Fab Grey Fleece Top

Met a very stylish woman the other day who was wearing a lovely offset grey fleece top. Cut on the bias, it was held together with just one button at the collar. Only the cuffs had a finished hem, the remainder of the top had unsewn edges. She wore this with a t-shirt underneath and skinny crop pants. Relaxed and fun. Makes me want to start sewing again.

New Toy

Puppy just got a new toy. It has multiple appendages with a squeaker in each one. She is in heaven. I placed the toy on the counter with the tag still on the plaything and left the room. I heard a thud and thought, "Puppy must have gone outside." Yes, she did. I found her outside on her back with the toy in her mouth, lapping up the sunshine. The tag was found near the fence. Ah, the joys of spring.

Queen of the Mountain

I seem to get puppies that love to climb chairs as if they were mountains.

Dog Sweater

Check out this adorable purple dog sweater my sister knitted for Lily. It took some getting use to, but puppy has decided it's ok for the other dogs in the neighborhood to see her in her new attire. At first Lily would only run outside with her sweater on after dark. Now it's the cats pajamas - or rather, cool doggy sweater.

Flower for Hat

I made this microfiber flower with a pearl button in the center for my winter hat. You could also attach this to a pin and place it on your coat or a sweater.

Snowflake Decoration

I learned to make this decoration from people I work with. They made the creation out of paper. I took it a step further and used closed-cell insulated plastic foam.


Start by cutting six separate squares the same size.

Fold each square into a diagonal.

Cut six diagonals into the triangle shape - careful not to cut all the way through the piece at the top. The piece needs an area secured to fold out and maintain its integrity.

Roll one set of the cut pieces onto its self and tape together.

Repeat the rolling and taping on opposing sides of the cut-out. Now, repeat the procedure for the remaining five squares.

Staple each rolled unit onto to the next.

All six units are stapled together at their base.

Tape each unit together at their mid-point. And your project is finished. Try making the snowflake using different colored papers and various sizes. This is a fun and easy project for children and adults. Use it to decorate your home throughout the winter season.

Meet My Puppy

This is Lilli. My eight month old puppy that is full of bounce and fun. She is a rescue and is suppose to be a cross between a border collie and terrier. I don't see any border collie in the dog.

Puppy is a happy and independent dog. Just what I was looking for and what I needed.

Happy New Year!

The Little Drummer Boy

While listening to the original recording of, "The Little Drummer Boy" I noticed only one instrument was used in the song. Do you know what it was? No, not a drum. It was a bell. A small bell like one that is used in a store to ask for assistance. Who knew?

Bridges

Zoe was afraid of bridges. Cement bridges, wood bridges, sturdy or rickety, puppy would not cross a bridge. (Not certain how she felt about Jeff Bridges).

When we would approach a bridge on a walk, dog would put the brakes on and refuse to budge. She may have only weighed 35 pounds, but it was 35 pounds of pure muscle. Strong enough to pull children on a sled in the snow.

What to do? Where I lived there were bridges everywhere. Not walking on a bridge meant not walking very far and puppy could walk for three miles without tiring.

I brought up Zoe's fear to a dog trainer that worked with Leader Dogs. He told me Zoe had to cross the bridge. How is this possible if she put the brakes on whenever she was near a bridge? He told me I would have to carry the dog to the middle of the bridge and put her down. Puppy would have no choice but to walk to get off the bridge.

I tried the trainer's suggestion the next day. Zoe fought me every step I took as I carried her to the center of the bridge. As soon as her paws hit the wooden bridge, she pulled me and her leash to the other side. That was the last time she fought crossing a bridge. Dog had conquered her fear.

Now I have a new pup in my life and new fears to conquer.

Life is filled with scary things and it's how we deal with them that makes us stronger and helps us grow as individuals. We all have bridges to conquer. Thank you Zoe for teaching me this and so many other valuable lessons. You will always have a special place in my heart.

Mock Apple Pie

This pie uses zucchini in place of apples and is courtesy of cooks.com. Nutmeg and cream of tartar were added to make it taste closer to the real thing. Large zucchini work better than smaller versions.

1 pie crust, unbaked
5 c. sliced zucchini, peeled and remove seeds
3/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 c. real lemon juice
3/4 c. water
cream of tartar to thicken slightly

CRUMB TOPPING:

1 c. flour
1/2 c. brown sugar
6 tbsp. butter
1/4 tsp. salt

Bring to boil zucchini, sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and water; simmer until soft. Pour into an unbaked pie shell; pat crumb topping over mock apples and bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes.