Sunday's Walk in the Park

Compared to Friday and Saturday, yesterday's weather could be considered "balmy"! The temperature got up over 40, the sun was shining and the snow was starting to melt. It melted enough by the river that the hounds and I were able to take a nice leisurely stroll in the afternoon.

I still had to wear my winter coat but I could feel the sun's warmth through it and the Bassets must have enjoyed it too, even plunging in the deeper snow for some scent or other that attracted them.

If you look at the top of the picture you can see that I couldn't let them follow the scent or they would be going over the bank into the river!

With the sun's warmth came the sound of giant icicles crashing down all along the rock face. You can make out some smaller ones still hanging there.

After our walk, the hounds waited in the car while I got a few groceries, and for being so patient I treated them to a bag of beef basted biscuits and the little treats that look like t-bones steaks (not all at once!). And then we came home and snuggled.

I love Sunday's like this!

Winter lingers on....

It's pretty if you don't have to go out in it.

Although the chickens don't seem to mind.

 But I think I will make tracks for the back door.

And enjoy from the inside!

Valentine's Day

From my DH...

...and inside said "No wonder we're so good together. Happy Valentines Day!" plus a personal note ;-)

Our gift to each other?

FISHING LICENSES!!!

So that we can spend even more time together! Spring is coming!

Happy Valentines you all!

A Treat!

I have made a day trip to the Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival for the last few years, but never participated in the classes or a lot of the fun. This year my DH insisted I treat myself, invite some friends and stay the whole weekend. For me, it was a mini vacation and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

The hotel was wonderful...

I loved the views from our room....

The window looking out was a whole wall of glass, DH definitely wouldn't have liked that - he doesn't like heights unless it is out of a tree stand!

Being able to see some of the class sessions from an eagle eye view...

Breakfast by room service was a real treat too...

And the meals in the hotel were scrumptious too...

Of course there was something for everyone whether shopping...

knitting...

knitting for charity...

spinning...

There was a ravelry meet up which meant catching up with online friends (drat forgot to take my camera!)and meeting new people, a wonderful fashion show complete with wine and hors d'oeuvres, a pj/knitting party where drawings were held and prizes given out! There were a lot of free patterns given out at any of the gatherings just for showing up. My ticket was drawn and I was given the book by Iris Schreier (of ArtYarns) who was one of the headliners at the festival. She was really nice and autographed my copy for me.

Since last fall I have been hosting a knit night at my house every Thursday evening. A couple of weeks before the festival I had bought two knitting magazines to share with my group. It wasn't until I was at the Festival that I realized one of our headliners was Steven Be of Yarn Garage who was featured in the Vogue Knitting magazine I had picked up!

He was a very amusing, entertaining and inspiring speaker and while I admit I am a more "sedate" knitter, he did encourage me to "glitter up my knitting", as you can see by the article he autographed for me!

My knitting mentor Jane (Jane and her daughter Jill of B-ewe-tiful Designs,) had one of her patterns selected for Knitters Magazine.

and I have her autograph now too!

I brought home some yarn, and a couple of presents for people who couldn't go but I feel very spoiled!

Want to go next year?

My latest knitting projects...

I have been working on this doll for my little neice Maddy for a while now as time and schedule would permit. It was a lot of fun to make and I will, at some point in the future, make another for my grandbaby hope chest. I was really tickled with how well it turned out!

While doing this project I learned some new techniques like the curly q hair, a new style of increase, an interesting way to embroider the eyes, and how to make knees! 

I loved knitting the button nose,

her little toes,

and she even has a little outie belly button!

Not to mentione the outfit of clothes and a matching hat for dolly and Maddy!

I don't think Maddy quite new what to think of her at first. She also did not want to wear her hat (she doesn't like hats but her momma says she has to wear one!) But with encouragement from her big sisters Morgan, Sammy and Amanda, she was soon wearing it with a smile!

Anyone who knows me, knows I always have a pair of socks on the needle. This pair was made while my mom was in surgery, during visiting hours at the hospital, and when Mom and I knitted together during Mom's recovery before I returned to PA.

They were made for my office mate Amy who held down the office while I was away.

As you can see, she has happy feet!

Next up, an overdue high school graduation present for another neice, a pair of socks for my son Tim, and finishing my son & daughter~n~laws afghan. Yes Samantha, I will finish yours first!!!

What do you have on the needles?

Mixed Blessings

As yesterday I was a little under the weather with a stomach virus, I didn't get a chance to post. So I have a couple of blessings to share...

I was blessed with a lazy day and great company on New Years day...

(this one was a sneak camera attack cause the eldest kept laughing or making obscene hand gestures)

The blessing of a furry friend and a spot of sunshine... 

and the ever-changing scenery in NW Pennsylvania with a foot of snow. See the sparkle of the snow and imagine every little snowflake is unique!

Wow, it is 2012 already!

I don't know about you, but it has been a busy 2011 for me!

When I last posted I was in KY helping my mom who had a total knee replacement surgery. I enjoyed my time with Mom (though not the reason for it!), and I am grateful that my employers support and encourage family care. My dear hubby is also very supportive and I wouldn't have been able to go if he wasn't at home holding down the fort, so to speak, taking care of the houndies, cats, chickens, plants, working, cooking, grocery shopping...you get the picture!

