Greenhouse progress

 I have moved a CFL light to the greenhouse area to help some of the plants get more light.    I still have some not shown here that are in another windowsill,  but not germinated yet.  The cabbage and several of the tomatoes (also elsewhere) are really needing to go outside.  The Hosta is even a little bigger and/or spread out than when I bought it - it should go out when the ground is not mud, too.  The Hosta is an Aurea Marginata, and it should have purple flowers eventually.  It will be a nice companion to the Frances Miller hosta that is in the garden now (blooms white, has green leaves tinged with chartreuse).

There are three or four jalapeno peppers that are getting second leaves.  The split ivies are doing 'ok'.. I don't see immediate die off on any of them yet.  I can hope.  That Ivy is called 'Asterisk', Hedera helix.

This is the apple sapling, from Esme's homeschool project after we watched the documentary on how plants reproduce and learned that apples from seed are nothing like their parent plants usually.. and we decided to try saving some seeds anyway.  This is the second one we've tried - as the seeds were still in the fridge from the first one and the first one died unexpectedly one day (just leaves fell off and poof, gone?)...  I thought maybe it didn't get enough light, and that the tiny petunia and forget-me-not seeds might benefit, too from a more direct light instead of reaching for the window all day and stretching their stems.  So I'm trying three to four hours a day of this CFL to see if it perks them up more.

The Frances Williams hosta in the garden is coming up pretty this year.
The hosta seeds have not yet come in the mail, and I haven't gotten my basil planter made yet.

We decided that Callie and Doxie cats are about eighteen months old, probably born in December of 2015.  They are both (hopefully both) getting fixed tomorrow.  Their mother Minion and Pumpkin are next in line, but it might take a while to get them done, as they graced us with more kittens about two months ago.  I'm still a bit embarrassed by Doxie's name now that I remember what it means - but I called her that (and her twin, Dorrie, who died) from the start so it can't be changed now.  Sometimes I call her Dox for short.

 Callie cat, with her one little tiny white spot on her spine

I've set up a hard two days for us.. getting the two youngers in the house tonight and penned up for the night and all the running back and forth to the vet tomorrow.. but hope we can get it done.  Doxie has been spending almost all her time outside so she will be the difficult one.  Callie is curled up in my sewing chair.  The other day I tried to patch a pair of pants for Esme and I had to remove her from said place -- I had to pick up the cushion with the cat (claws dug in) and set it on the floor and wait for a good minute for her to realize I was not moving it back.  Then  she got up and stalked away.  *sheesh*  Calico cats!

Esme and Milo play Starfall

We do not plan to keep this kitten, but he has earned the name 'Milo' and he has been spending a lot of time in laps. Compared to the others, he is the most people-oriented of the group. He licks toes, and is irrepressible when not wanted in a chair. He is playing 'Starfall' with Esme here, which distracted her enough for me to brush and braid her hair. That takes a lot of distraction! She hates her hair pulled on almost as much as she hates having it washed.

I bought Esme a 'Tangled' first-level reading book last night on the way home from work, even though she has been disinterested in reading or letters for several months. I believe it is mostly because it has become warm enough to play outside again and she loves outside even more. But, this morning it was raining severely and she asked for letters. I brought up Starfall again for her. She really enjoyed it. She has remembered a lot of it by heart! That doesn't surprise me much, because the other day she sang some semblance of the 'Clifford the Big Red Dog' theme to me in the bathtub and it was good enough for me to remember the real words to the entire thing. She loved that. We sang it a few times. Hearing her stumble over 'so they packed up the family car and left the city' in the first bit was what tuned me into what the song was... but it was not a part I would have remembered the words to otherwise. That did impress me :)

I have photos printed for Aunt Dot and my mom, now have to go through them, label them and make letters for each of them. I am hoping I will get either yarn or a pattern in the mail today. It would be better if the yarn came, because the pattern is a 'future snag' in size 6. But, I still do need to make shorts. It all depends on if Esme is happy watching Cinderella and something else for a little while!

furballs revealed

Mitzi graced us with these little furballs yesterday when I was at work.
There are four.


