Literary Feast

After about a year of planning, this year’s Literary Feast takes place tonight.  A handful of women work very hard every year to make this event a big success, because the proceeds fund our community projects and grants.   Ticket sales have been slow this year, but I think that this week, last-minute purchases will allow us to fill the room and hopefully, our coffers. 

I’m sure I’ll write more over the weekend, but if you haven’t read any of Emily Giffin‘s books, start with Something Blue.  They’re great, easy-reading books, but I found the characters compelling.  

Now, I owe Miss Me a meme. 

Here’s how it works:
Find your 5th photo file folder, then the 5th photo in that file folder.
Then pass the meme to 5 people.

I poked around on all my computers, trying to cheat and find something cute or fun, and finally realized that I really needed to use Flickr for ease of uploading.  Now, if you consider my oldest file #1, #5 is an album that is private, because it’s of a special young man, so the next album is of my sister’s wedding…  I wasn’t excited about sharing a parking lot shot, so here you go:

photo by Dae

That’s the front of the church before the wedding.  Not very exciting either, but better than looking at the sun bounce off cars in the parking lot, right?

I’m not tagging anyone, but if you care to play along, leave me a comment so  I know to check it out.

What else does the weekend hold?  Well, tomorrow morning, I’ll head to my knitting guild meeting, and that will be that!  The rest of the weekend will be spent quietly, I think.  I have done some knitting, but nothing I can share just yet, so maybe the weekend will produce something I can show you.

What are you up to this weekend?

Got Tags?

Happy little friday meets little monday.  (This is only the second day of my work week, actually…)  Please pop over to the main Dogs on Thursday blog and read about my two favorite doggy shops at the beach!

I’m afraid there are no cute Gretchen meets ocean photos.  It was just too cold and windy for that, but I did get some adorable shots of the girls playing on the deck, watching the birds and the ocean…

Sissy watching traffic

 

Gretchen, posing for the camera

There are more photos, but I’ll share them as time goes on, because while I have your dogged attention, I want to mention another gadget I found at Pet Expectations. 

See the almost glowing hot pink loop with the tags on it?  That’s a Cetacea Tag-It.  It’s a little nylon loop with a quick-release clasp and a D-ring, to hold the tags.  For owners like us who change collars and harnesses regularly, it’s a blessing, because the tags live on the Tag-It, and we only have to unclip, move, reclip.  I did slip it between the layers on the adjustible portion of each collar, as there were raised stitches.

Both girls are sporting new collars too.  If you’ll recall, the Knight had a fit about Gretchen wearing purple, so Sissy now has the purple collar (in a larger size because Nichole rocks) and Gretchen has a SLIM, hot pink collar, which strangely enough is making her much more tolerant of the collar.

The big yellow tag on each collar is their Home Again microchip number.   (See above for a photo.)   Check out Natalie‘s post later today for information about another program for protecting your pets in an emergency.  I’m looking forward to her post, because I’m undecided about the service…

Don’t forget to check out all the other Dogs on Thursday posts!

OBrrrrrrX

Sissy & Mugsy 2-08

I left my camera at home this morning, so let the cold shore of a year ago speak to you.  Actually, if you’re looking for photos of the girls in the water, you’ll have to wait a few weeks for our next trip.  It was too cold to even set foot on the beach.

However, that left lots of time for fine dining and a little shopping.  We found two new favorite restaurants, and since I know a lot of the world journeys to “our” Outer Banks, I’ll share.

The Black Pelican came well-recommended and is only a few blocks from the house, so I’m not sure why it took us so long to get there.  It’s in an original Lifesaving Station, so you get a glimpse of the Banks’ history while you dine.  (A very similar photo to this one was above our table, and a blue marlin decorated with a chain of shamrocks was also visible.)  I had a pasta special, complete with mussels and little necked clams in the shell, and it was some of the best I’ve ever eaten.  The Knight opted for a baked crab and shrimp dish, which he liked so well he then sopped up the remaining sauce with bread.  The service was incredible too, prompting the Knight to say that we’ll be eating there the first night next time we head down.

