Thursday, September 11, 2014

Autumn????

Happy Thursday everyone!  The calendar say's it's still summer, but boy howdy!  It's cold here in the Inland Northwest.  It was 39F here last night and the high is only to reach in the low 50's today.  I think autumn is coming soon this year.  The sun is shining brightly though and I'm enjoying today with this little girl.
This is a dress I found her at a shop called "Other Mother's".  They sell gently used children clothing, furniture, maternity clothes, etc. on consignment.  I picked up this dress for just 3.99.  I also bought her the prettiest dressy dress for the same price.  I'll have to take a picture of it.  It's gorgeous and will be a great dress for church or Christmas even.  I got her a few tops and jeans and a pair of shorts, even brand new princess snow boots!  All for just $26.00.   She's so fun to shop with.  Very helpful and likes to sit in the cart and hold the purchases of clothes, yarn or even groceries!   Have I told you how much I adore this girl?
Mommy should be back in Spokane on Sunday and then I'll have to share her again.  Bah Humbug!  Just kidding.  I miss Mandy and enjoy being with her too.  I'm refusing to think about the more permanent separation that is imminent.  Brad and Mandy have purchased a new home in Maryland and should close within 60 days.  It is a new house, just being built.  That means we get to keep our girls here a bit longer than originally thought.  We're very happy about that but we know their family needs to be together soon.  It's a catch 22, isn't it?

Piper and I put out the fall decorations this morning.  She really is a big help and carries things very carefully.  This scarecrow basket is a new thing this year.  I had all the pieces in a bag in the closet and I just found an odd basket in the laundry room and stuffed everything in it.  Then I hot glued a few leaves onto the front.  Total time.  3 minutes!  I think it's kind of cute don't you?  He's living on my kitchen island for now anyway.
The woodstove with it's fall regalia.  Also something a bit new for me.
I picked up these fall mini bushes, (2 of them), at Michaels this morning for 40% off.  Each stem was originally $2.99.  Not too bad.  A little over $3.00 for some pretty fall flowers.  I tucked a few leaves into the flowers and sprinkled them among the birds.  I really like my bird collection and tend to keep them out throughout the seasons.
Even the Holy Family got a few leaves around them.  I bought a bag of these leaves a couple of years ago and just reuse them each fall.
Another purchase this morning at Michaels.  Originally $6.99 and I got it for 40% off too.  Great deals.  Please don't look at the paint scratches.  I have a plaque up here most of the year and it has scratched the paint.  A little paint touch-up is needed on a warmer day.
A little table on the other side of the front door.  When we had our house painted a couple of years ago, the painter surprised me with this free-hand painted angel and Bible verse.  I LOVE it.  No doubt where we stand in our home is there?
I think I have had this guy for about 20 years.  He hangs on the wall just inside the front door and welcomes all who enter.
I think that's about all of my fall decorating.  I don't do a whole lot for fall as it's not my favorite season.  The reason for that is that winter comes next and I really do detest winter.  When Dennis retires we're thinking of moving somewhere warmer since we have no children close by anymore.  We'll see.  That's several years away.

I saw a similar pattern to this blanket on a blog earlier this week and I thought I would show you mine.  I don't know if I've ever posted a photo of it before.  It hangs over a queen size bed about 10 inches on all sides to give you an idea of it's size.  It was so much fun to make.  The flower were really easy and I like the green "leaves" and the bed of gray they lay on.
This is the border, a very simple double crochet.  This blanket lives on top of a quilt in one of the guest rooms.
This is Mandy's dog Polly who is staying with us too.  She gave us quite a scare the past couple of days.  To make a long story short, she was very sick when we woke up yesteday and spent the entire day at the vet.  The final diagnoses was bleeding ulcers.  She had lost a LOT of blood and is now anemic, dehydrated and her bone marrow is depleted.  All within 2 days.  I had to pick her up and take her for an ultrasound in the afternoon where they determined that they don't believe she has cancer, just the ulcers.  An interesting note is that the ultrasound showed she only has one kidney!  She is SUCH a sweet, sweet dog ang I love her like my own.  She has a boatload of medication, special food and has to go back tomorrow to have her blood checked.  And she's a trooper through it all. 

I took this picture a couple of minutes ago.  She's so much better today it's amazing.  She's much more alert and even wandering around the yard some.  I'm so very relieved.  Poor Mandy and Brad.  They were so worried about her and so were we.  But Grandma is taking good care of Polly and Piper is helping with kisses and hugs.  Polly is so good with Piper, even when she's sick.
I think we'll be heading to the lake this weekend and bringing all the liquid foods home so we don't have to worry about them freezing.  From the sounds of it, this winter could be pretty bad if you listen to the forecasters.  They're talking about an early winter that lasts possibly into June of 2015.

I hope you have a lovely weekend and sunshine wherever you may be.  I feel so blessed to have you all as my friends.  That's how I think of you.  We may never meet in person, but our lives have touched through this amazing thing called blogland!  Wonderfulness!

Blessings,
Betsy

26 comments:

  1. Good news about the new house, and great news that Polly is feeling better, what a horrible scare. I know your daughter is so looking forward to getting back with her two babies. Take good care of yourself Betsy.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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    1. Thanks Meredith! We also have their two cats so it's interesting around here. Mandy will be home Sunday and I know she'll be happy to see all of her "kids". :-)
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  2. I like to think of you as family, my big Christian family! We share the same DNA! We have crochet in our blood! Lol
    I'm praying for your family including your precious dog. We do love our fur babies don't we?
    I'm learning to knit and having frustrating exciting time with it. I may never do anything but socks and washcloths but it's fun. Be blessed my friend and enjoy your weekend.

