Beach Bound

Mugsy and Sissy are packed, ready to go.  Mugsy knows what suitcases and baskets and “going to the beach” means.  He was CRUSHED when I left for work, but he can see that my suitcase is still there too, so he should realize he hasn’t been left behind. 

Sissy looks so little in this photo!  We’re looking forward to having her on the beach again, although the water is still probably so cold she won’t care for it.  The weather should be great, with highs in the high 70’s most of the weekend.  I predict multiple walks on the beach for the prince and princess. 

Happy Dogs on Thursday.  This is no little Friday for us; it’s the end of our work week, and we’re looking forward to a few hours on the road and a weekend with sun, sand and our OBX friends!  Wishing you a great weekend too.

 

Pre-Weekend Big Post

Before I head off for a weekend of fun with fellow knitters, I thought I might try to play catch-up from a busy week.  We’ll start with my work in progress, which is the Butterfly Stole in the current issue of Knit ‘n Style.  Of course, since the pattern calls for Tofutsies, that’s precisely what I’m using.  That’s right at the start of the 4th repeat, so it will be a while before this is an FO. 

 

 

Even pre-blocking, you can see the happy little flutterbies there.  Since I’m never quite sure who reads my blog, I won’t say who it’s for, but there is a deadline!  This project will go to the retreat, if for no other reason than so Rosanne can see how Tofutsies knits up for a shawl.

The rest of my donated Bloggiversary prizes arrived yesterday.  They’re from Blume’s Accessories, which is Mary’s little corner of Etsy.  Thank you Mary, and all of my “sponsors!”  I’ll be getting the prize packages mailed out early next week.

That’s one set, and here’s the other:

The long one is a hot pack, and the short, squarer one is a cold pack.  Both packs are covered in removable, washable fabrics! 

So that I could indeed send the prizes on, Mary sent a hot pack with a crocheted cover for MJ, and a cute ice pack for me too!   It’s going to be the perfect little size to slap on my back when it acts up.  Thank you Mary, and all of my prize donors!

 

 

 

But wait!  There’s more!  My Dogs on Thursday Swap pal Mindy & her dog Zeus sent us the greatest spring package!  You can see the cheery bag that will surely make me smile when the rain comes back (due in a few hours, I believe?), the chocolate and tea, which will certainly make the world a better place, and the treats and toys for the pups.  The papers in the background are special too.  Mindy and Zeus really did their homework and read reviews before they went shopping in an effort to get toys my brats  babies wouldn’t destroy!   The red ball with feet is for Prince Mugsy, and the loops on the right are for Princess Sissy.  I am blown away that Mindy put so much thought into toys for my gang!

That wasn’t the only special touch.  She also took my favorite picture of me and the dogs, and made two very special prints for me.  They’re sure to get framed, so I’ll have to take her up on her offer for e-copies, so that I can scrap them too!  Y’all know I’m seriously technologically challenged, so this is a real treat.

 

 

I saved the best for last.  Mindy really went above and beyond with this.  The photo doesn’t do it justice, especially since I couldn’t make my camera focus on EACH link.

From left to right, it’s a bone with”Sissy” stamped inside, another bone with “Mugsy” within, a very special charm she actually hoped I wouldn’t mind (?!  touched beyond measure, I am!) that she had made to honor Fred’s sweet memory, and a charm all of you need figure out how to get, with the DoT logo!  What Mindy couldn’t know is that I have a bracelet of the same design, but I have links in it that no longer “move” me.  So,  I’m going to pop out the dog-related ones and move them to this band, and you’ll be hard-pressed to spot me without it on. 

Again, I’m humbled by the generosity and kindness of bloggers.  I’m also sorry my own poor pal not only knows I’m her spoiler, but I doubt she’ll have her package on time.   It shouldn’t be but a bit late, but still… Now I feel REALLY guilty!

 

 

 

Stolen Cuteness

I know it’s rude to boast about how cute one’s own dogs are, but I’m going to do it anyway.  All photos were stolen from Michelle. 

