Meet Milo...

I made it to my niece's home yesterday to visit with her and my sister, Diana. Di lives out of state, but was at her daughter's to take care of her following an extensive surgical procedure. My niece is feeling fine, but she does get understandably tired.

When I arrived I was greeted by this little guy. His name is Milo. He's my niece's cockapoo and is about nine months old. He's so darn cute and huggable. 

Di brought her corgi, Grace with her, but Grace and I only had a short visit because Milo is such a pest with her. She  doesn't tolerate a cray puppy well.

I spent about about six hours with the ladies, and Milo settled down fairly quickly once the excitement of a new visitor wore off. It was a lovely afternoon.

Di is staying in Wisconsin until about a week from now, so I'm going up again next week to see them again. I can't wait!

Quilt Top Reveal...

Completed Quilt Top

I completed my quilt top for Handsome last night. It's so large that it's difficult to see the entire top - even with him holding it up. Once it's quilted and bound, you'll be able to see the entire quilt on a bed, but I wanted you to get a glimpse today.

All the borders are on the quilt, and they're the same all the way around. I know it's hard to see that at the bottom and top, but the are the same. You can also see some darker or lighter areas because the quilt is backlit. Those anomalies don't show in daylight.

Each yellow block now bears the names of all of our dogs for the past forty four years. Yellow labradors' names are stitched in a buttery-colored thread. The Golden retrievers are in a rusty color (except one that I forgot to change out). The black labs have black thread, and he even said I should put Fezzik and Tag's names on so they're in a darker gold with one letter in white (like their fur colors). 

Finally, I added a heart with a paw print in the center of each of the name blocks...just because. I'll share closeups of those blocks once I get this big boy quilted, which I'll at least start today. 

I work again tonight. Yes. It's the weekend again! My plan is to finish this by the time the Sunday rolls around, if not before. Of course, I'll hand bind it once I've assembled the top, back and batting. I'm going to do my best to show you a completed quilt on Monday.

Stay Warm and Safe! 

A Day Off...

Old Friends and Dogs

Sorry I didn't tell you ahead of time, but I needed to take a day off. It was a crazy week, and then I had PT first thing yesterday morning. I just needed to catch my breath a bit.

All week, I felt like I'd gone backward with my therapy, so I spent a little time on self-care. I was icing, trying to get back some of the mobility, and feeling like it wasn't working. 

I did a little baking, as I planned to deliver homemade cinnamon rolls to the entire therapy department on Friday. They were all tickled, especially since my morning appointment coincided with breaks and imminent lunch hours. Before I left, even Jenna managed to get a bite of hers before heading to her next patient. I got lots of thumbs-up! It was very gratifying. I also regained some motion during my session, so I left a happy girl.

Our friend - the now-retired dog trainer, Mike - along with his friend, Ed and Handsome all took Bella to a hunt club we used to frequent before moving to Florida. As this cooler weather always lights up the older dogs (who remember autumn days afield) we decided to give Bella a day flushing pheasants. 

She worked just the way she learned as a young dog. She worked back and forth across a field, ranging a nice distance between the gunners. She flushed a rooster pheasant but never got to retrieve it. Let's just say, the first bird flushed frequently gets away. Then the hen that had also been planted must have moved off the field they were working, because if she'd stayed put, Bella certainly would have found her.

I stayed home with Carly (PT appointment, remember?), but that little girl was not happy to have been left behind. She knew what was going on and wanted to go, too. This hunt was just for Bella, though. Handsome and I discussed it when we all got back home, and we'll definitely take both girls out once fall is officially in full swing. Even yesterday, being down at Bella's level in tall grass was a hot endeavor, and she worked until she finally just sat down and said enough. After all these years, we recognize when the dog is tired, hot, or just ready to pack it in. We always honor that because, first and foremost, our days afield center around being able to watch stellar dogs at work. Friday was no exception.

After they got back, Handsome called me. I was already on my way home, but we had a lunch date with Mike, his wife, and Ed. Handsome and I changed clothes and met the rest of the group back at Mike and Joann's condo. We spent a few hours just enjoying a meal together and doing some reminiscing about the old days. It was just what I needed. 

I have a little canning to do this weekend, and I'm planning to do a little more needlework. I have no intention of overdoing it at all. I'm going to take it easy. I'll share photos next week. Have a great Saturday!

