Watch Pocket Puppies

~~And they're off! Into the back of the house, standing at the low solarium windows, two puppies watch for the intruders. Barks ring out and we cover our ears. Is it a walker out exercising in the parking lot next door? Or a random squirrel or stray cat? The ever popular errant leaf? This time it's Daddy working in the yard. It certainly doesn't matter to our watch pocket puppies. They are always on patrol. ; )

~~As John said the other day--we thought having two puppies would be good for them, company for each other during long afternoons. They are. But they're also far more than twice the noise and activity of one puppy. All I can say is--Bark On!

Welcome to Christmas Dinner

~~It's almost here. The wait is over. Or the rush if you like to wait till the last minute. Me, I like to have it done so I can rest a little before the end. So, I thought as a Christmas wish, I'd welcome you all to the table. The bow and bell are over the door to the dining room. The buffet is decorated with Christmas mugs and other gifts John and I have received from students over the years. The serving table is decked with poinsettias and crystal as is the dining table. Come Christmas Day, there will be eleven Steadhams around it and we will feast. John's sister-in-law, Rhonda, and I do the bulk of the cooking.
~~The menu this year is country ham, corn casserole, butter pea, sweet potato souffle, cherry salad, fruit salad, rice stir fry, carrot casserole, deviled eggs, and macaroni and cheese. We will dessert on chocolate chess pie and coconut cake.
~~Where ever you are, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. ; )

Puppy Mystery Solved

~~For the last two months or so, we have had a mystery on our hands. Max has been coming in from outside and dancing about, stiff-legged. He would scrub his feet over the carpet for about a minute each time we went out. We wracked our brains. Just what was he doing--wiping his feet?
~~Well, the mystery was solved today. John had led the two boys in from a wet, soggy walk. As I stood on the mat just outside the door wiping my feet, Max began his dance. He stared me straight in the eyes and I gasped. All this time, Max has been following momma and daddy's example. He has been wiping his feet. Just like we do! ; ) How's that for a fine solution to a funny habit?

It's Official!

~~It's official! The first printing of An Easter Walk has sold out--in 35 days! How's that for a brisk selling title? John and I are thrilled and amazed. I have already placed the order for the next printing and expect the new copies to be here Christmas week. If you didn't get your copy yet, there will be more soon. I've got several plans to sell the next order. Who knows? Maybe I'll learn to "think big" like my Uncle Ralph admonished today at the family party in Rock Springs. Of course, the family bought the every last copy I had. ; )

~~To order a copy when the next shipment comes in, email me at zanmariess@gmail.com