Sneaking through the Snowdrops

I know time goes faster as you get older, but how are we mid-February already?

Long time readers will know that Valentine's is not the most special part of February; Missy's adoptiversary is the most important day of the month! This year marks 11 years that Missy has been part of the family and that number does not fail to shock me every time I see it. She's 12 now, how did that happen?

We celebrated early this year owing to schedules. Like the queen, Missy had two events, one as a photoshoot in her new jumper with the most delightful "cake" (sugar and dairy free waffles with dog friendly chocolates on it) and then again last weekend where we did a nice walk and she was spoiled with her favourite "dead things".

The cake did not last long.

The weekend before last, we managed a trip to the circus with my mum (always a good day out) followed by a really chill Sunday with lots of snuggles for Missy.

And this weekend we managed a quick trip up north to the in laws for a quiet recharge and a play in their campervan - after many years, they have decided we can be trusted to take it for a wee holiday. First of all though we had to camp on the drive, just to be shown everything, all the buttons and dials and trays and hidden compartments (I did not appreciate how much storage their actually was!) Next step is for us to join them at a site (we'll camp) but to be shown how it's set up and how to cook etc in it. 

I feel some of these steps are to encourage us to see them more, but it's always a really chill visit seeing them, so I don't mind!

 

Missy has been removed from the set up team though, after this attempt of tidying up! I think she's best lounging about as foreman and queen than continuing to "help".

One can't forget Ruby who, after her initial excitement, proved she remembered her manners and was very well behaved. Missy has a sore ear at the moment, and her dislike of the winter cold has made her less willing to put up with nonsense from other dogs than usual! We are all very eagerly awaiting spring.

Perhaps we will see a mythical "doggit"!

We have some exciting things lined up for the next update, will see you then!

Through the Stargate to February

We did it, we survived January - the longest, crappiest month of the year! The days are noticeably longer (I mean, still dark before 5pm, but I'm not chasing the sun on the dog walk now) and the weather is ripe for adventure.

This weekend Missy was joined by Maisie and my brother as we explored the Abandoned Fife Earth Project, Scottish Coal ran out of money before completion. If it looks similar to the Crawick Multiverse or Jupiter Artland, well, it should, it's the same artist! It's free to wander about and we clocked up 3 miles in our slow meanderings.

It was very windy (as an abandoned coal mine/quarry should be) so we were quickly chilled to the bone, but otherwise would probably have spent longer there. Missy was tuckered out by the time we got home, which is always nice to see.

I am a month down on my cross stitch journal, and as you can see February is already started. Lessons have been learned, I pivoted too hard on the small stitches, so January almost feels a bit gappy at points. I'm not precious about the segments touching, so the gaps at the edges will get filled in later.

But why is February snow leopard print, not all hearts and cutesy?

It has taken literal years, but I finally got the perfect snow leopard photo at the zoo when we went on Saturday, so of course I had to commemorate it!

I expect February to be a busier month, and we're now in adventure season, so I'll hopefully see you all again soon!

Weathering January

Well, I'm not gonna sugar coat, January has been a bum month. After the initial excitement of snow and sledging, the novelty wore off with a 2 week deep freeze. I have never been more thankful in my life to see the green grass again.

Then came COVID. At least, it's uncomfirmed, but my husband and I definitely had it. No cold or flu leaves you with effectively jet lag for weeks.

Missy bounced back from her injury quite swiftly, although she has hit brumation point. Each year I see her enter a sleepy phase, where she eats like a horse and does nothing but sleep and demand cuddles, preferably in our bed. I used to panic about this, that she had some form of malady, but it's normal for her, normal for a lot of dogs according to the vet, and so I have designated Missy my new barometer. She'll let me know when spring is here and we can be excited again.

The photos, if you haven't guessed, are the aftermath of Storm Eowyn. After the rattling we took last year (14 named storms!), I think anything that was gonna break would have done so. There are some wobbly fences and the greenhouse, though intact, took a rattling and has upended everything inside, but overall I'm pleased to say we got very lucky.

Dog walks will be interesting for a while, each photo is of a separate tree I had to find a new path around.

And that's us for updates. We survived the once-in-a-generation storm and are on the mend from our illnesses. I actually managed to bring myself to get the sewing machine out, so definitely feeling better!

Hope all's well with you, dear reader, stay warm and stay safe!

Until next time

Hello 2025!

Let us not start as we mean to go on, at least, on Missy's behalf? 6 days in and we're nearly over the worst of a paw injury. It's partly my own fault, I was caught out by the bad weather and hadn't shaved her paws in time, and I know from past experience fluffy paws attract salt and grit and cause sores.

Still. Thorough washing and bed rest and she's almost as good as new. So a minor hiccup to he new year.

It's been good otherwise. We started the year sledging. And I've finished my first project of the year - I put the rest on hold for a "me" project and, whilst quite loud, I am pleased with how it's turned out. 

Here's a little sneak peek:

I've almost finished rewatching the classic 90s Gargoyles and I've blown the dust off my knitting needles and have started a jumper for Missy. If I am to embrace my inner grandma, then my child needs knitwear!

And that's me. I've also started a cross stitch journal, that I aim to share on here each month as a way to hold myself accountable. I feel a good crafting year coming up!

And hopefully a good year for adventures too, we have lots of plans in motion - but let's wait for the snow to pass first!

Until next update!

Farewell 2024!

It's the time honoured last post of the year and I'm going to start by wishing you all a fab 2025. I have some modest plans and hopes for the year ahead, but I'm keeping it low key.

Missy intends to repeat her resolution from every year. To eat, sleep and try and keep out of mischief! Her plans of conquerong the squirrel overlords are in hold these days, though she still gives the scouts a good run for their money should she get the chance.

It's been a funny old year, too fast and yet so long at the same time. We went on our first cruise, Missy sailed first class to Ireland and there were many ribbons won and new adventurs had. It's been nearly a year since we lost my sister's MIL, and her family is still trying to find it's new normal. 

Still, we all have to make the most of things. Missy was bamboozled at the amount of gifts she recieved this year. The Christmas season was a delight this year, ice skating made us all merry and the day went perfectly.

My Manchester based sister arrived boxing day and we had a tremendous time in the chaos.

And that's that. Another Christmas over and a new year ahead.

So, I raise my mug of tea and I'll wish you all a Happy New Year. To many adventures ahead!

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.