The Christmas Calmdown - Making Time for Those We Love

Hello, and welcome back to The Christmas Calmdown with Nesty and Pattycake Manners!  We're planning ahead for a peaceful December, and this month we've got some great  suggestions for making time for those we love...both human and animal!

Once the hustle and fuss of the holidays is over, one of my regrets is often not having made enough time to visit and spend time with friends and family. So often it seems that we make the rounds of parties, levees, dinners and socials, but don't spend nearly enough time curled up by the tree or fireplace with a good friend and a cup of mulled cider.  Since becoming a dog owner, I often find myself wishing after the fact that I had planned some Yuletide fun with my furry friends, too.  And so, in the spirit of the Christmas Calmdown, I've thought about it and I've made a plan to incorporate quality time with pets and pals!

First, I'll deal with the humans.  Now, if you're like me, despite how much you love the holidays, there is a part of you that is very happy and relieved to disappear for most of January. Indeed, once my party hat and noise maker are hung up after NYE, I'm ready to embrace my inner hermit for a few weeks.  And yet, for all the people I do see during the holidays, I often find myself wishing I'd had a few more "good chats" with certain people that I really like.  Here's my plan for reaching out in December 2011:

• Phone Calls - How many times do we say "I'll call you over the holidays?" and then never do?  The trick, I've learned, is to pick the right times to call.  Despite our best intentions, my family and I have learned during the two years I've been away that between the time difference and our respective gatherings, December 25 is never going to be the day for a long, meaningful holiday chat.  We call each other and exchange "Miss you, love you, wish I/you was/were there/here's" and that's essentially it. But a few days later, mug of tea in hand, my mum and I will settle in for a long, newsy chat where we catch up on what we've each been up to during Christmas week. Also, there's nothing wrong with scheduling a call.  We schedule everything else in our mad, busy lives, what's wrong with saying to your bestie "Phone date on Saturday at 2:00?"
• Skype - Skype is a great way to stay in touch, and best of all, it's free!  Just be aware that some people need "prep time" to Skype.  No one wants to sit chatting with a messy house behind them, or in their bathrobe, or with crying children in the back ground.  So don't be offended if the person you wish to Skype with puts you off for another day.  And don't leave your Skype online if you have no intention of taking calls...that's kind of a tease. As with the phone calls, why not schedule a Skype?
• In Person Chats - Each season, we start out with the best of intentions...for craft nights, Christmas movie nights, sushi nights, cookie swaps, tree decorating parties, tree cutting parties, and on and on and on.  Let's be honest here, folks, to successfully coordinate everyone we know to all these events, we'd need to start before Halloween and hire Paris Hilton's social secretary. By all mean, aim to have a few fun get-togethers with your gang, but instead of driving yourself nuts trying to "do it all," why not aim to have a quiet evening with one or two good friends, just chatting and decompressing from all the frivolity? I enjoyed one such evening on the 22nd this year, making gnome / nisser ornaments with a friend.  It was just a nice, quiet evening of wine, Christmas cookies, crafting and chat, but it put me in more of a Christmas-y mood than a lot of the bigger gatherings I attended this season.       

 And now, on to the pets!

As a total dog mama, I enjoy the presence of my three fur babies around the tree.  It honestly doesn't seem like Christmas morning without a soft little nose nuzzling my new sweaters, or a paw batting at pretty paper.  Our cats love snuggling under the tree, and we have to pay special attention to make sure that they don't eat the ribbon!  Indeed, the one holiday we spent in Regina, the only thing we didn't like was the fact that we weren't with 
 our babies.

We've had some pretty memorable holiday moments with our pets.  One special outing during our first year in Kitimat was when we went Christmas tree hunting with some new friends.  We took our little Molly along with us as we hiked through an absolute winter wonderland and she had a ball!  When we look back at pictures of that day, it's like a form of "Where's Waldo?" with Molly taking Waldo's place!  It turns out she's quite the photo bomber as she popped up in almost all the pictures!

Ainsley shared a special Christmas pet memory with me in preparation for this post.  On Christmas mornings when their pups were younger, they would give the dogs their presents first.  By the time the humans were ready to open gifts, the pups were tuckered out from the fun and were content to head to their beds with their new toys.

I'm glad to hear that my house isn't the only one where the fuzzy wuzzies are part of the holiday fun. We are always looking for other ways to include our pets in our holiday celebrations, since they really are our family!  Here are some ideas:

• Take a Hike - Whether you're looking for a tree, or just enjoying the fresh, crisp December air, take your dog along.  They definitely add some silly fun to candid shots along the trail!
• Gifts from the Heart - This year why not make some homemade gifts for your best friends?  Gourmet cookies, toys, a new bed or blankie, even a sweater will mean even more if you make it yourself.  Pet websites and blogs are full of great, creative ideas.
• Gifts that Keep Giving - Unfortunately, not all pets have a home for the holidays.  Why not make life a little brighter for a shelter dog by donating food, treats, blankets, towels, leashes, collars, time or even cash to your local animal shelter?
• Photo Op!  -  I'm sure they hated me for it, but this year I found a few pairs of dog antlers and some Santa hats at the local dollar store and I just couldn't resist!  The resulting photos were hilarious; Tinky loved his clothes, Max (fresh from the shelter) would've agreed to anything as long as he got to stay, and Molly, well, the photo speaks for itself...

I hate my parents.

                                                                                     
All joking aside, clothes are really something you shouldn't force on your pets unless they are agreeable to it; we are lucky that our pups don't really mind getting all dolled up! 

