Christmas 2017 In My Sitting Room

This Christmas was quiet...just me and the Pups. 

I got my Cinnamon Rolls baked and handed out to neighbors and friends.

The Pups and I watched movies after everything was cleaned up and we all enjoyed a few treats.

My Son, Stephen and his wife, Lindsey [above, getting their Christmas tree this year] sent me an on-line Gift Certificate for PetCo.  I ordered the pups some food and some treats...and they arrived yesterday.  I didn't have much food when they returned last week and knew I needed to order it, but didn't want to have to spend much money, with the shortage of money I currently have...or don't have, really.  So that was perfect timing...the gift certificate.  My son is aware of the financial situation and what's been going on here and he decided to give me something that I could really use.  I'm so proud of him and his wife.  They are so thoughtful and I nice.  I can't wait til their baby boy arrives in March.  My goodness how that time has flown.  It seems like yesterday that Stephen was telling me they were expecting!  I'm going to be a Grandma!

I received a bottle of BareFoot Pinot Grigio Wine from a friend...it's been years since I purchased or enjoyed any wine.

Got lots of love and affection from the Pups.  They enjoyed the snow we got for Christmas...me, not so much.  I was glad to have them home for the Holidays.

Another Christmas Gift arrived yesterday, quite unexpectedly.  I was waiting for my pups' nail clippers, some other food and treats to arrive, from Chewy.com to arrive...and since I had 2 separate tracking numbers for Chewy, I figured they had to send the smaller things separate from the larger bag of food.  I got the smaller package first and opened it.  I had 4 individually wrapped in red tissue paper "somethings" and couldn't figure out what they could be.  They weren't clippers and they weren't treats.  So, I took one and began unwrapping it and saw a beautifully painted portrait on canvas of Jasper.  Oh my...tears began rolling down my cheeks.  Then I opened the next and it was another equally beautifully painted portratit...of Rosie.  The next was another portrait on canvas...of Angel.  I began crying.  The last package I opened held the beautifully painted portrait of my dog, Benny.

You see, last month when I ordered food for the pups, I knew [or thought I knew] it would be the last time, since they were going to be re-homed, due to my finances and the house up for sale.  So, I decided to send an email to the owners of Chewy.com, the place I'd been purchasing all things pup related for the last I don't know how many years.  Each year, they send a beautiful Christmas card with a hand-written message inside...straight from their hearts.  They have the best Customer Service I've ever come across.  They are a fantastic group of people!!  [BTW, I'm not getting anything for praising them and their organization...this is straight from my heart!!]  I told them the pups were going to be re-homed and I would be deleting my account on Chewy.com.  I thanked them for everything they do for all their customers, not just me.  I shared a photo of the 4 pups and said all these pups thank you too...and have enjoyed everything their Mommy has purchased for them through the years.  Here is the photo I sent along with my Christmas message to them...

Okay, are you ready?  Here are the four paintings I received as a Gift from Chewy.com of my Four Precious PuppyKids.

This was the BEST Christmas Surprise I could have ever received.  What a shock!  I wrapped them up and took them to two neighbors homes to show them off.  I couldn't believe it.  Thank you so much Chewy Team!!!  You made my Christmas!  Now, when the Pups have to leave me [again] for their new homes, I will definitely have something to remember them all by.

Do you see that the paintings were done from the photo I shared with them?

What a special company...and group of people.

Hope everyone of you had a Great Christmas!  And I wish you all a Happy New Year!

The PuppyKids Are Back Home With Me

Late Thursday afternoon, after speaking to the Mrs. of the couple who took my Pups almost 3 weeks ago, a friend and I went to their house for a visit.  A visit that I hoped would end with me bringing my Pups back home.  3 weeks ago, when the Pups initially stayed with this couple, we knew there would be a trial period of about 3 weeks, in case either of us saw a need to have the pups come back to live with me.

All of the PuppyKids, after baths and grooming...

