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!

Wake me up When September Ends

Well, we're officially in autumn, but it feels like summer skipped us by and now it's winter.

It's been a few manic weeks with weekends spent desperately attempting to recharge a pretty flat battery.

I've still fitted in a lot of sewing (I will share soon, I promise!) and visits to friends, but yeah, let's just say my planned annual leave couldn't come soon enough!

Missy has been ok with the rain, but the hard frost has brought back just the slightest little hobble on her bad knee. She'll put up with the jackets, but she does enjoy her little pre-walk knee massage. 

That's this week's life update, we're busy busy but surviving!

Until the next check in!

Hold the Fort!

Well, that's it, the end of the season. The last of this years events (but not adventures, rest easy my friend!). And what event was this? The Siege on the Forth at Blackness Castle.

Now, we have done this event once before in yon days before COVID (scratch that, 2017, that was a lifetime ago!) so I expected it to be different. With the rise of Outlander, some of which was filmed at this castle, it should come as no surprise that redcoats and Jacobites were abound. I decided to getu redcoat out the loft and, with cooler weather, knew that Missy would be more inclined to her Jacobite outfit.

Well, I expected some comments, but my, so many compliments! All from the reenactors (and a pair of young girls who were also dressed up as elves, who recognised kindred spirits as my friend and her boyfriend were also dressed up). Tremendous fun!

I was rather out numbered! There were also World War soldiers (who did a talk about the differences in the uniforms between the first and second), Napoleonic reenactors and also the classic Medieval ones. Missy managed to put stare a lord who relented to give her a piece of chicken but did not succeed in trying to hard stare some quiche off the squires.

The hard stare in action.

Missy tolerated the cannon once, but decided she was above such spectacles upon the second so I went for a wee walk about the camps which were now very quiet and managed to have a lovely chat with two medieval ladies about thier dresses and how they were made.

We then went for a wee walk before returning for the World Wars talk and the final parade. All in all, a very good day.

Even if I did upset a Napoleonic Soldier with my comment about his cute cannon.

 

I mean, how can something that small and deadly not be cute?!

Whilst I don't expect things to calm down any (life is not that kind at the moment), I think there will be an uptick of sewing in future posts. The longer nights are a good encouragement to be genteel and get on with crafts!

Until next time!

140 Years of the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home

It's not every day your favourite rehoming centre turns 140! Be warned, the post ahead is full of cake, ribbons and much gushing of doggos.

Still here? Well, buckle in.

I have a lot to thank EDCH for. Firstly, my childhood dog was born there and Cindy gave me 14 years of unconditional love. And then Missy came along in 2014, the rottie that shrunk in the wash, sad and unable to cope with the stresses of kennel life.

I have explained before how she chose us, and I have honestly thought back to that day a hundred times and counted myself lucky that Missy came home with us.

But nonetheless, Sunday was the EDCH open day and 140th birthday. There was all the usual things for an open day: competitions, stalls, an education zone, a kids area and plenty of food. What was nice was that the competitions were grouped into blocks, so there was time in between to look about.

After Waggiest Tail everyone was asked for a moment and thanks were said, to the trust, the volunteers and the community there supporting and helping to fundraise. The biggest dog friendly cake I have ever seen was then carried out and a happy birthday was sung by all.

A small fleet of dogs followed said cake for a slice, including Missy who put every gram of her 20kg of muscle into dragging me along behind it.

Missy did indeed get a slice. But only after many comments were made on her neatly tucked sit and very hard stare - I confirmed that such a tactic was a regular occurrence, and Missy truly was the master of it.

The slice barely lasted 10 seconds!

Missy's competitions were in the middle slot (golden oldie and best rescue) before her strongest category at the end (fancy dress). Missy sidled up to the judge and snuggled in for a wee cuddle, giving her saddest eyes and a tiny tail wag. 

Which was how we placed 2nd in best rescue. No sob story, no promoting her charity work, just a brief and well meaning cuddle. Which, hard stare aside, is really what she does best.

It was at this moment I realised that the ribbons were dated for 140 years - certainly one to go alongside the collection of special ribbons she's won.

