Potluck and dishcloths

Gals from my book club at work planned a potluck on Monday. My goal was to make something simple and holiday-ish, so I gathered a couple of recipes: smoked salmon bites from a Rachel Ray book and cranberry raisin orange loaf from the internet.

The salmon bites consisted of pumpernickel bread onto which I spread cream cheese which I mixed with fresh chopped chives. These are then topped with smoked salmon, fresh dill and capers. While it looked and sounded good, it was a bit dry for my taste.

The loaf consisted of fresh cranberries, golden raisins, walnuts, orange zest and freshly squeezed orange juice. To get it to cool, I removed the loaf from the pan and put it on some paper towels on the counter.

Unfortunately, our naughty dog was able to pull on one of the corners of the paper towel and get to it. When I returned to kitchen there was nothing left except some paper towels and crumbs on the floor. Of course, there was some scolding and tears involved. And dog did not get dinner that night (not that he would have cared). I was mostly concerned about what it would do to Wally - not sure dogs are supposed to eat raisins, walnuts and cranberries. Luckily, he survived. What a rascal!

I also finished some easy knits - traditional, 100% cotton dish cloths. These will be a gift for someone.

 

 Sometimes you just have to do some mindless knitting. And it was fun to use up some of my stash yarn. My goal for 2012 is to significantly reduce my yarn inventory. I have tons of it. There are also lots of knitting projects that need to be completed. Hopefully I can make a dent in my work in the upcoming year. However, I know it's going to be hard to resist new yarns and projects. What an all-consuming hobby!

Birthday wishes for my puppy

Today is Wally's birthday. We made him a muffin. He waited patiently while I sang him his happy birthday song. I also posed a candle for a festive ambiance (and for his birthday wish, of course).

As soon as I was done and gave him permission to have his cake, he ate it in one quick swoop. It was gone in a golden flurry.

Love you, puppy! Wish I could take you out for a long walk, but the heat is too much for both of us. But there were lots of cuddles and lazy naps in front of the fan today.

As for me, I had some raw gypsy peppers from my parents' garden. Yumm! Fresh & full of vitamin C.

Fun in plaid

90s grunge fashion lives on in our household. :)

Tricky humans

I knew they were up to no good. Mommy used her happy sing-songey voice. Daddy was extra encouraging. Most of the time I have to put up a whole dog and pony show (minus the pony) to get this much attention.

There is a reason they wanted me to follow them into the human potty room. My tail wagged and I squealed and whimpered with both happiness and anxiety. I'd leap happily forward and then retreat hesitantly back, thinking "I don't know about this."

And then mommy filled the human-sized bowl with water. I came close to check out this huge water bowl when daddy threw in my bestest toy into it. I always fall for that one. Hello! I am a retriever.

I tried to reach it with my paw and my mouth, but it was floating away. I had to put a paw in, then the other, until half of me was inside. Then I slipped a little and ended up entirely wet! I was in the middle of the big water bowl!

Then mommy and daddy put some nice smelling soapy stuff. They were rubbing and scratching me and I really like that, even though I get nervous around water.  I don't really trust it.

Then daddy took some pictures, and they laughed. I am not sure what was so funny.

After the bath, there was more rubbing in the towels, followed by some brushing. It felt really nice to get all that attention, even though I felt tricked. I smell like flowers and bees, but my preference of scent is usually daddy's used socks or rotten food. Oh well... this too shall pass. And next time I will know better.

Oh look - daddy threw my toy into the basement! I gotta go check this out.

Alpaca and puppies

It's cold outside. Luckily, I made an extremely soft, colorful cowl from Misti Alpaca.

The yarn is handpainted and chunky. Pretty and warm. Yay!

Speaking of soft and cuddly, meet my mother-in-law's new puppy, Sophie (from the Animal Rescue League).

Sophie is such a sweet, loving dog. She seems to like me in particular. I think we'll get along well.

Cheese!

Sweet little baby boy

Today I met someone very special. What a sweetheart!

Hi! I am a cute little boy - and I am posing for you.

This little bundle of joy belongs to my friend B. She is already such a great mommy. I am really proud of her.

Mama B and a sleepy baby K

Can't wait to spend more time with them.
And of course, I also have a sweet little baby boy. This is him:

Brr, it's getting cold outside.

Busy, busy

I've been working a lot lately - teaching class and working at the yarn store (plus spending some idle time at my soon-to-be former employer). Puppy has been missing me.

Sweet puppy! The shoe must capture most of my essence.

 

I've been asked to knit a model of my Cha Cha Scarf for the yarn shop. You'll soon be able to see it on display. 

Ruffles!

