Thursday, July 12, 2012

The Dog Days of Summer

The summer heat is finally upon us here in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia.  Thankfully we live close to the ocean where there always seems to be a prevailing breeze.

web divider lady bugsOur house is surrounded by huge maples, fruit and chestnut trees which keep us shaded from the sun’s rays.  Because of the heat, I’ve been staying indoors a lot which has allowed me to spend time in my studio…rather than in the gardens. 

And speaking of gardens, it has been so dry here.  Look at how brown the grass is in the foreground!

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My poor vegetable and flower gardens are as dry as a bone and are as stressed out as I am!  *sigh*

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So what’s a gal to do instead of digging in the dirt?  Sew, of course!

Albeit it late, I joined in on Anne’s Comfort & Joy quilt-along a couple of months ago and fell way behind the group.  My pattern was late in arriving (excuses, excuses) and because we were spending so much time out-of-doors ( more excuses), I just didn’t take make the time to complete my one block a month.  So over the last couple of days, I finally got all of the pieces cut out and sewn together for the entire quilt…

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and I’m now ready for the fun part…the appliqué. 

By the end of this month the group will have completed the first four blocks and it is my intention to be caught up by then as well!

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In the mean time, the gals have been outside playing.  What fun it is to watch them do their ‘hunting and pecking’ thing and they aren’t the least bit afraid of us.

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And here he is at four weeks old! 

The breeder just sent us this photo of our baby so that means just four more weeks to go and he’ll be able to come home with us!

Westie puppy update

Doesn’t he just melt your ?

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A surprise package was waiting for me at the post office earlier this week from Stephanie.  Could anything be more appropriate?  Thanks again, my friend.

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Several of you asked if we had problems with the deer that visit our property eating our flowers and veggies.

Not since we started to use Wolf Urine!

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Since we started putting out the wolf urine, we’ve had deer appear at the far end of our ‘back forty’ but none have ventured close to the house. Deer have a very keen sense of smell and if they catch a whiff of the wolf urine, they will not hang around long as wolves are their mortal enemy.

We purchased ours from our local nursery who recommended it as the product they use to keep the deer from eating their stock.

So far it’s worked for us as well.

Kaarenheartname

57 comments:

Monica said...

Puppy! How freakin' cute is he?! Since my husband won't let me have a dog I'm going to live vicariously through you...okay?

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

Your puppy is adorable, we are just waiting a little longer and then we are going to get a little Westie, too!

Ali said...

I wish we could do a weather swap. I could send you some of our UK rain and we could have some of your Canadian sun. Your puppy looks so cute, I'm glad to hear there's a happy ending to your puppy hunt. Ali x

Marj said...

Your chickens look fun to watch. Your puppy is just adorable. You are going to have so much fun raising him. Good luck on getting caught up on your BOM. I'm sure it will happen since you have four more weeks until the puppy arrives.

MoeWest said...

That is a seriously cute puppy picture! And the breeder has him on a quilt, so he'll be right at home with you.

Trish said...

Oh my goodness your puppy is so so so adorable. What a great photo! Thanks for sharing. Just makes my heart melt and my whole face smile and utter baby talk!

Trace4J said...

JOY OH JOY!
He is soo cute. So happy for you.
I love and have chickens too.'
Blessings
Trace

www.grannytracescrapsandsquares.com

Nanette Merrill said...

Oh my gosh your little doggie is super cute. I could just grab him and hug him!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kaaren,

The puppy is certainly growing and looks so cute. I'm sure you all are very excited and can hardly wait.

It is so dry here in southern Ontario, we are hoping for rain this weekend but I believe it is to be hot also.

Hope you have a nice weekend.

Dianne

Heartsdesire said...

What a sweetie, Kaaren. Hope the next four weeks go quickly so we get to see the real thing. We've had a bit of a heat wave here on Vancouver Island, but so far the garden is not too parched, although the grass is not looking very good. Quite a bit of brown. My how the girls have grown. Wonder what they'll think of the new addition when he arrives.

WoolenSails said...

We are lucky enough to live near enough to the bay that we get more breezes, but still hot. I just love your new baby, he is adorable and looks nice and healthy.

Debbie

Carrie P. said...

Oh, your little "soon to be" puppy is adorable.
Hmm! how do they collect wolf urine? glad to hear it works for you.

Joy said...

