New puppy info

Rusti has been thinking about getting a puppy for quite some time now, but we're concerned about how our cats, Malcolm and Rocky, would react. So we continue to mull it over and gather information.

I found this helpful guide on CuteOverload.com.  It's called "How To Assemble Your Puppy" and it may be of some use to any of you who are planning to add a puppy to your family.

Correct Assembly:

 

Incorrect Assembly:

 

Be careful now.

A colorful post

Help, my inner child (I.C.) is running wild!  Last night, out of the blue, she began COLORING.  Yes, COLORING, but at least not with crayons - that would have been TOO much.  She is using adult tools, although really…….COLORING?? 

OK, I guess I can’t blame it all on I.C.  I’m helping too.  In my defense, this is said to be very meditative and good for reducing stress, although as a retired person I have little stress in my life, or at least I didn’t until I started worrying about why I was coloring.

I was in a bookstore a while back, probably Borders, and I asked an employee if they had any adult coloring books.  Well, you should have seen the look I got!  I really don’t know WHAT it was she thought I wanted to color, but she was having none of it.

To avoid further embarrassment, I ordered several coloring books from Amazon. I don’t know about you, but it’s physically impossible for me to order just one book from Amazon.  My current work of art is from the “Mystical Mandala Coloring Book”.  Doesn’t that just send little tingles of electricity up your chakras?

I picked this as my first design:

 

No, it doesn't look relaxing, does it?

I got out my ADULT coloring tools - a set of dual-tip markers:

and began to let the creative juices flow.  Keep in mind that I am definitely NOT an artistic person.  Maybe occasionally a little crafty, but not artistic.  Well, before I knew it, one color led to another, to another, to another (oh no, that wasn't such a good choice) until something semi-pleasant began to appear and yes, I was transported to a higher plane.  Most importantly though....this proves that I really can stay within the lines when I want to.

This is not finished yet, but I tell you what - I am just itching to get back to it.

This is what can happen in Oregon in February. One must find indoor ways of amusing oneself.  

Pinot Noir & Truffles

February is typically Oregon's grayest, dreariest month, but occasionally we are blessed with a bit of sunshine and the hint of spring.  Today was such a day. Rusti and I loaded our cameras in the car and took off for Willamette Valley Vineyards outside of Salem. It was a 2 birds/1 stone destination: we needed wine plus we had heard that this vineyard is beautiful. We heard right.

What a view! Even now, before spring has sprung.  I will definitely be going back for more picture-taking when everything is blooming. And to get more wine, of course.

 

I learned something interesting from the gentleman behind the counter in the tasting room. Who knew that truffles grew here in Oregon?  We even recently had a Truffle Festival that included a truffle dog-training seminar.  You too could root through the woods for these delicacies if only your dog were trained. Now to the best of my knowledge, I have never eaten anything containing truffles, which is a good thing because if I really liked the taste I wouldn't be able to afford them anyway.

 

Rusti wanted to take home this barrel of wine, but we settled instead on a very nice bottle of 2007 Pinot Noir and a bottle of Oregon Blossom.

There are still approximately 300 Willamette Valley wineries that we have not yet visited. Stay tuned.