Pumpkin Sunrise

  How are you?  I am doing well and so is dear Frodo. Everyday I believe he is back to himself and then the next day I see more improvements. He's on two antibiotics until the end of the weekend so I imagine coming Monday he will be the fully restored and rebooted Frodo.  Thank you all for the well wishes and prayers, they meant a lot to me and they worked! Every day is a bonus day with him, and I take each day as it comes. He will be 15 years old in October. Yesterday we went out for lunch at our favorite outdoor restaurant near a pond in a local park. The ambience is fantastic. Over the fence by our table, we watched a bird sitting on a nest built amongst the reeds. The best kind of lunch entertainment. I have slowly eased back into ordinary life. I knit a bit, read a bit and journal a bit. It's a wonderful existence. I am enjoying my non-credit classes and as you know, I am once again in Tai Chi, if you ever have a chance to take a class, I highly recommend it.  B...

  Good morning! How are you? How's the crafting been going for you? I am surprised that I finished these pair of socks amidst the stress of Frodo's illness, but when you are sitting with a dog for long periods of time you end up with some knitting time. These socks are the last pair I'm knitting for my husband, but they are not the last pair of socks that I am knitting. I will be making some pairs of socks for holiday gifts this year. While the yarn was nice to work with in my hands, I did not like the super long repeat of colors and I found the colors too muted for my liking.  In other news, Frodo is back to his old annoying self! He is slightly thinner than before and maybe a tiny bit fatigued. He is still on many medicines until the weekend but we are thrilled to see him acting like his usual self. Thank you for all the well wishes! He felt them and I am grateful for them. What are you working on this week?

  My weekend was spent taking care of Frodo who is slowly improving (I'm impatient and wish it was faster). I love the photo above. Frodo cannot see Holly, but she is all in on supporting him. Our flowers are blooming like crazy and every time I walk outside, I see something new or interesting. How was your weekend?

 Hello! Just a quick note that our dear Frodo came back home yesterday afternoon. He has more recovering to do and I'm the main nurse. So because of my nursing duties, I will be posting infrequently on my blog until he is less needy.  He is on a bland diet, two antibiotics, a probiotic and an anti-nausea medicine as well. It's nice to see him eating again even if it's chicken and rice. Hopefully by the end of next week, he will be on his regular diet. He is a terrible patient and tries to bite me. I'm a terrible nurse with limited patience. We are a fantastic team!! May you all have a lovely weekend!

  Good morning lovely people! How are you today? My knitting has come to a screeching halt this week because after we picked up Frodo from the kennel on Friday evening, he started with unrelenting diarrhea and we were on 24/7 nursing care. We took him to a vet practice on Saturday morning and the medicines they prescribed did not work. Yesterday morning I drove him 50 minutes up north (as opposed to going south towards the city) and he was seen at an emergency vet hospital that has 24/7 nursing care. He was admitted for dehydration and I was so glad!!  He is expected to make a full recovery.  My socks are coming along, I even knit another inch after I snapped the photo above. What are you working on this week?

  Good morning! I hope all of you are having a fine weekend. I'm popping in to do a post since tomorrow morning I'll be busy visiting my dad and my step-mom.  Earlier this week, we went to London Ontario to visit his mom. We stayed at the nicest hotel named the Idlewyld Inn and Spa . Our room was perfect and everyone we met was kind, friendly and helpful. We will definitely stay there again whenever we are there for a visit. We had a nice time with his mom and took her about town doing what she wanted to do and eating at restaurants where she wanted to eat. I think we made her happy. We had nice weather going up and back, but sadly on the way home a major highway was shut down in Canada due to construction and they didn't give detour information. Our US phones act like they are gasping for air in Canada when they try to use the satellite.  The navigation app on my phone used up most my battery, but we did find an alternate route, got back into the USA. My phone breathed a...

  How was your weekend? Mine was relaxing and 'ordinary'. I spent most of Saturday reading books or knitting or sitting and relaxing. It was a fantastic restful day. Frodo is getting old and only wants to sit outside for about 20 minutes then he wants back inside.  On Sunday, we went to Mass and I endured a speaker (after the sermon) who was going to 'keep it short' which is code for another 10 minutes which is not short at all. My wish and desire is that they put it in the bulletin.  Sunday afternoon was more of the same as on Saturday just add my laundry. I sketched (!) on both days, feeling rusty but definitely loving the time I spent in my sketchbook. How was your weekend?

