Adventures with Gato

The activities of this weekend were lots of fun... and somewhat surprising. Last night, while in Petco, Andrew did something I thought he would never do. He decided that Gato needed a leash- and bought one. Theodore loves to be outside, and Andrew is normally the one to bring him out. Now Theodore is able to explore without us worrying about him running away.

We brought the leash and harness home and decided to introduce him to the idea slowly.

He was way snotty- and wanted nothing to do with it.

I finally talked him into exploring the concept.

The leash was fun!

We thought that he was going to be ok with the harness.

He even played with it a bit.

And then it got to be too much...

He fought...

And fought...

And fought...

It was loose enough for him to get out. Victory!

We tightened the straps, let him have a night to adjust, and then we took him out this morning after church.

He's getting used to it...

I'm trying to convince him that it's ok.

Sweet talking him into exploring.

Still trying to encourage exploration.

Nope. He's not having it. BUT- the grass is pretty tasty!

After exploring the neighbor's yard, treeing a squirrel, and pouncing on bugs, he decided he had had enough sensory input. It was time to go inside. He strutted around like the manly hunter that he is for the next hour or so. It was pretty cute.

Round two. We've made it to pavement now. Isn't he beautiful?!

Aunt Miranda was able to talk him into walking on pavement.

My turn! I'm WALKING my cat. I think this is hilarious!

He enjoyed exploring.

We're going to be good walking buddies.

Grass still tops the pavement- and he's quite the bug hunter.

I love this shot that Aunt Miranda took! He's enjoying an afternoon snack.

Look! We've even taught him how to sit! HAHA- yeah right!

He's not 100% sold on the idea of a harness and leash, but he does LOVE having the ability to explore the great outdoors. He loves to be outside, and now he can experience it firsthand. It was honestly like we were setting him free- kind of.

If anything, it provides great entertainment for me!

Fall Project

A couple of weekends ago, Andrew and I found this beautiful vine pumpkin in Target's clearance section. It was only $2.50. I just knew that I had to have it. Andrew; however, told me that I had to wait. I didn't pout or beg, but I was a bit sad to leave it at the store instead of bringing it home to use at the centerpiece on my kitchen table.

We returned the next weekend, after I had received my fall decoration fund, and we both were silently thinking that if it was still there, it was mine. Luckily, it was! I snatched it right up and brought it home. I could just leave it how it was though. I, of course, had to spruce it up a bit! I'm always looking for a crafting project.

So, I got out my fall leaves, berries, and pinecones and went to work!

I love how it turned out, and it makes the perfect fall addition to my kitchen and table! The best thing? Creating this myself saved me quite a bit of money- and I got to create exactly what I wanted!

I love creativity- and I honestly wish that I had more time to dream and create!!

What Is That?!

Facts:

- 70% plum

- 30% apricot

- Nicknamed "Dinosaur Egg" due to the dappled skin

- 25 varieties available

- Full of vitamins A and C

- Very low fat content

- Sodium and cholesterol free

- Grown mainly in Central Valley, California

- Available from late May through September

- Best when flesh gives way to pressure and very fragrant

So, what is it?!

A PLUOT!!!

Or, if you're like me, you will prefer to call it Pluotto because that's much more fun to say.

We were first introduced to this sweet and juicy fruits by Andrew's nana. She served them last week as our dessert after our chili dinner. They are very much plum-like, but oh-so-tasty!

We looked in lots of places for them, and finally found them at a small town Wal-Mart. Go figure.

On your next trip to the grocery store, stop by the produce aisle and see if you can spot these juicy fruits! They're sooooo good and definitely worth the money!

Refrigerator Worthy

Does your fridge look like this...?!?!

Mine was simply out of control.

Andrew leaves me sweet notes at least once a week, and I love to put them on the fridge so I can see them as I pass by. I love having them, but something needed to be done.

I looked at several stores for "cutesy" magnets, and none of them fit the bill. They were either too weak to hold much, or they just weren't cute.

So, I decided to make my own.

I got my work station ready... and got to work. I'm really wishing that I had a crafting room!

The first set. Teeny sunflowers. Love them!

The backs... these magnets are pretty strong boogers!

The second set. I was looking for deep red to match the kitchen, but they didn't have any. I liked the burnt orange a lot though, so that's what I went with!

And the backs again...

They are simply adorable, and they add a lot of cheerful color to my fridge! I am really glad that this creative idea popped into my head.