Safe and Sound...

Crystal

I suspect when Crystal made her way back home from the big city (at least 13 miles to the farmhouse) three years ago November 2nd, she encountered many strange and scary things. City and highway traffic could have led to her demise at any point along the trip. Then there was farm machinery, as it was harvest time. But what had to be a surprise for her once she got out into the country were the other animals.

How do I know? Well, when we start a vehicle around here when she's outside, she avoids it, but isn't freaking out or running frantically. I most often find her on the porch, soaking up the sun in one of her favorite chairs. Claudette (her mama), gets closer than I'm comfortable with, so I'll usually get out of the vehicle and shoo her back to the house.

Crystal is the little wild child. While Claudette is ready to come in the house around dusk and remain for the rest of the night, her daughter is a night owl. She won't come in until well after ten o'clock at night. If she stops by for her five o'clock dinner, she wants to go back out - even if it's to hang out on the porch - until right before we go to bed. Then, she can be found on my bed, ready to snuggle until we're both asleep. 

Crystal

That's our usual routine...unless the coyotes start howling like they did last night. I let both the "little girls" stay out while I worked my three hour evening shift at the store. I came home with dinner, so although I checked the porch right before dark (finding no cats), they stayed out while we ate.

Handsome and I like to watch/play Jeopardy after dinner, so we were watching the show, when I heard the coyotes start howling, and they. were. close! Now that the north field is cut, they are free to run without negotiating the cornstalks. Everything is visible to them, so they're on the hunt from treeline to treeline.

I'm never sure how far the little girls range, but Claudette usually pops out of the rockwall in our front yard when I call for her. Sometimes Crystal hangs out in the compass barn in search of mice. But I know that once they hear those 'yotes, they're anxious to come in. Last night was no exception.

Once the coyotes lit up, I immediately got up and went to the front door. All I had to do was turn on the porch light and open the door. Two cats came bolting for the door with all their fur fluffed up...Crystal leading the way. Neither of them wanted anything to do with the nighttime interlopers.

Crystal ran right up the stairs and jumped on my bed, while Claudette preferred to hop on the sofa to be close to Bella. She licked Bella's ear and settled in nearby. They both went for their comfort zones. Safe and sound inside.

Claudette wasn't feeling photogenic after that, but Crystal was more than happy to pose for pictures. They both settled in for the night. After I have my morning coffee and feed them, they'll be ready to venture out again for a while. Until it happens again.

We suspect Miss Carly is about to be in heat, so that may be sooner and closer than any of us likes. Evening air out sessions will be with dogs on leads, a flashlight and at least a whistle to deter any critter that might decide to investigate. I like to coexist with nature whenever possible, but there are limits, so we'll do our non-lethal best to keep dogs, cats and wildlife in their own lane. I'll keep you updated on how that goes.

Saturday With Friends...

Saturday last was a lovely day. Our dear friends (and Tag, Bella, Carly and most of the Liljegren dogs' trainer at one time or another) - Mike Sommers and his wife, Joann - were here for a visit from Florida. Handsome's family has been friends with theirs for decades, and I've been blessed to be included for nearly the past 45.

So, when they came north for a couple weeks to spend time with their family, they included us as they usually do. We had a delicious lunch with them, followed by dessert back at their condo on the lake. 

Mike is an only male among four sisters, and like in my family, he also lost a sister within the past few years. His remaining sisters and their spouses, plus a cousin and godson (and his wife) filled out the group. All the ladies made desserts, as did I. 

I bought more of those delicious McIntosh apples from the farmer who brings them into work. I peeled and chopped a half dozen, put them into a sauté pan with brown sugar, white sugar, a little lemon juice, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and a wee bit of flour and cooked it down into a lovely filling. Then, I rolled out sheets of puff pastry (Pepperidge Farm), cut it into segments and filled those with the apple mixture. I topped that with a second sheet and crimped the edges (sort of like bougie pop tarts), and baked them. When they cooled off, I drizzled them with icing that was a mixture of powdered sugar, cream and vanilla. They were a big hit, and really simple to make.

"Mrs. Mike" has had her share of serious health concerns over the past few years, and we're all fortunate that she's still with us. Of course, they've been concerned about Handsome, too, so we were grateful that we could all be together for the day.