  How was your weekend? My weekend was spectacular - the most important news is that I made it to the diabolical section of my sudoku book. I do a puzzle during lunch and now that I'm in the diabolical range a puzzle takes me a few lunches to figure out. Delightful!! Do you puzzle? If not you should, it's fun. I also do the NYT puzzles on a daily basis.  My husband started ripping off the deck floor because it was rotting and what was to be a simple job has turned into fixing many mistakes when it was built. Nothing ever goes to plan does it? I think he's happy out there.  I did a lot of reading and finished the 14th book ( The Locked Room ) in the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths and I have already started the 15th book which is also the last book in the series. My knitting has been nice. I continue to knit for limited amounts of time because of the fantastically healing wrists.  Those precious knitting times are a joy. My wrists are a joy as well. I've got a ...

  How was your weekend? Yet again, I had a nice quiet (boring) weekend - I'm just stringing them along one after the other. Yesterday we put away the snow shovel so maybe there will be some snow (ha ha ha). We also set up the back patio for the warmer weather because the awning company will be here this week to install my clean, mended and newly waterproofed awning. I am excited!  Besides daily walks with Frodo in our neighborhood and going to Mass on Sunday morning, I took it easy. We popped into the library on Saturday so I could borrow the 14th book of the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths. I read this last year so I need to refresh my memory before I read the final (15th) book of the series.  Of course I did a bit of sock knitting and I continue to protect my wrist from over-doing it. I am so happy with my progress on the socks and in the wrist protection. It's a double win!

  Good morning! How are you doing? Life has been quite nice around here.  First of all, thank you for the well wishes, they worked! I am gingerly knitting and have minimal wrist pain. Slow and steady wins the race, so they say. I am learning to have patience. Yesterday, my husband and I went to the science museum early in the morning to see the titanic exhibit. The exhibit was nice and informative but the crowd was not nice. I am not a fan of crowds and I especially do not like being near people who are sneezing (and NOT covering their mouths....). Goodness! We toured the exhibit and quickly left. The science museum is our least favorite because of this reason. I did not have the patience I clearly needed. Once we were home, I snuggled with Frodo and did a few rows of knitting. I also enjoyed reading my book. I am on the 13th book (out of 15) of the Ruth Galloway mysteries by Elly Griffiths. I read number 14 first over a year ago and will probably read it again before the last...

  Along with sock knitting mania comes some lovely time sitting and enjoying the afternoons. I didn't have classroom classes this week but still had Tai Chi. Next week we have a break from all classes then I start back up the following week for the second half of the spring semester. One of the best decisions I've ever made is doing these classes. I've met lovely people and I do enjoy absorbing knowledge. Spring is in full force here. The birds are singing away and this weekend the clocks go forward one hour. My body has already done the time change, I've been getting up at 4:30 a.m. like a crazy person. I just go with it. Frodo is ready to go to bed at 7:30 p.m. at night. Holly doesn't do time changes, I guess. I'm on the second sock and of course with my sock knitting mania I have some wrist pain from my arthritis condition. I guess I have to ease up a bit? Double pointed needles have that way about them for me, and I am going to look into flexi-flips and see ...

  Good morning! How are you? The sun has been shining for most of the week. Frodo and I walked and soaked up the sunbeams. I am amazed at the instant mood lifter a bit of sunshine can do after weeks of cloudy days. We are heading back into some rain and clouds but that's okay for now. I am so close to finishing the baby sweater, I have less than eight rows to go. I will be glad when that is off my needles and I can work on the baby blanket once more. The acrylic yarn is beating up my hands (not too badly but I don't like working with it). Every day the past week, I was either attending classes or attending routine appointments. I am looking forward to next week where my schedule will be relaxed. Now of course with a relaxed schedule, I'll squander the extra time!  Have a wonderful weekend!

  Good morning, how was your weekend? We stayed home and did nothing which is the best kind of weekend because I did all the knitting and reading I could possibly do. The rainy weather persisted and Frodo shivered. He was recently groomed and even though we leave his coat a little longer the poor old man cannot take damp weather. Isn't it funny how damp cold seeps into your bones? I did finish that baby blanket and started another one. I also started a baby sweater for the grand nephew to be. I'm reading The Stone Circle by Elly Griffiths which is the eleventh book in the series. I'm gobbling them all up! 

  Good morning! How was your weekend?  On Friday, we received about five inches of snow and so I stayed home snug inside watching it all unfold outside. Frodo and I are in a routine where I bundle him up in his winter coat then I proceed to bundle myself up. We are outside for a few minutes then we undo all the bundling once we are back inside a warm house.  On Saturday, we went to the local library and I checked out a few more graphic novels for fun. I do love admiring the artwork and the visual storytelling.  Sunday morning we attended Mass after a month or so of lingering illnesses, maybe the walls shook maybe not. It was nice to be back, to feel healthy and to be grateful for everything. We attended our grand-nephew's 3rd birthday party. What a fun age! He was a delight to watch as he opened his gifts and he loved everything. We should all be so joyful! Over the weekend, I did lots of knitting and reading. We might be above freezing today!

