Pass The Food.... Please!

It's an annual rite of passage for snowbirds here in Arizona.    

Summer is coming, temperatures are on the rise and It's time for winter residents to migrate north toward home.   This mass exodus to cooler climes can become sort of a springtime dilemma for some......what to do with the food left in the fridge!


There are always leftover's.  It happens to me every year.  No matter how hard I plan, I still end up with food in the refrigerator when it is time to leave.  

Problem is, I like many others, was raised by a mother who didn't hesitate to remind me and my siblings that there were starving children in the world.  That guilt trip managed to get my brothers and me to clean our plates and it is a trip that has stayed with me to this day.  I JUST CAN'T BEAR TO THROW LEFTOVERS OUT!!


I am not alone in this quandary.  My freezer and cabinets are the lucky recipients of the leftovers from my neighbors who have headed for home before me.  

It's a fun time seeing what others like to eat and brands they buy.  I was particularly lucky to 'snag' some Ferro Roche chocolates this year, yum!  

I love blueberries in muffins, pancakes and such but only when someone else makes them!   I'm not much of a cook.


The tater tots are great as I usually don't buy them for myself, and who doesn't like sherbet.  I also scored this year with Romaine lettuce, a banana and flour tortillas and frozen mixed veggies.


Soon, very soon, I too will participate in the 'Pass the Food, Annual Rite of Passage' as I head back home to Indiana for the summer.  As many snowbirds have already departed, I am glad to have several immediate neighbors that leave after me and they will be the lucky ones to inherit my leftovers.  

They won't  be getting the chocolates however....those are gone!  Hey, somebody had to eat 'em!!

A PET’S TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please.. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

GOT WOOL?

Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!

Ok, so I admit, I went a little crazy this winter buying pieces of wool to support my rug hooking habit.  But I just couldn't help myself!!!

Well......maybe it's not all my fault?  Hey I can probably blame it on Frances Granatino of 

Sun and Wind Farm, www.sunandwindfarm.com

Yeah that's it...it's her fault because she sells some of the most gorgeous 
hand-dyed wool listed on Ebay auctions!

http://stores.ebay.com/Sun-and-Wind-Farm?_rdc=1

 You can see from the pictures how beautiful the wools are right?   You should see them in person!  

Everything from vibrant Easter egg colors to down right subtle earth tones. 

Even the names Frances gives each piece of wool are yummy, thought evoking and inspiring too:  

Secret Glade;  Butterscotch; Desert Dawn; Scarlet Sky; Lime Chiffon

Just to name a few!

But now I have to get busy and use the wool.  Of course, that's not as easy at it sounds!  Rug Hookers are wool hoarders at heart, just like hand craft jewelry beaders are.  

I did cut some of the color 'Sapphire Horizon' wool to use in the sky for my Easter rug that I'm not finished with yet (see a couple of blog post's back). 

It was like pulling teeth to make myself cut it!

Tempting just to put it all away with the rest of my stash for safekeeping, then take it out every so often to touch it, drool over it, count it,.......ewwww.

I really am sounding like a hoarder!!!!

So this is starting to sound creepy...... but honest......other rug hookers out there can relate to what I am saying right???!!!   Hmmmm.....I wonder if there is a rug hookers anonymous?

Anyway, I am in no way affiliated with Frances (and she's probably glad of that after admitting my creepy hoarding addiction!) just a really satisfied rug hooker.   And that folks.......is a whole other topic!

A Rags to Riches 'TAIL'

Jerry and Peggy Kroon headed out to a local PetsMart to look at cats up for adoption.  They planned to adopt a feline pet to keep their English Bull Mastiff, company.  Ginger, who tops the scale at a mere 100 lbs, is a shy girl and seemed lonely when Peggy and Jerry, retired winter residents at Montesa, in Gold Canyon, Arizona, were in and out during the day.  

Best laid plans are often doomed to fail and as Peggy was checking out the kitties, Jerry stumbled across a shaggy, frightened little dog looking for his chance at a 'furever' home with a loving family.  Huddled in the corner of a crate, the little terrier mix, pulled Jerry's heart strings and he had to be sure Peggy saw the boy.  Peggy was immediately smitten.  

He was a scrappy little guy that had survived unknown terror in the dangerous Arizona desert before someone found and rescued him.  The adoption people called him a designer terrier/poodle.  Peggy and Jerry didn't care what he was and named him 'Rags' on the spot.  It suited him with his scruffy, raggedy coat and before  they knew it they were heading home with their newly adopted fur family member to meet Ginger. 

 
Rags' life changed forever!  He is slowly, very slowly, learning to trust mankind again.  He leans on his 'big sister' Ginger to show him the ropes.  Ginger is even a little more outgoing as well, often butting in between Rags and a human to grab pets for herself so that Rags can't have them all!   

Rags loves his new 'furever' family but is not completely sure about all the trappings of domestic life and wonders why his big sister doesn't have to wear a funny looking collar, a diaper and a baby onesie.  He didn't think he really needed to be neutered anyway.   

Ginger on the other hand, thinks his costume is just fine!!

And they live happily ever after.

AN UNFINISHED PROJECT

Easter came and went and my newest rug wall hanging didn't get finished in time!

Hippity, hoppity, hopefully it will be done in time to hang for next Easter!!!  (how do you spell hippity hoppity anyway!?)