The Knight has been on a quest for an outstanding steak place at OBX, and we finally found it at Prime Only.  I’d love to link to something for you, but their website is a single page with a pulsating heart, inviting you to join them for Valentines Day.  Instead, I’ll tell you that they’re at milepost 10.5, or on the right immediately after you cross into the Nags Head limits (coming from the north, of course) on the Bypass.   (aka: Rt. 158, Croatan Highway), in what appears to be a large brick “home.”   

Going off-season is tough, because many of our favroites – Pigman’s Barbeque, Barefoot Bernie’s and Tale of the Whale are closed.  While we have a great kitchen and the Knight and I both enjoy cooking, frankly…  we don’t cook anything more complicated than toast or warmed up leftovers while we’re at the beach. 

It’s my week for the Dogs on Thursday main post, so tomorrow I’ll share a couple of our favorite doggy shops, which are the only other places we visited this time.  Never fear though, I will have photos of Sissy and Gretchen at play at the beach, but not ON the beach.

How was your weekend?

Almost Dog-gone Friday!

Happy Dogs on Thursday!  We’re looking forward to the weekend and to getting Gretchen on the beach.   It’s been a really busy week here for us, with one meeting yet to go.  I need to do laundry and pack too…

Gretchen is recovering nicely from her spay surgery, which is a great reminder to mention that the 24th is National Spay Day.  Please see the Dogs on Thursday post today for more information. 

 

Just because my girls are cute, I’ll toss in a few more photos.   Gretchen has taken to flipping at least one ear back quite a bit when she’s outside, for some reason.  Silly girl!  She’s definitely my model; she doesn’t believe the camera should click without being focused on her.

And a glimpse of those soulful eyes Sissy knows all too well how to use to her advantage…

I’m not quite sure when I’ll post again.  Off-season, we can never be sure we’ll have a wireless connection, and frankly, our travel plans still aren’t firm yet.  However, you know I’ll have both cameras (and likely, the Knight will have his new one from the station, getting acquainted with it too) with me, and there will definitely be dogs on the beach photos to share!

Fingers crossed that despite the cold, Gretchen will love the surf. 

We also have motion sickness meds for her, and Sissy always gets a children’s benedryl before we travel.

If I don’t check in tomorrow, have a great weekend!  Happy little friday.

Brown Paper Packages

Okay, so one wasn’t brown, and neither was tied up in string, but still, these are a few of my favorite things!  (Apologies to The Sound of Music.) 

First up is the Valentines package from Gaylen, which actually arrived on Saturday!  The photo could have been staged better, but what you can’t see are the cute little white legs and the dark brown head I cropped out of the photo.  Gretchie Greer was QUITE aware that G had sent gifties for the pups, and she meant to watch over the whole package until she and Sissy got their due.

I love the little stitched card G included!  And how ’bout that adorable little pawprint photo keychain, huh?  I love that color.  The Knight thoroughly enjoys digging through the candy hearts and handing me one now and then (but didn’t think to go buy a bag himself).  I even bagged up the red metallic confetti to re-use in scrapping or card making!

I’m really eager to try the yarn.  It’s the colorway I’d picked up several times but my local store never had two skeins in the same dye lot.  I’m looking forward to trying the aloe-added yarn, and will most definitely take the yarn along for some beach knitting.

The stuff you can barely see in the lower right corner has great potential.  They’re puffy little tie-ons for use with any of several crafts.  The Yarn Daisys are going to live in my pouch of tools I always have with me (in the center pocket of my Namaste bag).  I confess to being lost when I don’t have the Knight and our ball winder and swift on hand.  Thank you, Gaylen!

Yesterday, Anita’s package arrived.  There was no group photo, for two reasons.  Firstly, Sissy KNEW Auntie ‘Nita had sent things JUST for her.  (Big homemade dog cookies on the right, literally have Sissy’s name on the bag, just as the wee cookies on the left have Gretchen’s name on them.)  Secondly, and not pictured at all is the Knight’s new go-to hoodie.  He snatched it up immediately, and even wore it to his conference this morning.  (This after I specifically asked the guys to wear collared shirts… he does have a golf shirt on under the hoodie, so I guess I got my wish?)

My goodies require individual photos for details.   These are the adorable stitch markers, available HERE.   I have to tell you that while others have tried to imitate her style, Anita just has a knack for blending polymer and cute into stitch markers that never fail to make me smile!

