The puppies get comfortable! 8-9-22

The puppies have had a busy day and are getting very comfortable with their surroundings. They know where the gates are, the water, the food and the cats – haha! The cats aren’t thrilled with them and neither are Telly and Hazel but they’ll have to adjust while the puppies are here.

Here is the brindle puppy last June.

Today – 4 months old

I started sewing blocks together – blocks I made last winter. I got this far.

Had therapy this morning and then had coffee next door at Java with a friend. We talked a bit about the blog and she made the comment that she’d have nothing to say. Remember I said this blog was about nothing? It’s the truth – just ordinary days and ordinary happenings but if you write it down, it becomes more to those reading it. My trip to Osage last week was the most exciting thing I’ve done all summer – haha! I just need a thrift store about every other week to keep me excited.

I pulled out my yellow project – yes, I had a small start on a yellow project in my Dirty Dozen list. Have you chosen your project yet?

Tomorrow is Becky’s birthday so I made her Heath Bar cake tonight. Her daughter, Jenny, is on her way home to Iowa from Louisville so we will all celebrate tomorrow night at our favorite pizza place, the OP in Clear Lake. I will try to remember to take a picture.

I guess I could leave this lovely evening on the porch with the puppies and go to work in my sewing room but it’s just too perfect out here and there’s always tomorrow.

47 thoughts on “The puppies get comfortable! 8-9-22

  1. MaureenHP

    Thanks for sharing the puppies, Mary. They look like they could be a handful of love and fun. One local shelter is looking for homes for 100 beagles who were rescued from a lab. I wish I could take one in.

    1. JudyE

      Where do you live that have the beagles looking for homes? Who would we contact about them? Thanks so much!

  2. Cathy D

    At first glance, I thought the puppies had gotten into mud before getting on your quilt!! I see now that it’s the print. They will keep you on your toes for sure. Haha Happy Birthday to Becky 🎈

  3. Denise - Texas

    Love the puppies and your blog about nothing. Always interesting never boring. Thanks

  4. Deb in Idaho

    Hot day here in Idaho! I welcome some cooler weather. We might get some rain tonight. I sure hope so. Did a little sewing today but I think I will sew all day tomorrow. The puppies sure look happy.

  5. Carla

    Ooh, is kinda sad and kinda lucky I don’t live close enough for that brindle pup. Sad, cause we do plan on getting a dog again and he’s about perfect, but lucky because now isn’t the best time. I hope the perfect person comes for them. Hopefully I’ll have a couple quilts for show and tell soon. Blessings!

  6. Jo in Wyoming

    Yes, your blog about nothing is very entertaining.
    Happy Birthday to Becky, I’m sure the pizza party will be fun.

  7. Meredith in Cincinnati

    Those two puppies look like fun. What they need is a 10 year old boy or girl to tire them out! We’re hoping for the promised rain and cooler weather. We had a crazy cold and rainy spring, and have had a hot and humid summer (but the tomatoes are great.) Fall will be wonderful! Love, love your blog.

  8. Sheila

    Love reading your blogs Mary. Especially at night, I have visions of quilts or flowers or puppies or chickens or cats dancing in my head as I fall off to sleep. Today is supposed to be the last of the oppressive heat in the North East. Thank goodness, we could use some rain but none in sight. I am losing tomatoes in the garden because of chipmunks. I read they don’t like the smell of coffee grounds so I am going to try that. I will sprinkle them around the base and hope for the best. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated,
    Happy Birthday to Becky! The cake sounds delicious.

    Sheila in MA

    1. Diane and the gang in Central Ohio

      Sheila, my husband has a live trap that he and our neighbor use. So far, 15 have been transported to a new zip code in the woods. Thanks for the coffee grounds idea. I think chipmunks are cute, but, I don’t want them eating our tomatoes!

  9. Jill Klop

    I often feel the same…I’m never sure what to comment on. I do have to say that I have my yellow top together today. I have to thank you for doing the color challenge! This project challenged me in so many ways! Pictures to come…

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Jill Klop – being forced to use a color that is not my favorite is definitely a challenge!

