Granny's 91st

Granny had a pretty good birthday. We ate out at Red Lobster--her favorite restaurant. Here she is eating leftovers. She also received three African violet plants. I made a German Chocolate Cake and then we played half a game of Chicken Foot dominoes...which we'll finish later on. Right now I'm ahead by about 40 points. And of course, we'll finish the cake later on, too!

quilt gallery

I have been asked to share pictures of quilts I've made. Here are some of them (and some are still being worked on).

Halloween 2010

Here's Ike & Tina dressed up for Halloween!

Meet Ike and Tina!

Ike is about 6 months old and a terrier mix. He is about half the size of Tina, but I think he may have a little more growing to go before he is full size. He has plenty of energy and is keeping Tina very occupied. I think they both will sleep well tonight.

I had wanted a playmate for Tina for sometime, but just couldn't find one and had given up on the idea. Then out of the blue, the North Little Rock Animal Shelter Mobile Unit was in the parking lot after Granny and I had eaten at TGIF for lunch so we took a look. There were a couple of candidates, but this little guy was ready to go home immediately so we decided to adopt him. Got him home and introduced him to Tina--they started playing and have been inseparable so far--and it's been about 4 hours since we've been home. I think it's going to work out just great.

We got Tina from the Pulaski County Humane Society in early May, just a few weeks after losing Nico. She was a stray, a Corgi/Jack Russell Terrier mix, estimated age about a year (but she still looks and acts like a puppy). I had to wait a week until she was spayed before we could bring her home. I knew she would have a lot of energy, but she was getting on pretty well with Granny so she was adopted on the spot. The shelter had named her Tina, so we just kept the name. She gained a couple of pounds during the time we've had her, so she's now about 27 lbs. Beautiful long hair, very long stomach so has a hard time sitting in your lap which she does try to do. She also likes to lay under the raised foot rest on Granny's recliner--kind of a dangerous spot.

So far, both dogs are doing great. They have been keeping Granny busy letting them outside to do their business. And now with Ike here, he can also keep Tina from getting bored while Granny is sleeping. They are just bundles of energy and fun!

More yard images

So after Memorial Day Weekend I figured I better start doing more maintenance work around the yard. Here are some photos to prove at least something is being done without Barb & Bill's assistance.... I've trimmed up the wisteria--half Chinese and half purple--it has yet to bloom and it's been 4 years. Since the lilac just started blooming a little last year, I still have hope that maybe the wisteria will start blooming next spring.

A neighbor 2 houses down had removed their shed in the back and then put all the cinder blocks out for the trash. I helped myself one morning--ugh. Some of these blocks were older and much heavier than the others. After attempting to move them with a dolly, I gave up and drove the van the whole 2 houses away to load up. 25 blocks in all and ready for the next project, probably next spring break, huh?

And as you can see, this flower bed is still blooming strong with color!

Aren't these pretty? they are called Purslane Rio Scarlet and when they bloom they really pop! (might not look it in the photo, but in real life, they are very brilliant--try clicking to see it bigger)

Memorial Day Weekend

Barbara and Bill came down over Memorial Day Weekend and did some more yard work--they added a hydrangea to the front and put in a whimsical tipsy-pot feature in the back yard. I took out 2 small boxwood bushes that weren't doing too well, and Bill hammered in a 6foot reebar to support these pots. Barbara and I bought some plants and she did all the panting. (The 2 trellises are supporting bittersweet vines.) Isn't it fabulous?

Over spring break Barbara and I cleaned out one section in front of the house. This time we got another one cleaned out (and you can see the section next to it needs cleaning as well, but there are plants than need to flower first before we disturb them.) Bill was able to remove a stubborn root from an overgrown boxwood and then a beautiful pink hydrangea was put in. As it gets bigger, it's really going to look good. (And it's still blooming!) Future plans include replacing the logs with stone retainers. (click to see bigger image)

Here are some of the fruits of Barbara's labor during spring break! She even got to taste one of the tomatoes... I'm posting this on 6/12 so we've had a lot more to add to the harvest--this picture shows the latest. The peppers are HUGE and the tomatoes are the juiciest and most wonderful tasting you can find. I try to pick them as they are turning red to prevent insects or birds or squirrels from biting them. The pinkish tomatoes on the end are Arkansas Travelers and we have a few Early Girls and cherry tomatoes, but the best and most so far are the Big Boys. Yum!

In Memorium

It is with great sadness that I have to say goodbye to a precious family member. Nico had been with us for over 8 years and has been a very loyal and faithful companion through good and bad times. Sometimes over protective when friends or family came to visit, but always a loving comfort to me.

Although she had been feeling sick for about a month, multiple trips and stays with the vet did not result in a diagnosis. Finally, on a Friday night when I could see Nico was in pain, I took her to an emergency animal hospital where we were told it looked like something had ruptured and she was bleeding internally. During an emergency operation, it was discovered she had cancer that had covered the spleen and spread to the liver. So we lost her on the operating table.

It has been a painful 3 weeks since, and I am still devastated. No longer able to hear her calm breathing at night, or to be greeted by her when I get home from work, or see the anxious wagging tail hoping for a walk, or to see her quietly laying down watching over us as we watch tv.

Below are a few pictures from the far too short life of the wonderful little dog we will miss forever, Nico ...