• The final, and perhaps most important thing you can give your pets during the holidays is your time.  With all the coming and going, our furry friends can often find themselves home alone more frequently and for longer hours than they might be used to.  Take an evening to stay in and snuggle with your furry friends by the tree, and for goodness sakes, don't forget to take them for lots of walks...it's a great way to check out the neighborhood's Christmas lights!

What's your strategy for staying connected with your friends, family, and furry friends during the holiday season?  Be sure to record your ideas in your Holiday Planner, and of course, share them in the comments!  See you next month!                                                     

Baby, It's Cold, Wet, & Salty Outside! - Winter Pet Care Tips

It's a funny thing about blogging.  Occasionally, it's almost as if there's something in the air getting everyone on the same wavelength.  Last week, I sat down to plot out the next few months of Nesty, and I decided that, given the dramatic weather Canada's had recently, it would be a perfect time to do a post on Winter pet care.  And then, low and behold, earlier this week my sister-in-law and several other friends shared on Facebook a Weather Network article on Keeping Pets Warm in Cold Weather.  I love when this happens (and not just because it helps me with my research!) because it means that something I feel strongly about is circulating in the mainstream, which is ultimately one of the best ways to bring about positive change.  


And let's face it, animal welfare is something many of us feel strongly about.  And yet, many people who purport to be animal lovers fail their faithful friends miserably once the mercury drops.  Winter pet care is truly an area where animal owners must be willing to step forward and listen to the modern wisdom of vets and other animal welfare experts.  Yes, things were different in generations past.  Dog spent long days and nights outside without shelter, or even worse, tied up with no shelter and no way to find it or keep warm.  Cats were put out and left out in all sorts of horrible weather.  Most of us know better now, and it's good to see the message getting out to those who still don't.  

Even for those of us who's pets are spoiled silly no matter what the weather, the articles on Winter pet care that I've been reading have some good information that we may not be aware of.  For example, did you know that anti-freeze, poisonous to pets, has a taste that's appealing to dogs?  Or that the salt on our walkways and roads can irritate paws? And that, just like their humans, pets can suffer from Winter dry skin, too?


Here are a few of my favorite tips to ensure that your little buddies have a safe, happy, and fun Winter:

• Be aware of your dog's limits.  Size, breed, and coat type can all affect how your dog will be able to handle Winter weather conditions.  If you aren't sure, ask your vet. 
• Consider clothes.  Yes, really!  They aren't just for fashion!  Our Yorkie wears a sweater out of necessity; despite originating in the British Isles, Yorkies are very susceptible to cold.
• Wipe down paws when you return home from walks to remove salt and chemical melting agents that can irritate paws, or cause even more serious issues should your pet lick their paws.
• If your pet spends a lot of time outside, keep an eye on the temperature and be sure to bring them inside when the temperature drops below what your vet recommends.  And if you hear a warning to bring your pets inside (on the radio, news, etc)  DO IT!!!!  Animals should never be left outside in cold weather if you aren't home to monitor them.
• Outdoor water bowls can freeze over, so be sure to monitor them throughout the day if your dog spends a lot of time outside.
• Stray cats have been known to climb under car hoods to stay warm, with disastrous results when the unsuspecting driver turns on the engine.  The BC SPCA suggests thumping on the hood of your vehicle before starting it up to frighten away any cat nappers.

These are just a few of the suggestions that jumped out at me during my research.  There are a lot of great resources out there and they do a much better job than I of telling you how to look out for our animal friends, so I'm going to include a list of links below.  I strongly suggest you take the time to review them; like myself, you might learn something new that could save your best friend's life!

• Keeping Pets Warm in Cold Weather (The Weather Network)
• Winter Health Tips for Your Dog (Responsible Dog Owners.ca, article from the ASPCA)
• Holiday Safety Tips (BC SPCA)

Enjoy the rest of your week!  I'll be back on Friday with a post on everyone's favorite past time, housekeeping!  See you then!

Heartfelt Holidays!

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."

~Author unknown, attributed to a 7-year-old named Bobby

There seems to be a feeling afoot, a movement if you will, to re-examine Christmas and how we celebrate it.  It could be the result of several years dealing with a stinky economy, an attempt at meaning and stability in an uncertain world, or perhaps an effort to return to a time where family and true friendship were enough. I'm not sure. My not-so-scientific conclusion, however, is that we aren't celebrating less, we're celebrating more.  With all our hearts, in some cases.

I worked retail for several holiday seasons, and let me tell you, I've seen the bottom of the holidays and it ain't pretty.  I'd never really seen pure rage until I watched a woman seethe in a lineup during a no tax sale.  Add to that the stress that we all put on ourselves during the holiday season and it left me wondering...why?  What are we all getting out of this?  Because I have a distinct feeling that, if she didn't spontaneously combust in the food court, what Rage Lady's family probably got out of it was their gifts hurled at them during the world's angriest Christmas morning.

During one of our conversations, my husband and I, who both adore Christmas, revealed that we were actually starting to feel sad around the holidays.  And so, to paraphrase Mahatma Ghandi's famous quote, we decided to "to be the change we want to see in the world."  

In this spirit, we do something a little different every year to fill our hearts with Christmas Cheer (sorry, I couldn't resist!).  One year, we only gave gifts that supported a charity, like the World Vision Gift Catalogue or Ten Thousand Villages.  Another year we skipped both our family's Christmas dinners and had our own instead and invited a friend who was on their own that holiday season.  Yet another year we hosted the family dinner. 

