A Tribute To My Darking Penny

There's bad news in Maine this week.  My darling companion for the last 13 years has gone over the Rainbow Bridge.  She has been with me thru the good times and the bad times these many years.  Her loss was unexpected.   She was under the vet's care for possible sprained shoulder muscles from maybe slipping or losing her balance on a patch of ice.  I thought it was her age since she had slowed down so much in the last couple of weeks.  From trotting ahead of me during our walks, she was lagging behind her last days.  You know how we go to the doctor and perk up a bit, well she did the same and his findings were good steady heartbeat and good lungs but he wanted to do a complete workup and x-rays right after Christmas to rule out other hidden problems.
I guess she had us all fooled.  She was on anti-inflammatories and one day she seemed to get a bit better but then she was lagging again.  I checked her first thing one morning and she had [assed in her sleep.  No suffering, which is good, but I was devastated.
When one has a fur baby, they are the light of our lives.  We plan our days around them.  We love them  We cuddle them.  They are our shining lights.

Penny loved the snow and wandered thru it if it wasn't too deep.

When snow was deep, she had my son's Golden to break trail for her when we lived together.  He short legs struggled thru snow if it was deeper than 6 inches.

Her double coat kept her warm and toasty even during the coldest days.  We walked together in all weathers.  She was my anchor and reason to get out and do my daily walking exercise 4 times a day.

Oh, what fun we had.

Trips outdoors if wet or snowy meant a good rub down, especially the feet when we came into the lobby.  She knew the routine.  She would lay down and roll over so I could wipe down her chest and her feet. It was automatic for her.

I think those rubdowns felt mighty good to her.

Even blizzards did not keep us hidden indoors.

Here she is waiting for the elevator door to open after one of our walkies.

But I think our favorite walks were the ones in spring and summer when we could run in the grass and smell the flowers along the way.  Her nose was always working.

Here's Penny checking out the daffodils.

We have a pair of Canada Geese that come back each summer to raise a new brood of chicks.  This is Penny following the trail of the family as they headed back to the river.

Deep snow was tough going for a short-legged Corgi, but she loved the snow.

I will miss her.

She has made her last journey, this one over the Rainbow Bridge.  

Hugs Penny, I love you and miss you!

My New Microwave Oven

I mentioned to my son that my appliance took its last breath this week so he stopped at Wal-Mart, close by where he goes to the gym on Saturdays, and picked up one for me.

It has the turntable I wanted and the wattage (1000) which I think is best for most of my reheating needs.  The make is Hamilton Beach.

I christened it by heating up a bowl of chicken soup for my son for his lunch.  It works fine, tho I am keeping the carton in which it came in case I need to return it.

This is a bowl of Whoopie Pies I received from L.L.Bean, courtesy of my good friend Kathleen for my Christmas gift this year.  There were 20 pies in the box I received the other day with a few assorted flavors; classic, chocolate, peanut butter and mint.  I already bagged some of them to freeze since they freeze so well.  I am having my first one today as a snack

Thank you Kathleen.

Its a miserable and rainy day but its warm so that's a good thing.

Have a good day.  

My Microwave Oven Crashed

Yes, my microwave died on me.  It happened on my shopping day while I was out obviously.  I came home to heat up some delicious chicken soup for a very late lunch, and it made the loudest noises  I tried twice but it did the same and nothing heated.  Then a strange smell pervaded the kitchen so I unplugged the thing.  I need a new one.

It amazes me how much I rely on that kitchen appliance.  I dug out a small pan and heated my soup on top of the stove.  While out shopping, I had bought some hot chocolate mix, it being the season when a cup of warm cocoa works its magic, but will have to heat water on the stove.
I have a habit of zapping my cheddar cheese about 5 seconds twice to warm it before I eat it.  I can't do that now so I left some out to warm to room temp. last nite.  It was OK but not the best.
I also like to zap my half gallon of ice cream so I can remove it easier from the carton.  I just used a scoop dipped in very hot water for scooping last nite.  I missed my hot fudge that I zap for 30 seconds to put over my ice cream.  It would be a mess to do that in a pan on the stove so I eliminated that part of my snack.
Yes, not having a microwave to help is strange after having one all these years.

One of the ladies who rides the shopping bus every week made gifts for the regulars.  I will post a photo.  It was one hanging dish towel with a spare.  She makes them a bit different than I do but it was much appreciated.

Its not seasonal so  they can be used anytime of the year which is always nice.  Thank you Alice.

I have been remiss myself.  I usually make some little gift for folks every year but this year I am not in the mood and with my knee giving me problems since Sept., I just cannot sit at my sewing machine in comfort so I haven't even begun to sew anything.  I thought of making Xmas coasters this year but time will tell.  This may be the year I only give cards and for the locals some Christmas cookies, candy and fudge.

Its a lovely sunny day here in southern Maine but cold, in the low to mid 30'sF expected.  Its always a good day when the sun shines and there's no snow falling, nor rain.

Have a good day.