A Quick Update

It's been a hot minute since the last update! Firstly, I had an emotional proud dog mum moment when the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home released this:

Missy has come a long way in 10 years, and anything to promote a story of a stray-to-riches, an ode to rescues, is worth sharing. 

Although it has had the funny effect of reminding my family that Missy doesn't do Christmas trees. I've had to come to the realisation they must think me the Grinch in recent years with our "barely there" decor! I've had my brother, my older sister and my own mother check that their trees aren't going to upset Missy! So I've had to explain that the big Faux Pas is leaving her with it. She'll tolerate being about one, but clearly doesn't trust them enough to leave her alone.

Out with Missys celebrity moment, we've visited friends and family and had the in laws through too. This is the calm week, a chance to recharge the batteries ahead of the big push of Christmas to New Year.

We have Yule (we're doing friendmas) on Saturday, then Christmas Eve is ice skating before the day itself. We're doing "the doors" this year and visiting various parts of the family throughout the day. We are seeing cousin Maisie, so Missy will not be forgotten as we have a very nice dog walk planned.

And then the exciting bit - we've had last minute visit organised by Manchester based sister and my youngest niblings! Christmas really is made by kids, so I can't wait for the mini Christmas on the 27th when they are through.

On that note, I will catch you up after the big day! So much to do and so little time!

But first, please take a moment to raise your mug of tea to the "Marvellous Missy", and all the other pets in their second chance homes, and most importantly, on those waiting to find one.

Getting in the Christmas Spirit

It's December. We've had our first snow and some truly freezing weather and you know what that means! Yep, time to crack out the Xmas tunes.

We've had a very busy run of late, between the in-laws and friends visiting, I feel like I've not stopped hosting! To finish off November, we had the much anticipated Goblin Ball and it was absolutely amazing.

These outfits have been months in the making! It's not clear in the photo, but we are dressed as moths, myself a Luna moth and hubby as deathshead. The theme came to be as hubby was adamant he wanted a mothman cosplay, and I managed to swerve the enthusiasm onto a rogue/traveller inspired moth attire.

Very pleased with how they came out, and the night itself was amazing. The food was fantastic, everyone was really friendly and the outfits ... Well, the bar has been raised for next year! There was even a medieval band and we played medieval dancing games, absolutely fantastic evening.

Missy was not to be left out. We took her to see Santa Paws on the Saturday - bizarrely IKEA hosted one, even though they aren't dog friendly. One day! We popped into Jollyes on the way home to get her a treat for being on the nice list.

Following on from the being on the nice list, I did a little photoshoot with Missy on Sunday around the theme "naughty or nice", and she absolutely does belong on the nice list.

Missy knows not to take (at least when no one is looking!) and she would sniff at the treats, look and me and then sniff them again. I managed to coax her into nudging at them so it looks like she's taking them in another photo, but it was a delightful bit of fun.

Monday was a quick trip to Ireland to see my dad for his Christmas. It went very quickly but also went very well. He has 5 dogs and they were on best behaviour around my sister and I.

We had some drama on the flight there. Literally as the plane was starting to take off I got a nosebleed. So I was hunched up, one hand clamping my nose shut whilst the other was under my chin in the event of a stray drip whilst my sister was poised awaiting the air stewardess unbuckling her seatbelt. Apparently the woman pulled a face when the call bell sounded the split second she stood up, but when she realised it was an actual emergency, she was fantastic with us. She dashed off, brought me tissues and wipes and a bottle of water along with some sick bags and a plastic bag to put it all in when done. As a first aider, I appreciated the questions about if this was normal or not and was also checked on a few times during the flight. As soon as those around us realised what was going on, a small mexican wave of tissues being offered occured.

My sister found all of this hilarious and, in retrospect, it was funny, although at the time if I could have opened the emergency exit and yeeted myself onto the tarmac, I absolutely would have. Mortified doesn't cut it!

Then it was a very late arrival home before the grind of the week started up again!

I'm hoping to update before Christmas, but no promises! Stay safe and enjoy the festive season.

Winter has Arrived

Well, it was -3C on the dog walk this morning. Time to pack away all things autumn, winter is here!

Been a busy few weeks, November is always a busy month where I try and cram in all my Christmas making and coordinate with friends to fit in visits before the Christmas Chaos. And fit in all the fair weather walking, especially when the Christmas markets are in full swing.

Talking of Christmas markets, I met up with a friend and we had a dither around Newhailes. Whilst we only purchased hot drinks, its set off the Christmas vibes.

Just a short update this week, got a very busy run coming up.

Something "fabulous" you could say....

A Heavenly Walk at the Hermitage

Autumn has been suspiciously kind. The temperature is dropping, and the nights are drawing in, but it's been mild and...dare I say ... Dry.

So I decided I had to cram in at least one more adventure before ethe year was out, and that was the Hermitage in Dunkeld.

Hubby had the day off (his first week in the new job has been very successful) so we decided on a location he fancied, which was the Hermitage. My brother messaged about a play date with Maisie and a plan was swiftly put in motion.

Have you not seen a cuter pair? 

We picked up my brother and Maisie at the park and ride and travelled just over an hour North. The weather gods smiled on us as the day progressively brightened and we parked up to a bright blue sky and vivid autumn leaves.

The walk itself wasn't difficult, although we did have to cut down a cycle path as we had managed to take a wrong turn, and we all ambled first uphill to the pinecone and then back downhill to the Hermitage Bridge.

It was busy, I don't think we're the only ones trying to squeeze in one more nice day out, but everyone was polite and happy to take turns to enjoy the view.

I had thought the view at the pinecone stunning, well, the waterfalls were something else. It was much busier at the water, but again, no one was in a rush and we all had plenty of time to enjoy the day.

