Sunday Smiles...

I walked into the kitchen Sunday morning and found this...

I wonder if she selected the channel herself :-)

HoneyDew feels special...

Well and she really is special, to me anyways. She is a girlie hound, always has been, and she loves to wear bows. Seriously! If you take them off (no matter how delapidated it is) after she has worn them awhile, she still comes back over to you wanting you to put it back on. The more colorful the better. Maybe it is all the attention she gets because she looks so adorable in them? Anyways, so today I made a purchase just for her...well and maybe just a little bit for me too!

and while she is a girlie houndie, she is a country girlie houndie so we got some 'country' ribbon to start with...

Isn't she cute?!

Sampson says: "Don't even think about it!"

A smile for the day...

I love these pictures! I have been there and done that! Of course with 3 less children and the 30+ chickens were in the basement! I loved those days!

And this one, believe it or not is someday what I hope for, when my hubby and I are old and grey, just sitting around enjoying each other's company as well as at least one basset by our feet. And one of my goals is to learn to quilt by hand. (Maybe my mom will come for another visit this spring??) 

Anyways I really enjoyed the pictures when my dad sent them in an email this morning. They made me smile  and so I wanted to share them with you!

Mid-Week Knitting

I had a very enjoyable evening of knitting last night with two friends/neighbors! I had been looking forward to having a ladies night for a while now but with adjusting to being back to work full-time, the holidays, a bad cold, my youngest's college graduation, amd moving him across the state to start work, there really hasn't been the opportunity before now.

It was very low key. I just made a very simple bruchetta for snacking, had hot tea or sodas available and we sat at the kitchen table knitting away and chatting. Two and a half hours later, we called the evening a success and agreed to get together next Monday night at 6:30 again!

Oh and what nice projects they were working on! Cari (who calls herself a beginner, but I disagree) was creating a lovely lacy scarf in a leaf pattern, and Kathi was finishing an Elizabeth Zimmerman baby sweater, with a matching hat that was already finished. Of course once again I was so busy having fun that I neglected to get pictures. But maybe Monday I will!

Naked Bassets in the Snow!

Ever notice the colder it is out, the straighter the tale is? And look at the top photo, this was at the last part of the walk, on our way back to the car, look who beat me to the car. That would never happen in the summer time!

Happy DOT's!

Walking in a winter wonderland...

Not today that is for sure! With the temps at a paltry 10 degrees no one wants to be out walking or anything else! Especially HoneyDew, for the second day in a row she has squatted in the house to piddle.

She is not being sneaky, oh no, she is very blatant about it! She is not asking to be let out as is her usual custom. Last night hubby was watching tv and there she squatted right in front of him. And tonight she came upstairs where I am on the computer, just wandered in and squatted.

I caught her prepiddleinteruptus and got her behind out the door! I am keeping an eye on her to make sure she doesn't have a bladder infection. So far I dont see any other symptoms, knowing her she just doesn't like to go out in the winter weather.

Anyways, we are all warm and snug as a bug in here. Just excited for the boys to come home for Christmas!

Looking forward to making some cookies tomorrow night...maybe some ginger cookies...these look like great candidates...

I think I will mix them up before work, then bake them after dinner. I can smell them already!

Christmas time in the country...

Well it's getting close anyways. We got the tree up and the wreaths hung on the doors as well as a few outdoor lights and greens.

Obviously the decorating was just too much for some of us...

Hubby is watching the football game. Boys will be home next weekend.
I've got a cold but I wanted to:

•  get groceries this weekend, check
• clean house, check
• and decorate, check.

This week my plan is to bake some Christmas cookies and to do some Christmas shopping.

So I think for the rest of the afternoon, I will sip tea, take a nap and knit!

Sharing a moment with you...

Youngest Son's College Graduation!

Our youngest son has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry/Ecological Management at Paul Smiths College, a December graduate as he squished 4 years into 3 1/2. He will be home over Christmas (when he and his fiancee are not finding a place for him to live) then he will be starting his new position as Forester for Porosky Lumber in Preston Park, PA. We are very proud of him and happy for him! 

And just like that, winter.

We really have had a very mild fall. The temps have, for the most part, stayed in the upper 50's-low 60's range. We knew it had to come at some point but I was suprised nonetheless to find snow on the ground when I woke up this morning. The snow is more pleasant then the rain we have had for the last two days. I know that HoneyDew thinks so. Poor little girl can only cross her short little basset legs before she has to give up and go out to relieve herself. Of course, I am the one standing out there with her holding the umbrella!

Speaking of HoneyDew, and well Sampson too, they have had to make some real adjustments. As you know my basset babies have been with me pretty much 24/7 since they were 10 and 8 weeks old respectively. I have very recently rejoined the workforce fulltime but unfortunately the pups cannot go with me as they were used to doing with my last two positions.

This has meant, ready or not at 5:30 AM, we are out the door for an early morning walk (unless it's raining because HoneyDew does not do rain!). It's dark when we walk but at least the roadway is not very busy at that hour. And so far, it's been ok. With the new weather conditions, snow, ice, etc. we will see how it goes and I may have to adjust the schedule again.

I think while I am gone during the day, HoneyDew mostly sleeps. Sampson on the other hand is quite different. I think Sampson believes that we got Skittles the kitten for his amusement. He watches her every move and they have become fast friends as well as partners in crime! Their favorite hit is the garbage can in the bathroom and the one beside my bed that has balled up tissues in it...or did have.

Also I believe Skittles knocks anything that will roll off the coffee table, end tables, desk etc. onto the floor for Sampson too chew up. So far it hasn't been anything important or anything that could hurt him, he just chews it up and spits it out. They haven't bothered my knitting bin yet, needless to say a treat puzzle ball will be one of my purchases very soon!

I miss them during the day too truth be known, but I do try to make it up to them with snuggles in the evening and hikes on the weekend. I know that we will all adjust, but any tips you would like to send my way would be appreciated.

I do love the views out the windows, the unique shapes of the snowflakes, ice cicles, the crunch of the snow underfoot and the fresh smell of the air. If we could have all that without the plunging temperatures that would be great!

I am thinking we may have to do evening walks, after the plows have gone through, the only problem with that is the salt that will be on the road. I may have to put out a dishpan of water to rinse their paws when they come in...

Anyways, hope you and yours are staying warm and enjoying the winter weather where ever you are.

Oh and happy DOT's!

As HoneyDew, Sampson, Skittles and I (you know I can't do anything without 3 sets of eyes supervising watching me) will be so busy getting ready for the holiday we won't have the time to blog. We will be counting our blessings and include our blogging buddies as one of them. So from all the Switzer's (including the furbabies)...



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