Tuesday

 

Poor little guy HATES the cone!!

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Collateral Damage: injury inflicted on something other than an intended target; unintended negative consequences; any damage incidental to an activity

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Introducing ...

 ... our newest family member, Benny.

We've missed having a dog for a while now, since Jake crossed more than a year ago, but we hadn't planned to get another pet.  Recently though, after careful consideration, we decided to visit the animal shelter and find a new companion.  We're hoping this little guy will be an antidote to all the negative stuff in life these days.  We're actively seeking as much **good** as we can possibly find to keep the doom and despair at bay!  He's pretty cute!

Benny was a stray, about three years old.  At the shelter they said (generic) "terrier," but I'm positive he has quite a bit of poodle in the mix as well.  He's lively and good natured and craves human companionship.  The boys are enchanted with him -- Lucci especially just adores animals, so he's absolutely in heaven. Leo has a very busy new job carrying poop bags around, in case they're needed. (Gwumpa, where's poopoo?!) As the biggest brother, Lorenzo is captain of 'taking him for a walk'.  We all seem to be settling in together nicely.

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Buffoon: a foolish undignified coarse person; a boor

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Jake

Jake

August 6, 2007 - September 27, 2023

We said goodbye to our dear little buddy Jake today.  He's been with us for many many years, and has enjoyed a very long and happy life.  We will miss him terribly.

We are especially sad because he was our last dog.  We don't plan to get any more pets, after nearly 50 years of sharing our hearts with a lot of dearly-loved dogs and other critters.  Another thing to let go of ... growing old is so hard.

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Grandpa's boys

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Jake

Our best little buddy!

Jake's really aging, slowing down a lot these days.  He's 14, and has some health issues, but still makes us smile every day.

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More Holiday Cuteness

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#21 - I Like ...

Actually, these are all things that

I LOVE!

My dear husband Tony -- we celebrated our 40th anniversary recently, and here we are, still crazy after all these years!

Nick, Stacey and Rhiannon

Dave, Jessica, Lorenzo and Lucci

Jake

My welcoming comfortable home

The beautiful place where I live

My return to good health after some medical challenges earlier this year.

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Saturday

Little green dog!

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Stringalong

I haven't looked at this project for quite a while. 

 Here's where I left off:

And I made it all the way to 'assemble top' today!

My starting point was this quilt:

from this book:

but I enlarged my version 

and rearranged the order of the sections.
Mine is about 50" x 70".

My special helper:

Enjoy more strings at 

HUMBLE QUILTS STRINGALONG

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Jake

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Happy anniversary!

My sweetie today

38 years ago!

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Elvis

Elvis

2002 - 2016

We'll miss you, big guy.  Rest well.

Very sad today.

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Another lovely day

Enjoying Nick's visit!

 

 

 

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In the kitchen

It is our Italian-American family tradition to have home-made ravioli for Christmas.  We make them ahead and freeze them until the feast :) 

Whatcha doin Dad? Can we help?

OK, we'll just watch from here.
That sure is a festive apron, Dad!

Pretty good technique with that pasta machine!

 It's an all-afternoon-long activity.

We need a break! Grab the anisette!

Dad, can we have a Happy Hour treat?

OK, back at it.

Here's one batch ready to be wrapped and frozen

 

More done, and every bite will be eaten with gusto! 

Looking forward to Christmas dinner!

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The boys

 

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A nice visit!

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Stash report - week 37

Used this week: 1.75 yards
Used year to date: 211.75 yards
Added this week: 0.00 yards
Added year to date: 118.25 yards

Net used for 2013: 95.25 yards

Finally got the binding stitched down on this one, so another UFO off the list!

 

 Hey Elvis, do you think Dad is back there?

Hmmm, I dunno, Jake -- let's check.

 

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Wednesday

 

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Jess

1999 - 2012

I'm very downhearted.  We had to have my dear old girl Jess put down yesterday afternoon.  She was my dog, my constant companion for nearly 14 years, and I'll miss her terribly.

Farewell, my faithful friend.  Rest easy.

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A couple of projects in the works

I finally got these blocks done so I could try a layout for a Halloween project I have in mind. Border decisions to be made yet, but I think things are heading in the right direction.

Can I help you rearrange the blocks, Mom? 

 And I started pulling fabrics for a commission quilt that I need to get under way.  This one's maybe not going to be my cup of tea ... always a challenge when doing commissions.  Sigh. 

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