A wonderful day, and after 2 hours of steady walking, both dogs slept all the way home! A fantastic finish to the weekend, and a well deserved adventure!

Till next time!

Spooktacular Weekend

Welcome mortals...

It's my favourite time of the year, the colours are beautiful, the weather isn't cold enough to trigger my Raynaud's (more than usual anyway) and it's the season of all things spooky.

Like last year, I was scaring the pants off of grown men as a scare actor. Whereas I felt out of my depth last year being a lurking entity in the corner of the eye, this year I did baulk at the concept of the Fae Queen. This year I had lines. 

Well. As hoc lines. I kinda winged it each tour depending on whether there were children (teens, this was a mature event), and it not, randomly selected someone to pick on. Still, I was absolutely convinced I wasn't scary enough, even with the claws, the skull face and the click click click of bones against antler (foam clay, but let's not spoil the illusion!)

My first inkling that I was scary was when I spooked hubby in the dress rehearsal. I was practicing my last jump scare, neatly tucking myself behind a pillar and pouncing out with a hiss when I received "bloody hell, I knew you were gonna do that but I still jumped".

Won't lie, it was the bit of courage I needed! There were many jumps, I had joked during rehearsals I had the best scares and I do think I did, mostly because I was the only "supernatural" element and barely looked human in the dull green lights. 

Still, I am rambling. I will comment on my favourite scene and scare and move on:

We had one tour where a lady needed to use the bathroom right at the start. I could vaguely hear an extra tale being made so the lady could be "comfortable". After 15/20 minutes I was summoned and roared my way into the room, getting my first good jump scare. I then called them into the adjacent room, to hold court and allow me to choose my tribute. As they filed into the room, I hoovered behind the door, muttering and hissing and reaching out with my claws (which did gain a few jumps on most of the tours). The guide pleaded that I spare them and I declined, agreeing to let them into the bakehouse to choose their tribute.

This was my favourite part. As they re-entered with instructions to stare hard at me and maintain eye contact, I hissed and darted like a wild animal before screaming and snatching a guest, dragging them screaming into the dark gloom outside...

Of course it was a stooge. But no one knew and it spooked folk. A high pitched, half giggled remark on that tour I mentioned?

"Thank god I went for a pee already".

Do you want to know what else is frightening? I've gone and bit the bullet and made a sewing channel on YouTube - this creation is my second video!

Now back to regular programming - Missy has enjoyed a weekend of lie ins and slow mornings in bed. She has also enjoyed the mild weather brought in by Storm Ashley, long may it continue!

Our weekend plans went a bit askew owing to Banchory Village Hospital (the insane asylum) becoming more and more of a building site, and planned tea and cake in Dobbies was cancelled as it was just too busy for these tired ghosties, but we still managed some nice walks and lots of time cuddled up on the sofa.

The month is not yet over, we have plans for Halloween night, but I will share the details when I get there! Until then, rest up and enjoy the season!

A Frighteningly Quick Visit

It's been a bit of a whirlwind week, so I shan't keep you all long. I had my Manchester based sister visiting with my niece and nephew, Felix and Inkling and it was a blast.

Pumpkin picking, winning best disco dancer at a Halloween roller disco, and a whole ton of spooky arts and crafts, it passed by too quickly.

And the busyness continues as I am scared acting again for Halloween this weekend. The costume is nearly done, but a massive shout out to my visitors for helping make so many tiny bird skulls and bones.

To be fair, before anyone feels bad at child labour, I was tasked to make a labcoat for a frog.... (You can read about his creation here)

All will be revealed soon!

Need more Missy? Here she is helping with a very quick craft I put together! 

Felix has clearly inherited the family magpie gene and found this devastatingly beautiful fabric. And I know theyre gonna be an artist, because what was the request to be made with it?

A housecoat. And it's absolutely stunning! A future fashion designer, I think!

Getting Spooky

Well, the Halloween decorations are up and we are somehow already halfway through the month! It's been a grind since the last update - in part due to a very hectic work schedule on my part prior to my annual leave last week, and also due to the fact that hubby handed in his notice. Was there a new job, nope, but I was absolutely burned out keeping in top of my own work and every other aspect of the house and our lives and couldn't cope any longer. Something has to give, and that was the cause of hubby's listlessness, his utter apathy about life and, for the first time in his life (lucky for some) anxiety, which was work.

As I have told many, he was sold a unicorn and was handed a mule with an ice cream cone strapped to it's head. Which really, is a slur on the mule. Less said the better.

I'm quite glad that hubby talked me out of cancelling our short break at Alton Towers. With some significant maintenance due on the house, I was in a panic about finances, but just before we left we got the good news that he'd been accepted for a manager role in a store I know will suit him well. Whilst we definitely have to be careful, I was able to go away and enjoy my time being spun about on roller coasters. My sister even joined us for a day, which makes it all the more worthwhile a trip.

Missy wasn't left out. We tried her with a new dog boarder and, after being sent photos of her doing her Goldilocks impression and stealing the other dogs bed and then the humans space on the sofa, I knew she'd be fine. 

We received glowing reports upon pick up - the terms "calm", "wee angel", and "just so chill" we're all said and she's been invited back. So alls well there!

Now we are peak spooky season, I'm pleased to announce that we have also signed up as scary actors again for a haunted tour at a historical house. Good times!

Will there be lots of last minute crafting? Absolutely. What am I doing? Making a dark Fae outfit with an emphasis on the dark, evil creature of the woods kinda Fae. There will be antlers and a dark shroud and some very long, very sharp claws for stealing children.

That's all for now, we're all still beat from the vacation, but are definitely in a better place than this time last week!