Happy birthday, Ardella!

Ardella then, on her first day with us at 9 weeks of age:



To a year ago, shortly after coming home to stay for good with us:



To today:



From Guide Dog puppy in training to beloved pet, it's been a wonderful 2 years. I feel lucky to have Ardella in our lives!

We didn't celebrate today, but Ardella and Annalynn are having a party on Friday. I'm baking a dog-friendly cake, Karren is making a carrot cake for the humans. I spent the afternoon shopping for cake ingredients like organic chicken babyfood, brown rice flour, and applesauce. Alas, Madeline can't have any, so she probably won't get to go to the party.

More birthday pictures to follow on Friday!

Happy birthday, Ardella!

Ardella then, on her first day with us at 9 weeks of age:



To a year ago, shortly after coming home to stay for good with us:



To today:



From Guide Dog puppy in training to beloved pet, it's been a wonderful 2 years. I feel lucky to have Ardella in our lives!

We didn't celebrate today, but Ardella and Annalynn are having a party on Friday. I'm baking a dog-friendly cake, Karren is making a carrot cake for the humans. I spent the afternoon shopping for cake ingredients like organic chicken babyfood, brown rice flour, and applesauce. Alas, Madeline can't have any, so she probably won't get to go to the party.

More birthday pictures to follow on Friday!

Voting day!

My favorite voting message on Facebook today, borrowed from Friend Marge:

Don't let fear and misinformation rule:

VOTE!

Which I did - I hope you did, too.

Voting day!

My favorite voting message on Facebook today, borrowed from Friend Marge:

Don't let fear and misinformation rule:

VOTE!

Which I did - I hope you did, too.

Mostly Fall

Hope your Halloween was great.

Ours was fun.

Wish I'd done this:













These great looking witches were all made by hand by Jeanne. Amazing, aren't they? I can just imagine what a hit they were with the trick or treaters. Just look at those teeth! Check out her Halloween blog.
(She's got a great video on her blog now of her Halloween decor.)

You can also tag along as she gardens in Idaho at her Gone Feral in Idaho blog.



I'm loving the shed Kim built for us.




Look at my containers inside, all neat and tidy and ready for winter.





And an update on Tootsie's molting. She's growing new feathers!





She must be feeling better because she's chasing the dog again.








Finally, some fall pics from the garden.




Sumac over the pond.











Fall crocus.

























Koreana Sheffield Chrysanthemum.












Dogwood tree.


And of course, now that it's November 2, you know what's coming.

Yes. I put up some Christmas lights today! (Sorry, I couldn't resist, the weather has just been too darn nice.)

Blog every day for month in November

I've never tried this before, but I'm going to see if I blog every day this month.

This one will be short. I just wanted to share the family portrait taken on my father's 90th birthday in October. I wasn't there physically, but I was "there" thanks to Skype and my brother Mark's laptop. I'm the one in the laptop.



My nephew Christopher the chef (for real) cooked the meal, but didn't stay to eat it. Dessert was coconut cream pie (my father's choice). Attendees were family and 2 other families that my parents have been friends with forever. They had a lot of fun and I heard they told dirty jokes. : )

Longevity runs in my father's side of the family, so I'm hoping to be at birthday 100 in 2020.

Blog every day for month in November

I've never tried this before, but I'm going to see if I blog every day this month.

This one will be short. I just wanted to share the family portrait taken on my father's 90th birthday in October. I wasn't there physically, but I was "there" thanks to Skype and my brother Mark's laptop. I'm the one in the laptop.



My nephew Christopher the chef (for real) cooked the meal, but didn't stay to eat it. Dessert was coconut cream pie (my father's choice). Attendees were family and 2 other families that my parents have been friends with forever. They had a lot of fun and I heard they told dirty jokes. : )

Longevity runs in my father's side of the family, so I'm hoping to be at birthday 100 in 2020.