Friday Favorites, October #1

I did such a good job of posting Friday Favorites last month, I decided to do it again. And, I'm not going to lie; it's really hard to focus on anything but grief right now, so this Friday Favorites post is going to weigh heavily on the things that the people in our life have done to help us cope with the loss of Boomer Dog.

Starting with my staff, who not only manned the fort while I took the time I needed to say my goodbye, but who gifted me with this frame for my desk. It's such a comfort to see my boy's smiling face, still.

Queen B was able to spend Boomer's last few hours with us virtually, by FaceTiming in; I'm glad she had a chance to say goodbye. She sent us a gorgeous bouquet, including lilies, for her grandpa (they were his favorite).

Erin and Kristi also sent the loveliest bouquet and have been checking in on me via text and, in Kristi's case, in person.

So many of our friends have reached out to let us know that they share our sadness; Boomer was a favorite of many.

Naturally, in times of sadness, there is also joy; that's how we survive.  Mom brought a much-needed laugh into my life last night, when I picked her up for Bunco (more on that, later). The theme for the evening was Halloween, with costumes optional, and; Mom went all in.

I still giggle when I think about it.

So, Bunco! Many longtime readers of this blog will remember the Booster Club President Extraordinaire, otherwise known as my friend, Tonya. 

Well, Tonya reached out last month to inquire as to whether or not I would be interested in helping her to start a Bunco group. Long, long-time readers of this blog may recall that I used to play Bunco with another group about a million years ago, so it will come as no surprise that I said yes.

We needed twelve ladies to play, so I reached out to Kristi and Mom, and both agreed to give it a whirl. I think they had fun, and, Mom and I both signed on as regulars, while Kristi signed on as a sub, so that she can play while she's in the States.

I think it's going o be a lot of fun, and it was really nice to meet new people, who I think could become friends.

That's always a favorite, and a good way to help soften the edges of grief.

So, that's it for this month's first installment of Friday Favorites. Theoretically, I'll be back again next week. #GOALS

On Your Last Day

 Dear Boomer Dog,

Yesterday, Dad and I did the hardest thing that pet parents can do; we let you go.

You had let us know that it was time, and, while it was hard (so very hard); we knew you were right. A pet parent's only responsibilities are to give their fur babies a good life and a peaceful death. We wanted that for you; a peaceful death. We'd already given you the best life that we possibly could in the short (too short) time that you were with us.

Your last hours were spent doing the things that we know you loved. You followed Dad around while he mowed the yard. You chased your favorite ball and the small tire that we kept in the backyard. I blew bubbles for you to chase. We gave you all the best treats, although your appetite had waned and your interest in them was greatly diminished.

In the last minutes, we gave you Hershey's Kisses, because no dog should leave this earth without tasting chocolate.

I couldn't bear to take you to the vet; your anxiety and separation anxiety anytime we took you somewhere that you feared you may be abandoned (we would never) broke me, and I wasn't about to subject you to that worry.

Instead, our vet agreed to come to the house, where we were lounging on the lawn, in the shade of the porch, in your favorite spot; the one where you would flop down when you were tired from playing catch, or chasing the water from the hose, or bored from watching me weed the flowerbed or Dad set up the annual skeleton display (which he started on yesterday, just so you could be present one last time). 

You were tired. So very tired. The tumor in your anal sac had swelled to a size that made it impossible for you to continue. The pressure from the tumor was pressing on the nerves in your legs and it was getting difficult for you to get up; the swelling in your leg broke our hearts. But, you stayed our happy boy, smiling right up to the end.

You went so peacefully.

I have always believed two things when it comes to you: I believe that, before you were my boy, you belonged to a woman who loved you very much and that you lost her. I think she was waiting for you on the other side. I also believe that you were sent to me to offer protection at a time when the Lord knew that I would need it. You know that I'm safe and that it was ok for you to go.

I'm missing you today, Booms.

I'm going to miss you forever.

I'm so eternally grateful for the time that I had with you. I'm a better person for having had a dog who loved me as much as you did.

I'll see you again, my boy. And you can introduce me to your other mom. I bet you made her a better woman, too.

Love, Mom

A Simple Saturday in the Sticks

Saturday morning, Hugh, Kristi, Mom and I headed to Pickin' at the Pea for another shot at uncovering buried treasure. We fortified ourselves for the adventure with a cup of slow-drip coffee and Mennonite donuts, as one does when at Pickin' at the Pea.