Actually, I'm begging for another cookie!

Gretchen is a little confused and believes the yummy fiber is for her too.  No Gretch.  Just as Sissy’s eaten her last bobbin, you’re done  pulling MY fiber into unusable, wet, matted, little blobs.   I’m sure it’s no coincidence that Anita sent some fiber very similar to that Gretchen snatched from its pre-drafted coils atop my wheel.  (The white stuff with the rich carmel ribbons?  Yeah.  That’s what Gretchen ruined.)

Anita and I are also going to have our own flamingo growing contest.  I’m sure if you want to join us, you can buy your own from her employer’s store…  Thanks Anita, for spoiling us all, even if one of us was too excited to cooperate with photos.

Now, back to the freezing rain and work…

Eighteen Wheels…

… but no dozen roses.  (Apologizes to Kathy Mattea.)

Really.  The Knight now has three vehicles, which makes four at our house, but his work truck has dual wheels, so (4×4) + 2 = 18.

That’s why I took off yesterday.  The Knight asked me to go with him to pick up the new command vehicle.  There it is, in all its glory.  It’s purdy, but trucks don’t do much for me, so I’m sure I’m not ooohing and ahhhing over it enough.

I don’t have any dance photos for you.  There are some taken by a friend, but none that I’ll share.  Instead, I’ll share a couple of the crew decorating.  The Knight is the one with the sunspot across his back.  The man ties balloons off surprisingly well.

Everyone kept saying how pretty it looked.  I really liked the backdrop behind the band.  I believe they were just disposable vinyl tablecloths from the dollar store.  It’s a good thing the other gals in the company are more creative than I am!

The dance went incredibly well.  We had just shy of 200 guests, and I think we actually turned a small profit.  The band is itching to come back, but since the Recruitment & Retention Committee put on this one, the Activities Committee or some other group is going to have to pick up the ball and run with it. 

There are no happy drunk Knight photos because a sense of responsibility kicked in and he didn’t really drink.  However, he had great fun calling early on Sunday morning and checking on some of his drunk friends…

Here ends another little Monday.  How was your weekend?  Was it a long one?

Eye Candy

Happy Valentines Day!  I’m not feelin’ the love; the fur-girls decided this was just like any other day and we should be up at 6:45 or so.  They did let me go back to bed about 90 minutes later, but then a lady we know called the house to check on the outdoor burn laws…

I owe you a finished object report, and assuming MJ delivered them this morning according to plan, here are my Ka-Vangeline mitts.

Pattern: Evangeline, available only as a free Ravelry download, since Magknits fell off the face of the earth.  I did the short version, as written, save the thumb.  The recipient has short fingers, so I only did five rounds on the thumb.  I REALLY liked this pattern!

Yarn:  Bernat Natural Cashmere.  (Which actually has only a TINY amount of the good stuff in it, not even enough to tempt Gretchen.)  I liked it though, right much for an acrylic blend.  Didn’t even use a whole skein, so I have enough to do another pair for me.

Needles:  US #6 KA bamboo circs.  I like KA bamboo, I really do.

Verdict:  Yet another mitt pattern I’d do again.  It seems I like mitts…

Now, to go decorate for that dance!

Quick!

Gee, maybe I need to get a quick weekend preview in here before it’s already the weekend!

Sissy’s looking forward to heading to the beach again too, but that’s not this weekend.  (Can’t wait to see the changes!  New decking, new siding, which I think the Knight will want for our home… )  We’re all sure Gretchen is going to love the ocean, like someone else we used to know…

But I’m getting ahead of myself.  This weekend, we have the Firefighters appreciation Valentines Dance at the station.   It’s open to the public, but our firefighters get tickets at a reduced price.  Last year was a tough, TOUGH year for our station, and those of us who are still here deserve a night to kick up our heels and relax together.

Sunday is the Daytona 500.

That’s the beginning and end of my plans.  I don’t know if I’ll need to help decorate or not.   I don’t know if the Knight plans to take me out to dinner or not, but I’ll be at the dance – I’ll be with the really happy drunk guy – and I’ll be hunkered down watching the first race of the season.  I do have a few things to get done for my assorted boards and committees, and this would be a good time to mention that you probably won’t hear from me on Monday.  (I’ll tell you why after the fact.) 