Before we all departed, many photographs were taken. Mike with his sisters; their entire family; and of course, this one of the four of us. I really love it, and it was a fine way to commemorate our visit. We're hoping to be able to see them at least one more time before they leave to go back to Florida. There really is nothing like spending time with dear, old friends.

This Is How We Do It...

Dogs on sheet-covered furniture; mama in her sweats with a lovely wool coverlet, reading her latest issue of Cooks Illustrated; Handsome taking a snapshot in time. Winter in Wisconsin, sans snow. 

We ran errands together, accomplishing much, including tiring me out. We got home with carry-out (lazy woman's dinner) in hand. After taking care of dogs, cats and our own rumbling tummies, my knee was done in and so was I. Nothing further accomplished for the day, but rest. Today will be a different story altogether. 

Tuesdays With Tag - This and That...

Hi, Everybody!

First off...Is everybody stayin' warm around your part of the world? It's really startin' to get chilly here now. Good thing I've got my fur coat (even if I do look scruffy these days!). I'm real glad I'm a house dog with a nice, warm place to sleep at night.

 

By now, you know that every day around here begins with Mom and Dad drinkin' a cup of coffee (or tea), and our routine is pretty much the same from day to day. We go outside to do our business, get our mornin' pills - or plain peanut butter in my case - and then Mom and Dad pour their cuppa and move into the livin' room to discuss the plans of the day. Once they've downed that cup, it's time for the important part...feedin' us!

While I'm bidin' my time coolin' my heals as I wait for breakfast, these two engage in their mornin' ritual of shenanigans. Don't ask. I'll just hint that it involves serious face-wrestling. Momma is in the back and The Kid is in the front. They could carry on like this for hours! Just look at 'em. They think they're starvin'.

I went outside a few days ago, only to find these perfect ice formations all over our driveway. Doesn't this look like flowers to you? It did me. The interesting thing is that their was no new precipitation, and the night before the concrete was clear. It wasn't slippery, but I still watched the ground. These images just popped overnight, and left me thinkin' about how this pattern was chosen to highlight Mother Nature's artistic skills.

Of course, whenever Mom's outside, the felines are close hand. Mom did somethin' for them, too. When she went to the barn, even though it's insulated from the wind, it was still stinkin' cold. I brainstormed with her about how to keep the welfare clients warmer, when Mom had a eureka! moment. She grabbed one of her wax warmers from her Scentsy, but made sure not to leave any wax residue in the top so the girls wouldn't get sick.

Once outdoors, Mom opened up the dresser and ran a longer electric power to the dresser habitat. Then she put the warmer inside the dresser. Crystal checked things out, and then ran off. Claudette, however, was all in...literally. She crawled into her evening acccommodations, checked out the warmer, and then tucked herself into her bed for the evening. I'm sure once Mom left. Crystal joined her mother in the warmer accommations. Better there than here, I tell ya. The warmer was already adding warmth to their space.

That's all that's goin' on around here these days. I'm sure most of you have trees up and are waitin' for the holiday festivities to commence. Mom has a wreath on the front door. whoop dee do. I think Mom and Dad are decidin' how much decoratin' to do this year. We know Mom will be the one takin' it down after the holidays. Dad doesn't want her to get hurt doin' it on her own, so I'll let you know what they decide - and maybe even have pictures. I'm gonna run for now.

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then... 

"Be A Good Dog." 

Preparing For Winter...

 

Rain and colder temperatures were in the forecast for the rest of this week, so Handsome and I completed our outside tasks to prepare for winter. We gave the lawn its final (short) cut for the season, and put out our driveway markers before the ground freezes making that impossible. All the tools and buckets are put away in the compass barn until next spring, and now we're ready.

 

It all took a few hours, so we were both gassed by the time we were all done. Of course, we were feeling accomplished, but tired. So last night I made "breakfast for dinner" - homemade waffles covered in Dutch honey with a side of bacon. We talked about the events of the day and then settled in to watch a Potter movie. I was falling asleep about halfway through, so Handsome took the dogs out for the final "squirt" of the night and we turned off all the lights. We were in bed by ten o'clock. That's early for two night owls!

