Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween

Last year after Halloween I bought Liesl a pair of fairy wings on clearance at Target.  I had intended on having her wear them this year.   Liesl does not like to wear clothes of any sort, including her rain coat, which is where I draw the line.  Trying to put clothes on her usually results in a dramatic episode worthy of Oscar buzz.  She will normally act like her legs are buckling under the weight, then droop her head down.  When she does get up, she does the stiff legged walk.  Drama.  So I did not want to put either of us through the actual donning of the fairy wings.  There is always next year...

I do not get to hand out candy on Halloween.  Every knock on the door is met with an apoplectic Barky  von Schnauzer.  Schnauzers are bred to sound the alarm as watchdogs.  My girl takes her job seriously, even though she is only a foot tall.  A knock on the door will have her yelling, "Security!" at the top of her puppy lungs.  I figure that it is just too stressful for her and I do not want a child to get scared by a barking dog.  I would love to see the kids in their little costumes though.

So tonight I had to turn off the porch light, keep the lights low in the house and crawl commando style under the windows.  LOL  Just kidding.  It was nice to keep the house kind of quiet and there were two new episodes of Duck Dynasty on.  Bonus!  That show just cracks me up.  I just love that family.  

Lastly, I have to tell another Liesl story.  As I usually do, tonight I told Liesl it was time to go to bed.  Usually she waits while I turn on the lights in the bedroom,  put my water glass in the dishwasher, pick up the last of the puppy toys, put the throw on the back of the sofa, then turn out the lights.  Tonight I finished putting the throw on the back of the sofa then looked on the rug where she had been to tell her it was time to go into her bed.  I did not see her where she was last laying down.  I looked around the living room and did not see her.  I called her name.  Nothing.  I did not think she had passed me on the way to the bedroom but I looked in there.  Again, I did not see her.  I looked in my home office to see if she went to lay down in there.  Nada.  I was a bit puzzled.  So I went into the kitchen and flipped on the light.  I did not see her in there either, so I stood there for a moment with my hands on my hips, trying to figure out what happened.  That was when she came trotting out from behind the table and chairs, with a huge happy grin.  She had been hiding all along and thought she was hilarious.  I guess I got a Halloween trick.  She made me laugh, so I gave her a little Halloween treat.  What a character.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Good Thoughts for the East Coast

Our good thoughts and prayers are with those in the path of Hurricane Sandy.  Hoping that you and yours stay safe and dry.  The news photos and video that we are seeing on the West Coast are so overwhelming.  The winds look inconceivable and it just looks like water is everywhere.  We all just hope that everyone is safe.

This situation is a big reminder for me to update my emergency water supply in my garage.  The rule of thumb is enough for all members of the family for seven days.  I make sure that there is a gallon for Liesl and me for seven days.  I make sure that I have a few extra gallons so that I will be able to brush my teeth, wash my face, etc. I also make sure that I have plenty of dog food in reserve in addition to some canned items on hand for me.  I also make sure that I have my first aid kit stocked with what I need in emergency.  I also make sure that I have baby aspirin, benadryl, etc. on hand for Liesl.  Hopefully, I will never have to use any of this stuff.  

One thing that I learned at an emergency preparedness class a few years ago is that while it may not be possible to get a cell phone call through in an emergency, you can probably still get a text message through as a way to communicate.  Text messages use a different system than the cell towers.  I would not have thought of this, but am really glad to know this.  They also said in this class that in the event of a disaster that emergency personnel will be limited and will be assisting those who are in the greatest emergency need.  Therefore, you will have to be self sufficient and be ready to do so for several days, if necessary.  This was unsettling to hear at first, but I am glad to know it in advance.  I really learned how important it is to be prepared.  

So I will be buying some new water at the grocery store this week, and making sure that the flashlights are where they are supposed to be.  I think I will also give Liesl an extra hug and kiss tonight.  I will count my blessings again tonight.  Most of all, I will be saying a prayer asking for the protection of people, animals and homes on those in the path of the hurricane.  Be safe and know that there are people all over the world praying for you tonight.



Saturday, October 27, 2012

A Nice Day


Here is my progress on my Fruit Bell Pull.  You would not believe how many colors are in there!  Most of the colors are blended thread and then there is all of the subtle shading.  My goodness.  It is beautiful.  I am wondering how Teresa Wentzler came up with some of the color combinations.  They are dazzling and I would not think of putting some of them together.  Yet they work in a really awesome way.

