Grand Adventuring Time!

I can't even begin to decribe how important my friend Stasia is in my life and with that comes the importance that her lovely family is in my life. I'm blessed to be Godmother to two of she and Dave's three children and Myles is just as important to me as his sisters. This is grand adventure #5 for us. I picked Myles up and as usually his first request was to go to my work to see the fish. He and Josie both love fish and they know exactly where to go in the maze of hallways at my work to see the fish tank. It's hard to pull them away at times. So, on this adventure day we went to work to say hi and see the fish.

Then to lunch. We've been to the Grilled Cheese Grill a time or two and as I was looking up the hours on the computer Myles spotted that in addition to the location we went to in the past that has a converted school bus to eat in there was another bus-a double decker bus. That was our location mission.

We made it...while it had started to snow outside.

We ordered lunch and then waited in a cold bus to get our food to eat it. I put my scarf on Myles and here he is showing it and his sandwich off!  Love that face and it totally shows how cold we both were!

 Can you spot him up there?! Top level-window above the brown paint!

 The bus...

 After lunch we headed to the Portland Aquarium. "You have to take a picture of the fish, Miss Stephanie. Look at them."

 Myles checking out one of the first fish tanks.

 "Look. Cool."

 Find the (almost) 5 year old!

 Myles took this picture of the jellyfish. I loved the jellyfish. All of them.

 Nemo!

 Stingrays. Or some sort of harmless ray. I pet them. Myles wouldn't, but he was proud of me and happy for me that I got to.

 This picture makes my laugh everytime I look at it!

 More jellyfish!

We also went to have our traditional Burgerville Milkshake and then to the Dollar Store to buy balloons and temporary tattoos for Myles and Josie.

My lovely adventure buddy! I'm so blessed!

Can't wait for our next adventure Mr Myles! You are so special in my life and I'm glad I get to experience you growing up!

RIP

From the wee pup he was when we got him to the bouncing, energetic dog he always was-even up to nearly the very end- Max was definitely left footprints on our hearts. He traipsed into Doggy Heaven early this morning laying in bed being comforted my my Mom and one of his favorite people. Max will most definitely be missed and a piece of my heart will always be dedicated to him and the memories I have of him.

And now, for my photo dump of only a few of the pictures.

As a wee one...

He loved to sit on the back of the couch/in the window sill and greet (aka bark at) anyone (four legged or otherwise) who walked by.

Clean cut dog!

Max loved giving kisses!

Max had a few favorite toys...Mr Elephant was one of them. He took Mr Elephant to the kennel, outside, would walk him around the house every night before bed and cry and whine while doing so.

 

 Snow time with Josh!

Costume time at the vet/kennel he would stay at. They miss him. He was a steady "guest" and some of the stories I've heard (even before his death) was that they'd put him in a kennel next to a new or nervous guest because he would sleep right up against the fencing to keep that dog comfortable and calm. He was also the Alpha dog there. When he walked in and barked the other dogs would quiet down.

Look at that face. I love and miss it!

Gazing out the window at the happenings in the park across the street. 

This is the profile picture that is on my cell phone and will stay on my cell phone for when my Mom's home number calls or is called. 

Rest In Peace buddy. I will always love and miss you.

Shawl Time

I love to crochet. It keeps my hands busy. I love to crochet gifts for friends. It keep my hands busy and my heart full. I found a crochet shawl pattern that I adore. I made a black prayer shawl in this pattern for a dear friend of mine who needed some extra love. I fell in love with the pattern and knew I'd do it again. I found some yarn in a wonderful purple, blue color and went to work to create another shawl (with slightly different dimensions) for my friend of many years, Danielle. 

 I'm pleased with how it turned out so much so that I bought more of the yarn to do a project for me-maybe the same pattern-maybe something else just as fun.

Ezme is always willing to Christen a completed project. After all-she spent long hours on my lap while I was crocheting it.

Look at that belly and those eyes of love.

Feed them and they will come! And a cute, 'helpful' cat.

While Josh was in Portland for Christmas we made a quick stop in at JoAnn's. A favorite and dangerous place for me. He spotted University of Florida fleece and I told him I could make him a blanket if he'd use it. He said he would so I acquired materials in the coming weeks. Yesterday was a rare and sunny winter day in Portland. I LOVE days like that and am always inspired. Yesterday I was inspired to put Josh's blanket together. It was huge, it took some time and Ezme also thought that her help was required. She was a pro at laying on the fleece in the full glory of the sunshine. 

Here's the blanket...tie together fleece blanket (UF colors and white).

Modeling how good she looks on it and sending good cuddle vibes to her feline cousin, Butter's in Brooklyn. 

Here's a later picture of Butter's modeling how good he looks on the blanket!

     

While I was working on the blanket I peeked out and saw a flock of birds having happy hour on the new suet cake feeder I'd hung a day or two before. I love watching birds and this brings many!

Look at all of them! 

Nice, fuzzy, warm blanket made for brother, lots of birds-in the sunshine. All-in-all a great Saturday!