.  It has a sleep tracker on it so that really interests me.  

Does anyone have one??  Do you use it?  Anyone........  I sit at a desk a lot so I will probably be disappointed with my counts but I'll give it a go.  It was a busy evening so I haven't prepped my rug for binding.  Another night 

.... Each Day

I solved my hooking dilemma of Miss Abby tearing at the burlap.  We came to a bit of a .....compromise.   She watches from her pen.   There are 3 stages.  Here is anger and dismay

 

Then comes woe and despair

 

And finally, sweet acceptance.   Lol. This way I can hook and she can still be near me.

The result of all of this is that I finally finished hooking this piece .  It was driving Saundra crazy trying to guess what the first word was as I hid it from previous post pictures   I didn't do it intentionally but then it just became fun.  (Sorry Saundra)   So here it is  

I feel like I want to finish this one with a whipped edge but so far have not located my stash of whipping yarn.  In truth I haven't looked all that hard  lol   I woke up this morning exhausted.  I just lazed around all day in my Jammie's   It was an almost perfect Sunday except for being so tired I could barely get out of my own way.   Abby was equally energetic (thankfully) 

Isn't she beautiful?  And I'll leave you with one other thing of beauty. I think I've finally mastered the art of the cinnamon roll.  

Well, this batch anyway.  I tweaked the recipe a little as my dough didn't seem to have enough body.  ( doesn't it sound like I know what I'm talking about?)  I reduced the milk by a smidge and it made the dough roll out better.  Abby has her 4 month needle tomorrow and she will get weighed again.  I'm anxious to see how much my chunky monkey has gained.  And Tuesday night she goes to her first day of school.  Yay!!

In the blink of an eye

I can't believe my extra-long weekend is over already.  But I have to say it was a "wicked good " few days off .  The weather was perfect.  Cool mornings and nights, warm sunny days.  Ahhhhh.  Little Miss Abby is still adorable, even when she's bad.  She does great with the house breaking during the day but at night, not so good. In fact tonight she went over to her bed (aka "the scene of the crime" and in a split second she peed in her bed.  And we had just been out 45 minutes earlier and she peed then so this was just mean!  

I could hardly believe my eyes.  And then she gave me this look........like she's sooooo innocent  

Sigh......  In other news I finally did something today I have been saying I was going to do for months. I sold the tv stand that I hated and switched the furniture around again.  My friend says she's never known anyone who moves furniture as much as I do.  Lol.  With the ugly stand gone, I transferred the TV to the dresser I refinished last winter   

And I moved the wooden deacons bench from the back door into the living room.  Now I need to hook some pillows for it.  It may take awhile as Abby will only tolerate short bursts of hooking before she tries to eat whatever I'm working on.   So not much more progress on the rug so far.  

I just want to say how much I appreciate all of you who take the time to leave a comment.  You make me laugh 

Oh how times have changed

There was a time when the only purchases that excited me this much were shoes or purses.  Nothing gave me a bigger smile than filling my closet.  But yesterday I made a purchase that gave me that same thrill.  (No, it's not wool either).  I now have my very own........drill!  

I can't wait for my next day project.  There will be no stopping me now.  I also upgraded myself to a real toolbox. Up until now all my tools were in a cloth shopping bag, hanging on a nail in my basement.  Lol I'm back on the attempts at cinnamon rolls. I don't think I'll ever get the hang of rolling them.  These taste great but look sad.  

  Abby is not really a fan of rug hooking but during her nap today I was able to start a new little rug.  This is all that's done so far because once she woke up she tried to tear it off the frame.  Eleven days until obedience class starts. (Hope I learn how to be obedient.  Lol)

This post was going to be longer but Abby is in "crazy puppy mode". Every toy she has is collecting by my feet.  I assume that's a hint.  Plus she's scratching the skin off my legs. 

Rip and Tear

I wish I could say I was ripping and tearing wool but instead I took out some frustration on the front flower beds.  Well, you could technically call them flower beds but the more appropriate description would be weed beds.   I'm not a gardener, I don't enjoy it one little bit which was sadly reflected in the front of my house.  So I just started ripping stuff out. It was quite therapeutic actually.  

 

I had to stop for 2 reasons.  One, I had filled to compost bin to capacity and secondly, I found the dead rose bushes.  Those gardening gloves and no protection when you grab on to a thorny branch.  Ouch!  I did feel bad about the rose bushes.  The weight of the snow and ice broke them pretty badly and I didn't think they would survive. I was right. 

I also managed to annoy Miss Abby this morning .  Potty training isn't going as well as I had hoped.  She has a fondness for sneaking into the den and dining room.  I decided enough was enough.  I steam cleaned those carpets this morning and blocked off those rooms.  She is not impressed.  Haha

 

I hope she makes some progress soon.  People keep saying be patient but..........  On the bright side, no dragon fly deaths today 😀

The Great Dragonfly Massacre

You are about to hear a sad tale.  The great dragonfly massacre is happening   Those beautiful double winged insects that hold so much symbolism.  

They are everywhere and seem to be in the grass.  And Abby has discovered a taste for them.  In a split second she dives for the grass and comes up with her prize.   Ughh, I have fished 4 out of her mouth since this morning,  sometimes I just liberated a wing, sometimes it's a half a bug.  Gross!   And after our supper time walk, the great hunter came in and promptly threw up.     Big fun!  On a happier note, here is a much happier vision of dragonflies. My friend Ben does some beautiful watercolours   

Here is a link to his etsy store.  Please go check it out, you won't be disappointed.  And if you buy something and say I sent you, he might give you a deal.  Lol.  I'm getting used to the new blog app.  I was using blogger but suddenly I couldn't change the image resolution and photos were humongous.  So I tried to post from blogpress. Easy to use, I like it but it would not allow me to post.  I sent the error message to the app developer and they said there was no issue.  Seriously?  I uninstalled and reinstalled and still nothing.  So I moved on to blogsy.  I could post but could not add photos.  I viewed the tutorials, changed settings, tried and tried, Nope - no photos. Drag and drop my ass!!  I told myself I would try one more and found blog pad pro.  Naturally it wasn't a free app.  Sigh.... And the interface looks quite intimidating but I've done the last 2 posts using it.  With pictures and everything.  Woohoo for me! 

It's all about those eyes

Miss Abby had her first appointment at the groomers tonight. I was determined to see those beautiful black eyes.  I was also dreading it.  She does not enjoy me trying to brush her.  It's been a wrestling match so I could only imagine the fun Terri Lee was going to have trying to groom a squirming, fur ball.     This is the before picture 

Well, she surprised me again.  She was a perfectly well behaved angel.  No fussing and she even gave her kisses.  Terri said it's rare to get kisses on the first visit.  We just cleaned up her face a little and did her nails and pads.  Just wanted to get her used to the process without traumatizing her.   She's even more beautiful now.  Look at those black eyes shining!  

 

!Ok, so far this new blog app seems to be working.  Yay!