Newest Member of Our Family!

Everyone meet Jackie!

She is a two month Australian Shepherd.
I had never heard of this breed before she wobbled into our home last week.
Right now she is a bit high maintenance, but we can see the difference daily as she gets used to the routine of our family.
The cats are not really sure what to make of her. Everyone however, is adjusting.
If I am unable to have human children, at least I can have fuzzy ones!

We spend a lot of time outside checking out the garden.

I do not really remember planting some of these, but I am happy they showed up in our garden.

Here is one of the Butterfly plants:


At work, I am the only person available for the night shift. This puts a cramp in much of my activities. I have managed to find a bit of time to knit. This is the progress on a slipper that someone has requested.

The yarn is phantex. I have two very large grocery bags with this newly acquired stuff. I'm trying to explore all sorts of slippers ideas. Something other than the ones that my grandmother knit. I really loved those but after 30 years I imagine there would be other patterns available yes?

Oh! I also made a strawberry pie


....and some very messy tarts:


I guess that covers everything.
I'm going to try and watch Vikings before the fuzzy child wakes up.
Have a great week everyone!

If This is not Persistence...

I was taken a little stroll around the estate today and saw these Irises:

I am always amazed at how well things bloom and flourish with little assistance from me, which is good. My work hours are making things very difficult to provide the care I would like to my little garden.

I also found a few items which I had no idea were growing or how they came about.
Do you recognize these plants?

They are all over the grass. I am going to be sorry to lose them when it is time to mow the lawn.

My herbs are also doing fantastic. I used my mint in a salad for lunch this afternoon with watermelon, feta, and olive oil.


The raspberry bush is also thriving.
I'm thinking I need to procure another...


The Begonias are also thriving.


I have also been a knitting a little bit.
I have this idea for a tunic type shirt.
This is my progress so far:


When I'm not out in the garden or cheering on the aliens, I am catching up on this show Vikings! I started to watch because I heard Gabriel Byrne played a role. I have not seen him in anything since In Treatment.

Even the theme song can cause chills.


I'm off to read a for a bit. Have a good day everyone!

The Search Continues.

I have been trying to find a certain lavender plant. It is not the bush form that you see at most garden centres. It is more in the form of s tree. I had purchased one last year but it did not survive the winter. I suspect because I failed to winterize the poor thing. The last few weeks I have been visiting a lot of garden centres, Home Depot, Jardin Serres Savrevois, etc etc etc. My next stop will be this week end at the local Wal-Mart.
My search has not been in total vain. I have found some rather interesting plants along my merry way.

This is a Patio Citrus plant.

I can bring this plant inside during the cold winter months.

Another Lily to keep the existing one company!


I found another climber.

It is a passion flower of some sort.

For my next addition to the garden I would like to find a Green Man to help the spirits of my plants.

Playing in the Dirt

About a week ago, we went to a farm called Ferme Guyon. It is like The Major Garden Centre for this area. You name it, they have it!. Without even realizing it, we had spent the entire morning in this creative idea centre.
We wandered around the nurseries, discovering all sorts of wonders.








We even found a honeysuckle plant to compliment the one that is already in our garden.






We spent a bit of time in the Butterfly conservatory and made a few friends.







We also found a few decorations to place in out garden!



After arriving home we lost no time putting things in the ground. With the weather being so sketchy, I did not want to be left with all these pots out in the rain.









The only ones not happy with the day were Napoleon and Reno who hate to miss out on all the activity.

We Are Moving Slowly..

..but at least we are moving forward.
Our kitchen and the Little Man's room are showing some progress.
I recently added a coat of primer to his walls,


and Hubs installed the vent over the stove top, so we can close up the floors very soon!



Napoleon and Reno loved all the activity.
They are strangely attracted to the sparks that were flying off the chimney part.

It is so pretty!! How do we get to the fire part?

Rebel and Tom were having none of it.

Are you two crazy? That is fire! That is hot stuff. Like the sun. I am staying here in my super secret safe spot.

I don't know what this is. I do not like it!

Napoleon was ever so helpful when it came to planning out where the holes would fit so we could access the vent a little easier.

Is this the way to get to Narnia?

The light was also installed in the master bedroom.


We still have lots to do, but I love how things are slowly coming together. It will just take a bit more time.

After all the renovation I like to go back to my area of expertise, knitting!
I did complete my Necker socks.

I had to unravel the cuff because I did run out of yarn. I am happy that they fit and they do look good!

I also sewed a little bed for the ferret, Fouine.

I think she likes it!

After all this hustle and bustle though, we do need a good night off.
I think I am going to take Reno's lead.