What was really neat about all of this was that we realized we weren't the only ones feeling this way. Lots of friends and family were busy injecting meaning into their holiday observances, too!  A popular movement back home is the "Adopt a Family" program.  I've participated in this at work and it's so much fun.  You get a "wish list" with all the kid's wishes.  The parents don't usually ask for anything but I don't know anyone who doesn't include at least one special gift for the parents.  In addition to the presents, you also purchase everything they'll need for Christmas dinner and stockings. There's also an "Adopt a Senior" program now, and I know some folks (including some seniors!) who are supporting that program this year.

It's not for everyone (and for that, capitalism is eternally grateful).  One acquaintance told me in no uncertain terms that they would never be happy without tangible gifts under the tree (in response to the World Vision gifts I was planning).  I just think that's sad; I get the warm fuzzies just thinking about how happy my Papa was to "receive" his rooster and two hens.  I'm often reminded of the episode of Friends where Phoebe says that good deeds are actually selfish because they make you feel so good.  That may be true, Phoebe, but I'm willing to chance it!

This year, I'm embracing homemade gifts.  I've been crafting up a storm and I'm really excited about them!  My inspiration has been the Christmas Eve excitement that was felt around my in-law's tree a few years ago, when my husband's aunt handed out the hand-knit presents she'd made everyone.  But more about that on Wednesday, when I'm going to share with you Tips for Having a Happy (and Organized!) Homemade Holiday!

Here is a list of quick and easy ways to add some heartfelt meaning to your holiday celebration:

• Don't forget our furry friends!  Most shelters are in need of food, litter, and even old blankets and towels!  Pick up a bag of kibble and drop it off at your local shelter today!
• Here's a warm fuzzy that's actually warm and fuzzy (and costs nothing at all except time).  Many animal shelters are looking for volunteers to walk dogs or cuddle cats; what a perfect holiday outing for you and your family!  (Be sure to call first, some shelters have age restrictions on who can actually handle animals).
• Many grocery stores and restaurants have drop boxes for food bank donations.  Pick up some non-perishables and give a gift that will resonate well past the holiday season.  Some grocery stores even sell pre-packaged kits of the items most needed in your area .
• Keep your community safe!  Volunteer to be the designated driver for a Christmas party, or volunteer with your community's safe drive home program (if they have one).  You could even commit a Random Act of Kindness and spring for a cab for someone who needs one.
• Speaking of Random Acts of Kindness, a popular movement is to pay for the car behind you in the drive-though line at a coffee shop.  See a frazzled looking mom in a van behind you?  You could make her day!
• Contact your local hospital, senior's home, or assisted living facility and inquire if there's anything you could do to brighten someone's holiday.  Think carol singing is cheesy?  Then you've never done it in a hospital or senior's home (be sure to bring Kleenex!)
• Another RAOK!  Next time it snows, take a moment to shovel the steps of your neighbor (especially if they're elderly).  
• A classic Christmas practice is to volunteer at your local soup kitchen to serve Christmas dinner.  You'll look at the blessing that is your home and life with new eyes.

I could go on and on, but frankly, I'm interested in your ideas!  Share in the comments; I may even include your idea in one of my holiday posts!

Wednesday is a big day, as it is kicking off 25 days of Nesty!  I'll be keeping to my Monday, Wednesday, Friday posting schedule, but on the days in between I'll be sharing snippets of Christmas Cheer!  See you then!

 

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...

 "The dog is the god of frolic."

-Henry Beecher Ward.

Yesterday was one of those perfect, magical days that really made you feel like the holidays are just around the corner.  Snow had been falling steadily since Wednesday and our world was encapsulated in white.  A trip to the local grocery store revealed that the first load of Christmas trees had arrived, and the entire parking lot smelled festive.  Inside the store, I noted that the "Christmas Foods" had made their annual appearance.  You know the ones I mean, fancy chocolates and cheeses and fascinating breads that only appear during the holiday season.  Storefronts and homes and telephone poles were suddenly alight with Christmas cheer.  We'd even attended our first festive party of the season earlier in the week.

There was just one thing left to do to put us in the Christmas mood...

Walk the dogs in the snow, of course!

If you can resist the sheer joy that is a dog in the snow, then you are made of tougher stuff than I.  Molly is and always has been a winter dog; she handles the cold extremely well and is very agile in the snow.  Our Tinky is all heart and gives it his all; despite his wee size he can hold his own in the snow, even if he does require a bit more coddling once he is home.


Once my pups were warm and fed, I settled in for an evening of Christmas crafting set to my favorite holiday mix.  The scent of cinnamon berry candles filled the air; My world was bursting with Christmas!  God bless us, everyone!

What little rituals or traditions do you follow to put you in the Christmas mood?  Is it something you can plan for, or do the stars have to align?  Share in the comments!


A Happy (if belated!) Thanksgiving to my dear American friends!  I hope you had all the turkey and pumpkin pie you could hold and that you are having a wonderful time at the Black Friday sales!


NB - For those of you concerned that Molly has shrunk, have no fear!  This is an old, old picture of her from when she was a puppy.  I promise to take some newer ones soon!

Halloween Primer Part III - Don't Forget Your Pets!

There's something about the days leading up to Halloween that seems to invite mischief, tricks if you will.  Acts of vandalism, pranks, and impromptu explosions of fireworks are some of the less fondly anticipated aspects of the spooky season.  Of course, in most cases, these incidents are mostly just annoying, and after a disapproving shake of the head, we go along with our day (or evening, usually.)  