  10. Bonnie McKee

    The puppies are precious, and comical! I love them! ❤️ Thanks for sharing so many fun pictures of your critters and all the terrific quilts!
    Your blog may be about ‘nothing’ but to many of us it’s something special!
    Blessings to all!
    Bonnie, in Oregon

  11. Diane in WI

    I so enjoy your blog. It’s the next best thing to the Goat Gazette. We had very fresh country air here today. Manure was spread on the wheat field that had been harvested. Living in the country is wonderful. The puppies are so sweet. My daughter and son-in-law have three large dogs plus Mat’s police dog. I’m sure the three will be visiting my new apartment frequently. We are nearly ready to finally take occupancy. Hope everyone has a good day tomorrow.

    1. Amy Kollasch

      I know that lovely smell all too well 🤭. I live north of a hog confinement and south of a large cow farm. The cow farmer saves the manure and by the end of the year it is a rather huge pile (small hill). They sell it to local farmers to spray on their fields. When they come pick it up my son is in heaven because of all the tractors driving by constantly for a couple weeks. He will stand in the window or outside for hours and wave to them. But the Flys and smell are a constant here. I wouldn’t trade it though for pesky neighbors and rules to follow in town.

      1. Diane in WI

        Amy, I wouldn’t trade living in town for anything. The smell didn’t last long, but the flies were terrible. When my son was little, he loved to watch his dad on the tractors. There are so many good things about farming. Take care.

  12. Marian

    I knew you would take the puppies in! Will enjoy hearing about their antics and oh yes, their progress. I love thrift shops, too, like finding a group of quilt squares to put together. Vintage all the better. See, all about nothing but someone will find it interesting, right Mary?
    Love your blog and all the facets of your life with animals and quilts.

  13. Betty Klosterman

    The brindle pup looks like a very nice dog. It is a good thing that you are willing to foster the pups. You have the kennel to help with the dogs, so that is a blessing. Not everybody has one.
    Haven’t seen the bad hair chicken for quite awhile. Was it one of the chickens that came up missing?
    How many chickens are left? How tall is the corn now? It is so pretty.
    It is good that Hazel and Telly don’t hold a grudge?
    Love looking at all the quilts people have made. I’m waiting for 2 “I Spy” quilts to come back from the quilter. Take care. Betty

  14. Sandy

    Hi Mary, had to visit dentist today, lost a filling! Then visited my husband, his dementia unit was shut due to covid for a couple of months, they were having K FC for lunch and shared some with me, even the dog will get some for dinner! Give the puppies an ear rub from me please, take care, best wishes from Sandy

  15. Tina H

    Two comments: Holy cow, that dog looks like he has bat ears! And the pup sitting on the quilt looks like part pit bull…is it?

    1. Fran

      I love your blog about mundane things. That’s how my days are too. I relate. It’s life in Iowa! You make it fun! Don’t stop!

  16. Sue in Oregon

    I am getting a kick out of looking at the photo of the brindle puppy. He has very strong muscles in his ears to hold them straight up like that because they are pretty big ears. He is really adorable. I am surprised no one took him. They sure changed in a short time.
    I am having a hard time finding time to sew. Lots going on plus the garden to harvest and preserve. I start to resent food after a while, and wishing for a full time cook. Ha. Yet to happen this month is a meeting on our patio for what we call The Drainage District, a short trip up the coast and a visit from my sister, plus our anniversary. I long to sew. I only have to quilt and bind my yellow because its actually a UFO, but I haven’t bound my pink yet. Oh, My!

  17. Kathy in western NY

    I think I had too much Java today out with a friend too cause I can’t sleep tonight so glad I checked my iPad. Funny that all seems right with the world seeing puppy pictures and reading of your ordinary day Mary as well as the readers comments that bring delight to me. You are a good sister to Becky making her special birthday cake every year. Have fun celebrating with pizza and a beer!

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Kathy – I have so much trouble sleeping but last night was good – it’s amazing how much better I feel after a good nights sleep!

      1. Kathy

        It’s funny that I remember my mom saying she didn’t sleep at night and I was much younger and exhausted by bedtime and would think how can you not get to sleep. Well I know what she went through on nights like last night! I am glad you are rested up today. I will be in bed early tonight as I am afraid if I doze off this afternoon I won’t get a good nights sleep tonight.

  18. Dorothy

    Your “nothing” blog is one of the most interesting reads of the day. 🙂
    Love the the pups and wow have they grown

  19. Rita in Iowa

    The puppies are adorable. You are a softie Mary, but also a very caring animal lover. We had over 6 inches of rain over the weekend and had to do a repair job as it washed gravel from our driveway. Thank heavens the Stone Citygravel pit is less than two miles from us. Husband made four trips with the gatter to get gravel. The week before we put down chips that was delivered free from a tree service that is trimming trees for the utilities. Save us on gas and paying for the chips.
    Leaving today to spend a couple of days with my daughter who lives north of Chicago. So no sewing on quilt projects for me.