Then, we were off! Mom's attention was immediately caught by an old Victrola, which, unfortunately, had already been sold. Apparently, someone didn't get the memo about eating delicious Mennonite donuts before hitting the sale and they got a head start on us.

This season's sale went heavy on the Halloween theme, which is something that they have not done in any of the years that I have attended. We all know how I feel about Halloween, so I was hopeful that I would find some vintage decorations or some such thing. Sadly, I did not. But! The Halloween displays were on point, including this Frankenstein's monster made out of refuse metal.

 

These "ghoulfriend" photos were also cute...

...but not something that I would spend $15 on when I know, for a fact, that I can print them off from the internet and frame them, myself; been there, done that.

Halloween mantel 2022)

I did, however, give serious thought to this super creepy antique painting. In the end, I decided that it might be just a tad bit too haunted, even for me. 

The witches were on point.

And, there was a beautiful display from a local flower farm. Was it creepy? No. Was it still a nice addition to the sale? Yes.

The only other item I considered-and-rejected purchasing, was this typewriter. It was in really good shape, but; I already own one and I'm not trying to become a hoarder over here.

I knew I wasn't going to purchase this beater/bowl combo, but I think it was really cool, and I enjoyed hearing the history of it from the lady who owned the booth.

So, what did I end up getting? A vintage jadeite pagoda fairy lamp that was really well priced and will go nicely with the rest of the jadeite items I have in my kitchen.

And, I bought a stained glass rooster lamp. I mean...he's adorable.

Did I need a stained glass rooster lamp? Technically, no. But, I mean...he's freaking adorable.

Once we felt like we had picked over the entire show, we headed back down the road to the annual Apple Pie Contest, where Mom's entry was among the best looking of the dozen or so pies.

                  

Unfortunately, she didn't place this year, despite her personal cheering section thinking she should have. 

The first place winner wasn't even a pie! It was an apple cheesecake. How was that even allowed? Next year, we are encouraging Mom to volunteer as a judge; she'd make sure a travesty like that didn't happen again.

And, that was our simple Saturday here in Petticoat Junction. 

Friday Favorites, September #4

I did it! I managed a Friday Favorites post every week this month! This shouldn't feel like such an accomplishment, yet it does!

I really need to get better about setting and accomplishing goals in general. I'll put some thought into what that needs to look like for the month of October. Stay tuned.

So, this week's favorites! Short and sweet, because I vowed to write the posts; I never said they would be novels.

Yesterday, I had an intense craving for a bagel sandwich from a bagel shop in Hooterville that I hadn't visited in years. I wasn't even sure the sandwich would still be on their menu, but was pleasantly surprised to find it there when I visited the shop for lunch.

The sandwich is turkey, lettuce, tomato, red onion, honey-dijon mustard, and crumbled blue cheese on an everything bagel and it sounds disgusting, I know. But, it tastes delicious. I don't know what made me crave it yesterday, but I have a feeling that I have awoken a monster that will require regular feedings in the days to come.

I ate the sandwich on the porch at Not So New Job; it was a gorgeous fall day, which was also a favorite. The leaves on the trees in front of the house have just started to turn, and I am looking forward to more lunches on the porch, with a colorful view.

Later this morning, I am scheduled for another microdermabrasion facial at the day spa. I really enjoyed the first one I had several weeks ago and am looking forward to it.

Tomorrow morning, we are off to Pickin' at the Pea and to the annual Apple Festival here in Petticoat Junction. Mom is baking a pie for the apple pie contest again this year, and the family is excited to support her.

It should be a great weekend, which is always on the favorites list.

What's Up Wednesday, September 2024 Edition

Welcome to autumn! September shepherds in my favorite season of the year and I am very much looking forward to the days growing more mellow and colorful. I do, however, feel like September has flown by; time needs to slow down, just a titch.

I tend to read back over past What's Up Wednesday posts, and the ones in the fall are often my favorites; thank you to Sheaffer and Shay for hosting the party.

What I'm Eating

Hugh and I celebrated our 31st anniversary earlier this month; we had dinner at one of Hooterville's nicer restaurants, where I often order the Tuscan stuffed chicken breast. It's a favorite.

Later in the month, Mom and I attended a play at the community theater, but, before that, we dined at another of Hooterville's finer establishments, where I broke completely out of my usual rut (chicken marsala) and ordered the filet stroganoff. It was really tasty and something I might order there again.