We did another lap about the place and, truthfully, I was getting cold, and was considering skipping on fancy dress. I could hear her fan club in Manchester on the wind - but it's the last go as a Viking, with her little authentic shield and most inauthentic hat. I fetched a hot chocolate, found a spot out the wind to people watch and Missy had a nap to get herself ready for the final competition of the year.

And she nailed it. Granted, there wasn't a lot of competition (fancy dress is like that, it's either ridiculously popular or not very many are sporting), but I heard a distant cry behind me of;

"A viking?! That's so cool!" From a lovely lady who turned out to be the representative from Mercat tours, so someone who knows a thing or two about what's cool.

The judges gave Missy a pat and praise prior to officially judging "all the years we've done this, I've never seen a viking!" And myself and Mercat exchanged pleasantries.

Realising that dog number 1 was going for the sob story, (that's cheating!) Mercat laughed and then explained how her greyhound had been on deaths door 6 months ago. (Got to play them at thier game!).

Then came Missy. Why a viking?

So why not tell the truth. My sister does viking reenactment and Missy is the unofficial mascot of her group. They even gifted her the shield, which although tiny, is historically accurate.

Which is how we took home a first place ribbon.

I'm actually rather sad to be retiring the viking costume this year (from the competition circuit, she'll wear it again at an event or two) it has definitely been the most "wow" provoking one I've made.

What shall we do next year? A dragon? A Jacobite?

Regards really, I'm just thankful that we were able to have fun and celebrate 140 years of the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home - I hope they stay strong for many more years yet!

An Irish Getaway

 

Where to start? That's us just back from a fantastic week away in Ireland visiting family and also fitting in some tourist things too. As an added twist, we also went camping this time! But lets get to the start.

This year we decided to try the Pet Lounge option on the ferry. Stena Line state that pets must be crated in the pet lounge, which has always put us off as crate training is just something that we have never felt the need to do with Missy. We bought a lovely fabric pop up crate and...totally forgot about training. I will admit, Missys "training" was literally 3 separate occasions of having her lie down in it and giving her a nice treat. We simply ran out of time.
However, the 3 attempts absolutely paid off as Missy just chilled out for the whole crossing whilst we raided the free tea! I did try the exercise area, but Missy was not inclined to stand in the pouring rain and wind. Cant say I blame her!

Then we were on Irish soil and setting up the tent at the Kinnego Marina. We had managed to do a test run pitching the tent up so it was up in 20 minutes and we moved in for the week and then went to see my dad for homemade Chilli Con Carne. 

Tuesday we collected my sister from the airport and went to the Ulster Museum of Rural life for the day. It is a 1910s pre war village made of restored or replica buildings with actors explaining the different parts of rural life. Dogs are permitted on the grounds but not in the buildings, so we took turns popping in and out.
I would say it was possibly a highlight of the holiday, a wee hidden gem which is massively undersold by its website. The staff were great and we had a lovely walk through the town ad around the farm. It was that nice level of busy - enough people to have an atmosphere, but not so many it intruded on the day.
Highlights definitely included a fabulous exchange with the doctor who was alarmed at my sisters blue hair (which is catching as my pink under layer was noticed!). Although lunch was a disaster as the moment we sat down on the bench outside it started to pour with rain. We saved the cakes with the assistance of an umbrella but the bread roll was lost - in hindsight its funny, but at the time it felt like the world was picking on us. Especially as the sun came out 10 minutes later...

Wednesday was birthdays - my sister really wanted to do the Giants Causeway for the day and we managed to time it so that we caught the best of the weather. The morning drizzle had burned off by the time the tour finished and we completed the clifftop walk before the winds picked up. We had fun in the visitors centre too and generally had more time for the day, which was good.
We didn't manage the clifftop walk last time so I was pleased to fit it in this time and getting to see the Giants Organ up close and see the causeway from above was breath taking.

So yeah, those high winds. I honestly thought I was gonna wake up in Oz on the Thursday! The tent held up for us though and we were able to show off the living quarters when my dad visited for lunch. Thursday was just a chill out day really and a chance to enjoy camping whilst the weather had cheered up again.

Then Friday we were off home again before catching up with friends over the weekend.

I think I need a holiday from my holiday!

