Scout has a Busy Day

Who could resist this face??? When we took Scout and her brother, Jack, to the vet last Monday we were told they were both overweight. We kinda thought so (we've been calling Jack the Beached Whale), but didn't realize just how much. Scout needs to lose 2 pounds! That's 1/7 of her body weight. Guess it's time I cut way back on her "candy!" But just look at her! That's how she manages to get so many treats from her mama!

Ahhhh, Saturday! Always lovely to wake up and know that I don't have to rush off anywhere; in fact, this day was totally unscripted. Michael is here, he arrived last evening on Amtrak, and we picked him up in Martinez. He's been sick and is still recuperating. His idea of the perfect visit was sleeping, reading, eating, drinking tea, watching movies, and putting together another jigsaw puzzle. So that's exactly what we did today. Here is he is, remote control in hand, wrapped in a blanket, and surfing the channels.
He also spent some time on-line, presumably chatting with friends (especially Salena) in China. For those who don't already know this, Michael lives in China at present, has been there for a year now, teaching English and the Louyang College of Technology (I think that's the proper name). He's due to return for the spring semester early next month. He came home just days before Christmas for an extended visit and ever since has been on a whirlwind tour of California visiting friends and family all over the state, plus a quick trip to Portland to see friends there.

Below, Scout monitors Michael's on-line activity!

Except for a quick trip to Wal-Mart for a new jigsaw puzzle and a few other things, we have stayed inside on this gray and overcast day. It gave me a chance to finish up the quilt I have been working on for my niece's baby, due in March. It took a little longer than I planned due to the very constant assistance from who else but Scout!
Turns out she's quite fascinated by my sewing machine, not to mention a huge fan of cuddling on flannel, so it was hard to keep her away. She kept inching closer and closer until I was afraid she'd put her nose right under the needle and get sewn to the quilt!
But I did manage to finish the quilt. I washed and dried it and here is the finished blanket. I think it turned out really cute!
And it was very fun, though tedious to clip all those seams so that they would fray during the washing/drying process. I'll definitely make another one of these for my other niece, Brittany, who is having a baby at about the same time as Heather. I'm thinking I'd better make one for Scout. I have some squares left from this one, perhaps I'll have some left over from the next one, and I'll sew them together and make Scout a quilt of her own.

She's gonna love it.

At the moment it's pouring outside; apparently the storm that was being predicted has arrived. No matter; tomorrow is another stay-at-home day. I'm planning to make cookies, something I haven't done in ages. I may have to fight Michael for the kitchen; he loves to bake cookies, too. I almost never bake unless we have company because otherwise I'm the only one here to eat what I make. Mike doesn't have much of a sweet tooth at all. Me, on the other hand.....well, that's another story!