Christmas gift exchange.

The boys got to open their first Christmas gift of the year when we arrived at our vacation destination last week (I know, I know, I have been slacking). We got lovely gifts from the Harville Hounds, Roscoe and Hannah, we were part of a gift exchange on Jazzi's and we sent our present to two more hound dogs Winston & Amiee, I really hope they like the presents we sent them. ANYWAYS to the present opening!!!! Here are the pictures

They got lovely jackets, squeaky Christmas balls, and a plaid (!) blanket (I love plaid, who woulda guessed?) and I even got Christmas snowmen appetizer cheese knives which are super cute. They and I loved everything, Thank You Harville Hounds!! and Merry Christmas to everyone. I am taking today to see the Nutcracker in Seattle, with my mom, my very favorite.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Harville Hounds

Harville Hounds

WW Can you find the Scottie?

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Books and Moving.

I am moving slower then I thought I would when it come's to my reading list, but I have finished 2 books and am in the middle of 3 more including A Christmas Carol which is helpful in getting me in the holiday spirit. Other than that not much has been going on around here for us, we aren't decorating for Christmas this year we are just preparing for our trek home for Christmas. Once we get back I am excited to say the husband only has 4 more months of school and then we again will be journeying west-ward, very happily. I am ecstatic but it is also a stressful time because of job hunting for both of us and the move. I cannot wait to live in a place with sidewalks again though, I know the boys look forward to that also, though Ernest doesn't know what he's missing Porter definitely does and has been slightly depressed ever since moving to Spokane he was used to two walks a day plus park trips and now he hardly gets any of that. I truly cannot wait.

WW This is how we take up a whole queen bed.

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Thought I would share my favorite books.

After starting the reading list and seeing certain books not on there I thought I would make a list of books that I think everyone should read.
1. Is of course the whole Harry Potter series, I adore these books, read them at least once a year and think that everyone can enjoy some aspect of the series.
2. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'engle this was one of my, if not the first favorite book I ever had. The whole series is wonderful, it was the first book I read with a strong, smart female lead.
3. The Hobbit and LOTR trilogy the books are amazing, if you haven't noticed I love fantasy novels especially deeply descriptive novels.
4. Stardust by Neil Gaiman, I love everything he has written he is one of my favorite authors but this is his book I think has something for everyone, some of the others are far, far darker.
5. Lamb by Christopher Moore, another author I just love and have read most of the things he has written. This one is once again the one I think is most enjoyable for the masses and not as twisted as some of his others. He is hilarious though, great style and humor.
6. I capture the castle by Dodie Smith this is also one of J.K. Rowling's *favorite* books.  Another strong, smart female protagonist.
7. Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut, also Slaughterhouse but you know that's too easy. Vonnegut is another of my very favorite authors, I have read very many of his books and need to own them all.
There are many others I think are great (and a couple I know I have forgotten) A farwell to arms by Hemingway is one also there are also some series I think are enjoyable but not everyone would like such as the Hunger Games series and her other series Gregor the Overlander both by Suzanne Collins. I am always up for suggestions though.

I am going to try this.

I have decided to set a goal for myself and THIS. Which is a list of 1001 books that some guys think everyone should read before they die. I am going to try it. I have read 34 books on the list so far and probably more that I have forgotten but will remember when I start going down the list. The reason I have decided to start this goal was because the library here in Spokane is one of the only things that helped me keep my sanity since moving here. I will be borrowing all of these books from my library unless for whatever reason a friend hands me one or I have it laying around the house, which is a total possibility. My biggest worries so far when reading through the list that there are several books that I have already tried to read and failed (Ulysses) and certain authors that I truly don't enjoy (Dickens, I know.) and certain books I just have no interest in reading so I am trying to think of creative ways to deal with those obstacles.  I think I am just going to read several books at once (one I like and one I am not so looking forward to) and yes I read a couple of books at a time most of the time so not too hard. I m going to keep this updated and share some of my thoughts and hopefully joy at enjoying some books I wasn't expecting to (I hope for this in the case of many of the Russian authors, we will see).

Holiday Season.

For me today is the first day of the Holiday season. Don't get me wrong, I love Halloween, just look at the boys costumes for proof :) it's my favorite holiday. I love Christmas though, getting people presents is my very favorite thing in the world and I am both happy and a little ashamed to say all of my Christmas presents have been purchased for this year. Not only that but I also bought almost all my presents from etsy shops and experiences (the nutcracker with my mom) so that made me feel better about where my money was being spent. My husband and I only have 6 more months in Spokane and he graduates Law School, so there is a lot to be thankful for and celebrate this year.  I guess what I am saying is HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON! I hope for all of you it is great and we can share a little bit with you all. Ohh and it is supposed to start snowing this week, which just seems nuts but the boys love (for the first couple days at least) so good pictures to follow.

