Sleepy Pies

Squidley and I spent part of the evening with friends, as well as some new acquaintances. And now we are very tired and very sleepy. All five of us.

Nighty night.

Give the Poor Doggie a Bone

Early in the evening, I was in the kitchen, making a nice little pasta sauce. Squidley was elsewhere, painting a piece of furniture. I hadn't paid too much attention for about twenty minutes or so as to where those darling dachshunds were. I soon learned the whereabouts of the black and tan.

Indoor barking, excited barking, attention getting barking, come here pronto barking! I walked into the next room to find Deutsch furiously trying to get my attention. What's the matter, Lassie? Is Timmy in trouble?

I walked closer to him. As I neared him, he began walking away at a quick pace, purposefully leading me toward the other side of the room. When we reached our "destination," I wondered why he'd led me there. There were windows there, and my eyes rapidly scanned each and every pane in hopes of spotting a little froggy or a katydid or a moth. Nothing.

Deutsch was relentless, however, and I stayed with him while he tried to get his point across. After the window search yielded absolutely nothing, I at last figured it out. Deutsch was barking at a set of hand weights I'd placed on a side table earlier in the day (for use in a new workout program I'm starting). Now, we're used to all three of our little ones getting excited about new additions to a room. They are just naturally curious. This time, however, was a little different. And it took someone besides me to hit the nail on the head.

Squidley. He walked into the room to survey the situation, and he immediately solved the mystery. Deutsch thought the weights were doggie bones! At least they certainly looked like bones to him.

Well, it's quite late, and we must be getting into the beddy bye.

Nighty night.

Fish Camp Homestyle

Squidley thought of a great way to help conclude the weekend: home cooked fried flounder and fried shrimp. And also, we enjoyed fries. There was homemade coleslaw, too, but we didn't remember it was still in the fridge until after we'd eaten. Nonetheless, dinner was, quite simply, delicious.

Wishing everyone a pleasant week.

Sneak Preview of a Hat

Here is a little look at the beginning of my second attempt at knitting a winter white, wool hat. The first one was enjoyed by a certain India. I started this new one while sitting in the theater awaiting the start of a sneak preview of the film "Secretariat." And just a by the way, the film, which isn't scheduled to open until October, was quite enjoyable. I'll definitely see it again.

Nighty night, all.

Movie and a Dinner

We saw a very entertaining film this evening, "The Sorcerer's Apprentice." Sure, there were some parts that were a bit ho hum; overall, however, it was quite enjoyable. The broom and mop scene was either a tribute or a rip off, or possibly both, of an infamous number from "Fantasia." Additionally, the film featured the same actor who starred in "National Treasure," Nicholas Cage, and it was directed by the same guy who directed said film.

After we returned home, Squidley made a delicious dinner of grilled chicken breasts, fresh yellow squash with onions, and brown rice. Wonderful!

So, wishing everyone a happy weekend.

Nighty night.

Fast Feet

We all enjoyed our outing at the field this evening, and oh, boy, can that India run! Of course, Scout has always been our little runner, so he does give even India a run for her money. Deutsch likes to run, too, but it's not at the top of his list of priorities.

Oh, yeah. I did quite a bit of running, too, just trying to keep up with the three of them.

Needless to say, though I'll say it anyway . . .

Nighty night.

Five Nighty Nights

Nighty night from Scout,

Deutsch,

and India.

Oh yeah, and from Squidley and me.

Reflections

A year ago today, Squidley and I lost someone very important to us. And there are countless memories, mostly belonging to Squidley. My recollections, though fewer, are sweet ones.

We are thankful for this loved one and miss him still.

Nighty night.

It's a Wrap!

What a great finish to the day! Fresh grilled chicken strips, romaine lettuce, perfect tomatoes, sliced onion, and a tasty dressing, all surrounded by the delectable flavor of sun dried tomato basil.

Nighty night, everyone.