She is proud.


These are the socks I made which Esme does not like.
They are just like the ones I made for myself.
I've been wearing mine, so they are much less photogenic.
These do fit her, but do not go up to the knee, which is her complaint.

These toddler socks were made with Red Heart yarn on size 3 double pointed needles. They started with a cast on of 39 stitches 1x1 rib with a 17 stitch heel.
She wants knee-highs but I am not sure what number to start at or how to decrease for those.. so it may be a while before I try again for her. I'm trying to make a pair of knee-highs for myself first (because if I succeed I WILL wear them) so I can see what the proportions are of the decreases.



This is the blue fabric I have that is to make two more dresses. I already had the one at the top, and bought enough of the middle to work with both of them. Esme picked out the one on the bottom as pretty.

I did a lot of cleaning this morning, laundry and sorting out of things. There were some things in our dresser that were from when Esme was less than a year old, stray socks and bibs and summer things that will not fit this year around. Then we went to town for a little bit. I am hoping to sit down at the sewing machine in a bit and make up one more of each of the dresses I made last week, one of the 'remake' and one of the 'blue day dress' ones as well. Even though I felt the latter was a bit ill-fitting my opinion of it has improved the more she wears it.

It's turning out to be a productive Sunday.

LATER: I am working on the dresses for Esme, have one half done.

SIL sent me this picture of Lizzie in the dress I made for her. I can see where it needs altering to fit her better in the shoulders and where to put the waistline for a bigger skirt.


Lizzie in the 'A-line' dress



same dress on the hanger



McCalls 8715
year was 1967
made the top view in size 5 for Lizzie

Easter Developments with a mostly happy ending

**graphic image (end of post): dog with cuts and punctures on face

Oh wow, what an Easter day. It actually started yesterday after Mark picked me up from work. We came home to a bloody porch and a severely torn up Bunny dog. We have no idea really what happened to her - deep small punctures all over her face, chest and under one leg. We thought she had lost an eye at first - but it's still in there. What was worse, in the middle of cleaning Bunny up and seeing just how many wounds there were (and what was just blood) we did a head count, and Misha was also missing. It was a stressful night thinking we were going to find a dead dog in the morning out in the woods - and caring for the hurt one as well.

Early this morning Mark went out and walked the woods, but didn't find any sign of Misha or what had torn up Bunny. At about 9 am our cat Mitzi began to have her first litter of kittens. The first was born breech and stillborn, it never moved or took a breath. Since then she has had four more and seems to be doing well with them. It took a bit of urging for her to take care of the first two live ones after the disappointment and confusion of the first one being stillborn. But with some soft voice and lots of 'good girl' she took them to nurse and things were a lot easier after that.


Four kittens for Mitzi
what a surprise, they're orange!
* correction: three kittens for Mitzi :( *


Mitzi looking proud of herself
I took Esme up to see her Grandparents and they had a good time with plastic eggs and running around the house. She made up her own game with Grandma where she falls onto Grandma and gets hugged - very very cute. We came back home, had some lunch and she took a nap.

The rainstorm started - a big heavy downpour. And in the middle of it I looked up and there at the door was Misha. She was wet and looked like she had been running all day and so tired she just wanted to lay down. But, she doesn't seem to be hurt anywhere. She came right in the house soaking wet and went immediately to where Bunny was laying. She looked her over and laid down nose to nose - almost a 'sorry you got hurt glad you are okay.' We dried her off and they are both sleeping on a blanket. What a relief. Misha is the 'brains' for all of our dogs it seems some days, the one who takes care of everyone and knows how to translate human. I would have missed her the most, I think, out of all of our critters.