Fireworks in particular are a popular Halloween annoyance, and the nights leading up to Halloween are peppered with explosions.  It didn't really bother us much until we got Molly, who, like many dogs, is absolutely terrified of fireworks.  Last Halloween was especially hard on her, as there were an exceptional amount of explosions going on.  Tinky doesn't seem to be as effected by them, but he does take his cues from Molly.  Long story short, they did a lot of barking, and I got a headache.  I thought that I had stumbled upon a solution when I found a "Sounds of Nature" radio station on the television for them to listen to.  It drowned out the fireworks, and they seemed to like the babbling brooks, cooing doves, and ocean waves.  What they didn't like at all was when the whales chimed in.  Back to barking!

What I'm essentially getting at is that, although Halloween is lots of fun for humans, even some of the more innocent parts of Halloween can be really hard on pets (think costumes, candy and trick or treaters).  Luckily, there are some great online resources to advise you on how to keep your furry friends safe, happy, and calm during the Halloween weekend:

• Martha Stewart.com has a great article on Halloween Hazards 
• The ASPCA's list of Halloween Safety Tips has lots of great advice on everything from candy to costumes.
• The Dog Whisperer Cesar Milan's website Cesar's Way has a great post on how to have A Calm and Balanced Yowl-o-ween.  

 What these great articles all work to establish is that by taking a few precautions, you and your pet can have a safe and happy Halloween together!


Have a great weekend!  I'll be back on Monday as the countdown to Halloween continues!

Gone Hiking - North Cove Trail

Today, we decided to pack up the dogs and head out to one of Kitimat's many hiking trails, the North Cove Trail.  This trail is rated easy to moderate, and it provides a little bit of everything.  Cathedral like calm in the woods, rugged coast, inclines and some uncomplicated climbing combine to make this a fun hike for just about everyone.  This link will take you to Tourism Kitimat's descriptions of the many trails in our area; at the bottom of the page is a link for a PDF file of their hiking trail booklet.

It was raining today, and this made some parts of the hike a bit slippery, however, this was only on the beach and we could have skipped that part (but we didn't, 'cause we needed an ocean fix!)  I did, however, get a skinned knee!  It was a bit humbling to watch my pups charge down the slimy rocks ahead of me with nary a slip while I slid down knee first!

This was Tinky's first hike (with us) and we set out unsure of how he would fare.  We were very impressed with how he made out.  Our rugged little Yorkie kept pace for the majority of the hike and only had to be carried over a few particularly rugged spots (he assured us he could handle it but we decided to err on the side of caution.  As a breed, the Yorkie's excessive confidence has landed them in trouble in the past!).  He did accept a ride on his dad's shoulder at the end on our walk to the Jeep, but he ran the last few meters on his own four legs. And Molly, an experienced hiker, put us all to shame with her natural athleticism.  She even charged into the choppy Douglas Channel for a quick swim in the Pacific Ocean!

Tonight, we are all a bit sleepy, but in that good, "fresh air and exercise" kind of way.  Here's a few pictures from our adventure.  Enjoy!

Happy Anniversary, Tinkywink!

If you follow my blog, you are well aware that I am rather mad about my dogs.  If you are new to my blog, be warned; I am rather mad about my dogs.  I will do plenty of posts about cooking, crafting, cleaning and the like, but in addition there will be plenty of dogs.

We have two pups, a four year old Terrier Schnauzer mix named Molly, who is possibly the most beautiful dog in the world.  And then there is Tinky Wink, a purebred Yorkshire Terrier.  Both of our dogs are rescues; Molly came from a home that was no longer able to care for her, and we adopted her when she was four months old.  She is so spoiled and has been with us for so long that I really don't think she has any memory of her early life.  Tinky is another story...

Tinky came into our life this time last year.  We were reading our local paper; it's a weekly that comes out on Fridays, and it always has a "Pet of the Week" column featuring an animal from the local shelter.  We had seen many dogs and cats featured over the months, and   we always hoped that they would find happy homes.  This particular Friday, however, something about the picture made us stop and take a second look.

The picture was a of a very small, scruffy, panicked looking dog.  Wild eyes peered out from the pulpy newsprint.  We had no idea what breed he was.  We did, however, feel very strongly that we should go and bring him home.

We spent a long night discussing the pros and cons.  But no matter how many "cons" we came up with, there was always a "pro" to counter them.  We were resolved; we would go and adopt the strange little dog from the paper.

The next day, a Saturday, we headed for the shelter.  A volunteer brought us the dog, who immediately jumped into my husband's arms and snuggled in.  He was very scruffy and grubby, and he smelled like shelter.  But there was something sweet and compelling about him, and he seemed determined to stay with my husband.

We turned to the volunteer and announced that we were ready to take him home.  But this was not to be.  We were informed that only the manager could approve adoptions, and she wouldn't be in until Monday.  We would have to wait a day and a half to bring our new boy home.  We felt like the world's biggest meanies as we gently handed back the little guy, and left the shelter with his outraged howls echoing in our ears.

On Monday, we waited on pins and needles for 1:00 PM to arrive.  We were terribly anxious that something would have happened to him over the weekend, or that someone else might come along and scoop him up.  We arrived at the shelter at 12:59 (with an increasingly suspicious Molly in tow) and went in to make our case.  