While I was away, my middle son Tim has completed his college courses at UNCW and has moved home in between starting his internship in Washington DC mid-January. He graduates in May with his degree in Recreation Therapy. He had a nice surprise waiting for me when I pulled into the driveway at 11PM two days before Christmas. The lighted deer and Christmas tree were in the front yard set up and glowing, attached to the Christmas lights lining the front porch my oldest son, Kerry Lee, had helped me put up during the warm spell right after Thanksgiving. Then when I came into the house I saw that Tim had set up and decorated the Christmas tree, hung the Christmas stockings for everyone including the dogs and cats, and had decorated the rest of the house as well! What a blessing!

Since Christmas I have returned to work for a very brief work week, my sons Kerry Lee and Ben along with my daughter-in-law Elise, came for the New Year holiday as well as my nephew Dan and new niece-n-law's wedding this past Friday evening. Sounds like a lot doesn't it!

2011 was like that.

The whole year long!

I am not complaining, just stating it like it was. 2011 was exhausting for me.

We had job changes, college graduations, the boys coming home and leaving again, we helped two of the boys move ( and one of them moved home twice in between college, job changes and his wedding). We had a death (PJ you are not forgotten), a wedding, a birth, court appearances, a garden, some canning, etc....in short "life"!

I've shared all of that with you to say this, last year I wasn't able to blog very often. I was too busy (or too tired) living life to write about it. So while I don't really have New Year's resolutions, my husband and I took some time last night and today to outline some goals that we would like to work towards.

One of them, for me, is taking time each day to share with you something that has blessed me during the day. I hope to accomplish two things in doing this; the first is that I take time to slow down, to notice, and savour the everyday moments that I take for granted. The second is to inspire you to do the same.

May 2012 be a year that you are blessed!

Kentucky

Once again I am in the great state of Kentucky this year.

What a big difference from PA. For one thing, no snow! The weather is beautiful. Today is was very breezy and warm, I was outside in a short sleeve shirt. In December! Who would have thought.

While I am using my vacation time to be here, technically I am not on vacation. My mom who a lot of you know from Sunny's Studio, Changing Lanes and Just Plain Country, had to have a total knee replacement surgery yesterday. Yes, she is doing quite well, thanks for asking!

I have been keeping company with Mizz Izzy, who although enjoying the attention from me, the extra treats, playing with her toys on the floor with me, and the walks to try to distract her, still is looking for her special someone. Even now every little noise she hears as she lays up on the back of the couch, she looks up and out the door, trying to see if that is Mom coming home. Too bad hospitals do not allow visitors from patients pets...I really think that would cheer up the one who is recovering as well as allow the dog to understand that their person is still around and where they are. Hmmm, maybe something to try to get programmed into the hospital system...

In the meantime, my hound babies have been hanging with dear hubby. We have a standing skype session at 9 PM EST, in which the pups join in. So even though they can't figure how to get me out of that funny little box (and boy have I shrunk!) at least they hear my voice and can see me, and I them.

 

My hubby has taken over all my routines with the pups while I am gone, but I think he is enjoying himself. He says that Skittles, HoneyDew and Sampson all take turns laying across his lap and in some cases over both arm rests!

I am hoping my next visit down here (if I can't persuade Mom to move north, ssshhhhh!) will be a true vacation with all of us being together doing vacationey things.

How do you handle absences from your pet and how do they handle life without you?

ahhhhhh.....



(Click on the picture for more information on the services offered here.)



Once a month, best treatment there is for keeping me healthy and my disc issues from getting out of hand! I get the deep tissue massage on a monthly basis and I can honestly say it makes a big difference in a lessen amount of headaches, I don't have the feeling of a stake stuck in my shoulder blade, I am more flexible and most of the time I sleep better (except when my boys are traveling, lol!).

Thank you dear hubby for insisting on this! You are the best!

Beach Hounds

The weather was sunny and beautiful on Saturday so the hounds and I thought we would take advantage of it by going to the Erie Peninsula.

If you have read many of my posts, you know that we like it best if the hounds can go off leash. Honey Dew and Sampson are very obedient and come back to me when called.

Of course one of the mandates is that dogs be leashed on the Peninsula even in the off-season...but no one said that I actually had to hold the leash, just be in control of the dogs, and as the beach was deserted I thought I would risk if for a a little while.

Sampson and HoneyDew posing for the camera before I let them run and explore.

So many sounds, sights and best of all new smells to explore! Which way to go first?

Evidently this scent was interesting...I was really hoping the hounds would not pick up a dead fish anywhere! Or worse, roll in one!

A moment before I snapped this photo, Sampson was facing me with strings of drool hanging from his mouth and sand particles clinging to it, evidently he didn't want you to see that cause he whipped right around and started shaking it off only to wrap it up around his nose! Too funny!

I love how the waves come in and make little pools. The sun and breeze was invigorating. I think we walked for about two hours along the beaches and part of the walking/bike path.

Just hanging out and enjoying the view.

There was room enough for me on the bench too, and I did share it for awhile with Sampson half on my lap.

Smile for the camera!

Honey Dew was more interested in bird watching then my attempts with the camera.

This is one of my favorite pictures! I brought the smooth rocks and fresh water clam shell home with me so that I could remember a great day shared with my two best pals. I am sure that you recognize the paw prints but can you guess what the long swish marks are?

"Basset Happy Ears and Happy Feet"