Our Tree!

I have great pictures of Christmas Tree Getting  Day, but unfortunately our main computer is down, so I can't upload them right now. Here's a little shot of our tree, already home and decorated to tide you over until we get things working again. 

Our Pumpkins!

This year was the worst weather for trick or treat.  It was cold, rainy, and SO windy. Robb and I carved pumpkins while we waited and waited and waited for kids to come.  We only had 20. 

Robb carved a really good trick or treat ghost,candy I carved a cat standing on a creepy guy's head. This is the only picture I have, as the candles wouldn't stay lit, and in the morning, my cat was blown in and broken. :0( 

All These Years Later...

...There's still some "firsts" in our lives! 

Saturday we took a break from our kitchen renovation and went to our first haunted house! After a nice relaxing dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Pranzo, we got a little adventurous and went to a haunted house! It was pretty scary! Just like I remembered.  The worst part was that the creatures followed my and kept breathing on my neck.  I didn't like that!

Here we are, after making it through all three rooms, pretending to be zombies. (I was, at least. I don't know what Robb was doing)

This is supposed to be our normal picture, but I'm pretty sure Robb didn't get that.

When we got home, I was so inspired by all the undead that I made Robb into a zombie!

Ok, I got carried away and made Rugby into a zombie cat, too!

Vegan, Gluten Free, No Sugar Cookies- I'm Impressed!

I didn't think this recipe would work. Vegan, no sugar, no flour...what?!? I am pleasantly surprised that not only did they bake up just fine and held their shape, but they taste delicious. Only 87 calories a cookie! (Ok mine are probably more like 100 calories a cookie because I couldn't resist adding mini chocolate chips. The recipe didn't call for this, so there is some added sugar in mine, but it's in the form of chocolate! Also made them not vegan due to the milk in the chips :0)

Try them for a dose of good fats that will satisfy your sweet tooth while keeping you healthy. 

Recipe at: http://www.nutritionistinthekitch.com/2013/02/08/soft-chewy-banana-nut-butter-cookies-vegan-no-refined-sugars-gf-fave-five-friday-good-for-you-cookies/

The Charley Shirt!

Doesn't this remind you of my Doodle?! 

This week, Sevenly is donating $7 from every purchase to the Humane Society of the United States to help them rescue more abused and mistreated dogs. 

http://www.sevenly.org/view/charity?FamilyPets

Happy Birthday Sweet Pea Charley Roo!

Happy 3rd Birthday my sweet baby puppy! We love you to pieces!

Why I Like To Work From Home...

Need I say more. 

Carchia

I even spelled my name, and this is what I got. Carchia. But my Iced Skinny Caramel Macchiato was incredible!

Strutting His Stuff

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who helped make this year's Mutt Strut a success!

Thanks to those generous folks who donated, we exceeded our goal, for the first time ever!

Charley raised $190 for the Humane Society!

We had a great 2 mile walk together.  The only downside, that the walk was mostly in the sun, so that got hot after a while. 

Charley and I volunteered at my department's booth during the event.  We gave away dog cookies and lint brushes.  

See his sweet paw prints?  They were making paw art as one of the activities of the day.

We're so grateful for everyone who contributed, either with a donation, hanging out at the booth, or helping set up and take down!  THANK YOU!!!!

Three More Days

Because I can't adopt them all...

Because I can't stop people from giving away part of their family...

Because I can't be there to stop the torture of every animal, abused by human hands...

Because I am lucky to have many sweet babies throughout my life...

Because of this, it's so important to me to do what I can. 

Even in a small way, by raising money for the Mutt Strut, giving to the Humane Society to help them care for the lost or abandoned. By practicing vegetarianism, not contributing to the pain of others for my benefit. In these small ways, I'm doing what I can, and I do it every day. 

Our walk is this Saturday. Please Charley Adams' Page and give what you can to help meet our goal. 

XO

Awesome

Just sayin'...one cool guy. I'm so glad to have met you Patrick Stewart. Embraces his roots, all these years later. 

One More Star Trek Buddy

Commander William Riker

aka Jonathan Frakes

He was really nice.  When I met him he said, "Good morning, Beautiful."  I could hardly talk, but managed to muster a, "good morning!"