Next week is hell week for us.  I’m actually supposed to be three different places on Tuesday night, and then have more meetings the rest of the week too.  I’m going to learn to say no this year, I really am!

What about your weekend plans?

Rain-ready

Happy Dogs on Thursday on this beautiful little friday!

As promised, here is the Gretchie Greer sporting her pink camo raincoat, purchased by her Dadaw.  I love the hood, which she will wear, but the cute little loop on the inside to hold the back of the coat down is TOTALLY unacceptable, she says!  It’s a bit big, but not so much so that she can’t wear it.  In fact, it will be ideal over a sweater in the event that we do get some snow.

She’s not a great patient.  She doesn’t believe in not trotting, not hopping.  I’ve decided that trotting and hopping aren’t running and jumping, but we are doing leash walks.  She’s learning not to pull even when Sissy is sprinting through the woods without her, and yesterday afternoon, we started working on “heel.”

One little problem…  She isn’t drinking much.  I’m guessing it’s from the IV fluids she had on Tuesday?  She’s not eating much either, but her activity level is way down too.

Sissy is another story.  To all who made pumpkin intake suggestions, thank you, but please suggest more.  She’ll lick the canned pumpkin off the spoon, but she eats around it, regardless of what I mix it with.  I’m going back to my original opinion; girlfriend won’t eat unbaked pumpkin.  (Or frozen pumpkin treats,  made with straight from the can pumpkin.)

This is also a good time to thank (Not-so) Cynical Gal for my Gracie’s Golden Blogger Award.  I’m quite honored!  Gracie is a special pup and has her own blog (no, Sissy… this IS close enough to being your blog, thanks much), documenting her life challenges, as managed by her caring humans.  Of course, I’m preaching to the choir, because most of you are DoT readers, and you know that all of our pets present their own challenges… some just require more money and research than others!

Another cute award with a doggy on the button!  I hope I don’t miss anyone…  I know I got this award from  Grace, but I feel I’m sure I’m forgetting someone, and if so, I’m sorry!!

Now, there’s one more matter to ‘tend to…

More decluttering.  I’m supposed to make some goals…

1. Get 100 things out of my house, permanently.
2. Specifically, get a grip on my books, and limit myself to keeping only what will fit on the bookshelves I already own, and
3. Getting the same grip on my yarn collection.  This means a detailed inventory.  Hem.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to start thinking about lunch.  That’s a lot more fun!

Free Kisses!

Of all the things that happened yesterday (Gretchen locked me out of the car as I was putting her in for the ride home and the Knight had to make the 35 minute trip to bring the spare key), my favorite is the story about Nurse Gretchen. 

It seems an elderly, male JRT was in for a dental cleaning yesterday.  Gretchen was just kinda’ hanging out in the recovery room, and as he was coming around, she eased over to him, watched him a moment, and then gave him a big ol’ kiss “whether he wanted it or not” as the story teller put it.  That’s my girl… 

And she HATES collars.  I’m going to order her a tiny 1/2″ one and see if she’ll tolerate that.  Plus, the Knight is all out of sorts because Gretchen is wearing a purple collar, and if you’re a regular reader, you know Gretchen wears hot pink and Sissy wears purple.

There was more knitterly goodness from over the weekend to share!  Natalie sent me some beautiful, hand-dyed roving.   It’s actually a rich, beautiful purple, but cameras don’t seem to do purples justice.  The pretty, white knot in the middle is silk!  It’s my first silk fiber for that stash…

You can check out some of Natalie’s other dyeing efforts in her Etsy store. 

Thanks so much, Gnat!

Next came another Etsy box, from Kathy of Gypsyknits.  She also dyes rovings, but I couldn’t resist the firefighter sock bag she recently put up! 

Look past my helpers, at the blue background.  Those aren’t just random swirls of dark; they’re firefighters!  I did offer the bag to the Knight, but neither of us could come up with a good use for him (no, I didn’t try hard!), so it’s mine, all mine!  Perhaps if he’s nice I’ll use it to hold some sock yarn and knit him another pair of socks.

Thankfully, tomorrow is little friday!  Phew.  I’m ready for this week to be over already, how ’bout you?