Oh my goodness how could anyone not fall in love with that gawjus face. And he's sitting on a quilt :D!!!!
Oh and I had to laught at Carrie P's comment, now I'm wondering too how they collect that stuff lol.
Hugs,
Joy :o)

Anonymous said...

Such a newsy post but I only want to comment on that SWEET PUP!! Oh gosh....you need to get stitching now because he will still your heart /time when he gets home! CUTE!!

Donna Keating said...

already in love with that puppy but then i'm always in love with puppies and kitties.

Donna Keating said...

already in love with that puppy but then i'm always in love with puppies and kitties.

gracie said...

The girls are looking wonderful and my heart is melting and it is not form the 114 temperatures here in Arizona! The furbaby is adorable.

paulette said...

OMGosh!! Adorable!! See...he was meant to be!! Is he a he or a her?? I have to go back and re-read your post!! Yup, dang cute, regardless!!
P

marina said...

gorgeous pup and not too long to wait now. Lovely blocks can't wait to see the applique.
The french title on the wolf urine bottle makes it sound so exotic- like a fancy perfume lol. Think I'll pass on it though.

Merilyn said...

Firstly, your new little puppy is just the sweetest thing!!! How exciting, I bet the days just can't go fast enough LOL!!! Nice to see the 'girls' (chooks) out and about, they will just love pecking around, happy chooks equals delicious googies (eggs)!!!!!!
Well I never!!! wolf urine.....I guess as we don't have wolves Downunder, this is a new one for me LOL, but if it works well, go for it, at least its environmentally appropriate!!! Your poor garden, I know you've been having a very hot summer, stay cool and happy sewing!!!!

Kathleen said...

Oh, your baby is sooooo cute! Do you have a name picked out?

Pat said...

No wonder you are smitten - what a precious little bundle! Know you must be counting the days until he comes home.

We are using "Liquid Fence" here in Wisconsin - our deer are so naughty...it has an atrocious smell until it dries. Will have to look into Urine de Loup when we travel through Canada. We chuckled when we saw the price on the bottle - thinking...well...it is difficult to collect that from an uncooperative wolf. LOL If only there was a product that would deter out goose family - they have turned into a real nuisance and have outstayed their welcome...Mom, Dad and the 4 kids.

Mimi said...

OMG!!! Your puppy!!! I could eat him he is so cute. I'll bet you can't wait to get your hands on him. Ahhh.....

Polly said...

OMG!!! He is just adorable, Kaaren!! Have you picked out a name yet??

Kathleen said...

the puppy is so precious...OMG..how cute..I love Westies...did I tell you that I had a Westie, Molly..LOL..she is such a joy...I can't wait to hear his name....enjoy your sewing time...

Anthea said...

Looks like things will turn out much better this time for a new pup for you, gorgeous little man he is! I stitched "Pins Needles" from your Freebies, it features on my blog.

carol said...

What do "humans" think of this wolf smell?

Would it be too bad to use next to the front entrance to our home? I don't even have leaves left on my rose bushes? I am so discouraged. However, the twin baby does are so cute in our yard.

My husband just said that as there are no wolves in the area, would deer still recognize this this scent?

Janet O. said...

Oh, your little puppy is too cute for words. What a sweetie!
Does the wolf urine leave an odor that you can detect. And who goes around collecting that stuff to sell it? : )

Mary said...

That puppy is so cute!!Don't you just want to get hold of him?? I like the quilt blocks. It is dry where we are too. What a year!

Carol said...

Your little puppy is the cutest thing. I love the Rooster cookie cutter.

EL RINCON DE CHELO said...

Precioso tu nuevo cachorrito!!!!!! besos

Jenny's Place Online said...

Lovely post, Kaaren, but careful you don't end up with an empty stocking come Christmas...lol... :) Happy crafting, Jenny

Lib said...

What a cute pup! How can you be so patient waiting for him!

Lesley said...

Your blocks are wonderful! I can see you've spent your time very efficiently in your studio! Little puppy is gorgeous...you must be counting the days! As for wolf urine, that's new to me...who knew! Enjoy the dog days in your studio!

Maria said...

Enjoyed reading your post and found the Wolf Urine bit interesting....
Oh your new baby is just sooooo cute... Have you chosen a name for him yet???

Abby and Stephanie said...