 

As you can see from my photograph, it's cloudy today, and it is colder. I'm going out now to run the dogs and take care of the barn girls before the rains come. I'm hoping that by then, I'll have a nice cuppa sitting next to my needlework stand and I'll be stitching on frogs again. I'll share my progress tomorrow. I hope you have a great day, dearies. 

 

By the way, in case you've never heard of Dutch honey, it's not really honey, but it is delicious on waffles, pancakes and even ice cream! Here's the recipe if you'd like to make your own...

 

Dutch Honey

 

1 cup of corn syrup

1 cup white sugar

1 cup heavy cream

1 tsp vanilla extract 

Put the first three ingredients into a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, 

stirring constantly. Continue boiling for five minutes until it thickens, and then remove from 

heat. Add vanilla and stir completely. Now this lovely golden nectar is ready to pour warm 

over pancakes or waffles, and I store any leftovers in the refrigerator. I like to reheat it 

before I reuse it so there are no crystals. It'll keep a couple weeks in the fridge. Enjoy!

 

Obstacles or Excuses?...

Fair Warning: Get out the tiny violins or the Charlie Brown Teacher "Waaaaaa Waaaaa" voice. You can take your pick.

My day began filled with good intentions. You know what they say about good intentions, right?  Well, back to my story. I went through my usual morning routine on days when Handsome is away. 

• Get up, morning personal prep, get dressed - check
  
• Air out the dogs - check
• Feed the dogs - check
• Feed the cats - check
• Make my morning cuppa - check
• Catch up on the morning news - check
• Head to the studio to cut out the teddy bears - check
• Run half hour south to pick up Bella's new "attitude adjustment" meds and chat with the vet - check
• Drive back home - check
• Situate the dogs to avoid conflict - check
• Go back to the studio to work on the teddies - ssssscreacchhhhh!
• Hand is hurting burning too much to sew and assemble the teddies 
• Take doctor recommended ibuprofen
  
• Go back downstairs and make another cuppa
• Doze off in the chair
• etc. You get my drift 

I made an appointment a few weeks ago with the ortho/hand doctor. The first appointment they could schedule was for early APRIL. I asked to be put on their cancellation list, and got a call the following week to tell me they had an opening for March 20th. I jumped on it, so that's the soonest I can get in. Now I wait so he can tell me what the heck is going on with my hand. The pain level vacillates between a dull ache to sharp, burning pain. I'm looking forward to learning what's going on with it and then finding out what my options are for eliminating the discomfort. When it strikes, any pressure/use whatsoever hurts like the dickens, so I sit down and ride it out. I pushed through it to finish my products for the quilt show booth, but I don't have that to worry about now, so I try to alleviate the pain by resting it, applying heat or ice, and trying not to bump it against anything. Between my knee, and now my hand, I told Handsome that if I were a horse, the vet would likely put me out of my misery. Gettin' old mature sure ain't for sissies.  

I'm supposed to be on my way to Sewcial Sisters in Larsen today, but Bella is on two new medicines that she needs administered three times a day, and...my hand. I decided to stay home instead. I'm going to try to finish the teddy bears and watch Bella to make sure she can tolerate these new "mood enhancers". They're only until the vet and her staff of experts can figure out what's wrong with her and our course of action. In the meantime, we're trying these meds to see if they'll curb her aggression. Praying they do. We need to help her and take care of whatever is the root cause. 

On another matter, I'll be dropping new items into my Etsy shop over the weekend. I'll also have Square links for direct purchase that I'll post here and in the Brynwood Needleworks Facebook group. I'll also be discounting a few special things, so you may want to check in from time to time. 

I'll see you again tomorrow with a progress report. Heck of a way to start the new month. Sorry. sigh

 

Sidetracked...

 

This isn't a recent photograph. I took it when this bed was still in my room. The reason I moved it out was because it was quite a hike to get up (much) onto it every night, and I was spoiled by my farmhouse bed, which is lower. Then I spotted the bed with the acorn and oak leaves motif and I was hooked. The big news is that I'm going to move my studio from two rooms to this larger room so we can have a guest room. 