Here’s my favorite of the batch.  It’s so very Sissy.  Ears flapping in the breeze, on the run.  I love that she’s developing “big girl” physical characteristics, although it makes me sad too, because she’s growing up so quickly.  Look at all that loose skin under her chin!

 

 

Then, there’s a sweet pose of the Prince, resting after a hearty game of fetch with *HIS* houseguest. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MJ will be aghast that I’ve posted this one…  She insists she’s going to buy Sissy panties because she sleeps like this too often!

 

 

 

Here’s a shot of Sissy, having taken MY seat, and not looking too concerned about it at all.  Sweet Mugsy slumbers on in his own spot… 

While Sissy might have gotten more of the photos, Mugsy got tons of fetch time with Michelle, so don’t accuse Michelle of playing favorites!

Happy Dogs on Thursday to all of you.  I’m having a mixed bag of a day already.  I thought my physical was this morning, so I was a very good girl yesterday.  Ha!  It’s tomorrow, and we’re going to dinner tonight with my aunt and uncle.  Since I know it’s really a matter of WEEKS that impacts my bloodwork, I’m going to enjoy my meal and have a good explanation for anything that might be out of whack!  Sissy also goes to the vet today, but it’s nothing major. 

I did have a happy lunch yesterday with Ann.  She works right around the corner, so we decided that I’d hand my hat off in person.  I’d been wanting to try Sticks, so that was a great treat!  Our lunch hour flew by, with good food and good conversation.  It’s so much fun meeting bloggers in person!

The big cause for celebration is our completed taxes.  Phew!  I’m glad to have them behind me, and gladder still that the outcome was pleasant enough.  Now, I can wheel shop with abandon.  That’s right.  I’m done pretending that I’m not really interested in spinning.  I’m buying a wheel.  Soon I hope, but this weekend’s knitting retreat with the River City Guild at Graves Mountain Lodge will keep me from actually purchasing anything right away.  Next weekend, we’re headed to the beach house, so I suspect it may be after the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival before a wheel comes to live at my house.

Anyone else Maryland bound next month?

 

Waiting…

I was able to grab that shot yesterday afternoon as the Knight came home.  I’d gone out to take photos of the two tulips in Fred’s garden, and they heard his truck before they could see it.  Immediately, they went on the alert.  They get very excited when we come home.  Heck, they get excited when anyone comes down the driveway.  To watch them, you’d think they led sheltered lives.

We were delighted to see that while the deer (the Knight caught two in the wee garden one night) munched on the leaves, the buds survived.   So far, only two of the tulips have started to bloom, but there are signs that the others will soon join them.  I remain concerned about my lilies, but this at least gives me hope!

 For the record, the Knight chose these bulbs.  They’re too yellow/orange for me, but I think he liked them because Fred was rather rust-colored.  I’m hoping some of the reds and pinks I selected will make it! 

The leaves sure are sad, but I can share them with the deer, if only they’ll leave the actual flowers alone. 

Please keep Sissy in your thoughts this morning.  The poor gal is alone for the first time in her short life.  Mugsy has an appointment to meet our new vet later this morning, and I figured he would benefit from feeling special.  Both Mugsy and Fred have/had separation anxiety on one level or another, so I want Sissy to be better adjusted, if possible.  Mugsy and I will go home after his appointment, so she should only be alone a couple of hours. 

Before you ask, Mugsy’s okay.  One eye stays bloodshot, but we think it’s allergies.  His cough is better, but he wheezes a lot more.  He’s also overweight, so we’re anticipating some restrictions and/or dietary changes.  I’d feel sorry for him if he hadn’t been such a rouge here lately, getting into trash and stealing treats.  (Can you say someone doesn’t like being left at home?!)

Now, to get a little work done before we head out.  Happy Dogs on Thursday! 

No Dogs

Ironically, this is indeed my Dogs on Thursday  post.  I’ve mentioned to a few of you, and others have read comments from those in the know, so an explanation is in order.

