Good day!

After a whole week at the vet's and emergency care, Link finally got to come home for the night!  We are so happy that he seems to be on the mend--thanks to the excellent care he's received from his doctors and nurses.  There are more tests and hurdles and day trips to the vet to get through but it sure was good to have him home last night.

Handsome puppies

Roses and Link

Puppy throw pillow

Here's an adorable present we got for Christmas--a puppy pillow!!  Thanks J!

Check it out here: the quality is wonderful--I highly recommend it for the pet lover in your life

Happy Birthday Link!

Link is 7 today!

Missoni for Target zigzag pouf

This zigzag ottoman pouf is probably one of my favorite items from the Missoni for Target collection.  The colors work well in our living room and is perfect as an extra seat, surface for one of my many trays, or a puppy resting place.

Weekend in Instagram

B, the pups and I drove up to Dallas this weekend to "house sit" for his sister.  In actuality, the house did not need a sitter, so maybe we were actually squatters.  After enduring 55 days of 100 degree weather this year, the pool was a welcome respite.

 Grilling dinner

The pups weren't quite convinced they wanted to dive in, 

though Kirby did wander too close to the edge and fell in (he's fine folks)

And our newest favorite discovery--Pinkberry salted caramel frozen yogurt with crispy crepe pieces.  B, who normally grimaces after a bite of frozen yogurt, swiped this away from me and I had to get another one.  It's that awesome.

Thank you!

Link is doing much much better this week.  Thank you for all the good thoughts sent his way!  Do you spy Kirby's little rear end in the picture above?  I think the "Thanksgiving turkey leg" pose is the cutest thing I've ever seen.

Favorite Friday Treat: Cake pops

Isn't this the cutest thing you've ever seen??  Big thanks to Jill who saved this little guy from the clutches of her husband for me!

Here's Link checking it out--he has been doing better the past couple of days but just relapsed this morning and is back at the vet so please do keep thinking about him!

Good thoughts for Link

If you have some time today, please send a good thought or two Link's way.  He's at the vet right now and we hope he'll be better enough to come home tonight!

Home again

These little guys are the best part about coming home

Travelling

3 guesses on what who doesn't belong in this suitcase...

Don't worry, our pups will be having fun at weiner dog camp while we're away.  The next time I post will hopefully be from London!

Wishlist Wednesday: a puppy nap

I've been enjoying my spring break but it hasn't been as restful as I'd like.  There's been lots of errands, gardening, tidying and not enough napping!  For me at least.  As seen around our house this week...

wait! that's not Kirby's ear...someone's been sleeping in his bed!

Kirby is happy to share his bed for company--they'll be here the entire week

Link tries to blend in with the faux fur throw

Lizzie doing what she does best

And where is Kirby while everyone's sleeping?  

Waiting and watching for a squirrel to chase...

(or a golfer to bark at)

Favorite Friday Puppies

Since I already posted this week's recipe early due to the recipe exchange, I thought I'd leave you this Friday with a cute Link and Kirby picture.  Have a great weekend!  I'm counting down the hours till I get to go home to these little guys...

Weekends are better with dogs

This is a common sight at our house during the weekends.  Notice who is doing all the chasing?

Underneath all that rambunctiousness...

Kirby loves his big brother Link

Favorite Friday Recipe: Cucumber sandwiches

Summer is officially upon us here in Texas and that always puts me in the mood for lighter fare such as sandwiches and salads for meals.  These open face cucumber sandwiches are perfect for a late afternoon tea or snack and are super easy to assemble.

First, slice your cucumbers thinly.  I love using mini cucumbers because they are seedless and sweet.  (you can get a big bag of them at Costco for a great price)

Then lay out the slices on a paper towel to absorb any excess water

If you have any leftover stumps, you can feed them to anyone lurking around...

Wash your hands if you participated in the above step.  Then begin to cut out pieces of bread.  Note: you can just make the sandwiches and cut them into squares, triangles, whatever you want.  I felt like circles that day so I went with that.  Also, you can use any type of soft bread of your choosing (like wheat, rye, etc.), I went with thin white because that felt more classic tea time to me.

Once your bread is cut into shapes, spread seasoned cream cheese on the surface.  Some recipes call for mixing cream cheese and a dry Italian dressing packet.  It would save you a step to just go with a pre flavored garden vegetable cream cheese or another flavor of your choice.  I chose a garlic and chive flavored cream cheese.

Next, top with your cucumber slice (this was a prototype with two, after taste tests, I went with one slice as it was easier to eat!)

And sprinkle with a bit of dill to finish (this little seasoning truly makes the flavors come together and it looks fancy and pretty with minimal effort)

Another great thing about this appetizer is that you can stack the sandwiches and they're perfect for bringing to a party! (if you don't eat half of them before it's time to leave)

Enjoy!

Missing my boys

It's my last night here in FL.  I've had a great time and now I can't wait to go home to my boys!

Vintage Monday: Marushka

I am so behind on blog posts! I have plenty of pictures and crafty little things to share but unfortunately my laziness/perfectionism gets in the way. That and sick little puppy dogs and pleasant company from Chicago! But more on that later...

Today my vintage find is a great fabric stretched canvas by Marushka: a design and silk screen textile manufacturing company based in Spring Lake, Michigan. They began making their iconic and affordable silk screen prints in 1972. This particular one is stamped in 1986 so at 24 years old it's not technically vintage yet but we'll let it slide for once. Speaking of which, I am turning vintage this year. Interesting.

At first glance, I see snow capped mountains, but upon further inspection, a white bird emerges, much to the delight of my inner crazy bird lady.



This was a find at the Citywide Garage sale and the result of some rather strange bargaining. A quick side note about bargaining--it goes against my nature to haggle because I get too flustered and embarrassed. Usually I just mumble "I'll take it" and that's that. However lately I've been trying to at least ask respectfully in hopes of a pleasant exchange. I will never truly enjoy it, but I do like the discounts! In my experience, sellers are usually willing to go for 10% off at the least so that's been encouraging.

In this case, it went somewhat like this:

Me: "How much is this?" (points at Marushka canvas)
Seller: "$45"
Me: "Is this your best price?" (I'm told that this is *always* how you should phrase it)
Seller: "I could do $25"
Me: (jumping up and down in glee inside my head) "Oh great, I'll take..."
Seller: "Just give me $15, no tax, if you take it right now"
Me: "Uhhh, ok, here." (hands over money, grubby hands on canvas, quick exit)

Now I think back and wonder just why she was so eager to sell the canvas at that very moment. Maybe those were her selling tactics, maybe I have a black market Marushka on my hands, but whatever the reason, I'm chalking this up as a bargaining success and am ready for the next negotiation!

Side note: Link is doing much better now and Kirby celebrated his first birthday this past weekend! Here they are sunning themselves by the balcony door.

Wishlist Wednesday: for Link

I haven't had the time to write lately because we've been taking care of our puppy Link who has been so very sick. He's still recovering and we are so thankful for all the good thoughts and prayers sent our way from friends and family. My wishlist for today is a smooth and speedy recovery for our Link dog!