 

This bed has been in the garage until today, when it's going to a new home, along with the matching dresser and side tables. Once the gent arrives, I'll ask if he's also interested in the matching armoire (which is still upstairs). If he is, he and his buddy will have to carry it downstairs, but I'll offer it to him for a steal that I hope he can't resist. I have a few surprises for Handsome that I want to accomplish while he's in Florida, and that armoir disappearing would be a big part of the plan.

I'm going to go out and dust off the pieces I know this man is going to purchase, and then give the armoire a dusting, just in case. 

Help is scheduled for Sunday to get the fabric room emptied and move my shelves and cutting table into the front room. Then, we'll reset my bedroom set into the newly-vacated fabric room. My plan is that the sewing room will be the guest bedroom (with the built-in cabinetry for now), and I'll also move my comfy chair in so I can sit and stitch there, too. With my nephew, Dan helping, it should go quickly and I won't be lifting all the heavy stuff. When I asked him to help, he didn't hesitate contingent only on whether or not his bride has something planned for their family that he doesn't yet know about. So, with my fingers crossed, I'm hoping the in-house move can proceed as planned.

The Barn Girls are back outside. They're not quite happy about it, but I need my sleep and those two romp around (mostly on me!) all night. I had also bought new litter for them that was better than the clay they were used to. On a recommendation by a few people, I bought a 40# bag of pelletized horse bedding for them. It smelled better and wasn't as messy as clay either. I was happy. Crystal was happy. Claudette was not. I found a nasty surprise in another room when I woke up, and that was that. Outside, thank you very much! (The dogs are happy about this new development, too!)

I know Crystal isn't disappointed. Although she's very cuddly inside, she really prefers the outdoor life. Claudette, on the other hand, was quite put out. She sat on the porch rail looking in the house most of the day. I let her in for a bit of a visit after dinner, and then gave her a cuddle and kiss and told her to go find Crystal as I put her out. At least she wasn't sitting and wailing to be let back in. I admit, they're spoiled.

After the bedroom set leaves today, I'll be back in the studio. I'm going to cut fabric for the sewing/stitching organizer I want to make for the show. I'm hoping to make about a dozen of them by Friday, so I'll get everything lined up and then I can concentrate on sewing without having to go back and forth from the cutting table to the machine. I always look forward to getting the cutting out of the way. It really is my least favorite studio task. Gotta go now. Lots to do. I'll see you tomorrow!

 

Tuesdays With Tag - A Rough Week…

Hi, Everybody!

It’s been a rough week around here, for sure. Let me explain. 

This is almost our usual accommodations here at the farmhouse. You’ll notice I’ve got a towel on my apartment. That’s because every time Bella sees me, she starts growlin’ at me like she still wants to rip my face off. She’s gets pretty fierce. I’m gettin’ tired of it, so I dish it right back at her.  

The vet says she’s got hormone issues ‘cuz of somethin’ goin’ on with her, and she’s probably holdin’ a grudge for somethin’ I said or did a long time ago, and now with her head screwed up, she wants to beat me up over it all this time later.  So just ‘cuz of that, Mom and Dad have to block her view of me.

Even Carly has to have a barricade just in case her mama decides to give her a hard time, too. We’re all kind of on lockdown until this gets figured out. We eat in our own apartments, and we get out in shifts. Carly and I can be out together, but Bella can only be out alone for now. 

So, here she is…Miss Pitiful Barky Pants. We all sure the vet is gonna get to the bottom of this, but it’s gonna be a little awkward until then. Mom and Dad will make sure we all stay safe until she’s feelin’ better. She’s miserable right now, so she needs a little TLC and handlin’ with kid gloves ‘til then. 

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then... 

"Been There, Chewed That!"

PS - Mom’s computer is sick. I had to write this on her cell phone. If this looks messed up, don’t blame me!

Tuesdays With Tag - My Weekend Guests...

Hi, Everybody!

Yes. I had guests, too. To listen to Mom talk, you'd think all the guests last weekend were here for the weddin' and to see her. Truthfully, there were two more guests of the canine persuasion. They always travel with Aunt Di and Uncle T when they're not home. (Kinda hard to feed them when they're off gallivantin'.)

This handsome example of the German Shepherd variety is Titus. He used to belong to Mom's dad. When he passed away, sister Di took him home with her. He's been with her ever since, and he really loves her and her husband, Tom. He's a big boy, and we watched each other through screen doors and camper windows, but Mom and Dad thought it best that we all stay in our own houses, to avoid any possible conflict.