Left to Right:  Angel, Rosie & Jasper

My friend and I arrived and the couple welcomed us, as did my Pups!  I said we needed to sit down because I was there to talk to them.  I said I felt that in talking to them, that they may have taken on too much with 3 small dogs.  They asked if I wanted to take them back home.  I asked how they felt about that and they said, "Fine".  The Mr. said that he had just asked the Mrs. after our phone call, if she thought that I might want my dogs back.  Then they said that yes, it was a bit much with 3 dogs, but they were trying.  Some things that they promised to do, hadn't been done and things I requested them NOT to do, they were doing.

Angel

 My dogs have always had my Garden Courtyard, approximately 900 square feet of enclosed patio area, with concrete block wall and gate to keep them secure.  Plus whenever they were outside to go potty or play, I was out there with them, or at least at the door the entire time.  So, my request was that they NEVER leave the dogs "off leash" in their HUGE un-fenced yard [approx 2 acres].  They had the Invisible Fence from 2 previous pups of theirs who passed away and until they got that up and running, they would take them out on a leash.  Well, just a couple of days in, they were leaving the pups out the patio door to run around their yard...no fence, a huge area of woods, a big pond and on a busy road.  We talked about changing that and they once again agreed.

Rosie

It's been cold and snowing here...and yet the pups never wore their coats to go out running around in the yard, in the snow.  These are small pups 8-12# each...and they need their bellies covered when they're in the snow.  And Angel ran a way out of sight, long enough that they wondered if she would return.  But, she did, "because she was probably cold and figured it was warm in the house".

Jasper

My Rosie, known to scrounge food from anyone's bowl or plate, be it dog or human...was allowed to even eat the cat food.  In her 3 weeks with them, she gained 2#.  She has problems when she is overweight...with her hind legs when she walks.

Angel

The pups usually go to bed [here with me] anywhere from 8-10pm, right after going potty. Then they get up about 7am. I could adjust the time if I needed them to sleep later or to even get up earlier...but it would take several days. That didn't work out for this couple, who sleep in until 9am. They were anxious to be able to sleep until 9am again, which they did on Friday morning.

Rosie, already bored with me taking pictures, she's mid-yawn!!

All in all, they were a lovely couple, anxious to keep the 3 Pups together, so the little family wouldn't be split up more, afterall, I was letting them go.  They had good intentions.  The liked having the pups around.  But...we all agreed that the pups needed to go back home with me.

While relieved having them back here...I'm already dreading when they need to leave with another family.  I don't know how that will go...but I know someday, it will happen.  I just don't have enough money [income] to support all of us.  Even when/if they divorce goes through, I'm not guaranteed to receive money from Tom.  And, no, no one has come to even look at my house, much less buy it.

Jasper doing what he does best...playing with his favorite toy!

But, for now...my Pups are safe and home to spend Christmas with me.  We do alot of snuggling since they've been home.  I've given them baths and groomed them too.  I've ordered food for them, since I only had a few days of their food left.  It's been quite a shock to my system, taking them out in the dark of night, in the snow, rain, wind and cold weather.  It's like they never skipped a beat...when we got home, it was right back to normal.

I feel so blessed that this couple opened their home to my pups and me like they did.  I feel bad for them that it didn't work out...but then also feel relieved for them, because I really believe they bit off more than they could chew with my 3 little pups.

I rescued my Pups!  It feels good to have them here.

Tom & I probably 8 years ago

I wish I could have rescued my husband, too.  That would have made the Holidays complete.  My friends say, your hubby could be knocking on your door, when you least expect it.  And, in a way, I guess he could.  I never thought I'd find him, let alone would be able to see him like I did 2 weeks ago.  I never thought I'd hear an apology from him, have him hold my hand or give me a peck on the lips again.  But, after much prayer and leaving it all to God, I did find him.  I did get an apology from him, he did hold my hand and he did give me a peck on the lips...all after being gone for nearly 3 years!  He made plans for me to come and get him and all his stuff to bring him home.  He said God will help us put things back together again.  Then his kids intervened once more and I can no longer talk to him.  But, I can continue praying and trusting God to work everything out, however that may be.  This is the time of year of Christmas Miracles.

Merry Christmas!

Christmasing my Michigan Home 2017

Next year I'll be back home in Wisconsin, so I decorated my home this year.  I didn't do anything like I did in years past, but it's enough for me.  Enjoy.  And have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

My Annual Christmas Week Baking Tradition

CINNAMON ROLLS

Not just any Cinnamon Rolls either...Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls!!  

