'Not Cancer'

"Not cancer" was the best greeting I've ever gotten from a vet.  Seamus has been diagnosed with hepatitis (the canine kind) which sometimes occurs in standard poodles.  His liver is really inflammed right now and he is on a lot of meds. 

The condition will be chronic.  He will be on some medication for the rest of his life and he will need to be monitored.  But that is certainly more preferable to liver cancer.

Seamus loves his little dog friends.

He will need rest and medication for the next week or so.  The vet thinks in about 10 days, we will see a marked improvement in his condition.  

Thank you to everyone who sent prayers and support to us.  We really appreciated all the love and support we received this past week!  Hugs and hugs, Mickie and Seamus

Prayers for Seamus, please!

Seamus has been really slowing down lately.   Bloodwork indicates that his red blood count is down and one of his liver enzymes is elevated.  He goes tomorrow for an ultrasound on his abdomen.  If you could remember him in your prayers, I would be most appreciative!  Hugs and be well!

Rainy Days

On Saturday I received a great gift from Lee Anna at Not Afraid of Color.  Check out this cool magnet!  Thank you Lee Anna!  

We are so fortunate to be getting some rain!  It looks like it will most likely be a rainy week here and I couldn't be more grateful because of my tree pollen allergy.  Also the garden needed a good soaking.  The plants have considerably perked up with the rain and are growing at a rapid rate.

The only bad thing is that Seamus is bored and restless.  We walk in between downpours.  Yesterday I picked up my Mom's dog, Greta, for a visit.  It's always an interesting ride with the two of them in the car:

I've spent most of the weekend cutting fabrics.  I have 4 quilts in the pipeline and will post more about them as they begin to take shape.  I hope you are having a spring full of beneficial weather and doggie hugs!

Monday begins a new week!

I've been working a lot in the garden these past few weeks.  We were blessed with somewhat good weather, although we desperately need rain these days.  I removed the bed from the center of this space and the photo above shows a rough draft of pavers I am going to place in the garden.  

Seamus is 9 1/2 now.  Gravel of any sort really bothers his feet (above photo was taken in 2011).  I'm not adverse to rearranging the garden for his comfort and like Seamus, I am feeling my age a bit.  Simplifying the garden is one of my main goals for the garden during the next few years.  Hopefully, these changes will make both of our time outside easier.

Petal covered walkways in one of our parks.

In between gardening and long walks in the park, I prepared for the neighborhood yard sale we had on Saturday.  I got rid of some big items and have a nice pocketful of cash for fabric :)  It's been a lot of physical work the last few weeks.  Now it's time to give my body a rest and sew.  I sure hope you are enjoying the Spring!  Have a great day!

Counting our blessings: Premie Quilts

"I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads

And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds.

If you are worried and you can't sleep

Just count your blessings instead of sheep

And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings."

I love this old Irving Berlin song and I thought of it many times the past few days.  My neighbor Carol and I spent the weekend sewing premie quilts for our local hospital.  My guild collect 100 of them last night and we were happy that we completed 20 of them.

You probably know someone who has had a premature baby.  Some of you may even have seen a NICU unit.  A little quiltie does brighten up the place.

This is a great project for beginning quilters and I know of people who have received them and were so appreciative of the kindness of strangers.  Each hospital has individual specifications for the their NICU quilts so be sure to check yours before sewing.  And when you've finished...you'll go to sleep counting your blessings.

Pop of Red

A neighbor gave me a small table with enamel top.  I painted the legs white, ordered red knobs for the drawer and am using it in my sewing room.

For some reason, it makes my little room look bigger; the table is now going to be my desk up there.   The knobs come in a bag of 5.  I looked at my kitchen and the worn out knobs there...

Added the red knobs to the cabinets and loved it so much that I ordered a few more bags for the kitchen.  I am loving how it turned out...because I have so many red accessories:

Yeh, it doesn't take much to thrill me but I am loving this pop of red in my house now!  Next little project might be to paint the tired beige tile to white.  I know my husband won't go for replacing the tile but I think the white would brighten up the kitchen.  What do you think?

Happy Easter!

The Amazing Spiderman Quilt :)

This is a donation quilt for Camp Erin, a bereavement camp for children.  Our guild helps supplies the quilts that the youngsters find on their cots.  

I found the Spiderman fabric on sale last summer and knew it would make a great Camp Erin quilt.  I bought what fabric I could afford and then used up scraps to frame the fabric so it went farther.  The real star on this simple quilt pattern is Terri Trotter's quilting.  

About the time that I sent the quilt to Terri, we did receive an email from Camp Erin requesting that we send some quilts appropriate for boys (or unisex).  I hope the boy who gets this likes Spidey!

Kathy's Quilt

I continue to churn out lap quilts for friends and family.  This quilt is called "Parade of Poppies" dubbed by my friend Diana.  

I gave it to my friend and neighbor Kathy who has had some serious health issues this past year.  She's been dealing with kidney failure and kidney disease and a lot of side effects from the medication.  When I showed her the quilt, she joked, "Oh you could give me that quilt!" and I said, "Good because it is yours!"  She loved it and it goes perfectly with her home decor.

I'm taking it easy this week and haven't done much.  I am coping with some stomach issues and hope to be sewing again on Sunday.  Tomorrow I have a program at the Bethlehem Area Public Library so I'm off to get ready for that.  Have a wonderful day!