I've already received an order for 18 of these little guys, and I am looking forward to fulfilling that order! If you haven't already done so, check me out on facebook (Tailor Made by Abby)! Business is steady, and I have several orders that I'm working on now! An etsy account isn't too far off...



*** UPDATE ***

I have completed the 18 magnet order!! They turned out sooooo cute! I'll be making more... and I have a couple of different colors now. These are fun to make!

Crisp Air, Toasty Fires

Ahh! The first weekend of October was absolutely, without a doubt, GORGEOUS!

The sky was blue. The air was crisp. The pumpkins were beautifully decorating the patio.

Only one thing remained... we needed to have a fire in our chiminea.

Andrew always makes warm, cozy fires.

Look at it go!

I prepare the meal.

I love being able to snuggle up in hoodies and blankets.

Glamorous, right?!

Gato is way pitiful and watches all of the fun from his prison.

So Andrew, of course, brings him outside. He would not behave this time around though.

Mmm! Carmel apples make everything complete.

Andrew spoils me by cutting it off of the stick. Hey, I like to know my apple isn't rotten.

The coals are burning hot now!

We love needing to warm ourselves by the fire! Hooray for cooler weather... but, it's making me reeeeaaaallllyy miss Colorado!

Fall is simply incredible... and I plan to savor every moment of it!



Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere!

Anyone who knows me well knows that I adore pumpkins. I absolutely love the colors of fall, the crisp air, the cozy fires, and most of all, pumpkins. Round, jolly pumpkins.

Andrew gave me a pumpkin fund this year. $20... and this had to cover all other fall decorations as well.

Ok. Done. I'm frugal... and I was given a mission.

When I first moved, we found the cutest little pumpkin "patch" in a nearby town. This sweet elderly couple put pumpkins out in their front yard... priced anywhere from $1 - $4. What's so neat about them? They go on the honor system.

They let their customers browse... and select.

And then pay when ready.

See? Precious! They even trust their customers to make their own change. I love it!

After making a haul from the sweet elderly couple, we ventured to a more commercialized orchard. I was a bit disappointed. Many of the pumpkins were rotten... and I only selected a teeny-tiny pumpkin.

We did have fun feeding the goats! Andrew liked this brut.

This poor guy got his horns stuck after I finished feeding him. Don't worry, Andrew rescued him.

This guy has it made. He hangs out up there all day- away from the brut- and a bucket can be passed up on the rope to give him food. He's the smart one.

After a failed attempt at the other place, we made our way back to the elderly couple. I made many more selections.

Here's the loot! Sooo pretty! I don't know what my facination is this year with green pumpkins, but I loved them!

Such a fun addition!

My little guys!

Now... my photo shoot with my pumpkin friends...

It started out with the palm tree invading my personal space...

and me being quite sassy...

and laughing at Andrew taking pictures of my sassiness...

... but ended with Andrew removing the problem.

I looooove my pumpkins! I didn't find "Gigantour" but Andrew will search for him this week.

The one I'm holding is my favorite. He's so round and pretty. I really like them all, and I am soooo thankful for my pumpkin fund!

Visiting the pumpkin patch was the perfect activity for a beautiful October 1st day. The skies were crystal clear... and such a vibrant blue. We ended the day with a bowl of chili at Andrew's Nana's. It was delicious... and ranks right up there with my Mom's. And, trust me, her's is hard to compete with!

Overall, we had the most amazing fall day... and I look forward to what the rest of fall has in store!



Practice Makes Perfect

... or at least I hope so!

I attempted my first Christmas wreath this week.

After fulfilling my Granny Miff's fall wreath order, she decided that she wanted a Christmas wreath as well. More specifically, she wanted a Christmas wreath that wasn't made out of the "sticks." In other words, she didn't want a grapevine wreath... she wanted a garland style wreath. I have never messed with this kind before, and it really was a learning experience for me. Instead of being able to glue everything in, I had to wire a lot of the decorations in. It was different for sure!

She had a list of items that she loved... at the top were red apples and angels. I just so happened to find sparkly red apples, beautiful silver and gold angels, and lots of fillers. More importantly, I found a silver and a gold cross to add a Christian element to this Christmas wreath.

Although it's by no means perfect, I think it turned out nicely for my first try. I enjoy making grapevine wreaths more, but I also liked the challenge this one posed. I would definitely be willing to make another one!

This wreath will head to its new home at the end of the weekend, and I hope she loves it and is proud to hang it when it comes time for Christmas decor!