Well, he was still there.  We were informed that we would have to foster him for two weeks, and if that went well he would be ours.  This policy makes good sense, especially for households with other pets.  Throughout the process of filling in the paper-work, we heard the volunteers referring to the pup as "the little Yorkie that barks all the time."  We looked at each other.  Yorkie?  We were sure they must be mistaken; the sad little creature huddled once again in my husband's arms looked a far cry from the fancy little dogs we knew to be Yorkies.  However, once he was home, bathed, and with a belly full of Little Cesar, his ears popped up and we indeed had a Yorkie!  In fact, during the process of many cuddles and belly rubs, we discovered an ID number tattooed on his stomach.  Our scruffy little shelter dog was a purebred!

The two weeks passed quickly and soon we were back at the shelter, signing adoption papers and paying his fee.  We were smitten with our new dog.  We had a lot of fun getting him acclimatized to our home, but there were challenges.  Adopting a rescue isn't always easy. Over the next few weeks, we discovered Tinky had food aggression issues, barked a lot, and was a flight risk (this resulted in many pajama clad dashes up the street for me).  Over the past year, we have worked out most of his issues and now he is a plump, spoiled, silly little toy of a dog who loves to put on his sweater and go for a walk, or snuggle against one of us as we watch TV.  He's a little old dude (between 7 and 10) and so we tend to baby him a lot.  However, as time went by he lost a lot of the weaknesses he had when we brought him home.  He is well established in our home and we honestly can't imagine life without him.

Tinky Wink Today

And so, Happy Anniversary, Tinkywink!  It's been a wonderful year; I hope we have many more.

Windown to My World - Please, Dad?

Like most pet owners, we do our best to instill good manners in our dogs.  However, some habits are hard to break.  Although our dogs usually hover close by when we're eating (just in case) they know enough to keep a polite distance.  Should one of them be brave enough to try giving us their paw, a firm "NO" is usually enough to send them on their way.  There are, however, a few foods that are apparently so irresistible to them that they become more aggressive in their begging than usual.  Steak is one of those foods, and was what we had for supper tonight.  They were so cute sitting there at attention, Molly occasionally pawing the air, that I couldn't resist snapping this picture over my husband's shoulder.  

And no, despite how cute they are, they did not get any steak!  Dogs - 0, Humans - 1

Have a great week!

Window to My World - Phelts

Say hello to Phelts, our original fur-baby.  Phelts is 12 this fall, but he is still as youthful and energetic as ever.  My husband met him on a film set and even though he eventually came to live with us, he's never lost his taste for drama. Phelts is a delightfully weird cat, and charms all who meet him.  In fact, we've had people ask to have him "willed" to them should anything happen to us.  He has an incredible "purr" that can go for hours and has healing properties; just ask anyone who's had their blood pressure lowered by letting him sit on their lap for half an hour!

Window to My World - Tinky Loves a Barbecue!

Simple Pleasures

I try to keep my mind open to the secret messages my world is trying to send me.  Sometimes the messages come in more obvious forms, such as television commercials, news stories, or Facebook posts.  Sometimes, the messages come from cookies.

Cookies, you say?  Could the Nestygirl have finally gone crazy up there in the mountains of the North?  Do we need to send a search party up there with a pair of heels, some Clinique and a copy of Instyle?  Does she need a filing system in need of alphabetizing and colour coding?  WAS IT THE CUPCAKES????  No, dear readers, I'm fine. No cabin fever yet. But I am telling you the truth, the cookies are speaking to me.

She's mad!!  Send help anon!!!

I'm not even talking about fortune cookies.  I love fortune cookies, but I tend to always get the generic, boring "Peace is found in nature" ones.  My husband, now, the cookies love him.  It's always, "You will receive money in the mail" and "You will protect many people" and "Adventure awaits you on the water."  But like I said, I'm not talking about fortune cookies.  I'm talking about "Simple Pleasures" cookies.  You know the ones, thin, plain little cookies that are actually much more delicious than their simple form suggests?  I picked up a box of lemon ones last weekend to go with the Strawberry Mousse I made for dessert, and ever since, the phrase "simple pleasures" has been floating through my head.  So, now you understand, the cookies are speaking to me.

Suddenly, mood related messages seemed to be everywhere.  This month, one of my favorite magazines, Real Simple, is offering up suggestions on how to "energize your life."  The cover of this month's edition of another favorite magazine, Everyday with Rachel Ray contains the following phrases:

• "Cook With Love, Not Guilt"
• "No-Sweat Party Package"
• "Stress Free Ways to Feed Your Friends"

The message is loud and clear; people are stressing out!  And why?  For Pete's sake, it's summer!  The livin's  supposed to be easy, remember?  So when I got to my cousin Ainsley's Pattycake Manner's post We Need to Chill I raised my hand and said "I second that!"

And then I got some cookies.  Simple Pleasures, eh?  If only cookies could get everyone to chill, how much better off would we all be?  

Part of my new life philosophy is to try my very hardest not to sweat the small stuff; I made a career out of that, and, while it served me well professionally, I really don't feel the need to be so detail oriented in our home life. And life is good!  We put our energies and, when necessary, concern into things that really require it and we move on.  So it makes me sad to see that people are at the point where things that should be pleasures, such as cooking, crafting, entertaining, even, as Ainsley pointed out, blogging, have become sources of stress. 

Cooking? Not feeling inspired in the kitchen?  Here's a little secret; to the best of my knowledge, no one has ever died from eating instant mac & cheese every once in a while.  I have a flat of it stashed in our pantry, and you all know how much I love to cook.  Just pour everyone a glass of juice to go with it.  They'll survive.

