Hallowe'en In The Family Room

Happy last week of September!!  We did a bit of Hallowe'en decor in the family room....after a thorough room clean & area rug shampoo....we pulled the room back together.  We left the trunk/coffee table out because we are doing obedience with Clancy Mae....and with it gone, we have more room to work with her.

She is crushing it btw....has learned to come & sit already!!  I was surprised how quick she caught on....I truly thought it would be much more difficult.....but she is one smart pooch!!  We practice with her usually three times during the day.....short, quick sessions of 5-10 minutes each....the trainers are awesome...and it's so great they come to our home....they are impressed how quickly Clancy Mae learns....

She's rooting for a bone I suspect, in the bottom of her toy box....with the addition of new toys we may have to have a bigger storage box....

The latest haul from the thrift store....all for $1-$1.75 each....she still hasn't ripped anything apart...

I found this awesome sofa cover on Amazon....not only is it excellent quality....it stays in place & no need for a blanket to cover the cushions....the reviews state it washes well also....

It comes in a few colours and lengths .....I measured & required a 59" width & chose green.  I may order a second one to have on hand when this one requires washing.....

Once it turns dark, I turn candles & the ghosts on....

We spent some time at a local apple orchard & although our favourite variety, MacIntosh won't be ready for another 2-3 weeks.....we picked a bushel of Paula Reds....daughter & grand daughter were on hand to assist....son-in-law was reffing football & unable to join us....the weather was perfect for apple picking!!

While fresh applesauce was brewing away in the slow cooker.....Mr. Seventies requested an apple pie!!  Now it has been years.....years....since I've baked a pie!  Pretty happy with how it turned out....and it was delicious!!!! (if I say so myself) .......

I baked it at 375 degrees for about 50-55 minutes.....I will likely have to put together another one when this one is gone ......

The apple orchard also has pumpkins available....I'm a fan of these type...."Knuckleheads" they are typically known as....

 Someone can draw....there were a few that had various drawings on them.....I especially liked this one...

The pumpkins in our garden are maturing....it will be a couple more weeks until they start turning orange....and the buttercup squash will soon be ready.....just in time for Thanksgiving in a couple of weeks....

I have an x-ray appointment at the hospital today....and have been referred to a hematologist....apparently something showed up in my recent bloodwork that requires further investigation....

Mr. Seventies & I took in the movie Heart of the Beast....Clancy Mae stayed with son-in-law for a couple of hours....quality time spent watching football....

Join me later today over at https://betweennapsontheporch.net/ for Metamorphosis Monday & again tomorrow at https://www.myslicesoflife.com/ for Talking About It Tuesdays.....

Thanks so much for stopping by today.....

Til next time.....

 

Lower Level Hang Out Room

We spent two days cleaning the upstairs family room....wiping it down from top to bottom & using daughter's Little Green machine.....Mr. Seventies gave the wool area rug a thorough cleaning.....along with the sofa & chair!

Which meant we had to clear just about everything out of the room & stay out to allow the rug & furniture to dry thoroughly!  We had two beautiful, sunny days where we opened the shutters & allowed the rug to dry in the sun....(and also open the two windows a bit).....

It also meant we had to utilize the lower level family room.....it received a good cleaning a few weeks back.....when we gave daughter a braided rug for her dining area....rather than keep it on the floor in this room....

This propane stove comes in so handy as a heat source when we lose our power (like when Hurricane Fiona hit...and we lost power for 11 days)!   It doesn't get hot enough to boil water or heat anything up....but it can kick out a heat for warmth....

The flooring was laid in this room by us.....on the day 9/11 happened!  We were at work all day & after arriving home....we worked for 4-5 hours without any distraction from the coverage of the day!  My work had a large screen television is one boardroom, which was open & staff would go in & out to keep informed.   When we finished working on the floor for the night, we sat down & caught up on the events of the past few hours....it's a day we won't forget....

This room is long and narrow....when we purchased this seventies split.....the lower level was one big concrete area....that was it!

My collection of dachshund plates (12 in all)....were purchased by Mr. Seventies.....one would arrive every month or so!  There were 8 in the series.....and when we purchased the last one....they added 4 more!!  So, of course we had to have those as well....

This 100% leather sofa & love seat were purchased in the late 1980's!! (for a King's ransom).   Because we use this room so little...both pieces are in showroom condition....the FB Marketplace end tables work great & provide extra storage for throws & cushions....

Clancy Mae enjoys being downstairs....especially curling up in front of the propane stove on a blanket...