He had been out in the yard a bunch, so at least I got to snuffle where he'd walked - and cover up any liquid he might have deposited - in my yard. I was a completely gracious host to both him and his housemate.

This is Zelda - pooch #2. She's a lot smaller than Titus, and she does have ears, even though she laid 'em down for this picture. She's a Heinz 57 variety, and is about 1/2 the height and length of Titus. She's taller than I am, but shorter than Bella and Carly.

For the same reason as Titus, Mom, Dad, Aunt Di and Uncle T diligently kept us apart. They said there was no need to promote drama last weekend. 

They left yesterday with their camper and the two-legged guests. By 3:30, the house was all quiet and the yard was cleared. We all took a deep breath...and missed everybody. It sure wasn't the same without them. We're hopin' we can all do it again very soon. As for me? I'm gonna take a nap.

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then... 

"Been There, Chewed That!"

First Guests Arrive...

Our first guests arrived yesterday, much to the delight of the furry residents of Hickory Hill Farm. Tag and The Girls are always glad to see my sister, but her husband and best friend were new to them. They were both received with raucous enthusiasm.

Brenda is my sister's best friend, so I was so happy to finally meet her. Tag, Bella and Carly were glad to meet her, too. Just look at Tag. What a suck-up. He's so bloody fickle! He was all over this poor woman - although I admit, she seemed to enjoy their attention.

The kitchen will be a bustling hub of activity all day, and all the delicious creations will be dinner for the wedding party this evening, following the rehearsal. We'll help Di as we're able, to try to make things easier for her. It's definitely going to be a long, strenuous day for her, and we're sure she'll be happy when it's over. She's a great cook, so there's no worry that her food will be a huge success.

My niece and her children arrive later today. Then we'll be to full capacity around here. We can't wait! So, I'd better get busy helping. Much to do before this day is over. More updates tomorrow.

Tuesdays With Tag - White and Wet…

 

Surprise, Surprise

Hi, Everybody!

How’s the weather where you are?

It’s gettin’ so we don’t know what to expect from one day to the next. One day it’s lookin’ like Spring, for real. The next, we’ve got snow on the ground again. Yesterday, it snowed all.stinkin’.day. It’s supposed to get up to 61° by Thursday. It’s pretty confusin’.

Playin’ In The Snow

Dad took Boo, The Kid and me out for a good romp in the white stuff. There was lots of stuff to sniff on, and lots of room to run. It was awesome! 

I was mostly methodical and deliberate in my tracking’. The girls, on the other hand, ran from one end of our yard to the other. Carly chased her mom, who had speed to spare to keep well ahead of her. By the time they were ready to go back in the house, tongues were hangin’ down to their knees. We really needed it, ‘cuz we were startin’ to get cabin fever.

We’re hopin’ Winter will be over soon. We’re all lookin’ forward to hangin’ around in the yard and soakin’ up some rays. Mom wants to get into the garden, and we all want to help. Come on, warm weather!

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then... 

"Been There, Chewed That!"

Calgon, Take Me Awaaaay...

Brynwood Needleworks - The Habitat at the Farmhouse

 

I think the easiest way to tell you about my day yesterday is to share the Facebook post I put up late morning...

"Let’s see. How to describe my morning so far?

I woke up to rain and a husband who’s under the weather. I let each of the dogs out, in turn, and then put them back in their kennels to get dry.

While waiting for Tag to finish his business in the yard, the two barn cats came on the porch from The Habitat (an area in the woods where I leave birdseed for the opossums, chipmunks and birds all winter). Claudette had a live chipmunk in her mouth, which I promptly scooped up. It ran up onto my shoulder where I grabbed it and put in my sweatshirt pocket to protect it from the girls.

Two mad wet cats, wanting what I’d taken away from them, so I came in the house, found a box in the basement where I secured the chippy until I could take it back to The Habitat to set it free. ..but not before it showed its displeasure by nipping my thumb and drawing first blood.

I went out to the barn, followed by two mewing felines, and put out food for them and

Claudette’s prodigal son. Hopefully, that would keep them occupied until after the chipmunk was released.