They are the BEST and if you make the entire recipe, it makes lots of little round crinkled aluminum pans full...of yummy ooey, gooeyness!  And the recipe is so easy.  You can even make the dough and store in the refrigerator for 3 days, in advance of when you want to bake the rolls.  The rolls roll out easier and they turn out prettier too.

Alright, so how many of you would really care just how PRETTY these yummy cinnamon rolls look when they come out of the oven?  I do, because I'm that way.  I used to make and decorate cakes, including wedding cakes that served 500 people!  I had to care how those turned out and now I'm no different when it comes to always wanting baked and cooked goodies to look pretty too.

I LOVE these Cinnamon Rolls!!  So does everyone I give them too!

***This makes me remember how much my husband used to love these Cinnamon Rolls.  Tom, if you somehow are reading this, know I have thought of you often in the past years apart...and especially this Christmas, since it was to be your First Christmas back home.  I know everything got side-tracked and I don't know where you are again, but we'll be together in our hearts.***

I make a couple changes in the following Recipe from Ree Drummond....1.  Frosting, I eliminate the Maple Flavoring and the Coffee, I'll make my Cream Cheese Icing.  2.  The yeast she has Active Dry Yeast...I use Quick Rise Yeast.  It's quicker and turns out every bit as good. 

Enjoy!!

Now...before you begin the process of making these for yourself, click on this link and go to Ree's Blog, she shows photos every step of the way through the process and shares lots of good information!!!

https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a11914/cinammon-rolls/

OOEY-GOOEY CINNAMON ROLLS

  PREP TIME:  2 Hours

DIFFICULTY:  Easy

COOK TIME:  30 Minutes

SERVINGS:  8 pans full

INGREDIENTS

1 quart Whole Milk

1 cup Vegetable Oil

1 cup Sugar

2 packages Quick Rise Yeast, 0.25 Ounce Packets

8 cups (Plus 1 Cup Extra, Reserved) All-purpose Flour

1 teaspoon (heaping) Baking Powder

1 teaspoon (scant) Baking Soda

1 Tablespoon (heaping) Salt

Plenty Of Melted Butter

2 cups Sugar

Generous Sprinkling Of Cinnamon

CREAM CHEESE ICING

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

8oz cream cheese softened

8 cups confectioners' sugar ((about 2 lbs.))

1 tablespoon milk

 

In large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add confectioners' sugar and milk. Beat on high until smooth (30 - 60 seconds). If icing seems too thin, add confectioners' sugar 1 tablespoon at a time. If it seems too thick, add more milk 1 teaspoon at a time until icing reaches desired consistency.

 

For the dough, heat the milk, vegetable oil, and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat to just below a boil. Set aside and cool to warm. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit on the milk for 1 minute.

Add 8 cups of the flour. Stir until just combined, then cover with a clean kitchen towel, and set aside in a relatively warm place for 1 hour. After 1 hour, remove the towel and add the baking powder, baking soda, salt, and the remaining 1 cup flour. Stir thoroughly to combine. Allow the dough to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before using.  It's easier to work with this way. 

Preheat the oven to 375°F. 

To assemble the rolls, remove half the dough from the pan/bowl. On a floured baking surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 30 x 10 inches. The dough should be rolled very thin.

To make the filling, pour 3/4 cup to 1 cup of the melted butter over the surface of the dough. Use your fingers to spread the butter evenly. Generously sprinkle half of the ground cinnamon and 1 cup of the sugar over the butter. Don’t be afraid to drizzle on more butter or more sugar! Gooey is the goal. 

Now, beginning at the end farthest from you, roll the rectangle tightly towards you. Use both hands and work slowly, being careful to keep the roll tight. Don’t worry if the filling oozes as you work; that just means the rolls are going to be divine. When you reach the end, pinch the seam together and flip the roll so that the seam is face down. When you’re finished, you’ll wind up with one long buttery, cinnamony, sugary, gooey log.