Before we began cleaning the family room upstairs, I decided to vacuum the the pellet stove with the ash vacuum purchased last December on Amazon...and when I turned it on - nothing happened!!

We use a vacuum designed for cleaning wood pellet stoves, barb-cues....wherever there is a chance of hot coals being sucked up.....the canister is metal....and short lived apparently!  This was the one we purchased....

I turned to Amazon again....this time ordering a brand name one,  which will arrive by the weekend.....

I got to thinking that 9 months is a short life & contacted Amazon....after all....what could it hurt?  You will receive nothing if you don't ask!

Being a loyal Prime member (I  point out when I'm messaging with an Amazon Associate)...I expect good service.  And Amazon seldom disappoints!  I was given a gift card (to use on Amazon) for the full amount paid for the vacuum....which is absolutely fine with me!!

Nothing ventured...nothing gained is what I always think....it doesn't hurt to ask.  Right??

The sun is out today but it dipped down to 4 C degrees overnight! (39 F).   Patchy frost on most roofs....one of these nights we will get a "killer" frost!  The evenings are darker now.....we tend to take Clancy Mae for her evening walk a bit earlier.  Once trail close by has a recreational dealer who has dozens of bright lights which gives the trail great light for walking....and we can carry a flash light if needed....

Thanks so much for hanging out with me today.....

Til next time....

 

Wienerpalooza

We took Clancy Mae to Marco Polo campsite in Cavendish...named after the 1851 clipper ship "Marco Polo" (apparently the fastest ship in the world at that time ) it  ran aground off Cavendish Beach In July of 1883).

That's my recollected reading of the fated ship and how the campsite got its name!  The event is a great fundraiser for Atlantic Canada Dachshund Rescue......the space is given free of charge....

To say Clancy Mae had the best time is an understatement.......she played with just about every dachshund there...and there were many!!

First doxie we meet up with....the president of the rescue.....living her best life....

So many doxies to meet - so little time!  This amazing standard wirehair is Wally.....his personality is amazing....so gentle & sweet....I could have taken this boy home.....

I have not seen a vast number of black dachshunds..he is the only the second one....he was amazing.....even in his donkey costume!!!   Black must be a very recessive gene....

Clancy Mae's hot dog costume was a bust....she was too excited to get it on....and the velcro was a mess!  I didn't notice until afterwards there were two totes full of costumes to pick from!!  Next year we will be better prepared!

She did run in the wiener race.....Mama had to trot along beside her....til she spotted Dad at the other end waiting for her!!  She didn't win a prize.....but she had such fun....and was one of the youngest dachshunds there.....

She is being introduced to a beautiful piebald-dapple....he was really gentle....Clancy Mae not so much!!  

Making friends with a beautiful long hair red girl....

A beautiful long hair cream....so many dachshunds and not one skirmish.....all were on their best behaviour.....

This beauty is a wirehair....with the softest, silkiest fur.....most wires have course, ruff fur.....her brother was there as well.....

This handsome fella is a wire....I suspect he had recently been groomed....his coat was more standard of the breed....

Another beautiful red "dragon"......

We had a great time.....spent a lot of time talking with some amazing, friendly owners.....all with one thing in common....pure love of the dachshund breed!!

Mr. Seventies snapped this as Clancy Mae & I were chatting with an awesome couple who moved here from New Hampshire.....they don't have a dachshund yet.....but are planning to add one to their lives.....

There were quite a few vendors set up, selling everything from jewelry, jams, knitted items, just about anything you could think of....

I purchased this gorgeous Christmas sweater for Clancy Mae....she is going to be so warm & cozy wearing it this holiday season....

This year marks the 25th anniversary of dachshund rescue in the Atlantic provinces.....and I am what they have dubbed an "original".....since I was rehoming dachshunds way back when....

To commemorate the year the rescue has a line of clothing, from hats & tee shirts, sweatpants and sweatshirts available.... I picked mine up at the event....

There was a barbecue....of course hot dogs were served with cold drinks....all for a donation to the rescue....

We stayed almost til the end.....decided to call it a day & take Clancy Mae for a walk on a trail before heading home!   She was one tired pup & crashed early....

In other news.....she starts obedience class this weekend!!  Private lessons in our home to start....then we will move on to the obedience facility and work with Clancy Mae outdoors....

Our goal is for her to understand basic commands, come, sit, stay, leave it, greet people & other dogs properly.....our instructor says she is at the right age to start....

She is still very much a puppy.....but there are a couple of areas we need to work on....diversion for the nipping, daughter & grand daughter will be taking in some classes with us.....

The weather has changed....certainly a nip of fall in the air....risk of frost a couple of nights!