I moved the yard tractor out of the garage so the driver could pick it up this morning for service. I turned around to see that two wet cats had followed me in and gone into hunt mode. When I started the tractor, Crystal hi-tailed it back to the safety of the Compass Barn. Claudette jumped into the boat that’s in storage in the garage, where she had a bird’s eye view of all activity. She remains there for a little “alone time”, away from her kids.

I filled a bucket with water and cleaner, grabbed a brush, paper towel, and garbage bag, and proceeded back to the porch to clean up the remains of last night’s carnage... “gifts” from the girls. I’m glad I didn’t have to add a chipmunk to the bag.

Once I came back into the house, I put on my slippers, thoroughly scrubbed my hands, disinfected my thumb with LOTS alcohol, and put on a clean bandage.

While I was feeding the dogs, I put the kettle on to boil a cuppa tea. Carly delivered each dish as they were emptied, I made my hot tea, took my morning meds (Quercitin, zinc, NAC, Vit D3, and Vit C, to keep C-19 and any other nasty bug at bay), and now that the tractor has been picked up, I’m sitting down to catch my breath.

(By the way- I also looked up chipmunks and rabies. It looks like they’re not carriers, but I’ll keep the wound clean. If I start growing hair on my palms, or foaming at the mouth, I’ll head to the ER.)

How’s your morning going?"

I ended up calling the doctor's office right before lunch, just to make sure I was up-to-date with my tetanus shot (I am), and see if I missed anything. I'm just supposed to keep track of the bite location, and if it starts to look infected, I should go to the doctor asap. In the meantime, I was told that washing it out with soap and alcohol as I did was good enough. I might want to also cover it with a little antibiotic ointment (which I also did), so I'm good. 

The nurse admitted to me that she was having a hard time not laughing out loud at my tale. She said she would have freaked out if the cat had brought the live chipmunk to her. No way she would have tried to pick it up. I told her to feel free to giggle. I could actually see the humor in the entire event, as long as I wouldn't die from the rodent bite.

Most of the rest of the day was uneventful, except that late day, Claudette showed up again with a larger chipmunk in her mouth. This time she made sure it was dead so I couldn't save the poor thing. I took it from her anyway and disposed of it before she could disembowel it. Ugh. Well played, cat. Well, played.

Claudette - 1

Me - 0

Tag and Carly On One End Of Our Sectional

By the end of the day, everyone was settled in. Tag and Carly commandeered one end of the sectional, while...

Bella Butt

Miss Bella prefers to snuggle her butt right up against me on the other end of the sectional. Seriously, I sit on this too small sliver of the new sofa, as the canines have invoked squatter's rights on the rest. I'm pitiful. 

The Barn Girls were actually snuggled up on a chaise lounge on the porch, while Leo slept wherever he wanted in the barn. As an aside: I actually got close enough to reach over the top of him to turn out the barn light last night. It won't be long before he'll be visiting the vet. (Yay!)

Let's hope today goes better. I'm nursing Handsome as we try to avoid another trip to the hospital, and today, I'm going to try to get all the tax information pulled together to send to our accountant. Yes. I'm one of those people who runs right up against deadlines. I'll be back tomorrow to let you know how it goes.

Lounge Lizards...

Brynwood Needleworks - Bella On The Bottom. Carly Up Top.

  

I bet you're wondering why there's a lawn chair (with a pretty dog quilt) in our living room. I can explain.  In recent months, Handsome (with his new knee replacement), and me (with my bad right "wheel") have had a little difficulty getting out of our Stressless™ recliners.

We decided that we wanted to change out our living room furniture, and began by selling the furniture we had. The recliners (leather and in great condition) sold in mere hours and left here on Friday. We did purchase a new recliner for Handsome, which was delivered on Saturday. 

 

The Stressless™ sofa sold in one day, and the loveseat that I purchased from the estate of a friend, left here on Monday. We're interested in purchasing a sectional sofa to come into the room, but haven't found one that met our criteria yet. We're going looking again today. 

In the meantime, seating got a little scarce in the room. We have one Stressless™ chair that was in Handsome's office, so we brought that into the living room for now. Handsome has his awesome new massaging recliner, and I wanted one more seat (the Labradors are lost without a piece of furniture to climb into. lol) in the room, so I brought one of the outdoor lounges in and covered it with a whole cloth quilt.

