Cats and Dogs Amongst Other Things ...

Hello there! Many "Thanks" for your comments on my last post. I was supposed to be attending my Photography Course this morning but the College phoned this morning to cancel as the tutor was unwell. Having not been well myself this week - I will go into details later, I hadn't taken any photos other than the last two of George, returned from the groomers - having lost his Elvis quiff and looking a bit more than sorry for himself.

So, in order to generate a post with some photos of it I went around the house, as you do! I snapped away at various things animal related mainly cats and dogs, of course!

The rabbit above was a present from me to KP and sits on a small wall shelf in her bedroom with her Just William and Michael Morpugo books and have you spotted the book "To Be A Cat". Not that we're all animal mad in this house!

A further photo from KP's room.

In the spare bedroom on the bed - what else, a cat!

A closer inspection.

Again in the spare bedroom a bookshelf - and another cat!

And now, to a new / old dog. A recent purchase from ebay!

Isn't he a grand old fellow! His face is so full of character.

A smaller version! Another ebay purchase.

George - back from the groomers. With a dog treat in hand I can keep him still, he just watches the treat. Charlie, on the other hand, who had also been to the groomers can't be mollified by the thought of a treat, he just jumps up and down like mad trying to steal said treat from my hand, hence no photo!

The expression says it all "What have they done to me!"

Anyhow, as mentioned earlier in the post this week to a certain extent has been a bit of a write off. On Saturday I had been unwell and had to go to bed - I had a frightening pain across my chest, I really thought that I was having a heart attack. On Monday I went to the doctor's, the pain was really bad. They performed an ECG and said that there didn't appear to be any problem there and that my blood pressure and everything else was OK. The doctor diagnosed a duodenal ulcer and suggested some medication.

Readers of this blog will know that last year I was very ill made worse by my bad reaction to medication prescribed by the dentist and subsequently the hospital. What I didn't tell you, I was embarassed to mention at the time but that the medication as well as causing me a rash caused some of my hair to fall out.

It has just started to grow back and people who wouldn't know me wouldn't say that it looked as if I had lost any but I know and what I now dread is the new medication as the side effects could be - wait for it, a rash and hair loss. I have taken two of the tablets, I didn't want to but the pain is immense and so I have to. Only 58 tablets to go! I just hope that I have no bad reaction this time. I just couldn't bear it!

Anyhow, you may think - too much information but, I know that you are a caring and understanding community out there.

Tonight, KP is off for a sleepover at a friends. I fancy a trip to the cinema.

Until next time,

June.

Another Walk in Devon and Things Doggy Related!

Hello there fellow Bloggers! This is a continuation of the things that we got up to at half term! After being indoors for a few days because of the heavy rainfall we were relieved when the rain stopped as it meant that we could once again set off for a relaxing walk in the Devon countryside. This time we ventured onto another country lane and right at the start saw this fantastic cottage! I would dearly love to see the inside, if the outside is anything to judge by you can well believe that it would be just gorgeous!

If you look closely to the right of the bird bath you can see a black cat. This leisurely made its way towards us and greeted us with a loud purr! There were two other cats in the garden but they weren't interested in us!

The black cat who came to say "Hello!" The cat jumped off the wall and started to follow us! But then a man came down the lane walking his Labrador and the cat quickly ran back into the garden!

We carried on down the lane and discovered these foxgloves literally growing out of the lane!

We ventured into the fields and seeing as there was no sheep or cattle we took the dogs off their leads and allowed them to run freely. George stays pretty close to us and is only really ever interested in someone throwing him his ball! Charlie, our dachshund on the other hand likes to do what he wants to do! He only comes back when he hears our voices becoming sterner and if he's smelt fox poo or horse poo we really have no chance! He likes to roll in it! Most of the time therefore he is kept on his lead even in the fields!

Stunning views!

Heading back towards the centre of the village - a photo of the Church!

And now we're back home! On this blog we have quite a few photos of George but Charlie is all elusive when it comes to photos! So here are a few of him caught on the sofa when he should be in his basket!

"Please let me stay on the sofa!"

"Why do I have to get off the sofa? You've put a blanket and everything on it. I thought it was to make me comfy!"

From Charlie to other dog related items! This was the pull along dog that I saw in Bridport and it had to come home with us!

Side view!

I just loved his expression, his markings and sticky up tail!

We of course have other dog related items dotted around the house - a pug for a cushion!

It could almost be Charlie! This cushion was found by KP in an Antiques Centre in Honiton a few years ago and in view of the dogs close resemblance to Charlie it had to come home with us!

Our bedroom - Can you spot the pug cushion! This was made by me - too many years ago to remember from an Elizabeth Bradley tapestry kit!

It should have four tassels one in each corner but alas it now only has two - and the dogs weren't the culprits (makes a change!), it was the cats - they must have thought that they were cat toys!

If you look carefully you can spot five eiderdowns! In total I think that I must have about twenty! I should do a post about them sometime! The two on the beds were e-bay finds years ago and were really cheap as was the satiny one on the wardrobe! The blue one I purchased again off e-bay on a Buy It Now so I paid a bit more for it! I had to have it though as it so reminded me of the one that I used to have on my bed at my Gran's house when I was very young!