What I'm Reminiscing About

I haven't had an actual vacation since 2021, y'all. That was the year that we rented the most amazing house on Oahu for the Man-Cub's college graduation. Last week, I got an email from the VRBO host for that property, letting me know that they are booking for 2025 and it got me reminiscing about that trip in a big way.

What I'm Loving

Fall means three things: falling leaves, the end of fundraising season (praise hands!), and Halloween! It will probably come as no surprise that I have already decorated my house and that Hugh and I are already cooking up a plan for our annual skeleton display. I also recently added this mug to my collection and I'm not mad about it.

Of course, before the season changes completely, I should mention how much I have loved the zinnias in my front flower bed. This particular variety has been stunning this year, and I plan to harvest as many seeds from the flowerheads as possible, to recreate this look again next year.

What I've Been Up To

Mom has had several appointments in Neighboring City; we are hoping that the end result will be a procedure that will relieve a lot of the pain that she has had in her back and one of her legs.

Hugh, Kristi, and I spent Labor Day in the mountains, riding four-wheelers and communing with nature. I communed with it face-first, when I took a tumble down the hillside. I am graceful like that.

Kristi and I tried our hand at making homemade pasta, using flour that I milled, myself. It was a fun project and we learned a lot, namely; you should combine regular flour with whole wheat flour when making pasta, since using whole wheat alone tends to make a less pliable noodle.

What I'm Working On

Since finishing the wedding Converse for Shanti and the Man-Cub, I have embroidered a number of other items, including the baseball cap I wear when golfing...

... and these jeans.

I also worked with my staff on hosting the best darn Barn Dance, ever. My family helped out again this year and the evening was a tremendous success. So very glad that it is over for another year, though.

And, this past weekend, The Great Garden Experiment of 2024 came to an end when I ripped the spent flowers from the raised beds and prepared them for vegetables again next spring. It will be interesting to see how many volunteer sunflowers spring up next year, because the birds weren't able to get to all the seeds, I'm sure.

When I dug up the dahlia tubers, I was shocked to see all the new growth. I don't know anything about storing tubers for the winter, but I think I'm about to learn.

What I'm Dreading

Hugh and I will be saying goodbye to this sweet boy very soon.

I'm a wreck about it, even though I know it is the right thing to do for him.

What I'm Excited About

We are still waiting for the pictures from the wedding. I get that the photographer is busy and that she had a lot of other weddings this summer, but surely, she has to be done editing soon. I'm excited to see the complete gallery and to get some of the pictures printed for framing.

I'm also really excited to try some new recipes that use goat cheese, specifically the goat cheese that I recently purchased at the farmer's market in Hooterville; the cheese is made locally and the owner/cheesemaker gave me lots of ideas for how to use it. I purchased both the fig balsamic and  roasted garlic rosemary varieties, so I have options.

What I'm Reading

Since spooky season is upon us, it seemed like a good time to start a series about witches. There are something like thirteen books in this series and I'm pretty sure I can make it through them all before Halloween, assuming they continue to hold my interest. I just started Book 3, so I am optimistic.

What I'm Watching

Mom and I went to see a production of All My Sons at the community theater. It was really well done, but more than a little sad and depressing.

And, speaking of depressing; I also watched the Netflix series on the Menendez brothers, and...whew. There was a lot to unpack there. 

                                          

What I'm Listening To

 I'm not currently listening to anything. Since Halloween is right around the corner, I'm looking for recommendations on paranormal podcasts, though.

What I'm Wearing

Still rocking the cute shoes and will continue to do so for as long as the weather permits.

What I'm Doing This Weekend

Two of my favorite fall events are happening on the same day: Pickin' at the Pea and the Annual Apple Fest and Apple Pie Contest. Mom is entering the contest again this year and is determined to finish better than third place. Hugh, the Cub, Shanti, Kristi, Mom, and I are all excited about Pickin', for differing reasons; the guys are mostly stoked about the Mennonite coffee and donuts, while we girls are looking forward to hunting treasures.

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month

Halloween! I mean, duh!

Favorite Purchase This Month

I am having a moment with vintage corning ware; this coffee percolator is the coolest thing, ever. Coffee perked on the stovetop is the best coffee, in my opinion, and, while these percolators were recalled and discontinued back in the 70's, I'm willing to risk using it. At least once.