Crafting?  Unless it's your income source, crafting is supposed to be fun, so if it's stressing you out, put it away.  I have a pile a scrap-booking projects awaiting completion, but you know what?  I'm not in the mood right now. I can't scrapbook on the patio with a glass of wine, and summer won't last forever so I'm going to enjoy my patio while I can.  My paper and pictures aren't going anywhere, and I'll feel like doing it again soon, but in the meantime, I'll read, or knit, or play with my dogs.  And drink wine on the patio.

Entertaining?  I'll give you that one, it can stress out even the most seasoned party planner.  I love to throw a party, but I've been known to whimper "Martha didn't cover this" as my grill won't heat or the temperature drops to near freezing in July.  If it stresses you out badly, don't entertain.  You don't have to.  Really.  Invite people to a restaurant, or have a campfire.  But seriously, if big parties aren't your thing, don't throw them. 

Blogging? I agree with Ains, we need to chill out.  Again, as with crafts, if your blog is your income source, then yes, it could be a source of stress if you have requirements to meet.  But for those of us who blog for ourselves, for fun, and to be a part of a community, don't let it become work to the point that you dread blogging.  Take a vacation, simplify your posts, scale back the "hops" and "blog parties" you participate in, and enjoy your summer.

To that end, here's some of the "Simple Pleasures" I've been enjoying:

• Knitting - I finally finished my Fireside Red boot socks!  My friend Tasha of Fibre Rox stopped by to help me with my Kitchener Stitch, and they are awesome!  I've started some charcoal grey angora wristlets; the yarn is so soft and pretty, you can feel your blood pressure just loooooowering down!
• Reading - I just finished The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb.  I have my two new magazines, and I'll be starting Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin for book club soon (although I am really liking Mrs. Bliss's idea about starting a Wine Club, too!)
• My dogs - Regular readers of my blog will know by now how in love I am with my pups Molly and Tinkywink.  I know not everyone is a dog person, but I tend to agree with Bernard Williams that "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face."
• Cooking - My kitchen is my happy place.  When I watched Julie & Julia and heard Julie Powell say "I love that after a day when nothing is sure, and when I say "nothing" I mean nothing, you can come home and absolutely know that if you add egg yolks to chocolate and sugar and milk, it will get thick.  It's such a comfort,"  I understood. Last night I made a glazed lemon cake, and the sight of it in my cake safe makes me happy.  Tonight, I made primavera-ish pasta sauce and added some fresh basil leaves that I grew myself.  That made me happy.
• Naps - One of the really nice things about not working is that, if I want to, I can take a mid-day nap.  They are wonderful!!!

 These are just a few of the things I'm doing to live my life well. As we head into the weekend, I encourage you to listen to the cookies in your life, and embrace simple pleasures.  Summer is short, so enjoy it!!!

Today I am linking to Housewife Bliss' Fabulous Nest Friday, as well as New Friend Friday, which is co-hosted by The Girl Creative and Trendy Treehouse. 

 

Window to My World - July 7, 2010

Window to My World....

Welcome to something new at Nesty!  From time to time I'll be sharing a glimpse into our life, as well as a quote that "speaks" to me!  Enjoy!!

Rainy Day People

Well, friends, the weeks of beautiful, sunny weather have come to an end, and yesterday the gray and rain came back with gusto.  It's funny; back home in Cape Breton my family and friends have been bemoaning the cold, rainy weather weather they've been enjoying having, while out here we've been loving the bright sun and warm temperatures.  And now this weekend, the East Coast has the sun and we are back to being the "Wet Coast."


Of course, this weather is more typical for our area, and it reminds me so much of our first few weeks in Kitimat.  Fog and low lying clouds hide the mountains from view, and the drizzle lasts for days, intercepted at times by downpours. The neighborhood is quiet now, there are no children playing outside or dogs barking as their owners walk them by, the lawn mowers are silent and the birds are laying low.


And yet, it's not unpleasant.  I'm enjoying a true lazy Saturday in my jammies, with a jumbo cup of coffee at my side. The dogs are flopped in sleepy piles, and the washer and dryer are providing the perfect "white noise."  I had a lovely Friday evening too.  Our television is in the basement family room, and since it's been staying light out until 11:00, I've felt guilty going downstairs to watch telly while it was still light outside.  Silly, I know, but I feel like it's not right to watch TV until the sun goes down (unless you're sick, of course).  Well, last night the sun was nowhere to be found, and so after a lovely soak I took my mani/pedi supplies downstairs, set myself up with some snacks, a glass of sweet tea (my new favorite thing!) and my Yorkie and enjoyed several hours of PVR'd Sex and the City.  Then, we came upstairs and read the flyers (I'm a wild one, I know!).  Molly joined us and I was quite content snuggled up with my pups, perusing summer sales while the rain poured down.


And don't you have the best sleeps when it rains?  It's like having an organic "Sounds of Nature" machine!!  I had a wonderful sleep, and my husband is having a great post back-shift sleep in as well.  All is cozy and sleepy in our home on this Saturday afternoon.  And while I do hope the sun returns soon, in the meantime I will enjoy the special warmth that that comes with cold, rainy days.

I was quite honored to be asked to do a guest post for my cousin's blog, Pattycake Manners.  You can read my post here. She's got a really neat blog, so while you're over there, have a look around!


Have a wonderful week!  See you on Wednesday!

The Nesty Girl's Cloud of Inspiration - Puppy Dog Ears!