That was taken a few weeks ago, when ALL the dogs decided with the Knight was the place to be.  Take a good look, because until the inlaws take vacationyou won’t see it anymore.   For reasons known only to himself, Dae - the FIL - announced to the Knight on Monday that our dogs needed to start staying at home.  Now, I’d discussed with BOTH of my inlaws that as soon as the weather turned just a bit warmer and we were able to get the pen renovated, they would be staying at home.  But no, he couldn’t wait, so sweet Sissy is in her crate, and Mugsy is most likely on the sofa, a few feet away.

Shadow (the sheltie on the right for the newer readers) is perhaps suffering most.  He belongs to Pop, Dae’s father and the founder of the family business, so it’s not likely that he’ll be told to stay home.  Instead, he looks in every corner for his playmates, and will come rest his head on my knee.  We’ll share a sad moment together, and he’ll crawl under my desk for a pout.  Wish I could join him. 

Never fear; the inlaws will soon take to their RV and head to Georgia for a week, and my babies will return to the office.  Pop has been a delightfully wicked ally.  He asks Shadow loudly, “Are you lonely?” or “You miss your playmates?” always within his son’s hearing.  

For history’s sake, Fred never spent much time at the office.  He got sent home too, by the same man, for similarly unknown reasons.  Mugsy never came to the office unless he needed to - to go the vet - until Fred died.  I thought everyone was enjoying Mugsy and Sissy, and it seems I was mostly correct…

This isn’t what I’d planned for DoT, but I under-estimated how closely you really do follow goes on here, in my little blogging corner of the world. Thank you for that, and for caring. Later today, I’ll post about my fun night last night.

Think Orange

(No Nichole, not Tony Stewart.  Ick.)

ASPCA Day is April 10th.  For those of us with pets, it’s hard not to be passionate about animal welfare.  The Knight, Sissy and I watch Animal Planet’s Animal Cops  regularly.  Yes, Sissy WATCHES.  She loves the barks and meows.  Mugsy has figured TV out already, so unless there’s a spectacular sound, he sleeps through it.   I am so thankful there are animal cops, but sometimes, I have to ask the Knight to change the channel because a particular story will just move me a little too much. 

While I don’t shout out about the ASPCA often at all, I felt urged to do so today.  Conveniently, April 10th is a Thursday, so there well could be another orange post.  My dogs do lead charmed lives, but for me, it’s still a pale comparison to all of the unconditional love they give.  If you’re inclined to donate, great, but really I think just being aware that there is a day to celebrate the incredible work the ASPCA does.

Happy Dogs on Thursday, and keep those contest comments coming!

 

More Crow?

(Photo stolen from Yarn Market, but downloaded on my server) 

I may have to belly up for more crow.  (Let’s see if Stacey’s  REALLY on hiatus.  The ”sounds” of me reach for Noro with my Magic Loop should catch her attention!)  Yarn Market  is tempting me…  It’s called Taiyo, and it’s Silk Garden’s summer “face”.  A bit pricey, at $17.85 for 220 yards, but with wool, silk, cotton and nylon in there with that self-striping goodness, I might have to try just one skein.  Has anyone seen it in person?  While yesterday was heavy on multi-tasking and errands, a little knitting happened.  Anita  and I both have projects we need a little nudge to finish.  So, we’re having a race.  She who finishes first - Anita, her wrap, me, Clappy - wins sock yarn.  I need to get it in gear, because somehow, I totally missed that the KAL  has a deadline of March 31st! 

I’ll be announcing my Bloggiversary tomorrow, a day early, because y’all know I’m not about to usurp Dogs on Thursday.   I don’t have a post for DoT yet, but Sissy’s full of herself this week, so I’m sure something will inspire me.  Of course, there will be a contest.  I have a few special prizes in mind, but need to check with my potential “sources” first.  (Gee, maybe I should wrap this post up and do just that, huh?!) 

On that note, I’m off to secure goodies for y’all to win.

DoT Spring Swap Questionnaire

Spring Secret Swap Questionnaire:

How many dogs do you have?

Two

What are her/his/their names?

Mugsy and Sissy

What are her/his/their favorite toys?

Mugsy loves anything that squeaks and tennis balls, but he requires fairly rugged toys.

Sissy loves variety.  She’s learning to play fetch, and she’s just getting her adult teeth.  I’m afraid Mugsy is teaching her to destroy her toys when she gets bored.

