Dog Issues: ACL and Eye

Scarface won't be doing this type of thing anytime soon.

We've decided to try the Canine Conservative Management method.  And thanks for the encouragement from everyone who weighed in.  Surgery may still eventually be his best option for recovering from his ACL injury but we'll try the non-surgical method first.

You can find lots of information about Conservative Management on this blog.

Presently Scarface is on bed rest.  Lots of rest.  Little movement.  Which means no going up to the yurt with us this year.  We'll miss him.  But he didn't time his injury well.  Even if we'd gone the surgical route he wouldn't be going on our trip this week.

Scarface has also recently developed Dry Eye.  For that problem he is being treated twice a day with an expensive medication.  The good news is it seems to be working.  We'll get the official word on the effectiveness of his medications effect at his next appointment but he is no longer rubbing and scratching at his eye.

He is also taking Rimadyl (an anti-inflammatory) which is recommended for his knee injury and he's been on glucosamine since we took him in over a year ago.

We should know in another month or so how he responds to this approach.  Then we can opt for surgery if we don't see the expected improvement.

He's enjoying some sunshine on the deck today:

And holding up that back leg...

It's Coming

Spring is threatening in our area.  We actually could use more winter, especially more snow pack.

Daffodils are poking up their heads.

Alliums are feeling the warming weather.

Looks as if we'll see at least a few hellebore blossoms.

Snowdrops are blooming in the shade garden.

The longer days have caused our girls to put out more eggs.

Frankie and Chelsea share a warm spot.

I got to spend some time babysitting my granddaughter.

I also knitted a sweater for her. It's the 7 Hour Sweater from Ravelry. I like the pattern quite a bit.

And Scarface has torn his ACL.

Here he is without surgery:



We're debating the wisdom of spending thousands of dollars on him.

And Again

Once again Scarface had surgery this week;  on his right eye.  Same problem as last time.  Different eye.
He and Frankie are sharing the sick bed.  We had to make a sick bed because the same day he went in for his eye surgery he managed somehow to hurt his right back leg.  Consequently he can't access his favorite sleeping places;  our couches.  (We got to listen to a LOT of whining about that.)
He'll see our regular vet on Monday.  Leg issues aren't something the opthamologist vet can deal with.

It's a mistake, but it's OK

I finally finished my Montana Winter Cardigan.
And it's full of mistakes.

For one thing, and the biggest mistake;  it is way too big for me.

I started knitting this sweater in July.  I thought I would complete it around Christmas or so.  So in that sense, January 12th isn't too far off.

I wanted to make this sweater for myself after finishing this one in June.

The small one I made as a challenge to myself and for an unknown grandchild to be.  My idea was that knitting a similar one for myself would help us stay connected over what appears will be quite a distance of miles.  Not a bad idea.

My first problem was that the pattern was created for a 3 year old.  My second problem is that I thought I could adapt it for myself.  I'm not that advanced a knitter.

See how the brown drops down over the shoulders?  It's not supposed to do that.

So, after what you can imagine are many, many, many, hours of knitting I have a sweater that, well, is OK, but it's obviously too large.

But, I am going to wear it.  AND I am going to enjoy it.  Because it's a lesson learned.
I've already started another sweater for myself.  One I will check carefully along the way to see that it fits.  One for which I have an actual pattern.

I've made many mistakes during my years.  I think the worst thing a person can do is deny them.  The next worst thing is to not learn from them and then allow feelings of guilt and remorse to haunt you.

To hear a great discussion about making mistakes and learning from them, give this podcast a listen.


There are no mistakes, only lessons.   "Do you beat yourself up for past mistakes or are you unable to break free of a destructive pattern?  If you want to learn how to stop, join me and my special guests Team Universe for this incredible show and learn how you can press the reset button.  Join us, listen, learn and maybe even share your story.""

Fifth Holiday Post

My family celebrated our "Christmas" together yesterday.  Had lots of fun.
Our granddaughter Hayden was a big attraction.
Here she is modeling the duck hat I knitted.  She's also wearing her Green Bay onesie, because, well, she must.  Her Daddy is a big Green Bay fan.

Here Hayden attempts to eat her aunts hand.

Daddy entertains her for a while.

Grandma and Grandpa get in on some baby loving action.

Everyone enjoyed the hand knit socks I made for them.  And Kim gave his home made beer, which was a big hit of course.

There was football to watch.

And lots to eat.

  I went for appetizers this year instead of a sit down dinner.

Using recipes from Pinterest:

The Schweddy Balls, (yes, remember them from SNL? - Schweddy Balls skit), well, they were a hit. Easy to make, too.





Garlic Herb Roasted Shrimp with Homemade Cocktail Sauce;  also popular, and again, easy to make.

And who doesn't like red pepper jelly with cream cheese?  This time with a cranberry twist for Christmas.  Delicious.

I took a chance and tried this Scarpaccia.  It's all veggie, but also I left off a portion of cheese at the end for those with a dairy intolerance.  Worked well.  Made a lot.

There were also Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Garlic Aioli (delicious), guacamole, hummus, fresh veggies, and, thanks to my daughter, a variety of olives.  My friend Carol brought over pork and seeds.

For dessert, three new recipes.

Lemon Shortbread Truffles were a big disappointment to me.  Maybe I'm just not good at making them.  They never achieved a nice "rolling" consistency.  Then I added too much yellow food coloring and they were orange instead of yellow.  Oh well, win some, lose some.  I made my own shortbread cookies for this recipe and my own lemon curd.  Still have plenty of those leftover so it's not a complete let down.

And some chocolate for dessert is a must.  These brownies really hit the spot.  I think they'll be my go-to brownie recipe from now on.  Supposed to be one of Oprah's favs.  I see why now.

Am I the only person who likes meringues? Well, in my family anyway.  I love that crunchy texture on the outside and the way they melt in your mouth.  I thought these Peppermint Meringues were a nice dairy free dessert option.  And pretty, too.  Also super easy.

Later we played monopoly...

and watched a movie.  Bad Words is good fun.  Rohan Chand is adorable.

To top off the day we even received more snow.

It was a great day.  The one sour part was when Scarface growled at Hayden, so he was banished from the house for a while.  That's part of the reason he's part of our household now, he's a grouchy old turd.