Bella immediately climbed under the lounge, and fell asleep. We didn't even know she was there until she stretched, revealing her legs and her hiding place. Carly was above her and heard her move. I caught this image as Carly was investigating who was below her. It was actually pretty comical to watch.

Brynwood Needleworks - Tag-a-weenie

I've also helped Tag into this temporary, popular seating piece (in front of a window that looks out onto the north field). They rotate sitting here, also pretty comical. 

I think we'll find our new furniture today or tomorrow, and am looking forward to it being delivered so that we can get back to regular indoor seating, rather than this odd chair, but for now, there are three happy lounge lizards. I'll be happy when we're back to normal, and promise to share "before" and "after" photos with you.

 

American Gatherings...

Brynwood Needleworks - Primitive Gatherings "American Gatherings" Fabrics and Book

My dear, sweet Handsome drove me to Menasha yesterday morning to pick up my Wool Box at Primitive Gatherings. (My right knee is giving me enough grief that I didn't think it would be a good idea to stress it by driving myself.) Of course, Tag, Bella and Carly rode along.

I needed a few other things while I was there, so I set aside the wool colors I needed, and then grabbed a copy of Lisa's latest quilt pattern book, American Gatherings. Of course, I knew I'd need some of the fabric line, too, so I figured a couple of charm packs, a jelly roll, and a couple yards of fabric would be plenty to make a nice, patriotic lap quilt. Something that would hang nicely over the rail this summer, or be just the right size for a nap on the porch.

I needed a yard of natural colored wool, but there wasn't any in the shop, so I prepaid and Debbie (who works at the shop) promised to ship it. I decided to wait until we got home to open my Wool Box, so I could really savor the contents, so we drove home and I brought my "haul" into the house. 

When we arrived back home, I got out of the truck, I came around through the garage and saw Claudette waiting for me on the driveway. She was giving me that "Where have you been?" look. I knew what would be tumbling out of the truck into the yard behind me, so I quickly tried to shoo her toward the barn. I wasn't quick enough. She meowed, and I saw her fur rise and her eyes get big.

I turned around and the girls had seen her. The chase was on. She turned for the nearest hideout, and ran to the kitchen garden to jump into the hollyhocks (which are a veritable jungle). The dogs ran in behind her, and she came flying out the other side (fur all bushed out), and tore for the barn. By then, Tag had joined the pursuit and they were close behind her. 

She managed to make it to the barn doors and flew through the opening, leaving the dogs panting...proud of their chasing skills, and it took Handsome and me more than a few minutes to get them off her scent, and coming back to the house. After leaving their piddles behind (a gesture of "There! Take that, strange fur beast!"), we all went into the house. 

 

I went back out about fifteen minutes later to find Claudette in the loft of the barn. They wouldn't be able to get her up there. I called her down and she let me hold her for a bit. I had a little conversation with her about the wisdom and staying in the barn when she heard a vehicle. Or not. Now that she's fully aware of how fast our dogs are, perhaps she'll know to continue to stay just out of reach.

I took my purchases up to the studio and brought the Wool Box back downstairs so I could take my time going through it - only to find it was the same Wool Box I got last month! How could this be? I called and Debbie answered the shop phone. I told her she'd given me Box 14, and I though we were due for Box 15. Was I wrong?

She asked me to hold, went to the stacks of boxes behind the counter, and came back to tell me they'd stacked 14s on top of 15s. She was so apologetic, and then told me that the natural wool had been brought over from the warehouse, so she'd send my wool and Box 15 to me yet today, and I could bring Box 14 back next time I was going up there. (I told her I'd take it back next week.) So, I have my new fabrics to play with, but I'll have to wait for my Wool Box.

That's okay. Perhaps I'll be giving Claudette lessons in staying out of the hollyhocks, and heading to the wood shed when she feels the need to stretch her legs. Honestly, my heart can't take the stress of the chase. Now that she's back, I just want to keep her safe from all the predators, apparently, including at least two fast Labradors!

I'll be working on "Everlasting" this weekend. We'll see how far along I can get with it. I'll share updates next week. 

 

I hope you have a restful, reflective Memorial Weekend. I'm grateful to all who sacrificed for our freedom, and those who are currently serving. God Bless them, and God Bless America.