So, a happy ending even with poor Bunny torn up. Mark is taking good care of her - nearly carrying her outside when necessary. Mitzi is taking good care of her kittens so far, and finally after sunset on Easter it seems we have a little Peace falling on our house.

click to see poor Bunny dog curled up on a red towel

Mitzi and Gypsy

Mitzi
An awesome close-up by Mark

Gypsy is still a little shy
but is getting better

They're making as much use of Esme's toys as she is.
Sometimes now I wake up in the middle
of the night to hear Esme's car toy making noises -- and see kittens attacking it.

Pogo's Children

'Mitzi'


'Alba'
went to a teenage girl and her mom at the flea market
known for melting wholeheartedly when scratched behind the ears

'Mike'
went to a family with a three-year-old boy at the flea market
Laid-back, liked to watch the world go by around him
and occasionally pounce on others in between naps

another shot without the vampire teeth

Gypsy and Mitzi are still with us
We're leaning towards keeping Gypsy because of her coloring
but Mitzi has her mom's attitude

One Week and Counting

Mark and I and Esme are headed to Minnesota and Iowa in about a week. We will visit my father in Iowa (Hi Litljon!) and my Mom and crew in Minnesota. Esme will most likely get to see her cousin Elizabeth as well, which will be a great time for photos.


Pogo's kids are up to regular kitten antics.


As is our own little kitten...

A fabric book I made her among the jungle of toys


Esme has been experimenting with the word 'Mom' now. She doesn't quite use it to mean me yet. Mark says it seems like her universal word for 'I want something' which could be pick me up, feed me, find my pacifier etc etc... I keep answering her though when I'm around hoping it'll help her get the connection.



I dyed my hair brown, about two shades darker than the natural color. This picture doesn't give true justice to how dark it is in the front. It'll wash out in about a month but so far I like it better than the temporary red I usually put in it. The print on the wall is 'Bunny Tea' from Noosed Kitty Etsy shop. It is really cute with two bunnies peeking out of a teacup.

Other Etsy shops to catch my eye today/lately:
Dennis Anderson soap company. I've been buying his Ginger Vanilla soap for a while.
Mountain Shadow Designs Czech beads. Their Picasso beads are 'Gypsy Jewels.'
Handmade Pretties recycled wool art shop. You have to see her baby sweater balls and pincushions too, so inspiring!
Jessica Doyle has a whimsical and unique art style
Papaver Vert's felt bowls and canisters can inspire any knitter!

Blog Shout-Outs:
You gotta go see Ladysnail's lion drawings and Madame Bogg's parrot and Net at AreaThriftyOne's works in progress :) That is all :)

Pogo's child is full of grace...

Pogo has kittens again.
This is the girl, and she is truly stunning.
White toes here and there, just like her mother.

Kittens go to Market

Sherpa and Esme
had been developing a game of hide and swipe with the swing chair...
Sherpa would hide underneath it, then pop out and pat at the edge while Esme tried to reach for her.
I have a few days off this week, and there are some things we know we need to get done. One of them is taking the kittens to the flea market. They are old enough now and eating cat food well enough to go to new homes. Plus, we didn't want them to grow so attached to us.(or vice-versa, which was in danger of happening because well.. they're kittens)

Here are a few kitten pictures from the last few days:


Puck being tolerant of a tail pounce from Hobbes

Wish our kitties luck giving them away to good people this morning!
(P.S.: I have Mark judging the 'Night Was' contest as well! Announcement soon!)

Buttercup Kitten

Buttercup was the kitten who had trouble with her legs when she was born. However, she got much better and now keeps up with everyone else. We were really surprised she is orange AND a girl - as almost every other orange kitten Mark has had was male.


Buttercup likes dogs

And snuggling in general.
Kitty snuggle heart shape!

Caturday (extended) : Ozzy

Ozzy is one of Pogo's sons, and the most 'ferocious' kitten ever. Squint and he would have been fast friends. He is also extremely fuzzy compared to Sherpa. Yes, he is named after Ozzy Osborne. You'd have to meet him to see exactly why. It's the mixture of sweet blissed out tummy-rub staggering and 'wait, where am I now? I don't care ATTACK!' that has earned him his moniker.