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    1. Yes! We ARE all family. Sisters in Christ. The crochet in our blood helps. Thank you for your prayers. I'm glad you're learning to knit. I've not been sorry that I learned about 7 years ago. Self taught through utube videos!
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  3. I love, love, love the blanket!! That is exactly the one I have about 2/3 done, but mine is a cream background with all pink flowers and green leaves, and it's much smaller than yours. It's not finished so I supposed I could change the size of it before it's all said and done. Glad your daughter's dog is better. We have blown the 5:2. Boo-hoo. I'm blaming it on the hubby. He said it was too hard on the fast days working 12-hr days. I'm sure it was harder on him. Guess I didn't have to go off of it with him, but I did. Sigh. We may hop back on the wagon soon. I'm looking so forward to fall weather!

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    1. I thought it was your blog I saw the blanket on but was too harried and lazy to actually go and check. Shame on me. Oh you never blow the 5:2. You just take a break and go back to it. That's one of the things I like about it. Down 1.6 lbs. This week. Yeah! You can do it! Truly, the first two weeks are hardest.
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  4. We have Other Mothers here too! They're a chain. You got a great deal. I think our Other Mothers is about to go out of business, they don't seem to be doing too well anymore, which is disappointing. Poor dog, I hope she is all better soon. I'm glad to hear about the house. Stay warm, it seems like your weather changed really fast!

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    1. That's too bad about Other Mothers. Ours is always busy when I go in and the clothes are like new. Piper and I had a great time there. The weather changed fast but it's supposed to be in the 80's next week again! Crazy!
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  5. Brr! It sounds like your not sharing in our current heatwave (actually it's not too hot yet). ADORABLE pics of Miss Piper--her personality just shines through them! I LOVE scarecrows and that is such a cute idea for fall:) Don't you just love the colors of autumn? I just can't get enough of them. That is such a neat story about your painter and his gift to you. Happy to hear Polly dog is OK--scary.
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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  6. Thanks for your sweet Piper comment. She really does have a HUGE personality. I've had that scarecrow and fall gourds etc. in a bag for years and just decided to pull him out this year. I like the basket and glad I jasper him in it. Ryan, (the painter), is a great Christian young man who shares his faith everywhere he goes. We didn't know him until he painted our house and now he sometimes just stops in to visit.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  7. Hi Betsy.. I'm glad you get your girls for longer.. I bet Mandy is excited about a brand new house! Piper looks so adorable and is growing fast! It's good that you had the dog with you and took such good care of her.. ::whew::. I hope we all get together again soon. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. She's excited about the house, but they weren't really planning new. It's what was available in their area . Oh I hope we see each other soon too.
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  8. Some real bargains on those little outfits, lovely dress. Your Autumn decorations are also beautiful and at such bargain prices. I am not liking the sound of your predicted winter, lets hope they are wrong and it isn't too bad. Hope your 4 legged friend gets well soon.

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    1. I was really pleased at the bargains too! I'm going to miss having Pioer to shop with when she leaves. She is lots of fun. I also hope the predictions are wrong but it FROSTED here this morning!
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  9. What great finds for sweet Piper. It has truly cooled down here in Wisconsin too. In the low 40s at night. What great fall decorations. I am so glad Polly is getting better. I know none of you wants her ill.

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    1. 29 here last night! Oh my! It's too early for that. Polly goes back to the vet this morning so hopefully she'll say she's lots better. Thanks for your sweet comment.
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  10. You are having fun with Piper and enjoying cooler weather. Glad Mandie will be coming back soon now house has been found. Our evenings are cooler. I am glad, now I can soon wear some of my new clothes. Will miss the flowers tho. Hugs,my friend.

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    1. I AM having fun wih Piper. She's such fun. Our furnace is running right now. 58 in the house-too cold for Piper's naptime.
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  11. Hi, I'm a new reader to your blog. I found you through A Joyful Chaos. Love your blog! It will take me a while to catch up on all of your posts.

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    1. Welcome! I'm so glad you found me. I hope you enjoy your visits with me.
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  12. We are still hot down here, but I got out some fall decorations, too, and enjoyed seeing yours :) So glad Miss Piper is still delightfully with you and that you were able to take such good care of her puppy! Blessings on you and yours...enjoy the lake!!! xx

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  13. Always love reading your blog...even if I don't always comment :)

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  14. Oh I love your fall decorations, so very festive. The blanket is lovely. I love crochet blankets. Little Miss Piper is so adorable. I am glad you will get to keep her and your Mandy longer than you thought. So glad sweet Polly is doing better. :) Have fun at the lake sweet friend. :) ((hugs)) and blessings to you and yours always.

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  15. Brrr, sounds like you are getting an early start on winter. I love the fall season but I really don't like the winter one. Your decorations are adorable. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts. I know this move is going to be hard on you. Please know that I send lots and lots of hugs your way.

    Hugs,
    Sharon

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  16. ah Betsy, thanks so much for letting us have a peek around your home, amazing you have fall decorations ..we dont celebrate the seasons like you do...loved your little makes and the artistic painter what blessing to have the word shared like that. adore Miss Piper and think we will miss her too although not as much as Grandma and grandpa... definitely need to move when retire.. but then you will miss the lake :D Shaz in Oz.x #15

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  17. For some reason, all your Fall decorations brought tears to my eyes. Perhaps a longing for the past. Nothing here is reminiscent of Fall, my favorite season. Being from the South, Autumn was beautiful. We didn't have the harsh winters that you do. It's still hot as heck here. Getting into the car every day after school at 3 pm is just awful. Piper's hair has gotten so long. I just love her little pigtails. I do hope Polly continues to heal and be okay. She looks like such a love. Have a wonderful weekend. Tammy

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