Chowder

I was thinking about getting another dog for quite a while, but I couldn't decide until the boy moved out.  After he left, Dash seemed bored and less playful.  He became very clingy too. Yeah, we all miss the boy.  I thought another dog would be a good companion to Dash if he could get along.  And that was my very concern because he gets very territorial with some dogs.  I also wanted to help save those shelter dogs.  I always had this feeling, but it grew stronger ever since I got sick last summer. With the boy out of home, I have space to provide.  I know I can't save all the dogs in need, but I can help one.  I was on petfinder.com every night (this is where I found Dash too), went to Rocket Dog Rescue's adoption events, and visited the local animal shelters.  I wanted a big dog, but considering all my circumstances, it had to be a small dog.  Chowder (renamed) was the first one I saw at SFACC (San Francisco Animal Care & Control).  She wasn't exactly my type of dog, but I couldn't stop thinking about her.  Dash and Chowder had their first greeting that day, but we both were not sure about the whole thing. After all, it was up to Dash, not me.  We went home, but I felt terrible leaving her at the shelter. Next day I saw another dog at a different shelter, but I knew it wasn't "the one."  By that time, I knew Chowder was the one.  I went back to see her twice that week, and after one more greeting with Dash, I finally signed the adoption paper.  She came home five days later.  It's only her second week at home, but she has already established her place in the house, and Dash finally started to accept her.  The first few days were very tough for Dash to acknowledge her.  Hence, exhausting days and nights for me.  Now they play like brother and a sister.  I am very happy with the outcome and just glad that I was able to give her a permanent home.  
So if you are getting a pet, please consider to adopt.

Hello, I'm Chowder. I don't know much about myself, but I'm a happy one year old terrier mutt. I was on the street when someone picked me up and brought me to the shelter.  I was so scared. Once in a while someone came to take me out for a walk, but other than that, I had to stay in a cell that looked like a jail.  I didn't know what was going to happen to me, but one day, a nice lady came to say hi and took me out of that place.  You have no idea how happy I was.

Chowder: I love sunbathing with my brother.  Happiness is warm sunshine...

Dash: hey, that's my line!

Chowder: I also love to play Tug of War, and I always win...

Chowder: Zzzz...

Dash: She wore me out...

Dash: Mama, my bed is getting invaded...help!

Chowder: I'm pretty comfy...

What a huge progress one week made!!! Chowder couldn't even get 3 feet close to Dash's bed because of his territorial temper.

Chowder always wins a battle over the bed. Poor Dash gave up and found a tiny sunny spot on the hardwood...

I couldn't stand Dash's desperate call for help so I made them matching beds.  The larger one was intended for Dash for obvious reasons, but again Chowder got what she wanted.  Well, she was a survivor on the street. She had to be tough.

Chowder: Mama made me a pretty quilt!  Nobody ever made me a quilt before.  Now I feel very special...

Chowder: I've never snuggled in a quilt...it feels soooo nice!

Chowder needs to learn some house manners and basic commands.  Once she was on top of the coffee table sipping my tea.  I know it sounds cute, but it's not right.   She does things that I never had to worry about with Dash.  Here she is being trained for "Stay" and she is getting it.  Dash already knows it, and he is good.

This and next photos were taken when I first met her at the shelter.  She was very scared and shaking.

I just hated to see her in the cement cell.

Chowder: Grass feels oh so good! Yep, everyone believe in second chances!

Empty Nest

So August has passed.  What a month it was!  I had to stay in bed for more than a week, and there was a big change at home.  The boy moved out.  Yep, he left for college.  I knew that I would miss him as the day approached, but I was okay with it.  I knew it was his first step to explore outside his nest, and it is a good thing.  We drove to Southern California to drop him off.  He couldn't wait to get down there to start a life without supervision, but the first night was unexpectedly tough for him.  He felt his first loneliness in a new town.  Me?  Yeah, I shed some tears, gave him a kiss and a hug, and some life wisdom, and drove off with Dash in the passenger seat.  Yes, I always miss him, but after we both adjusted the new way of living, I am okay.  I will enjoy more time for myself and you know what?  I found that sending him care packages is a fun thing to do.  I've already sent him twice with healthy home made snacks.  I just wish I could send him home cooked meals.    

In the meantime, I was busy sewing things for him. This is one of them.  He requested a small backpack for his knickknacks when he goes to concerts.  

I used black washed denim, one of the new arrivals at the shop.  

He loved loved loved it! He was searching for one all over the town, but couldn't find the right one even at the cool shops on Haight Street.

It's a really simple design so I cut the leather scraps into triangles and sewed them at the end of the straps as a stopper.  He loved the combination of denim, grommet, and leather.  Me too!

I bought him a new bedding and sewed a pair of pillow cases too.

And here is the finished wonky start quilt.  Yes, it was for the boy to take with him.  It was my surprise gift to him.  

He sent me a picture of his settled room. Looks nice, huh?

So he left...let's look at the bright side.  This will be my studio soon!!!

Happy Mother's Day

I hope you are celebrating a beautiful Mother's Day.

Days

March went by so fast and April is no different.  It was again a busy month and a bit stressful.  You know why?  My kitchen was going through a little makeover and still is.  No, it's not a big overhaul, I'm doing it very slowly.  It was a mess!  We couldn't locate the kitchen stuff, but the worst stage is over for now...

One day, I put down my paint brush and went to Shane's Show, "Wearing My Clothes."  We enjoyed the show and the entire night was so nice and mellow...

Shane made this dress from a vintage Dior's pattern...

All her hand embroidery work was just amazing!  

Even the boy loved it...

My kitchen under a makeover...

The cabinets primed...

Winter is over as more vegetables are back at the farmer's market...

So glad to see strawberries back at my favorite vendor's stand...

Resting pizza dough...

Reading...

Preparing for tangerine marmalade...

More making...

Kale pesto...I used a mix of pistachios and almonds...

Just having brunch on a lazy morning...have a good day, everyone!

My February Cure

Oops, this blog is becoming monthly.  I didn't mean it, but I was super busy with my February Cure.  I decided to follow Apartment Therapy's January Cure a month later, mainly the assignment on Day 7 which is to clean and organize the kitchen.  I scrubbed all surfaces, the cabinet, stove top and oven, refrigerator, inside and out, and other small appliances which reside on the counter space.  I cleaned the pantry, tossed the stuff I didn't touch for years, and reorganized cabinets and drawers. I still have to do some more, but all grime is gone and everything is shiny again. The kitchen feels light and airy. Oh, it feels gooood!

I try to keep flowers on the dinning table whenever I can...

Ah, an organized pantry...

I removed containers with missing or broken lids, and then there was more space, and they all fit in!  How come I didn't do this sooner?

Removed containers were repurposed as a drawer organizer...

A pan before...

A pan after...I used a magic cleaner sponge.  It's really magic!

I received a pressure cooker for Christmas, and I am loving it!  It makes chicken stock in less than an hour!  Thank you, grandpa and grandma!

Just roasting almonds...

Homemade granola from this book...

Granola in a jar...

Just another breakfast table...

It's fun to watch plants grow...

They got a new home, yay!

Teatime after cleaning...

And this dog...