I Love My ______!

Yesterday was Westie Wednesday, but I just had to do another Louis post today.  Why, you ask?  Well, because I logged on to Joss & Main and saw THESE:

They have so many breeds available, and for only $24.95!!!

From the tiniest of Chihuahuas to the mightiest of Great Danes, these natural birch signs have just what you need to recognize both style and unwavering friendship.

Log on to get your sign HERE!  Louis says that your pup will be so very pleased if you do :)

Louis is pretty sure I've already purchased the Westie sign, and he's been looking high and low for it....

(truthfully - Louis has a toy basket that he drags to the middle of the

 living room when he's bored.  he pokes his head into the basket

looking for long lost toys that may be fun!)

Happy Thursday!

T

Here Come the Grooms!

This weekend TEN and I are headed off to another wedding.  I always thought spring/summer was considered "The Wedding Season", but apparently Fall is when our friends prefer to tie the knot :)

My friends, The DJ & The Forecaster, are getting married this weekend.  They were "legally" married in Connecticut a few weeks ago (because Virginia is not trying to let everyone have equal rights), however, this weekend they are being "ceremonially" married at a charming plantation in Virginia. 

I'm most excited, because I adore these two.  They have been together for 13 years, and this wedding is way overdue :)

Both of the grooms are great fans of plaid.  I've been told that plaid is the "theme" of the wedding, and when asked what the attire for the wedding was (both the wedding and reception are outside), I was told plaid.  So....plaid it is!

I'm wearing this Lilly Holiday Plaid dress from about 112 years ago.  It's pink & green, not so much red & green, so it's okay to wear for an October wedding...right?  This is the best picture I can find, but you get the idea.  I also have this fuschia Lilly silk cardigan to wear over it.

The fuschia heels I wore with it, once upon a time, are no longer with us.  These have just arrived in my office, only the color is more purple-y fuschia.  They are going to match perfectly!

The grooms did not register, so I was beside myself to come up with an idea for a wedding gift.  Then, when Barbie and I visited them in September I knew what I should get!  Not that they picnic THAT often, but when they do...they'll be ready :)

(blackwatch is the signature plaid of one of the grooms)

(i have these wine glass & wine bottle stakes, and they make picnicking with wine SO MUCH EASIER!)

(Gullah Gourmet - from Charleston, SC - Hattie's Hot Crab Dip.  perfect for a polo match!)

(nautical wine sweaters for your wine bottle!  i'm giving them the blue sweater with the life preserver on it & a bottle of wine)

(everything will be in this felt basket, of sorts, that they can use for something else.)

What do you think?  Good gift for two grooms?  I hope so :)

T

Westie Wednesday - Picture Perfect!

Did I mention that Louis had a hair appointment on Monday?  It's been long overdue.  Remember these pictures:

Well, Monday I dropped him off first thing with a *NEW* groomer.  I will never take him back to "those we shall not speak of", because they scalped my pup :(  I happened to meet someone at Dogtoberfest who hand strips, and we're back in business!!

When I went to pick him up after work on Monday he pointed his nose up into the air, and pranced right out into the sunlight.  Everyone said "ooohhhh...isn't that the cutest westie/white scottie!", and Louis shook his rear at them for show.  He KNOWS when he is being complimented :)

***SIDE NOTE - I have learned that correcting people, when they call Louis a Scottie, is useless.  They look at me as if I am wrong, and he clearly IS a Scottie.  So, now I just smile and think to myself...."Awww...they don't know the difference.  Bless their little hearts..", and move on.

Apparently the grooming session really wore him out, and he spent most of the evening on the back of the couch.  Under TEN's sweater?  Very interesting....

The other excitement in Louis' life this week is that I've finally completed his 2nd Year Photo Book!  I don't know if you remember, but I completed one for his 1st Year when Shutterfly was offering a free book special of sorts last year.