Moonglow

The moon and the clouds are so worthy of being photographed this evening. And earlier tonight, a good bit before dark, there was a sudden light but steady rain that immensely cooled the air. I wanted to stand there and breathe it all in for as long as I could.

A sweet and beautiful moonlit night to all.

Bug Me

Double-clicking on this picture will provide a closer look at the insect located on the froggy's leg. I don't know how he feels about his personal space being invaded, but if nothing else, he's got a snack tucked away for later.

Nighty night, everyone.

Dinner and a Movie

Pajama parties are so special to us, and at first, we often jump up and down and play on the bed.

Before long, we start getting sleepy. That tasty dinner we had probably played a part in that.

And we hurriedly say our prayers before falling gently asleep.

Now we are going to get into the beddy bye and relax while watching a good movie.


Wishing everyone a pleasant weekend.

Nighty night.

India Sorry

This picture shows the progress I've made on the "third" hat. I've only knitted nine rows thus far, not a great deal. Two of those rows, however, take considerably more time because they include "knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1" all in the same stitch, alternated with "purl 5 together." Additionally, until the hat edging has been completed, each row has 162 stitches, twice the number needed for the body of the hat. This yarn, though also a merino, is working up quite differently from the yarn used in the winter white and brown hats. And though India showed a mild interest in the yarn this evening, I managed to keep it safely from her. I must say, too, that she really seemed regretful that she damaged the yarn and needles the other day. She really is very sweet.

Time for beddy bye now.

Nighty night.

India and the Panda: Common Ground

The above photo shows a third hat I've started. I am not, however, knitting three hats. I would be if dear, sweet India had not decided to snack on the winter white one I'd recently started and featured in this past Sunday's post. Not only did she enjoy playing with the wool yarn, but she chewed the tips of the bamboo circular needles. In fact, one needle was missing its tip. Those were the only size nines I owned. During my Sunday afternoon class, though, I bought another set in size nine, thinking I could have two similiar hat projects going on at the same time. (At that point, she had not yet gotten to the bamboo pair.) And it just so happened that I bought the nickel plated Addis, those wonderful, German engineered needles. So I was able to begin the third hat after I discovered the state of the white one.

The third hat project is being knitted with a striking, jewel-toned green. The yarn, a nice, smooth merino wool, was manufactured in Italy by Berrocco.

Well, we have had seemingly tons of rain, with more precipitation likely tomorrow. It has cooled the air considerably, though it was a bit muggy after dinner.

Hope your week is going well.

Nighty night, everyone.

Mexican Siesta

A delicious, homemade taco dinner left us feeling sleepy, so it's off to the beddy bye for the five of us.

Nighty night, everyone.

Mommy Dearest

Baby froggy was out tonight, and after a while, his sweet mommy showed up to watch out for her little one. Squidley went outdoors to photograph the pair. (They were on the highest window, too high for me.)

Thanks to Squidley for getting such a neat picture.

We are so very sleepy and are getting into bed early.

Nighty night.

Millinery Mode

Yesterday I began work on another winter hat. For this one, I'm using a beautiful, winter white, merino wool. I have not gotten too far along on this project because I also began work on another hat.

I started this one during a class I took this afternoon. The pattern is for a hat unlike any I've ever knitted and even incorporates millinery wire into the overall structure.

The yarn I'm using is Jasmine by Louisa Harding and is comprised primarily of cotton and bamboo, with a bit of silk and a smidgen of polyester. And the cost was very reasonable.

Hope your weekend was pleasant and wishing you a good week.

Nighty night.

A Bug's Life

Most nights, we check the back windows for Deutsch's little froggy friends. The tiniest one was out this evening, and he seemed to be leading the parade of assorted critters enjoying the bug smorghasbord. Though this a regular occurance on our patio, we frequently spot "new to us" types of critters.

Wishing everyone a pleasant weekend.

Nighty night.

Bread and Butter

This is a picture of the "love toast" Squidley made as the second portion of my dinner. (It's actually healthier than it looks since the bread used is whole wheat white.) I forgot to photograph the first portion, a lovely cheese omelet.