For my services, I got a great deal on Mini Mochi yarn. I can't wait to knit it up into Coquille shawl. It'll look awesome. 

Color: Jenny's Crayon Box

Another project on my needles: the obligatory Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman. Every knitter has to make one of these. I've just started it.

Rainbowey

Labor day weekend

My long weekend consisted of miles and miles of walking, shamelessly long naps, and a few house chores now and then.

Walking lunch hour with mom & sisters on Friday

Wally cooling his paws

Wallace and I walked 3 miles on Saturday. The day was beyond beautiful and the trail was surrounded by trees and prairie grass. On Sunday, my sister joined us for a walk, but we got caught in a hard rain and had to be picked up by my hubby and driven home.

Rain, rain go away

On Monday, Wally and I walked 5 whole miles. We went furthest we've ever been, and even saw some oxes resting in the tree shade on a field by the trail. Then we returned home and took naps.

The purpose of golden retrievers

This is what my doggy does. He ignores a toy until the said toy finds its way under the couch. At that point, it becomes my dog's mission in life to retrieve THAT toy.

He would spend hours doing this if we didn't have mercy on him. But I guess that's why they call them Retrievers.

Husbands can be so sweet

I came home from work today, only to find a clean and organized house, laundry done, and a delicious dinner waiting for me. I love my hubby. He is so kind and thoughtful. What a man!
We ate out on our deck, where I had a nice view of my luscious lettuce.
It was quite a view. I love dinners out on our deck.
And of course, while we were eating, this big fella was begging for food.
(Kad sam danas došla kuci sa posla, dočekala me večera i čista kuća. Moj dragi je sve pripremio za mene. Baš sam našla sebi divnog supruga. Dok smo večerali, gledali smo našu baštu, u kojoj je opet nikla majkina salata. A ćuko je nas gledao i molio za koji zalogaj.)

Little things

I got a package in the mail today that I did not anticipate. It contained two discs with a note from my cousin Budo.
He burnt me some albums by artists that we both liked. It's a present that will keep on giving. :D
I love my oldest cousin (I've got 20+ first cousins). He is more like a brother to me. This was such a thoughtful gift - it made my day.

Another thing that made my day was watching my puppy take a nap and twitch in his sleep. He must have been chasing a squirrel.
It's little things like this that make life worthwhile.

Fun times with the niece and nephew

My hubby was watching his niece and nephew on Wednesday. Unfortunately, I had to work and miss out on all the fun.
They played hide and seek with the dog. Maggie hid under the table, but Wally quickly found her.
They also took a nap together. Wally was in heaven. He loves kids.
They are so cute.

Snow puppy

We are snowed in! Our street has not been plowed, and the snow is up to my knees. So we spent the entire day at home, just like our puppy does all of the time.
My trusty old friend got to experience snow for himself.
He got rambunctious out there. The snow was tall even for a big doggy.
When we first let him out, it took him some time to marvel at the sight.
We love our sweet crazy old boy.
His most favorite thing in the world are hubby's dirty socks.
He figured out a way to open the hamper with his nose so he could get to the smelly goodness.
On this occasion, he managed to get out quite a few socks.
Here he is, in his puppy bliss. With all those dirty socks.
Other than socks, he loves to just lounge around. But most of all, he likes to be where we are.
What a silly pooch. This golden definitely makes our lives brighter.

Tree decorating 2009

Hubby and I decided to decorate our tree for the season, and then follow it up with a nostalgic Christmas photo shoot. I hope you can detect the parody in these.
We are just way into that tree.
Hubby really likes this one.
If we were to send out Christmas cards, this would probably be it. Puppy was unusually cooperative on this one.
He was willing to pose with me - what a doll!

It's been a while

This past week I've been incredibly busy at work. I'd been staying late in the office, so I really didn't have much to report on aside from the progress on my work project, which is no fun to write about.
But the week is over, and the work is done. Now I can go back to living and blogging about it.
In the meantime, here is a picture of my pup. He perfectly captures how his mommy has been behaving every night after work (add couch, junk food and TV to the imagery). What a tiring week!

I got my love to keep me warm

I got a new, warm, down Kenneth Cole coat. Very Euro. My old coat's zipper broke, and I can't wear wool coats because of my dog's tireless (and I am sure intentional) shedding. I like it. Cold Iowa winter - bring it on!
I also got myself some in-house bootie slippers. Makes me think of Scandinavian fjords.
And I started a new project - star-crossed slouchy beret. The Malabrigo yarn I am using is so soft and fun to knit with.
And I had to share with you an Awww-worthy moment. The other night, I heard my hubby singing a sweet tune, and when I sneaked in the living room, I caught this tender moment. My hubby was singing to our puppy (while playing with his ears). My heart completely melted.