A few weeks ago I shared with you My Cloud of Inspiration.  I had such a great time composing my cloud that I have decided to occasionally post about some of the people, places, and things that inspire me.  The form these posts will take will vary from time to time depending on the item; some times there may be a story, a series of pictures, or some links.  Basically, whatever form I think will best demonstrate why I think the subject is so wonderful!


Today, I'm sharing with you my love of puppy dog ears.  Specifically, the ears belonging to my two puppy dogs.  When we first brought Molly home, she was a scrawny little scrap of a pup with a a head that was too big for her body and the scraggliest little tail you ever did see.  She did, however, have the loveliest silky, floppy ears.  As she grew up she became an absolutely gorgeous doggie, but when I rub her little ears I always remember, fondly, the strange, silly little pup that we brought home on a gray November day.  Molly inspires me because she is the dog that made me become a dog person. For years, I was terrified of dogs; after I met my husband, he, his family, and their dogs taught me not to be afraid of dogs.  But Molly, she taught me to love dogs. 


Here is a recent picture of my girl, who is going to be four in August:

Miss Molly

What a doll, eh?  And how about those floppy ears!


And then there's Tinky Wink, a fine fellow with spectacular ears!  When we met him at the shelter, we had no idea that he was a Yorkie.  In his upset state, his ears were pinned back on his head.  However, while we waited for the shelter staff to finish our paperwork, safe in the arms of his new dad, Tinky's giant ears popped up.  It was as if he knew that his shelter days were over and it was safe to let his guard down, and his ears up, again.  Tinky inspires me because he is such a survivor.  Despite being abandoned and left at a shelter, he bounced back and has been such a joy. 

Today was bath day for Tinky, and he was so cute and fluffy afterward that I just had to snap a few pictures of him to share with you.  Here he is!

Tinky Wink

His fur was extra blond after his bath; perhaps from the glorious sun we've been enjoying?  And there's his ears!  With ears that big, he doesn't miss a trick!


Thanks for letting me share my beautiful babies!  As you can tell, I'm pretty proud of them!


Have a wonderful weekend!  See you on Monday!!!

A Dark and Stormy Night

Kitimat is a beautiful town snuggled into the mountains.  My new walking route takes me along the lookout area of town and for my exercising efforts I am rewarded with a beautiful view of the mountains gently meeting the Douglas Channel.  Even from our back porch we enjoy a lovely view of the mountains.  Well, some days we do.  Many days, and sometimes it feels like most days, the mountains are blocked from sight by thick fog and low lying clouds.  Heavy mists and rain often accompany the fog, and once they move in they often stay for days and weeks at a time.  These days are not unpleasant, in fact there is something cozy about these days and I often do my best cooking and crafting during these times.  However, like anyone else who lives in a rainy place, I do enjoy when the sun decides to come out and grace us with it's presence.


So you can imagine how thrilled we are that we have been experiencing weeks and weeks of beautiful weather.  There is the odd rainy day, but for the most  part the sun has been shining, the birds singing, and the air is filled with the sounds of lawn mowers and kids playing outside.  One day last week, the temperatures were exceptionally warm and it actually felt like summer.  Interestingly, it got hotter as the evening came on, instead of cooler as is usual.  Until suddenly, it wasn't hot; it was actually getting downright cold.  A strong wind began whipping around and the sky got darker and darker.  My husband and I looked at each other and one of us observed that it felt like we were going to have an electrical storm.


Electrical storms are unusual here. This evening however the air was electric and one just had the sense that something big was about to happen.  We stepped out onto our patio and were taken aback by what we saw: an huge, ominous black cloud swiftly making its way over the mountain tops.  The sky was getting blacker and blacker, and we knew we were in for a show!


We quickly ushered the dogs outside for a hasty bathroom break before the rain started.  They obviously knew something was up because they didn't linger long in the yard.  Tinky in particular seemed distracted.  Once we had them inside, we quickly closed windows and unplugged appliances. We heard the first rumbles of thunder while we were on the patio moving our herb and tomato plants to a safer spot under the eaves.  We immediately started counting to see how far away the storm was.  The first flash of lightening lit the sky just as we were placing the last few plants safely away.  We got ourselves inside and settled in to watch the storm. 


The storm moved quickly and soon it was directly overhead.  At one point, my husband saw chain lightening but I missed it.  We were looking out the front windows when we noticed that the black cloud had made its way around the mountains, bringing the storm in a circle around the town.  The rain was quite heavy and at times torrential.  We also had a few moments of the unique phenomena known as "sideways rain."  It was at this point that we remembered that the windows to the Jeep were open, and that even though it was under the car port, the "sideways rain" would find its way in.  My husband dashed out to shut the windows, and someone dashed out with him to help - Tinky Wink.  He turned to usher the little guy back into the house and noticed that our normally unbelievably brave little Yorkie was glued to the spot with fear.


We got the little fellow inside but he was overcome with the shakes (which had started with the thunder but had increased since his dash into the rain).  Our fascination with the storm took a backseat to our concern for little Tinky.  He is, after all, an older guy and there seemed to be no calming him down.  We grabbed a wool blanket and swaddled him up.  We took turns cuddling him, while Molly and their doggie friend Zorro (who was visiting) checked on him periodically.  He gave us a little scare, but thankfully, he weathered the storm.


The storm gradually moved off. leaving the air clear and cool.  And while it was exciting to observe nature in all its awesome power, it also made me grateful for my snug little nest. As I drifted off to sleep that night, I was thankful for many things.  A wonderful husband, beautiful pets, a warm home, and safety from the storm.

The Dog Bellower

Molly & Tinky, my beautiful fur babies.