The girls look quite content. But the best part of the blog post is your pup in waiting, as in waiting to go to his new and very loving home. He's adorable.

SueB said...

Now he is just toooooo cute. What a little bundle of JOY.

Ter'e said...

Look at that precious little baby! Isn't he cute? Have you been thinking of names? Ahhhhhhhhh I am so happy for you and Mr. PQ

As for the wolf urine.......doesn't everyone have some in the pantry? UGH!

Darlene said...

The puppy is adorable, Kaaren! He's patiently waiting for the day he can go home to you, Mr PQ and Frankie.

The girls look very content. :-)

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

Your puppy is beyond cute! So glad you found one and so nice of the breeder to send you progress pictures. These little guys sure work their way into your heart and soul.

Deb said...

He's adorable! It will be hard to wait another 4 weeks to get him!

Kerry said...

Just found your blog, you are on my friend Jayne's blog and she told me about you. One of my cross stitching friends has just moved to the Annapolis Royal. They are loving it! I love westies. Right now we have an Irish Setter he is our 4th. When he leaves us we are thing of getting a smaller dog and a westie is #1 on my list! Have a good week end!Hope you will find time to stop by my blog!

Janet said...

What a great post Kaaren. Poor garden, we have the same issues here in summer and water really costs so I don't garden anymore.
Looks like you had a great sewing session with the blocks, they're going to make a wonderful quilt and I love seeing your girls and your baby. He's so cute I could cry. I hope you get rain soon.

Teresa said...

Wolf Urine...who knew?

The puppy is so adorable, what are you naming him?

Janet said...

OMG the puppy is so cute. Do you have a name picked or will you wait to see the puppy and his antics? Question,
how do they collect the wolf urine?
I wish I could send you some of our rain, we are flooding in Southeast Texas, 5-15" in the last 5 days.
As always I look forward to your next post.
Janet

Janet said...

It has been a very dry year here in Utah and we've had quite a few wild fires. This is just the middle of summer so it doesn't look like a let up in the temperature for awhile. Love hearing your life story and how busy you keep yourself. I hope to be making strawberry freezer jam soon - thanks for sharing your source. How nice of your breeder to share pictures of your puppy; time will fly before you know it. Take care!

Beverley said...

Cute puppy and beautiful girls.
We have had a record amount of rain in the UK, and there are floods everywhere.
Please send some sunshine.......soon. Thanks.

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Aren't your chicks gorgeous! I can't believe how fast they have grown.

barcord said...

What a cute little puppy. I'm sure you cant wait to cuddle him.....and he's sitting on a quilt if I'm not mistaken. Wishing for a little dry weather here....lots of rain making our green isle even greener :-) We should be thankful. love x x

Candace said...

We're suffering here, too, Kaaren! Think Popsicles! I wish I've gotten as much work done inside that you have! Oh, you must be so anxious to have that tiny ball of fur in your house! Isn't he just adorable! What cute goodies from Stephanie and so appropriate!
Cheers!

Quiltgal said...

Kaaren, Your new Pup is soooo adorable. What are you going to name him.

Elyte said...

Oh dear, that wolf urine sounds useful but I hope it doesn't attract them!
Your girls have grown into fine young ladies and that little puppy is very lucky to have found you.

GerryART said...

It's dry here to, Kaaren.
The two inches we rec'd ten days ago was not enough to do the trees and shrubs that much good.

Puppie is tooo cute and so small.
Just makes this gal scoop him up and cuddle.

hugs

Kate said...

Kaaren, your baby is so precious. Just bet you can't wait to bring him home and love him to pieces.

KatieQ said...

The puppy is adorable. I'm sure glad I'm not the person who has to collect the wolf urine. I've had a lot of crummy jobs over the years, but nothing that would even come close to that. We use Bobex which smells awful when you first put it on, but once it's dry humans don't really notice it. It's been hit or miss for us, but I don't think I'm ready for wolf urine yet.

roccagal said...

I am so in luv with that puppy!!! He is soooo cute!!!
I laughed when I saw the wolf urine but it is natural and it works! Thnaks for the tip-i will share with my uncle!
As always Kaaren, i luv your blog!

moollin said...

Wolf urine eh! I'll have to try that. The deer have already eaten the tops off most of the beans and are starting to nibble the beetroot.
Love your little puppy, he's sooo cute.

Lin from East Chester