There must be 40-60 colors total in the overall bell pull.  I finally gave up earlier this week and took the floss off the cards (which were actually paper) and wound them onto bobbins.  The reason for this was because some of the lengths of floss were like six to nine feet (or longer) while others were about three feet lengths.  Every time I went to pull one color, it would start bunching up all of the others.  I knew it was only a matter of time until I either lost a length or it all became a big, tangled mess.  There are so many bobbins!  There are too many to have on rings so I just put them all in my chicken box.  Hopefully, this will make the process of pulling a color a bit easier and mess free.

After reading about it on the Twisted Stitcher blog, I decided to finally watch the show "Duck Dynasty."  Oh my goodness, this show is laugh out loud funny.  I love this family and how they really stick together.  I also love how they always end the show with them saying grace around the dinner table.  They each also have a really good sense of humor. This is my new favorite show.  

I got to watch a little bit of a marathon of Duck Dynasty on Demand while I cleaned the Cozy Cottage today.  It was totally out of control and there were puppy toys everywhere.  I even had to get the collection of balls that had rolled under the TV cabinet in the past few weeks. I pick the toys up every single evening, and yet I get to run the obstacle course every day.  A certain schnauzer loves her toys and plays with every single one of them every day.  Hence the spread of stuffed toys and balls everywhere.  I also had to wipe down the kitchen counters before new life forms started on them.  Yuck.

So now it is nice and quiet.  I will get to read in a few minutes.  Right now I am just enjoying the peace and reflecting on the day.  It was another gift and I am so grateful!


Thursday, October 25, 2012

Thoughtful Thursday

About a week ago I shared that a book that I was reading mentioned that we are always surrounded by angels.  I think that this is something I have known since I was a little kid, but reading that gave me such tremendous peace.  Since then there are moments where I will remember it all of the sudden and the thought of it makes me feel happy.  The thought comes to me if I am on a walk with Liesl, or making a meal, or stitching, or watering my yard.  It is very comforting and makes me feel like I am surrounded in love.  I have always thought that they arrive when I am in desperate need of help, but to know that they are around me everyday helps to remind me that each day is Holy. 

I do love angels from cherubim (especially the very chubby ones in some Renaissance paintings), the graceful and beautiful Seraphim.  Then there are the archangels.  I have a small collection but I have always felt drawn to the angels by Margaret Leavitt-Imblum.  Somehow she captured what I image of angels to look like in my mind's eye.  I have stitched three, with big plans to someday stitch more.  

So I am on a little research project.  I noticed this summer when I would sit in my backyard that I get a lot of visits from Monarch butterflies.  Nearby Pacific Grove is notorious for its Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary.  The Monarchs come to Pacific Grove every winter to mate.  The estimated count this year was about 10,000 in the butterfly trees.  Anyway, I usually see one or two in the area but not as many as I saw in my yard this summer.  I am thinking of creating a butterfly garden next year with plants that they are attracted to.  I have to find plants that do well in a coastal climate.  It made me happy to see them.  There was one in particular that would constantly land near my feet where I sit.  It was pretty cool.  What was interesting to me was that a certain furry girl will keep messing with bees, even with the consequences, but she left the butterflies alone.  

Speaking of my sweet furgirl, she has a weird little cowlick thing going on with her head.  She has always had it and it cracks me up.  When her fur gets to a certain point, this cowlick forms a point on top of her head.  It will not lay down no matter what I do to try to smooth it. It makes me giggle but is also very cute.  When I am walking her, all I can see is that point on her head.  She almost looks like a Kewpie doll.  She has always had it.  I would go ahead and trim her fur but it is starting to get cooler and I hate to see her shiver.  I let her grow out her fur a bit more when it is cold.  She gets all curly and looks like a totally different dog.  She looks more like a gray teddy bear.  I shall have to try to get a photo of that point on her head to share.  It is cute as all get out.

Well, guess I had better go tuck her in.




Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Wednesday

Well, I have hit the big milestone of the season.  I put the flannel sheets on the bed tonight.  After being cold last night, I made the decision that the day had arrived.  I forgot how soft and wonderful they are.  It is kind of like a hug when you are sleeping.  The next milestone is when it gets cold enough where Liesl says, "Hike it over, Mom.  I am here to share the covers."  It is one of the rare seasons where I get to snuggle with her.  She gets under the blankets and sleeps with her back against my hip with her nose towards the foot of the bed.  I wonder how she breathes like that, but she always seems really content.  Puppy warmth is the best warmth in the world.