This year I found another offer for a free photo book The Paper Coterie.  This one is hard covered, and you simply pay the shipping charges:

(enter code MOMCREATIVE2 to save $38!  a big thanks to The Mom Creative for this coupon code, and a big thanks to mrs.mfc for the head's up!)

I also went ahead and made my Christmas cards for this year.  I am ordering them from Shutterfly again, but unfortunately...no code for me to get 50 FREE this year.  Darn!

So I guess that's it.  Louis is clearly the star of this family, and thank goodness I've got him looking his best because party season is just around the corner!

Westie Licks,

T & Louis

To Frye or Not to Frye. THAT is the Question!

I've been on the boot search for quite some time.  You know this. You helped me in my quest.  And I've ordered.  And returned.  And ordered.  And returned.  And ordered.  And returned.

Just moments ago I said to mrs.mfc "am I totally crazy?  i think that after this weekend these will be mine..."

The Frye Melissa Trapunto.  Welcome to my world. 

Be still my beating heart.

T

Metallica are Hokie Fans? Yup.

Daisy found a little tidbit in the Washington Post.  It's about Metallica's Song, Enter Sandman, that is played as the Hokies run onto the field at every home game.

Apparently Metallica likes the idea :) 

Check this out!



This clip is now going to be played right before Enter Sandman begins at the games.  How fun is THAT?!?!

T

Relax & Rewind

Could NOT have been a more perfect weekend :) Don't you just need those sometimes?  The type of weekend where you REFUSE to make a plan with anyone.  You REFUSE to be held accountable to be anywhere at a specific time.  You just need to wake up when you wake up.  You just need to eat...when you're hungry :)   Most of my weekends used to be like that.  I miss the feeling of waking up and thinking "hmmm...what shall I do today??".  I'm trying to get back to that!

~~~ Friday ~~~

Friday TEN and I stayed in.  The TV never even came on!  All evening long we enjoyed wine, made a fire in the fireplace and talked.  It was bliss!

We tried to put Louis into his Halloween costume, and we came to a realization.  HE HATES IT :( 

Whatever are we going to do?  He cried, and struggled and just did not like this Yoda costume one bit.  After a few unsuccessful attempts at getting him into it, he threw himself down in front of the fire...and sighed deeply.

The good news is, that was the most excitement we had on Friday evening :)

~~~ Saturday ~~~

Saturday we woke up late and I made breakfast.  As simple as that sounds, it rarely happens at Seersucker Central.  There is never time.  We're always rushing off somewhere :(  Eggs, turkey bacon and Weight Watchers bagels were on the menu.  Mmmmm.....

We spent the day doing small chores (I have a new brass kick plate on my door - thank you TEN!!!), and then we ventured down to the corner wine shop for their open house.  They had chili in a crock pot, and a wine tasting that we eagerly participated in!

After that, it was back to the house to watch a bit of football. 

And then.....

It was time for the Smalltown, VA Ghost Tour!!

I learned quite a few things about Smalltown, VA on the tour...and most exciting was our visit to a little known cemetery.  Spoooooky!

Here are some of my favorite pictures...

(that little box is a bell box.  when the Spanish Influenza struck...people were often thought to be dead, and they were buried.  only to wake up in their grave!!  bell boxes were installed, with a string tied to the person's wrist, in case they awoke and needed to be rescued. YIKES)