What are your favorite treats?

Me?!  Food-wise, I’m still hung up on the chocolate candy coated sunflower seeds two pals gave me last year.  I found them at Cracker Barrel last month, but haven’t seen ‘em since.  I haven’t been hitting the chocolate so much lately.  (No, I’m not sick.)

Non-food, I love rich hand creams in knitting bag sizes.  Tea is always good too, but that’s kinda’ foodish, huh?

What are her/his/their favorite treats?

They’re crazy about the Iams Tarter Treats.  Someone sent them some peanut butter ones back in December, and that was like crack.  They really just enjoy anything food-related.  Anything with peanut butter is a hit.

What are her/his/their/persons favorite colors?

My favorite colors change almost daily.  Blues, greens, reds and pinks are always safe, but Sissy’s colors are kelly green and purple, and Mugsy’s are Christmas green & red. 

What allergies do you and/or your dog(s) have?

Well, Mugsy is allergic to spring, summer and fall.  If it has spores, he’s allergic.  He’s also allergic to bees.  So far, Sissy has no allergies, other than to being left alone.

Me?  None that impact a swap.

Dogs on Little Friday

It’s Little Friday, aka: Dogs on Thursday!  Sissy is working the front yard and walk over, but she and Mugsy are both enjoying the warm air and afternoon sunshine.  I think today is the last day for a while though, so we’ll have to make the most of it.  Here’s evidence that Mugsy *DOES* play with her!

Excuse the lopsided angle and the mess, but this is what Sissy does when I leave my desk.  She rushes the door and whines for a moment, and then sprints to my chair and leaps up.  Then, it spins her around, and if she’s especially curious, she’ll put her head on the part of my desk you can’t see.   She’s SO much more athletic than Fred was, and it sometimes catches us off-guard.   She’ll also help herself to the desk her Dadaw and his uncle share, only they allow her to jump up on the desk too. 

Today is also the birthday of one very special woman.  Please stop in and wish Ingrid, mother of Anne and Martina and a great crocheter too, a very happy birthday!

You’re lucky I left my camera at home today.  Otherwise, you’d get a video clip of Sissy helping MJ Swiffer the office.  Sissy thinks it is a grand game and is talking up a storm.  MJ finds it a little frustrating, to say the least.   I don’t think my laughter is helping…

Fred’s Garden Invaded

 

Or, my DoT post, part II. 

So, with the nice weather, I’ve been hanging out on the edge of Fred’s garden.  I cast on for my Bigfoot shawl (called Fredfoot, now) on that edge, and I’m loving how it looks so far.  Yesterday I was too tired to knit lace, so I Clapped on.  I’m well into my increases, and it’s a groovy little pattern repeat, perfect for a day when my braincells turned in before my hands.

I love the way this yarn and this pattern are working together.  That’s 17 rows, so I’m about done with the yoke and ready to move into the body of the shawl.   I can’t wait to block this one!

And a close-up, complete with a Mugsy or Sissy hair.  The yarn’s not really that fuzzy, but I guess that’s why they call them close-ups?  I love that plum-ish shade, which is PRECISELY the color of Fred’s sweet nose…

Now, while sitting at the garden, I noticed a few problems.

Those are tulip leaves.  That is, leaves that have been lunch for the resident critters.  I’d blame it on the deer, but take a look at this and tell me what you think:

See those holes?  I can’t see a deer nose or foot making a hole that little.  We don’t have rabbits.  Any other ideas?

Despite the varmint, a wee little crocus managed to survive.  I need a bigger tripod.  I have a small, short one, but I didn’t have it outside with me yesterday, so it took me about twenty tries to get this shot.  Don’t enlarge it; it’ll be blurry. 

Sissy’s done with puppy shots.  She had a nice visit at the vet’s, and next up is her spaying, once the adult teeth start coming in.  She’s stomping around the office trying to be the center of attention with her blue giant long, fuzzy toy like the ones in the previous post.  Obviously, she’s no worse for wear.

Now, to wrap up things at the shop so we can head home soon to resume knitting by Fred’s garden!