I had a wonderful surprise earlier.  My sweet neighbor came to my door with a huge bag of tomatoes.  Her granddaughter was dropping them off and there were way too many for her so she brought me some, too.  I heart my neighbors.  I waved to her grand daughter and called out my thank you.  She asked me if I wanted more.  I was so grateful for the large ziploc bag stuffed full already and I did not want them to spoil before I could devour them all.  Tonight for dinner I treated myself to a tomato sandwich.  Soft bread, mayonnaise, tomato slices, & salt and pepper.  Heaven!  

This neighborhood is a pretty special place.  We have what we refer to as a self enforced neighborhood watch.  Everyone watches out for each other and knows who should be around whose home.  It is nice to be in such a stable neighborhood, particularly since there are less and less of them these days.  I sure miss my neighbor, Bill, and talking over the fence with him.  I really appreciate everyone else who is still here.  It was sort of funny because I few weeks ago, a U-Haul truck pulled up to one of the neighbors' home.  I knew that in addition to me, there were several sets of eyes watching to make sure it was the neighbor himself involved.  It gives me comfort to know that when I am not home.

Well, I am off to dream sweet dreams of cross stitch, puppies, and warm cocoa...

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Cold Tuesday


Well, here is a bit more progress than when I last posted.  This square is actually going a bit faster than I originally thought it would.  There are a lot of color changes and it does take time to gather together the blended threads.  However, it is coming together.  I am thinking my next project may have to be monochromatic.

You will notice that my stitches are kind of willy-nilly.  That is how I roll.  I am in awe of the folk who can work in a section that has straight lines like an old dot matrix printer.  I have also seen it worked in sections like a square, again with straight edges.   Although I will probably stick to my old meandering ways, I would love to know how this is done.  If anyone can point me in the direction of an online tutorial or explain it to me I would love to know how it is done.  I am just curious.

It is really cold here tonight.  The sky is super clear which makes it really cold.  I took Liesl out a little while ago to take care of her business one last time.  I had to hurry her along so that I could go back inside.  I could not believe that it was unbearably hot last week.  

So I have something cool to share.  I had never heard of this until last evening.  I was talking with a friend of mine who told me that she finally got to see something that she had tried to see for years.  Apparently there is a phenomenon of an emerald green spark that shows up just as the sun sets on the horizon.  It appears above the sun.  My friend was really excited about it.  Of course, Google is our friend, so I had to do a search on it today.  There was information on it that explained the scientific basis for it.  Bottom line though is that I just think it is cool.  I shall have to look at even more sunsets.

I feel very blessed that I get to watch the sun set into the Pacific Ocean.  It is so beautiful here and sometimes I feel so overwhelmed with awe at the beauty that I get to see.  The California coastline is truly miraculous.  There are so many colors to it.  Added to that are the many colors that the water can appear to be.  Some days it is a vivid green, or a fantastic blue.  Then there are times it can vary from silver to gray.  It is pretty to look at.  With an average temperature around here though of 55 degrees F, it is a bit too cold to swim in.  I am always surprised when I see people swimming and playing in it.  Brrrr.  I grew up on the east coast and remember fondly that the Atlantic is a bit warmer. ( Of course, I remember as a kid that I would also stay in the water even if my lips were blue from the cold and my teeth were chattering.  LOL  

Wishing you a happy day!

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Saturday Progress


I just wanted to take a moment to show my progress on my fruit bell pull.  This is square one of six.  It is the peaches square.  There are a lot blended threads and confetti stitches in this.  It will be beautiful when it is done but it is really a challenge.  This is one of the few designs that I have made a working copy of and it is meticulously marked off with highlighter pen.  

It is nice to be cross stitching again.  I have been playing with the other forms of needlework and I feel like I have come home.

One thing that I love to do on a Saturday afternoon is to watch HGTV.  It is a bad influence on me though. They me considering playing the lottery so that I can do all of the cool stuff that is on this these shows.  I have decided that I need to start hanging out at the closest Lowe's so that I can have one of the house crasher deals happen at my house.  That would be so awesome.  Now mind you today they had on something totally cool that I have never seen before.  It was a built in cabinet which held an electronic composter for kitchen scraps.  Brilliant!  I would so love that because I feel major guilt when I have to throw things like banana peels in the garbage.  I do not have a composter in the backyard because they are known to attract rats and mice.  No bueno.  I am also concerned for Liesl's safety and want to do everything  I can to keep the raccoon out of the yard.  (They are absolutely vicious to dogs & can do major damage to dogs much larger than themselves.)