Pinning on the Purple Poppy

Its been a busy week run this week - from sneaking out of work to volunteer at the Greyhound Rescue Centre Fife for a day, to hosting friends and having a laugh playing Baker Street. It's been a good one. And this weekend was the icing on the cake:

Firstly, Saturday was a Armed Forces Event in conjunction with The Purple Poppy UK. Purple poppies remember the animals that have served, or still serve in the military, so it was only fitting that in addition to the horses on show, bedecked in purple poppies themselves, that there was a dog show. It was actually my older sister who found out about it, she being fairly local, and she suggested possibly going to it (spoiler, she turned up as we left, the show being packed up).

I'm gonna be honest, the dog show was the weakest part of the day. Competing against police dog demos, pipe bands, 50s jive demos, highland dancing, live music, hundreds of stalls and a living history village from WW2, it was definitely overshadowed. I won't complain, Missy took home 2 ribbons, although I almost missed golden oldie as I ran off to watch the Highland dancing!

It was Missy's Mercy Dog outfit that won the day - it's debut in competition and the only location I felt it would do well. And that was the day. A fabulous solo adventure for Missy and I!

Sunday was just for the dogs - the long awaited return of Doghailes. The logistics of this day were a disaster - originally hubby was off and we were gonna meet friends, and then he wasn't, but that shouldn't spoil the day, right? Well, then we got double booked, big Sis if off on her holidays and could I take Wee Ben? 

I had committed to having him, when the holiday was meant to have happened in Easter. As it was, tickets had been bought and paid for for Doghailes by the time the dates were booked. As my friend has a no dogs on furniture policy, I couldn't take Ben with and go for dinner as originally planned. As Hubby was working, I couldn't just pick him up and go myself, I operate a strict one dog per person policy at events. So in the end I strong armed my niece into coming along and doing the drop off.

There wasn't much in the way of coercion. My niece wanted away from the mad flap of packing, and had been asking me repeatedly about when the next show was on she could take Ben to. I paid thier entry and off we went.

We shared a picnic, cheered on the dogs, fitted in a nice walk about the estate and generally had a lovely day. Missy placed 2nd in fancy dress, the only ribbon we picked up, but it's all for charity, so we didn't mind in the slightest.

A fab weekend all round.

With us having Ben this week, we have an unexpected quiet week thrust upon us and, I won't lie, it's probably needed!

Until next time!

Spectacular Pig Racing

It was a double whammy of a weekend. First up was the Carnwath Agricultural Show on Saturday. This had originally been planned as a solo adventure but, owing to a cake needing delivered (more on that later), my mum came along for the day. I had a certain amount of trepidation about her coming along, mostly because she doesn't particularly enjoy dog shows, and I'd never taken her to an agricultural show, which in my opinion is like a dog show, but with sheep and cows and very very big horses.

The weather was forecast to be reasonable so, with a silent prayer for sunshine, we set off. After a false start where the sat nav took me to the wrong side of the farm, we arrived and immediately made our way over to the dog arena to register Missy before having a mooch about the craft tent and then picking up some chips to bulk out the cheese sandwiches I'd brought as we waited for Missy's class.

This was a very serious dog show, I quickly realised. And Missy was the only dog in sight of mixed heritage. My mother is proudly biased towards Missy and proclaimed that she should win every class!

The sun came out, I had to run to he car to get Missy's cool coat and then it was our turn in the ring. We entered Best Condition, Waggiest Tail and Dog Judge Would Most Like to Take Home. Standing amongst pedigrees, several of which were being adjusted in minute detail to a perfect stand, I truly felt like a fraud. Missy took a look and the delicately stood dogs about us, humphed and lay down in the cool grass. She did stand and greet the judge and, as I explained Missy's dubious breeding, age and status of an old queen, the judge laughed and acknowledged that for 11, she was in remarkably good shape.

We placed third. I'm still pinching myself. Can one get imposter syndrome on behalf of the dog?

Mum was delighted and, failing to obtain any other ribbons, we mooched over to the main ring for the Champion of Champions.

How they judge a cow again a sheep against a horse I don't know, but both my mother and I guessed wrong on who should win. We were then treated to a piper coming out, fully dressed and bearing bagpipes, who then led the champions around the ring before all the winning cows and horses did a lap of honour.