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Rita – we got 5.5 and my poor succulents and cacti are still drying out. Have a wonderful visit!

  20. Gloria from CC

    Happy Birthday Becky! You and I share the same birthday. It sounds like Mary has a special evening planned for you. My day is planned out also. Angel gets groomed in Mason City at 12:30 and then we’re driving from there to Greiman Gardens in Ames. From there we’re traveling west to Ogden to eat dinner at the Happy Pig which is one of our favorite restaurants. I’m really looking forward to the day.
    I’m happy you’re fostering the two pups – they’re just adorable.

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Gloria – Happy Birthday, Gloria! Sound like a fun day ahead – hug Angel for me.

      1. Gloria from CC

        I will. Since we don’t know Angel’s birthday we decided she can share mine.😁

        1. Mary Etherington Post author

          Gloria – that’s perfect! Happy Birthday, Angel! I wonder how old she really is.

          1. Gloria from CC

            Patriots for Pets advertised her as 13 and when I called the Vet in San Antonio who signed off on her health papers, he also thought she might be 13. But when I took her to my vet to start that whole nightmare of bladder surgery, etc. he thought she might be 10 or 11. So she would be 12 or 13 now.

  21. Amy Kollasch

    It’s been a while since we have been to tge OP. I love their pizza. Makes we want to go Ha! Every time we go to Mason City we plan to go, but they are always so packed that we just decide to go home and eat. We need to just commit to going. Those pups are so adorable! So tempting! Gidget (out miniature schnauzer we took in) hasn’t been feeling the best. She is reminding me just how much work a puppy would be again. Doesn’t stop me from wanting one though 😂! Have fun.

  22. Vicki

    Mary, You ended with “there’s always tomorrow”. I am glad you said that. Many times we get caught up in things that need to be done. It is important to take time to enjoy the “simple”, to truly savor it. I am glad you did that. You have puppy shenanigans to make you smile each day as well.

    We had a beautiful day yesterday and today is shaping up to be the same. The house windows and doors are open to let the outdoors come in, so to say. My flower beds are a bright array of color right now and I am never short of flowers to cut for bouquets for my kitchen counter.

    My husband had foot surgery this spring, and wrist surgery 3 weeks ago. With him out of commission, I have been the yard and garden queen. I don’t know how you do all that you do with the big farm spot. I just make a list each day and plug through it. What doesn’t get done is moved to the next day. Having your blog to read is a nice spot in my days.

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Vicki – we should all have your attitude to stop and smell the roses! Yes, I’m enjoying the puppies but hoping they’ll be adopted.

  23. Mareen

    omg those puppies are so cute and have the best ever start to their life with you all.
    maybe one of your readers will fall in love with one of them……..it is a big commitment for sure tho.
    Good luck and enjoy them!!

  24. Sue H

    Prince & Duke look like they’re adjusting well. Now for the current residents to adjust a bit, right? Haha! It’s really nice sharing my morning coffee with you every morning too.

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Ginny – yes, they would. When they were babies they loved to dig under the playhouse and this morning they found the exact spot again – I’m sure they remembered

  25. Diane, Squeak, and Buddy.

    The puppies are adorable.. I forget what kind I thought they were. I loved seeing them on the quilt— just like Squeak and Buddy. I always say my quilts have been ““inspected by________”. Happy Birthday to Becky🎂. To Sheila, our neighbor said to shred Irish Spring around your tomatoes to keep the chipmunks out. We are going to try that, too.
    Love the blog, Mary.

    1. Sheila

      Thanks for the tip!! I have more Irish Spring then I do coffee grounds. Will definitely try that tomorrow, I lost 4 more Roma tomatoes today.

      Sheila in MA

      1. Diane& the gang in Central Ohio

        I hope it works. We got busy today so will try later today or tomorrow. Good luck:)

  26. Chris in Alaska

    Sooo adorable ! I knew you wouldn’t resist and there are special angel wings for people like you ! Those pups need you right now. I have a special place in my heart for black and white pets : Guinea pig (named Oreo) , daughter’s cat I adopted ( Sasha) , and adopted husky mix rescue named Bailey . We named him after George Bailey in “ It’s A Wonderful Life. “

Comments are closed.