Not much else to report, it was a gray day after an unexpected rain last night.  It was a good day to stitch and Liesl was happy as always to nap the afternoon away.  

Monday, October 15, 2012

Stitching Evening

After dinner, when I have loaded the dishwasher, then played with Liesl, it becomes my time to stitch.  Liesl settles down to chew on her bone, and I pull out my stitching goods.  I like this part of the evening.  I have been coming down with a sore throat and a bit of a bug, so I was especially happy to put my jammies on early, put on The Voice (have I mentioned how adorable Adam Levine is), and stitch.  That Teresa Wentzler Fruit Bellpull started calling to me so I put the needle roll to the side.   I was fortunate because I got the bellpull as a kit, some years ago on Ebay. ( I fought to the very last seconds to get it.)  I can not believe how much floss comes with this kit.  Fortunately, it is all numbered on cards.  There are four cards, one of which is all greens!  Yikes!  

I am now coming to the realization that it is okay to have more than one project in a rotation at a time,  I have always been a work on one project exclusively type of girl.  The problem with this is that sometimes I become tired of a project, or it becomes frustratingly difficult, or it starts to feel like work.  What happens as a result is that I put the project down and not stitch at all until I come back to it.  This can turn into long periods of inactivity.  What I have also found is that when I pick it back up after an absence of stitching is that I like it again and I never fail to be amazed at how little I have left to do.  So I am trying this now with multiple projects in an effort to stay enthusiastic.

So back to the bellpull- I actually got a lot done.  True to the style of Teresa Wentzler there is a border of satin stitch clovers.  I got one side of one square completed.  The satin stitching is going faster than I anticipated.  I have to say that it is really the only stitch that looks correct.  Cross stitch would not be as dramatic.  Hopefully, I can keep up this rate of stitching.  It really is a stunning piece and it would look darling in my house.  I have always had this thing for fruit in my decorating, which is what drew me to the pattern in the first place.  Sadly, since it is out of print, it took some hunting and some patience to acquire.  

I will post a photo when I have made enough progress to be post-worthy. :)         

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Pondering Big Thoughts

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to see Dr. Mary Neal on a talk show.  She is the author of "To Heaven and Back" which tells the story of her near death experience and journey to Heaven.  Also appearing on the show was Colton Burpo, who was the young boy who shares his story of his similar experience when he was four years old and his visit to Heaven.  Both stories are quite comforting.  If you have a chance to read Colton's story, Heaven is for Real is a sweet little book.  Both books are available on Kindle.  

I have been particularly enjoying Dr. Neal's book.  She shares some rather interesting insights about her time on the other side and the profound abundance of God's love for us.  What really caught my attention last night as I read is that Dr. Neal points out how often the Bible mentions joy and that we should live joyful lives.  This was a big thought for me and I have spent a lot of time reflecting on it today.  

This has been a particularly difficult year for me, so I had to think about how to put this more into practice.  I tried to think of the most joyful person that I know, and realized my lesson came to me in the personhood of a small, gray dog.  Liesl is pretty much the most joyful, blissful, happiest being that I know.  I then reflected a bit further and thought that things do not always go her way, she does not always get what she wants, sometimes she is lonely, every once in a while she feels the pain of a bee sting or a burr caught in her paw.  However, she remains a happy, smiley, bright eyed little dog no matter how her day is going.  This made me think further that Liesl always trusts me to take care of her needs, sometimes her wants, to provide her comfort and remove something causing her pain.  These are the same things for which I place my trust in God.  He has always, always, always provided for my needs, some of the things that I thought I wanted (thank goodness He always knew best), and has always given me comfort.  Yet I am not always joyful, because if things do not go the way I think that they should when I think they should, I tend to get frustrated and/or bummed out.  I tend to postpone joy for the days where things are going my way.

This is a bit of a shift for me.  Living joyfully every day.  I thought about how I could do this.  Again, I thought of my furry teacher and how she does it.  I believe it means being totally in the moment.  Being totally present with those I love. Being grateful for all of my blessings. I also believe that it means trusting entirely in God, that He knows best for me.  He has a much better plan for me than what I dream for myself. In just writing this I already feel my spirit lifting and feel the spark of joy.  Dr. Neal also shares in her book that each of us are always surrounded by angels and just this thought alone makes me feel comforted and happy.  

