Thanksgiving 2008 Days 4-8

Things got a little nuts at the rent's house when everyone else showed up! Gus is a beautiful dog. He's enormous and fluffy and playful. And if you chant "I wuuuv youuuu" enough times he'll howl it back! Gus and Cooper were totally insane together. They played outside a lot. FiG got to be pretty comfortable with them individually, but together there was just too much movement for her to tolerate. Actually, by the end of the trip, she was letting Cooper chase her around the kitchen island and she was approaching him on her own to the point that she needed to be watched for tail pulling and fur grabbing. She's been saying Gus and Cooper's names since we got home. I consider it a successful introduction.

The three kids got to pick eggs from the hen house and feed the horses at a friend's farm. G & O found the barn cat and got to play 52-persimmon pick up after the tree got a good shaking. FiG gave Tiny a carrot, held a fresh egg, tossed food into the chicken coop, and walked through a barn on her own two feet!

Thanksgiving dinner was a FEAST. Turkey, glazed ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, pearl onions, peas, brussel sprouts with chestnuts, cole slaw, cranberries, and the all important gravy. Then there was apple pie and pumpkin pie and ice cream. It was a nice mix of ol' standby and new recipes. And the leftovers were excellent - I think all that was left by Sunday morning was some ham and the bones.

Since we're all going our separate ways for Christmas this year, we had our family's traditional Christmas Eve meal on Friday: pizza. The planets aligned just so and the dough turned out very well. It's always fun making pizza and everyone gets to have fun with the palette of toppings.

G & O and Aunt B decorated a cake for an early birthday party for FiG. Her face when we sang "Happy Birthday" was priceless - like we were singing at her funeral. But she blew out her own candle and happily ate the cake. She got some great gifts too: a tea set, a cupcake matching game, a birthday cake set, and an alphabet book hand drawn by G. Every letter has two examples of words that start with it. It's totally awesome.

I designed a scavenger hunt for G & O. They had 6 clues each for the outdoors and indoors. After they decorated their bags we hunted outside and their mom planted the inside clues. We all had a good time and their prizes were a big hit. Target, you make 6 year olds easy.

The trip back to MN on Sunday was fairly low key. We sailed through security at PHL (no jinx, no jinx) and our plane was a smaller jet from a partner airline. With leather seats, adjustable head rests, more leg room, and other kids in the back of the plane we had a pretty darned good flight home. FiG has been sleeping better since we've been home. She crawls into bed on her own and we leave her while she's still awake and she falls asleep all on her own - and quietly! I just heard something hit the floor upstairs....there's no screaming....huh.

Thanksgiving 2008 Day 3

FiG slept well last night. I did not. She got a nap today. I did not. FiG did not go back to the yarn store today. I did. Just for one more hank of what I bought yesterday. But Gran-E bought a gorgeous chenille-like yarn to make a scarf for a friend. Can't wait to see what it looks like all knit up. We had a small world moment at the yarn store too - the daughter of the woman working at the yarn store bagged our groceries yesterday. You just never know when those moments will happen...when you can make someone's day just by paying attention and saying hello.

FiG and Cooper had a good day, for the most part. She still can't be down on the ground with him in the room. It's just not a good match up in size. Maybe when Gus gets here tomorrow there won't be so much focus on what's on the baby's face to lick off.

It was a busy day with a visit from the plumber, a couple of errands, walkies in the stroller, setting the table for The Big Meal, an apple pie, a pumpkin pie, three meals, leaves blown out of the front gardens, tennis, a double batch of walnut bread, play time, a bath, and three rounds of stories. I hope to sleep tonight! The rest of the fam arrives tomorrow starting at noon. Whew!

Thanksgiving 2008 Day 2

FiG and Cooper began a courtship today. By dinnertime FiG let Cooper lick her hands and face and stand right next to her without screaming. So we made progress. She really enjoyed watching through the windows of the sun room while Cooper ran about outside. He settled down quite a bit so it's easy to see how well he does listen to commands. Maybe by the end of tomorrow he'll listen when FiG tells him to "git dowen."

While FiG napped, Gran-E and I went to lunch with her book club. Half the group ordered the steak wedge salad, and for good reason: flank steak marinated in bloody mary mix, bleu cheese dressing, and grilled red onions. For some reason I ordered the chicken quesadilla. It was good, but that red meat looked sooooo tasty.

Later us girls went to the yarn store up the street and I bought two hanks of a delicious hand dyed, hand spun wool. I can't wait to make something to go with my new brown coat. I may have to go back and get more tomorrow so I can make a hat-mitten-scarf set. Though I'm afraid I might blow my next month's allowance if I set foot back in there! They had some great felted bags - with all the work done I'd pay that price....you know I thought about it too. :) The store is small and their website begs for attention, but they had a cozy corner set up with comfy chairs and coffee waiting for you. Gran-E says they know their stuff when you ask for help there too. So I officially recommend it as a place to check out if one is ever in this corner of PA.

Tree Rats

Now do you understand why I hate them so much?

I hate squirrels.

I figured I would leave this pumpkin out there (secretly hoping it will rot and give the squirrels a stomach ache) and I've watched it move from one side of the stairs to the other and come to rest in the front lawn. I am amazed at how large the pieces are that these tree rats can bite off.

Photo Session

It's been too long since my last blog post. Forgive me readers. For I have been busy taking pictures. Feast your eyes.....

Pudding+New Method+After Bath=New Pajamas








Quick play with Grandad. It was hard to get a clean shot.








Amigurumi frog I made getting ready to fly to PA.








Cooper and his new toy.









Peony in bloom.








Festival of meat at Blair gathering.








And other questionable behavior at Blair gathering.








Blair gathering....except for Steely and Schmid-G.

Wanted: Killer Instinct

From May through October nothing else sets me off quite as quickly and completely as the rabbits and squirrels eating my plants. Today I had two opportunities to exact my revenge. This morning a squirrel dashed out in the road and on my way home tonight a rabbit did the same thing. And what did I do.....I slowed down and intentionally let them live. So much for my killer instinct. I guess it's been all talk the times I've raged about buying an air rifle and taking out all the bunnies and squirrels in Richfield. I will have to stick with running out the back door in my pajamas in the early morning hours to chase the rabbits out of my lilies. And stop trying to grow tomatoes.

Puppy Cuteness

Cooper

Correction: Cooper is a golden doodle, not a labradoodle.

Meet Cooper. He's a 10 week old labradoodle. He lives in eastern PA with Rex and Motu.

Very. Fat. Bunny.

Gus

Meet Angus, or Gus! He's an 8 week old Bernese Mountain dog. And he's the newest member of the family. He lives in upstate NY with Smee and Beth-E.

BTW, when did all the snow melt?