Caturday: Sherpa

Cute kitten pictures on Caturday. This is 'Sherpa' the great explorer kitten. She is one of Pogo's daughters (the orange one (Buttercup) is a girl, surprised us! BTW her legs are also much better now)

Slugs Galore and another kitten picture

Slugs Galore
for MamaMade this Saturday in
Franklin Tennessee!

Kittens at play

The little orange kitten is coming out of the box now, which is good. He is still dragging one of his back feet. He can move it, just not easily. Up until last week he wouldn't even leave the kitten box. We hope he continues to get even better with it. Sherpa (grey) and Hobbes (tiger-striped) are feisty and rolling all over fighting each other. The other grey one (in the background here) hasn't yet earned a name.

Pogos Kittens wander about

Pogo's kittens were wandering about near her, outside their box. Picture is a bit blurry but the only one I could get. Mark has tentatively named the Pogo-looking kitten 'Hobbes.' I suggested 'Sherpa' for the other one here, as she is already a great explorer and climber. The other two are in the box still. The orange/yellow one isn't looking too good, but we're hoping he gets better.

Homefront

Esme is five months old today.

Pogo's kittens are cute and lively. The one with her eyes open is the only girl, we think.

DeeDee delivered more puppies but not all of them survived. We said she didn't look large enough to be pregnant, and she didn't enough weight on her to be healthy. She isn't in very good shape herself right now and we're trying to feed her up so the three remaining puppies get the milk they need.



I've been running in town most days this week. Mark took this picture of me after I got back one day. He says it's a good picture, but I think it shows how tired I've been lately.

Surprise Surprise

A midnight surprise
DeeDee had a single puppy last night, then another one this morning. We're surprised. We didn't think she could actually be pregnant again. The timing didn't match up and she had gotten slightly heavier but nowhere near 'large'. We had been holding off again on spaying her because we weren't certain. Mark thinks there might be more but with such a long time between these we're not sure what to think.

Mark also counted the kittens. There are four: a Pogo-ish stripe, two greys and an orange. Pogo is being a good mommy cat, and has been extremely interested in Esme's crying now that she has kittens with similar noises. She came up the other night when Esme was crying and looked really close at her, and all around her, as if to say 'Do you have one of my kittens up here or is it really YOU making that noise?'


Grey kitten
with Pogo-ish stripe behind
This makes seven babies total in this house (including Esme). Sounds like it's Spring.

Tuesday

Pogo has at least three kittens, maybe four. They are moving around in the box but it is dark under the bed and we haven't wanted to move the box yet. We are going to count them today. I've gotten the custom doll orders done, and am working on some other projects down in our basement. Esme is taking to the solid foods well. She had sweet potatoes and applesauce yesterday. Right now she is happily cooing at me from her swing chair.


One of the custom dolls
for our toy shop

Pogo

Pogo
She really wants outside... poor girl.
UPDATE: 1 am and two kittens, more to come we think...

Very cool letterpressed card on Etsy from PaperedTogether. Sadly, she didn't seem to have any more in shop but still a beautiful illustration.

Putting up more artwork at our Original Art Etsy shop

Esme at one month

First off: Happy Birthday Mark! He is very glad to be home and is thinking of writing up a narrative of his trip. There are a few places he was interested enough in to go back to for a more detailed look. He is really happy to be home and 'no longer rolling' constantly.


Esme at one month
9 lbs, 12 oz.
She can grab my necklace, hair and things off the side of the bassinet now, like when I'm changing her diaper and put a blanket or piece of clothing up there for a moment. She can lift her head up for short periods of time while laying tummy-to-tummy but has a harder time on a flat surface. I think she has begun to recognize both us and the dogs and makes little happy 'Ah' noises sometimes when we come into view.


Pogo among the shipping supplies

Pogo continues to be a great help in the shipping department of our little online store.