Bowl Of Deliciousness

I found this recipe that I pinned a long time ago on Pinterest.

If you are a hater (of cilantro, that is), you won't like this at all.

But to me, it's scrumptious! I really can't believe how good this is. I ate two bowls, and have leftovers for later! 

Check out the recipe for Lemon Quinoa Cilantro Chickpea Salad

Enjoy!  And don't forget to check your teeth for little greenies when you're done.  :o)

Robb, The Pilot

For Christmas, I got Robb a flying lesson.  

 On Tuesday, we went to Premier Flight Academy so he could fly his plane! 

The lesson started off in the simulator, to practice steering, and learn the controls. 

He was flying good! 

There are so many dials on a plane.  All very important. 

After the simulator, we went out to the airplane "parking garage" to get his plane ready. 

Here's the plane, still tied down and covered up. 

After it was unwrapped, they did a check around to make sure all the parts were working, and to see that they had enough gas.  (very important, no gas stations in the sky)

This was a cute little 2 seater plane, very cozy.  The plane was also surprisingly light.  It only had to get to about 55 mph to take off! 

Oh boy!  Getting close to take off! 

It had a cute propeller too! 

The inside, had even more dials and switched than the simulator did.  Good thing he was going with a professional! 

Here he is!  All ready to go! 

Getting buttoned in before sealing the lid 

They drove the other way down the road, and before I knew it, they were up in the sky! 

It was very hard to see them all the way up there.  

They flew down the lake, got to our house and turned around. 

While I was waiting, I sat outside, and entertained myself by taking pictures of the beautiful sky. 

This is one of my favorites.  You can really see the "sun" shape! 

This cloud reminded me of a puppy.  It think it's so cool how the sun's rays appear shadowed, and the sun has outlined the clouds. 

Before I knew it, they landed safely.  Robb had a great time being a pilot for a day!

Happy Day

It was a very happy Christmas in July.  We celebrated last night at Melt!

This is the Macaroni Melt, one of my favorites.  It's usually only sold in Dec, and on July 25th!

Pair that delicious cheesiness with Great Lakes Christmas Ale, and you almost feel like it's snowing!

Robb was very brave, and ventured out from his usual sandwiches, the Dude Abides, and the Monte Cristo.  He tired the Municipal Stadium Melt, which sounded delicious.  His sandwich had homemade sausage, grilled peppers and onions, and Napa slaw, with some kind of mustard.  

Only 5 more months till Christmas!! :o)

Tasting Tour

Saturday the 6th, we met up with my good friend BriAnne and her husband Kevin, who we in town for the long weekend.

We went on a little Lake Erie wine tour for the afternoon.  Where visit them in Syracuse, we sometimes go to the Fingerlakes wine trail for tasting.  We don't have as many wineries, but still really enjoyed the day.

Our first stop was Grand River Cellers, my new favorite. The winery is booked back next to the woods, as is not too far from home.  We sat on the patio, and discovered some really good new wines. 

Next we headed over to Debonne. I've had some of their wines before, but never went to the winery.  The winery was very nice inside, they even have samples of their new beer line.  Although, I wasn't much impressed with their wines, it was still fun to check out their place.

Next stop was Lorello, another new place on the list. Their wines went all that impressive either, but still nice to try.

Last stop was Ferrantes.  I actually really like it here.  There are many good wines, and their food is delicious!

Here's the four of us, waiting for our pizza.  We had such a fun time tasting with you, and hope to see you soon in NY!  

My Beautiful New Daylily!

I've waited a whole year to see this beauty! 

Sadly, I don't think my other 2 will bloom this year. I will need to move them to a sunnier spot in the fall. But for now, I will enjoy this beautiful flower. 

My New Obsession

Is a FAIRY GARDEN!

I discovered them in Amish Counrty, and am in love!

What is a Fairy Garden you ask?

Think bonsai garden, but for fairies.  There's a little house, garden, sometimes a pond, chairs for relaxing. Basically everything a fairy would want in her garden.

They can be made on tree stumps, old wash basins, or even chairs!

I am beginning to plan my fairy garden now.  I already have my container, thanks to an Amish antique store!