The lounge where Charlie didn't want to get off the sofa!

Can you see the little leather footstool under the coffee table which has been chewed and the dogs wonder why I don't want them to sit on the sofa!

Have a great weekend!

Until next time,

June.

P.S. Hello and Welcome to my new follower Jo at www.jo-throughthekeyhole.blogspot.com/

A New / Old Bookcase ...

Can you see the bookcase above - well, it's hard to miss it! What with the itching and the scratching from that awful rash I had to keep my hands occupied, you see! One way of doing this was to go on to ebay and look at random things! I had been looking out for an old bookcase for ages, years infact - to house our ever growing number of books! I think we could open a mini library here if truth beknown! I couldn't believe my luck when I espied this one. I thought that I wouldn't win the auction as 9 times out of 10 I seem to loose out which was why I hadn't placed a bid on any item for at least 6 months. Anyhow, lady luck was on my side on this one. The OH went to collect it yesterday and it has been in situ now for 24 hours and I'm absolutely thrilled with it!

Please don't look too closely at the side of the sofa - the cats use it as a scratching post! I really would like to buy another sofa but can't afford it! I may get new covers! The OH says "Why? So they can have a new cover to scratch?" He has a point!

I love old books and old children's books in particular. The Ameliaranne series is wonderful and the books have some absolutely fab illustrations!

A black spaniel arrives in the middle of the night at Ameliaranne's house. The dog's collar says that his name is Robin and that he belongs to Miss. Pennywinn who keeps a boarding school on the edge of  town. In the morning Ameliaranne and Wee William return the dog to Miss. Pennywinn at the school.

Miss. Pennywinn has to meet a new pupil for the school - all the way from India and Ameliaranne volunteers to look after the schoolchildren. They paint, they play at dressing up, and have a picnic.

And finally they do some gardening!

The books date back to the 1940's and I'm sure they've delighted many little girls (and big ones too!) over the years.

It wasn't too cold here today, infact it was quite mild which probably explains why there was only one cat in the house! Ruby was on Miss. K's bed! I noticed that she'd lost her collar - again!  Our other cats never loose their collars but Ruby is forever loosing hers - we're well into double figures on the collars front! Of course, a new collar also means a new tag!

The daffoldils bought by the OH aren't looking as fresh as they did a few days ago! I moved my vintage knitting needles closer to make them look less on the way out! I also moved this old cuddly dog from the study to complete the look! The OH spotted the dog many years ago in an old toy shop in Brighton and as it was near to my Birthday he came home with us! I've got to be careful that he doesn't fall onto the floor or else George, the spaniel will think its a new toy to play with!

The bouquet from friends though is flourishing as are my hyacinths - although they are more horizontal than vertical but the scent is heavenly! Does anyone have an idea how to make them stay upright!

And a Winstanley cat on the window sill! The OH says "As if we need any more cats and dogs in this house!"

Well, I'm off to make some pancakes!

Be back soon!

June.

Its Nearly Christmas ...

Christmas - It's almost upon us and I still have so much to do! Forever the last minute person - that's me!

Things do eventually fall into place but only after last minute dashes that leave me exhausted and pretty desperate seeking that elusive present especially for the Other Half! I don't know about you but the car parks don't seem to be half as busy this year nor the shops - I went shopping at lunch-time and found that I had Gap and Next virtually all to myself but Waterstone's on the other hand was jam packed - I beat a hasty retreat. When you only have an hour for lunch, you can't hang around in a queue of twenty people! It looks as if I'll be out again tomorrow looking for inspiration!

I've been amazed that with five cats and two dogs that the tree hasn't been pulled down yet! I suppose there is still time! This was the first time that George, our cocker spaniel had seen a decorated Christmas tree - when he saw it, he ran up to it and pulled off a reindeer decoration! The decoration was retrieved with a few teeth marks to show for his efforts!

Every year a new bauble or decoration is purchased for the tree.

These clown ones are from a few years ago - I'd forgotten that I'd bought them so they've had their first airing this Christmas.

I've seen a few blogs where people have created some clever shots and tried to do the same. Not as good the ones I've seen I'm afraid but thought I'd show you my efforts. Here I just spun the camera around and around!

I shook the camera from side to side!

I gently moved the camera up and down!

What else have I been up to? Whilst at Barrington Court recently they had a Christmas Market. I managed to buy some hand dyed wool which will end up as a Christmas present for Our Daughter. The colours are far brighter than they seem in this photo.

The scarf is almost finished!

On Monday we had a Christmas Party at Aunty L's place. Our Daughter loves meeting up with her first cousins and Grandad as she is the only girl and gets a lot of attention!

Our Daughter decided she had to wear her new hat indoors!

And pose for a photo with her eldest cousin!

Last night we had our works Christmas dinner whilst Our Daughter went to see The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe with Aunty L.

Today she's baked some cakes with Aunty L and been to a friends house for tea! She has now gone to bed exhausted!

Well, it's time to finish wrapping those presents, to enjoy a glass of wine and eat some chocolates!

Have a Great Christmas everyone!

Until next time,

June.