I have a share for those that have been praying for our miniature schnauzer friend, Reggie.  His momma emailed me today to let me know how he is.  First of all, God is good and has answered our prayer that Reggie does not have renal failure.  However, it appears from some testing that he may have the adrenal form of Cushing's as well as some really high blood pressure.  He still has some more testing to go and is not feeling very well. His momma is sick with worry.  If you could, please continue to pray for Reggie, his momma and the veterinarians treating him.  Reggie is such an adorable little guy.  Thank you very much for including him in your prayer petitions.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Progress


Here is the progress that I made this evening on my needle roll.  I still have quite a bit to do in the way of silk ribbon flowers.  I have already made the light green leaves on the vine there with the silk ribbon and the rosebuds on the top row.  It is hard to see them because I had to lay the piece over the arm of the sofa to get enough light to take a photo.  It is easier than I remembered but the silk ribbon is a bit bulky to work with and does not always want to turn the way that I want it to.  I think it will be so pretty when I finish it.

I am really glad that I was working on the needlepoint piece with the cherries but I am reminded how much I really love cross stitch while I am working on this.  I will have to see which pattern calls to me after this.  I may stick to small ornaments since I get pretty instant gratification from finishing a small piece quickly.

I am thinking that now that it is getting to be hot cocoa season that I need to make some homemade marshmallows.  If you have never had a homemade marshmallow you are missing out.  They are little pillows from Heaven.  Once you have one you will not be in want of the store bought.  The homemade ones are so easy to make and are much lighter and softer.  If you need an awesome recipe, the best one is from Martha Stewart.  She totally rocks the homemade marshmallow.  Here is a link: Marshmallow Recipe  

I thought I would share an update on the new Liesl bed.  It is a big hit.  She uses the bolster as a pillow and really nestles into her bed.  She just looks so comfortable and happy.  I am glad that I got it for her.  I shared the other day that she has a bed with bean bag filling that she is sorta scared of.   This does not stop her from trying to beat it up, however.  When I am playing with her on the floor in the living room, I will lay my head down on it to show her it is okay and I will tell her it is my bed.  Tonight she was hanging out in the kitchen sniffing around for something to eat, because Heaven knows, she is starving.  I laid my head down on her bed and rustled it around.  Then I called out to her that her bed is momma's bed.  She came tearing out of the kitchen all huffy and jumped over me so that she would be behind me.  That was when I felt the tapping of a front paw on my back like she was gonna push me off.  (Have I mentioned she is only a foot tall?)  I had to laugh at her.  She was smiling like she thought she was hilarious.  There may be hope for that bed yet.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

The Rain Has Arrived

We had our first rain of the season today.  It came complete with thunder.  I thought that like most dogs, I would have a frightened schnauzer.  Luckily, this did not come to pass.  I seem to recall that back in the Spring, we had a really wild storm with thunder and lightening one night.  The furry one slept through the whole thing.  She was unfazed today by the thunder.  You just never know...

I am happy to report that the new dog bed went over pretty well last night.  So well that I could not get her out of it this morning.  I got up, took my shower, etc.  She was still lounging in the same place that I left her.  Usually she is too interested in what I am doing.  Today she had her comfy on.  Now I will tell you that schnauzers have really big, intense brown eyes.  However, their version of the hairy eyeball is to look at you out of the corner of their eye so that just a sliver of the whites of their eyes are showing.  This is the look that I got as I told her it was time to get up.  She just looked at me with a look that said, "I don't think so, Tim."  This evening, she must have decided that she was going to watch TV in bed in the living room, because I found it wedged up against the bedroom door frame.  I guess she was trying to drag it into the hallway and then into the living room.  Alas, the bed is too huge for her small self to get through the doorway.  

So tonight I decided that I really wanted to do some stitching.  I went into one of my boxes of kits and pulled out a small Lori Birmingham needle roll to play with.  It begins with a drawn thread heart.  Drawn thread technique is pretty cool how it somewhat invisibly distorts the fabric.  It is a small project so I think I will be done with it within a week or so.  I don't really have a need for a needleroll, but it sure is purty.