(this was last years Christmas card photo, I am hoping for better this year, now that Ernest is grown)

Here is the final painting of Ernest.

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We are getting a Painting.

My Husband and I decided to get a painting done of one of the dogs for our 1 year wedding anniversary in September (which is traditionally paper but I thought, "hey how different is canvas"). On the day we were taking Porter to get his photo taken by the artist, Casey Lynch (he's local) we decided to start with Ernest because of the artists style (Porter is just a little grumpy sometimes) and Ernest's personality. We are now just trying to figure out if we want the same artist or different one for Porter. I have always loved ArtPaw but they are just a little out of our budget for now so we will see. As for now I thought I would share the Ernest sketch with all of you though.

I know

We haven't been around lately. I promise by the end of the weekend we will get back on track. I will hopefully have a desk too, which will help with my production.

Happy Summer!

Of course just when I get back to thinking about writing we are heading out on our annual family trip to the North Cascades. The boys aren't allowed and I don't think floating cabins are any place for Scotties anyways. So they will be safe at home with my mom and we will be here...

 

I'll make sure to think of some ideas for the blog while I am gone.

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Today is Porter's 3rd Birthday!! & WW

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Wait till you see what Ernest did

A few days ago I decided to take the boys for a quick car ride to their favorite pet store (just blocks away). We got there and there was another dog walking out of the store (it's a very small store) and the boys began barking so a rushed them back into the front seat so the dog could pass with out being harassed by the boys. I turn around for just a few seconds, I hear a loud *Thump* and turn around to this!

from the outside

 

From the inside.

The car was in park, not going anywhere, how can such a small dog do so much damage? And he was sitting there like nothing had happened not hurt, no yelp, no nothing. At that point all I could do was laugh and then of course or usual staff people were there so they demanded to see the boys anyways so Ernest got lots of attention and treats but what can a dog mom do but just learn from her mistakes. I called the vet to make sure I knew what to look for in case he was hurt and just being terrier stoic about it and she said as long as he is acting normal (when does he) and still wants to eat  (when doesn't he) then he is probably fine. The windshield will need to be replaced but how can I stay mad at a face like this?

Porter's first birthday present of the month

As you may or may not know Porter turns 3 this month. June 22nd in fact. Last year all he got (okay not all) was a stinky little brother so this year I thought maybe he should get something a little better so here is the first thing he has got for turning 3.

And here he is enjoying his new hideout.

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It has finally started feeling like late spring

Ernest enjoying one of the first days of good weather.

Back

We are back after some technical difficulties and me leaving my computer behind when we went on our little trip. We also made the mistake of forgetting the camera so we were both disappointed in our lack of photographs.It has been quiet for a few days. The boys had a great time, Ernest even got some of leash time which he loved while Porter had to stay with us cause he's a bolter, big surprise there for a Scottie and all. All and all it was a great time with family and friends and I got to spend a couple of days in Seattle when it was gorgeously sunny and of course was reminded about how much I missed it. Only one more year till the move out of Spokane. Hope you all are having a fabulous spring day, it is of course raining here.

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From one dog owner to all the others.

I am just curious how other people handle these sorts of situations which we seem to run into more because of having Scotties. My dogs are on leash 90% of time and when it comes to Porter 99.9% of the time and when they are walking together they are a little difficult to handle at times. What makes it worse though is encountering off-leash dogs while the boys are on leash, lets just say they don't react well lots of barking and posturing even with all the work I have done with Porter and his reactivness when they are together it's quite a lot of work. When I tell other people that ohh by the way my dogs don't like being approached by off-leash dogs while they are on-leash, they just laugh it off then have a minor freak out when the dogs react the way they do even if I anticipate their reaction and try to avoid the situation or behavior all together. They treat me like my dogs are out of control which okay they aren't the best behaved but we try lol. Is it just my dogs? Am I the irresponsible dog owner? I just feel like my dogs are on-leash by law so maybe you shouldn't give me a problem. Any suggestions or comments. To add, Ernest is enrolled in class for June (Porter has taken 2 classes) and separately they behave quite well or when they are each being walked by separate people.

We're going on Vacation!

On Thursday we are going here:

 

We are going to cross this

 

Stay here

& maybe even ride one of these.

also we are going to visit lots of family the boys are getting groomed in Porter's home town and go to some our favorite restaurants we are all pretty excited and we will make sure to write while we are away.

Ernest Pictures