And then it was the pig racing. Mum picked pig 15 who turned out to be the smallest pig I'd ever seen, and, in batches of 5, the 20 pigs raced. It was hilarious watching them make a beeline down to the trough where they tucked into dinner and the crowd was going wild for it. Missy did well and did not try to catch any bacon, although the thought definitely crossed her mind!

All in all a very good day - my mum absolutely loved the pig racing and, between that, Missy's rosette and the sunshine, it was deemed a good day.

So, the cake. I was commissioned by a family friend to make an "anime" cake. I requested photos of the bookshelves and found a lot of figurines for this guy - Nanami Kento. I don't know the anime but it was a fun bake. My mum was deemed it's caretaker and took it back home which is the halfway point between my house and the family friends.

(I am told it went down really well)

Then Sunday was a trip to Caerlaverock with my friend and her brand new beau to enjoy the Spectacular Jousting. It was my first time meeting her new partner (they are an adorable couple) and he was very much overwhelmed by the spectacle that is the jousting. 

Once again donned in her cool coat, Missy enjoyed the attention lavished on her as she took over the whole picnic blanket as we watched the joust. Sit Checkmates mother was our special guest and, after poisoning one contestant and sharpening the lance so another was impaled, showed us all where Sir Checkmate learned his dastardly ways!

We enjoyed a stroll about the medieval village and the castle between jousts and, for the most part, enjoyed the good weather and the good company. There was churros and ice cream and a lot of laughs, and I'm not sure I could have asked for more!

Then it was back to mine for dinner and time to call it for the weekend. Next weekend is shaping up to be a busy one too, so until next time!

Hell(sing) Yeah!

It's been a busy run! Let's rewind the week a bit though - it's been a bit of a con crunch. Wigs were hastily styled at the weekend and the Harkonen was being assembled as late as Wednesday owing to waiting for parts to dry and set.

Thursday we were back at the roller skating, this time with my niece. It was a good laugh and a nice run into the weekend. I had my nephew arrive Friday and we did a last fit check before playing board games and watching Spirited Away.

Then came the con! Was it worth the hours of sewing? Fighting with the jigsaw puzzle of the Harkonen? The metres and metres and metres of red fabric?

Absolutely! We had an absolute blast - everyone was so nice, we had loads of folk asking us to pose for photos and it was just a generally amazing day. My nephew was absolutely overwhelmed by everything - the cosplay, all the stuff, the talks and the judging and by the end he was absolutely beat. Delighted, but beat!

Highlights include sharing cookies with the Mario crew, making friends with a very over excited Gambit and helping a young girl on the verge of a meltdown. We spotted her behind us as we waited on the competition results curled up with her fingers in her ears and offered her a cookie. She declined the cookie and had a fan girl moment on our characters so we did some photos and had her pose with my Harkonen (she was 5 foot if she was lucky, it was hilarious). And that seemed to help her immensely. 

There are official photos yet to come (the photographer was absolutely superb and took time with everyone to get great photos), so I'm going to wait for those before the costumes go on Instagram!

Then today was a day for the dogs. It was P in the Park (insert fan girl screaming). We've missed this the last few years, so I was glad to catch it today.

My niece had arrived Saturday evening with Wee Ben and my brother had coordinated coming along too, so we were very excited for a fur-cousins meet up again. The weather promised to be fair so we all headed to Unleashed dog parks for abfun day.

It wasn't all just dog shows, there was demos (the super spaniels were absolutely brilliant), talks and have a go games for the dogs. The dock diving was fun to watch but none of our dogs would be game, so we didn't bother with it.

Missy placed first in the fancy dress - I whole heartedly approve of having a kid choose the winning dogs, there's absolutely no bias except that the dog is friendly and cute. The wee lad was utterly smitten with Missy's Viking costume and I could tell he was desperate to figure out how the helmet stayed on (ribbons my dear, nearly wrapped ribbons). 

Of course all of them deserve first place in my opinion, hence the photo at the top. That's absolutely going to be getting printed and put on the wall.

Well, the human niece and nephew are off home and we have Maisie, my favourite furry niece for the night whilst my brother is at a gig. Maisie is asleep on the sofa and Missy is passed out beside her, so it's really no bother at all!

Until next week!