What a great day! Thunder and lightning around elevenish this morning was a complete surprise, followed by light rain, then an abundance of sunshine. Squidley invited me to a delicious lunch of fried catfish, fresh broccoli, mashed potatoes, and salad, and everything was quite tasty. During the afternoon, I worked for a bit on a bench pad that I am machine quilting. I had intended to begin a new knitting project but got sidetracked with various other things.

Hope your day was pleasant and that tomorrow is good, too.

Nighty night, everyone.

Froggy Friend

We are all sleepy, but happy, so it's off to beddy bye we go.

Nighty night.

The Knit Wit

Here is the second completed hat that I knitted from the same pattern used to knit the brown one. As I mentioned in a previous post, the edging of the gray hat is slightly different from that of the brown hat. As best I can tell, I simply and mistakenly omitted somewhere in the neighborhood of two to five rows of the brown one. (Of course, I originally thought the pattern was written incorrectly. Too funny.) Nonetheless, I really like the completed look of the brown hat. And the gray one is quite nice, too. Oh, and thanks to our knitting guild meeting tonight, I was able to finish the gray hat so that I can start another project.

Wishing all a good day tomorrow.

Nighty night.

The Dapple Dog

After one of Deutsch's recent romps in the dirt, he emerged looking sorta like he'd had a run in with a blackboard eraser at three in the afternoon. But oh, the fun he had!

There's actually a type of dachshund that looks a lot like this, called a dapple.

This centered mark resembles one sometimes found on horses.

Wishing everyone a good day tomorrow.

Nighty night.

The Non-Mad Hatter

Here is a preview of a new knitting project I've started. I'm using the same pattern used for the brown hat I recently made. When I finished the first hat, I realized it didn't quite match the picture included with the pattern. After completing the decorative edge of this new project, I determined that I didn't read the pattern correctly the first time around. The first hat's edging should have matched that in the above photograph. (I apparently left out about four or five rows when knitting the first hat.) I'm not bugged in the least about the error because the hat turned out quite nice.

Well, we have had a busy day, have finished a good meal, and are ready to climb into the beddy bye.

Everyone take very good care.

Wishing you a pleasant week.

Boomerangs

These are from the Japanese maple in the front yard. That particular tree is my favorite, as well as one of my favorite photographic subjects.

Enjoy your evening.

Nighty night

Floating Flowers

Wishing everyone a pleasant weekend.

Nighty night.

Symmetry

I cannot take credit for this incrediby beautiful picture. Squidley is the photographer du jour. I guess I would have been inclined to take a straight on shot. Squid, however, made the smart approach: shooting the butterfly at an angle. This emphasizes the subject being flush with the two pieces of wood joined to form a "V." The shiny black paint highlights the grain of the wood, just as the black streaks on the butterfly beautifully accent his wings. The curved tops of the wings dramatically soften a picture filled with straight lines and right angles. And how lucky was it that the subject was clinging to what was a perfect background for his yellow color!

Hats off to you Squidley!

Nighty night.

Flight of Fancy

I first spotted this little gal from the sitting room window. I hastily grabbed my camera and bolted through the back doorway onto the patio, barely dreaming I'd manage any sort of shot of her. (Double click on the photo for an enlarged and much better view of the subject.)

I was fortunate to get a second shot, this one at a different angle. I then quickly shot another, but I just wasn't fast enough. The subject was flying away. I did, however, get a very nice transitioning picture.

In the upper left corner of this picture, the dragonfly can be seen mid-flight. (Again, double click on the photo to see an enlarged version of this shot.) Though this is not the result I'd wanted, this surprise shot thrilled me. What an elaborate display of her rapid wing movement!

This little fellow was out exploring the same afternoon.

There's nothing like a lazy little stroll across the patio.

As I often say, one need only walk outdoors to discover the uniqueness and beauty that has always been there.

Nighty night, all.