Ah, my fur babies.  They are a constant source of love, joy, loyalty, silly, and...

Headaches?

Well, not constant headaches, but sometimes, just sometimes, my beautiful babies push their mama just a little too far.   And when those times come around, I try to recall the teachings of a very wise and patient man.  That man's name is Cesar Milan, but you probably know him as The Dog Whisperer.

People who haven't watched Cesar's show or read his books sometimes snicker when you mention the name Dog Whisperer.  Often, they think that he will be yet another person trying to make dogs into furry little people.  Quite the opposite is true.  Cesar maintains that dogs are dogs and must be treated as such.  He emphasizes the importance of being a "pack leader" and using "calm assertive energy" to maintain respect and subsequent control over your pack. This of course is a very, very nutshell description of "Cesar's Way" and so I encourage you to visit his website to learn more about him.

Our wild girl digging a hole.

I started watching The Dog Whisperer while on Christmas vacation in Regina a few years ago.  I took careful mental notes and when I got home I started to work with Molly.  She did well, but we got a little off-track after the move.  As Cesar says, consistency is key.  However, Molly is a good girl over all and it didn't take long for her to remember her training.  

Early on in her puppy-hood, we discovered that my husband is definitely the recognized "pack leader" in our house. Molly would instantly do whatever he told her to, without him having to repeat himself.  I did not have the same luck. He told me that I had to be more assertive in my voice.  (My husband was quite pleased when Cesar backed up many of the dog training practices he'd been telling me to use.)  Well, that presented a problem.  Apparently, I do not have an assertive voice.  My quest to discover my "calm assertive" voice was a source of amusement to all who heard me.  If Cesar Milan is a "whisperer" I am apparently a "bellower." "MOLLY, NO!"  I would command, in a tone that, apparently, was not unlike Darth Vader.  Over time, she and I have pretty much "worked it out" and she listens to my commands as issued in my normal soprano tone.  

Tinky expressing his views to management.

Well, that worked pretty well, until a few months ago when we brought home Tinky Wink. Poor Tinky, whether from years of being spoiled by his previous owner or months of being distraught in a kennel, was not what Cesar would consider a "balanced dog."  He had food aggression, he was a flight risk, he had supreme "little dog syndrome," and, oh my land, could he bark!  

Small dog with lots to say!

He barked when he was hungry.  He barked when he needed to go out.  He barked at birds and leaves and the poor kid that delivered our fliers. He barked when he wanted to be picked up.  He barked some more when he wanted to be put down. Sometimes, as I stared down at him insistently yapping, I felt like I was being admonished by a very angry stuffed animal.

Molly would look at me as if to say, "Do something, Mom.  Use your assertive voice!"

Is he still there?  Molly tells us how she really feels.

I worked at it.  I'm sure I gave our neighbors a good laugh as I dashed out the the door in my pajamas to chase my little escape artiste up the street, all the while intoning "TINKY, NO!!!!"  The force, evidently, was not with me, no matter how much like James Earl Jones I might sound.

I Never Do Anything Bad!!!

It got better. In time, I was able to move his food bowl without risk of dismemberment.  His mad dashes for freedom ceased.  And although he still uses his voice to make his wishes known to management, we go hours and sometimes days with nary a peep.  Although not today; right now he is barking and I haven't a clue why.  He's been fed, played, cuddled, picked up, put down.  I honestly think that sometimes, he just likes the sound of his own voice. And just when I am about to lose my patience, he lies down beside me and snuggles in.  This is how noisy little lap dogs earn their keep, you know.  All their wackiness is forgotten the moment that little head rests on your knee and they sigh themselves to sleep.

Spring has brought new challenges.  Some of you may remember my "Wide Open Windows" post from a few months ago, where I expressed my concern about how Tinky would do once the windows were open.  Well, it's been interesting. Remember how I said he calms down and snuggles in?  Back in the winter, once he was snuggled in he'd be there for hours.  Now, all it takes is for a dog three yards over to issue a single bark, and Tinky is off to discover what's going on.  But it's getting better.  One thing I have learned from watching The Dog Whisperer is that our dogs often take their cues from us.  By using a calm voice I can often calm him down before he gets to upset, especially if he starts to growl before commencing with barking.  I discovered this with Molly early on and it's working quite well with Tink. 

I've had a lot of "A-ha!" moments watching The Dog Whisperer.  Just a few weeks ago I was watching an episode about shelter dogs, and so much about Tinky suddenly made sense.  He was so unbalanced that we were sure he must have been mistreated by his previous owners, but we now know that even a few weeks in a shelter is enough to undo a lot of good training in a dog.  

We are so glad that we chose rescues for both of our dogs, and we strongly encourage others to do so.  Yes, there's a significant investment of time, energy, and patience involved, but when you see your new baby responding positively to your attentions, the rewards are priceless.  Take advantage of resources like The Dog Whisperer as well as local trainers.  Get online and read about others who have rescued pets. Do I still get headaches somedays?  You betcha, but I wouldn't trade my pups for anything. If you aren't ready to commit to a dog full-time (and good for you for recognizing that) many shelters are looking for volunteers to do everything from cleaning kennels to fund-raising.  Many have fostering programs or need caring individuals to simply take the shelter dogs for a walk.  So, if you need a "dog fix" call your local shelter and get involved.

And to those of you out there who have taken the step to give a rescue dog their "forever family," Molly and Tinky thank you from the bottom of their dear, doggy little hearts!

Molly & Tinky Say "Thanks!"

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." - Unknown