  Frodo wants you to know it is too cold outside! How are you guys? Life around here has been nice. After weeks and weeks, I finally started to feel better over the weekend. (YAY) On Saturday I made dinner for my sister and brother in law. What was supposed to be nine people attending, dwindled down to just the four of us. This is what happens with winter gatherings and viruses. We had a great time and did play a board game as well. I've been knitting up a storm, still! I am just going with it until the knitting fever ends sort of like Forrest Gump and his running.  Sunday morning was lots of snow, crazy winds and the roads were a mess, so we stayed home and stayed warm inside. I did my Sunday chores and relaxed. How was your weekend?

  Good morning! How is your January going so far?  I am getting better but not fast enough for my liking. I need to work on that state of mind, I meditate daily but need to accept my reality. Yesterday,  my iphone alerted me that I am not as active as I usually am. Boy did I get angry at my phone. Doesn't it know I'm ill? (I did change the settings so that the phone doesn't alert me to any 'trends' in exercising and minds its own business). Part of the reason I took it so personally is because I am itching to get back to my exercise routine, I miss it so!! My plan is for Monday morning easing back as long as I feel up to it. We are supposed to get snow, my husband is hoping it's a little bit and I am hoping it's many inches. He had his summer season of glory, I need to have my own season. My physical body might be in recovery mode but my creativity is bursting. I have cast on a new shawl will that color changing yarn in the photo above. Frodo approves of the...

  Good morning! How are you doing? Are you ready for the holidays?  I'm pleased to report that Frodo has been doing really well! He was barking so much yesterday that I have gratitude that he was back to his old self plus some annoyance mixed in with the gratitude. What a wonderful place to be. I am still battling my virus, but each day I see progress and that makes me happy (today is my first day to not be under a blanket!) and luckily my husband is fully recovered. Onward and upward. Yesterday I did lots of knitting and have mad scheming plans to finish these stockings for the grands for Christmas day. Completely doable if I set my mind to it! The worst part is the duplicate stitching of their names.  May you all have a Merry Christmas and I'll see you in the New Year. 

  Our weekend was stressful.  Yesterday we took Frodo to the emergency vet ER (had to drive north away from the city because two of the 24 hour vet hospitals near us were either at full capacity OR had a 5-7 hour wait time). Frodo had vomiting and diarrhea and was pretty lethargic. I was scared. But luckily his bloodwork showed that he was okay for a fluid treatment to tackle his dehydration and an anti nausea shot before being discharged with a slew of medicines (you should see my chart on the fridge, good grief!). The photo above was him when we got home, they were magical in their treatment!!  Today we will monitor him and I'm encouraged that he shows improvement so far. My husband has been ill the past few days and of course I caught the bug. So we are staying home and chilling out. Our holiday plans are up in the air with my local family since we are under the weather.  How was your weekend? My posting will be hit and miss the next two weeks.

  I started wrapping gifts this week and I'm almost done with the task. Yesterday, my husband and I went out for a little shopping and walking around a tiny town nearby. I bought some yarn (from Santa, how does he know what I want??). We had an early lunch at a tiny cafe and I ordered FANCY avocado toast. Honestly it's made me rethink how I make my plain avocado toast at home. I am also surprised at the price I paid for this simple yet delicious food. However, when you eat out you are paying for the luxury of sitting in a dining space to relax and enjoy your food, while people watching. The endless blue skies and sunshine on our outing brought me such joy in my heart.  My son and his family return to us on Christmas day for almost a week. I'm excited to see the kids again and I hope this visit that no one is ill and I get to sleep. What brings me comfort and joy: - the Advent season - Frodo's haircut - easing back into knitting cautiously - avocado toast amplified - det...

  I am on the last gnome! This alone brings me joy and happiness. I hope I can finish number seven today but if not today definitely tomorrow.  How are you? I've been great, my aches and pains from over knitting seem to have eased up (like they always do thank goodness).  The weather has been nice enough for daily walks with Frodo. Sometimes I wish for colder weather and sometimes I am happy with the weather I have. Not too cold, not too hot, just right. While I finish this last gnome, I am thinking of little ornaments I would like to quickly knit up. My goal is to make at least four but I might make one for myself.  I was in Hobby Lobby yesterday and came across this sign which sums up my attitude about cooking. My sister loves to tease me about anytime I rejoice at not cooking dinner. Such a silly thing I love to eat. What makes my happy list:  Frodo looking cute and cuddly - Frodo's deafness and all of his fears are gone because he cannot hear the thunder or ...