Speaking of small projects, Laura sent me a link to a site with beautiful free French designs.  I have to say that I am absolutely dazzled by the beautiful color combinations.  The designs are so pretty and I know that I will be stitching some of them in the future.  Thank you for sharing, Laura!  Here is the link:  http://sablaise.siteperso.net/

I have one more link to share.  Someone on 123stitch has actually completed this redwork quilt.  It is so adorable.  I do love redwork.  I think that it has such a nostalgic, vintage look to it.  Combined with the quilt patterns, this is a truly remarkable piece.  I have it bookmarked in hopes that someday it will be part of my collection.  Enjoy!  http://www.crabapplehillstudio.com/index.php/patterns/winter-christmas/winter-wonderland.html

Well, I am off to dream about patterns, needle and thread.  


Thursday, October 4, 2012

My Furry Girl


Hmmm.  It has been quite the day.  Liesl was being a total schnauzer today and decided that I was not the boss of her.  Schnauzers are totally renown for their stubbornness and today was about a 11 on a scale of 1-10.  LOL  Oy vey.  We do not have this happen very often and I chock it up to the fact that everyone has an off day, even our furry friends.  What I did tonight was gave her my full attention.  This included going through her trick repertoire with Charlie Bear treat rewards to reinforce who was in charge.  She was back to her usual lovable self and was ready to receive her hugs and kisses.  She must be tired with the change of seasons and all. After three days of heat wave, it was cool again today.  She went to her bed kinda early. 

Here is a photo of Liesl all tucked in that I took a little while ago.  Liesl has a certain way that she likes to be tucked in.  First of all, she likes to sleep without a collar at night.  I would imagine that it is not terribly comfy to wear one laying down.  Then she likes to be tucked into her blankie and waits for me to do it "right."  She does not like to be all the way under the blanket.  She only wants her legs tucked in.  Then she likes the blanket to be piled up under her chin like a pillow.  She snuggles her head in until it is just right.  Here she is getting her comfy on.  She had been falling asleep but had to open one eye when she heard the camera ping on.  

I love to look at Liesl when she is so comfy and cozy.  It usually makes me fall in love with her little wonderful self all over again.  I am so grateful that I get to have her companionship on good days and bad.  I am grateful that she trusts me to take good care of her.  She knows and trusts in the fact that at the end of the day, she will get all tucked in to her favorite pink blanket in her comfy golden retriever sized bed, and that in the morning she will get her breakfast warmed up.  I believe that the reason we love our pets so much is not only because we received unconditional love from them.  I think it is that we get to love them purely and unconditionally.   

Monday, October 1, 2012

Melty Monday

Holy smokes!  It is hot.  Like 90 degrees hot.  It is really warm in the house.  Apparently we get one more day like this and our three days of summer are over.  Then it is on to fall.  For now though it is crazy hot.  I took myself over to Taco Bell because they have an amazing frozen strawberry lemonade. It is way yummy and totally refreshing on a day like today.

I can't remember what I was watching last night but a commercial came on for a movie.  I think it has Judy Densch (LOVE her!) in it.  There was a line in it that really caught my attention.  A man in the movie said, "Remember all things work out in the end.  If things are not working out, it is not the end." I thought that this was a pretty powerful line.  I think I am going to write it down and post it on my refrigerator.  After a few years of ups and downs I too believe that things work out, though not always the way that I thought they would.  I have invested way too much worrying over many things that have never manifested.  I also have found that generally God's plan for me tends to be much better than my dreams for myself. 

It was way too hot to cook dinner tonight so I made a really old standby, English Muffin Pizza.  I made them for my kids when they were small, and have to admit that I love them myself.  I saw that I had some yummy Trader Joe's Pizza Sauce in the fridge with some of the fresh mozzarella balls.  It made for a pretty tasty pizza and only takes about ten minutes in the oven.  I had a fresh salad with it.  Yum.

Now I have to tell you that Miss Liesl has become rather fond of salad.  Dogs really are omnivores, and schnauzers in particular should eat more fruits and veggies.  Like I mentioned yesterday, she has a broccoli fetish.  In the past week, she will not leave me alone when I am eating a salad.  I thought it might be because there was cheese in the salad dressing, but she has been scarfing up my lettuce.  I take the remnant of my salad and put it in her bowl.  Here I have been spending money on dog biscuits and I could have just been giving her lettuce as a treat.  Who knew?!

So now it is super quiet in the house.  I am hoping for a nice cool breeze at some point.  Everything is really still though.  It is kind of nice.  The only real sound is soft puppy snores.  She has had all of the fun that she could have today.  I think I have had all of the fun that I could have, too.  So I will say good night and wish you many good things tomorrow.