Slip a cutting board underneath the roll and with a sharp knife, make 1/2-inch slices. One “log “will produce 20 to 25 rolls. Pour a couple of teaspoons of melted butter into disposable foil cake pans and swirl to coat. Place the sliced rolls in the pans, being careful not to overcrowd. (Each pan will hold 7 to 9 rolls.)

Repeat the rolling/sugar/butter process with the other half of the dough and more pans. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cover all the pans with a kitchen towel and set aside to rise on the countertop for at least 20 minutes before baking. Remove the towel and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until golden brown. Don’t allow the rolls to become overly brown. 

While the rolls are baking, make the maple icing: In a large bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, butter, coffee, and salt. Splash in the maple flavoring. Whisk until very smooth. Taste and add in more maple, sugar, butter, or other ingredients as needed until the icing reaches the desired consistency. The icing should be somewhat thick but still very pourable.

Remove pans from the oven. Immediately drizzle icing over the top. Be sure to get it all around the edges and over the top. As they sit, the rolls will absorb some of the icing’s moisture and flavor. They only get better with time… not that they last for more than a few seconds. Make them for a friend today! It’ll seal the relationship for life. I promise. 

Busy, Busy, Busy

Busy, that's what I've been.  See??

My PuppyKids are with their new Family, yes, they were adopted on Saturday and immediately stayed with them.  They are doing very well.  Getting settled in their new routine and even have another furry sister...A CAT!  They're all getting along just fine.  I'm so happy these kind people, friends and clients of my massage therapist...decided to keep the little family together.  Thanks to all of you for your support and prayers through this difficult journey I've been on and am still going through. 

Since it seems today was going to be the best day this week to take care of a task I thought up yesterday, I figured I'd better tackle it.  It has to do with my Courtyard Wall.  Here's a photo.

You can see just the tops of my 2 wrought iron chairs sitting next to the side garage door.  The wall and gate are the things I wanted to get done today.  But, that meant moving about 2 tons of concrete block.  85 blocks @45# a piece!!

Well, I got dressed for the cloudy weather, the wind and dropping temps and got busy.  Within 90 minutes I had the job done.  I'm good, ya know?  It's been 3 summers I've hauled and moved those blocks, getting rid of alot of them and re-building walls and all.

Well, here's the final picture...without the wall and the gate!!

Quite a difference, I think.  I love it and I feel great!!!

My PuppyKids

I remember when I made this collage and turned it into a large photo on the wall in my home.  It was shortly after the last of my Pups came to live with me.  That was in 2013...and her name was Angel.  She arrived  just 3 weeks after my precious Pup, Benny died of a neurological incident.  He'd been with me for only a short 4 1/2 years, but saw me through the worst Bell's Palsy attack ever!  He helped heal me.  In between and before Angel & Benny, was Rosie...born on Valentine's Day 2010.  And the first Pup that came into my life was Jasper and that was when he was 9 months old in 2009.

I never thought that this day would ever come.  I thought I'd always be here for them...til they crossed the Rainbow Bridge.  But, partly due to my financial situation and partly because they don't get enough interaction throughout the day with only me here...I had to re-home them.  I started putting our "feelers" about a month ago.  Then...

Things happened so fast today.  My friend and Massage Therapist, Heidi, emailed me and said that she had someone that was interested in my Pups.  Actually 2 people.  She asked for my phone number and minutes later one of those people called me.  He said he and his wife were very interested in my Girls, who I really wanted to see stay together...but to bring along the Boy, too, because they'd really like to see the "family" stay together.  That was at about 2:30pm.  By 4:30, I had the things that I intended the new Mommy & Daddy to have for the Pups ready and packed in the car and was there by 4:20pm.  I spent an hour and a half with them and then asked the question.  Which pups were they going to keep.  They took all 3 of them!!  I know they'll take good care of them - they love them already.  Even after they oopst in the house instead of outside tonight...all 3 of them...not like them at all!!!  They're retired and have a nice home and a big yard, with the invisible fence.  I just know they'll love it there.

I left there crying and cried all the way home - only about an 8 minute drive...and I've cried several times since getting home.  While being ecstatic that they're all still together with 2 loving people, in a nice home...I'm missing them and probably will for a while...a long while.

Love you Pups!!!
Miss you Forever...
Mommy