After the tour we met up with a few friends downtown, and were in bed by 11pm :) 

~~~ Sunday ~~~

Sunday we ran a few more errands, and I made Gina's Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili.  I HIGHLY recommend this recipe, as it was absolutely delish!  Daisy came over to join TEN and I for dinner, and we all scarfed down our meals :)

Here are the "stats" for the chili:

Servings: 10 • Size: 1 1/4 cups • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 5 pts

Calories: 203.7 • Fat: 1.4 g • Carb: 33.3 g • Fiber: 10.0 g • Protein: 16.9 g



It's funny how much my taste has changed, and how much I like spicy things now.  We ate those stuffed peppers the other night, and although they were good....they really could have used some SPICE!  I was sure to make this recipe as spicy as possible.  I've made a few notations on the recipe (in red) to tell you what I changed to make it a bit "hotter". 

• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 16-oz can black beans
• 1 16-oz can kidney beans
• 1 8-oz can tomato sauce
• 10 oz package frozen corn kernels
• 2 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes w/chilies
• 1 packet taco seasoning  (I used the "hot and spicy" Old El Paso seasoning)
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 24 oz (3-4) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• chili peppers, chopped (optional)  (I used 3 cayenne peppers from my garden)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Top with fresh cilantro. Also try it with low fat cheese and sour cream (extra points). 
 
We definitely loaded up on the cheese and sour cream, and I made long grained white rice to serve the chili on.  I don't think you need to serve it on the rice at all, and probably wouldn't the next time. 
 

I'm rested and ready to face the week, which is a good thing because It's a busy one.  AND...we're going to another wedding this weekend :)

Happy Monday!

T

Just How Clever IS My Pup?

My laundry is done, and the dishes are clean and put away.  I unpacked my suitcase, and packed up the dresses that need to be altered and those that need dry cleaning.  I think I'm almost situated, and back to normal :)

Louis and I had major snuggle time last night, and I fell asleep on the couch with him.  Morning kisses from my little man make everything right with the world.

Speaking of Louis...he has a hair appointment on Monday.  He rolled in the mud at TEN's house (I think I told you that), and TEN washed him.  The thing is, Louis has wavy hair.  When he's groomed properly they blow out his hair (or something??) and he looks like a proper westie.  When we wash him he looks like this:

(no, that isn't a lazy eye.  his hair is just so long he can't see!!!)

Yesterday, while taking him to day care I jokingly said "Hey Louis...why don't you roll in poo today so that you can get a free bath?".  I WAS JOKING.  I swear!  So, you can only imagine my surprise when I went to pick him up and he looked like this:

Yep.  He rolled in poo and got a free bath.  EGADS!  Can my pup really understand me?  And wasn't I just totally embarrassed?!??!!  They now call it "pulling a Louis" when a pup rolls in poo :( 

Not to dwell on the poo convo, but Louis NEVER does this anywhere but at daycare.  He's done it a few times, and honestly...it's mostly when he's already dirty.  And I wonder......does he just want a bath, and know they will give him one?  Could he be that clever?  OR...do they just feel sorry for him, because he's so nappy, and bathe him and use the poo as an excuse?  I just don't know. 

Tomorrow a local winery is having a Wine & Wet Noses Festival.  Pups are welcome, and an animal rescue group will be there letting us know how we can help.  I really want to go.  I probably need to just lay on the couch and relax, but....well....they are having a costume contest for the pups!  And I really don't want to miss that.  Hmmm....we'll see.

Tomorrow evening we are going on a Ghost Tour of Smalltown, VA. 

We have a town trolley, and we will ride around on the trolley while hearing stories of murder and mayhem.  I'm excited!  A ghost tour in Charleston, SC is one thing.  But a ghost tour here in MY smalltown?  I'm giddy :)

After that we're going to head to a local establishment to have a few cocktails 'FOR THE CAUSE'.  Marilyn Monroe is going to zumba her heart out at the Party in Pink on Saturday day, and then there is an after party where a portion of the proceeds from cocktails sold will go to breast cancer research.  I guess that means we'll be forced to have some cocktails :)

Sunday I'm going to make Gina's Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili, and I'll tell you all about how that goes on Monday.

It's been raining cats and dogs here for the last few days, and the basement of Seersucker Central has flooded again.  My yellow wellies were finally laid to rest, and I'm rocking red wellies now.  I have to admit...I rather miss looking like Paddington Bear in my rain gear.  The Ronald McDonald look isn't quite as appealing.

Happy Weekend!!

T