Please join me later today over at https://betweennapsontheporch.net/ for Metamorphosis Monday and tomorrow at https://www.myslicesoflife.com/ for Talking About It Tuesdays.......

Thanks so much for spending time with me today.....greatly appreciated.....

Til next time....

 

New Glass Installed!!

Two installers with the glass company arrived a few days ago...to remove the pane of glass from the family room window which had a broken seal.   With the seal broken....the glass took on a very dirty appearance & cleaning made no difference....nothing worse than dirty windows, right?  

Measurements of the glass were taken in July.....so happy to have this job completed!  Not sure if you can tell in the before photo....but the glass was very cloudy.......always had a dirty appearance.....

The installers set right to work removing the centre pane of glass....they make it look so easy....here they are cutting the seal to remove the glass...

And carefully lifted it out using suction discs with handles.....

And just like that.....new glass installed.....and just look how clear & clean the view is....this photo taken after the new glass was in place....what a difference!!  Like there is no glass there at all!!

Once they were done, we got busy cleaning the side windows inside & out....nothing better than sparkling clean windows!  We couldn't be happier to have this job done before cold weather sets in!

The installers advised the glass company, as of August 31, 2026 will no longer be servicing residential clients.....commercial jobs only!  Since we started the process in July, they are finishing up any pending jobs on their roster!  They gave us their contact information in the event we need further glass replacement....the company will still measure & order glass window replacements.....and we can have it installed ourselves.   Good to know!!

We've required about 4-5 smaller glass panes replaced over the years....it's a relief to know we can still have that service in the future.  There may be other glass companies that provide as well....but for now we need not to look further....

Today we will be detailing the family room....removing what furniture we can, cleaning from top to bottom & shampooing the area rug!  It may get replaced down the road....but for now while Clancy Mae may continue pulling out strands of wool....we'll keep the current one.   She is much better at not chewing & wreaking havoc on the rug.....but we're airing on the side of caution.  We're hoping to attend obedience class with her in the coming weeks.....

This weekend we will be attending "Wienerpalooza" with Clancy Mae in beautiful Cavendish, PEI!!  The weather looks promising.....and we have a "hot dog" costume for our girl to enter the costume contest!

Wienerpalooza is sponsored by Atlantic Canadian Dachshund Rescue & this is their 25th Anniversary rehoming dachshund & dachshund mixes in PEI, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia!  I was the founding member all those years ago.....still involved in the group....however on a much less visible capacity....we no longer foster but assist in other areas, fund raising, supplying reference checks for potential adopters, volunteering with fundraising endeavours....there are many ways to help out!!

It's an awesome sight to see so many little doxies all in one place...having the best of time!!!  We're looking forward to the event & the weather looks promising!  Will have photos to share for sure!!

Til next time.....

Kitchen Hallowe'en Vibes

The kitchen is looking "spooktacular" these days!!  When asked of Mr. Seventies if it was "too much",  he asked how I felt.  " I luv having it ready for Hallowe'en".... and he responded that is all that matters.... (he loves it too btw).....

I hope you enjoy seeing everything as much as we do....not exactly a "tablescape"....but festive nonetheless.....

Coffee/tea/hot chocolate area set up....we use the mugs daily....my favourite are the Witches Brew....

"Marvin's" pumpkin is full of little bags of gummy candy....much to Mr. Seventies delight...

A couple of things we stock up on are batteries (all sizes) and command strips!!  And candles....both batterie operated and "real" ones!   Bath & Body Works had a great sale - three wick candles were on sale for half price....I picked up a couple of my favourites to use under the electric candle warmer....

After stopping in to pick up candles, I then swung by a thrift store....I was looking for toys in particular for Clancy Mae....and my visit did not disappoint....I didn't take time to look at much else...

So far she has been pretty good not ripping or shredding them apart....but at $1.75 each it wouldn't be a total loss on my investment.....

Our hydrangeas did not produce one flowering blossom this year.....but I have a friend whose shrubs supplied me with a few pink coloured stems.....I set them in a basket to dry naturally....

I've been waiting until the glass repair in the family room is completed before decorating in there....it's been two months since the window was measured.  The installer who was to call last week....was on his honeymoon.....hoping he reaches out this week.....(I'll be calling mid week if not).....

Please join me later today at https://betweennapsontheporch.net/ for Metamorphosis Monday and again tomorrow where I will be sharing over at https://www.myslicesoflife.com/ for Talking About It Tuesdays...

Thanks so much for sharing a bit of your time with me today,  I so appreciate you being here....

Til next time.....