We Love You Allie & Always Will

As a child I asked for a kitten every time I was up for a gift (Christmas, birthday, and any other gift giving event). Since my father didn't like cats my dream was never fulfilled until Tim and I were married and my dog had died. Our daughter Katie was 2 when we adopted the cutest little calico that we unanimously named Allie.

Allie knows Addi Turbos are the best needles!

Last Friday we sadly had to say good-bye to our Allie. She was almost 15, and had been sick for a couple of weeks. Last week everything went downhill and we found ourselves attempting to nurse her back to health. Unfortunately she was unable to eat, so she rapidly got weaker.


The weather on Thursday was in the 60s and sunny, so I opened the curtains to the back yard for Allie to look out if she felt like coming downstairs (she spent most of her time in our Master bathroom which is the where she began her life in our house). After much deliberation and many tears, Tim called the vet and scheduled to bring Allie in Friday morning. Friday morning we served her Maple Pecan Crunch cereal in a saucer of milk. She was so happy, considering she was constantly fighting to get into Tim's cereal bowl every morning.

Allie enjoyed her "maple milk" breakfast!

When we came home from the vet's office we found our other two cats looking nearly as sad as we did. To think they could sense the change in our home was amazing. Cats are funny creatures. We have been fortunate to have 3 of the sweetest cats belong to us ... or more likely we have belonged to them :)

If you've ever opened up your heart to a cat or a dog, you know as I do that the love of a pet is worth the pain of loss you endure in the end. We love you Allie, and always will.

One Monday last summer Allie was surfing Ravelry with me

Daybreak KAL

We had a fantastic time last night starting the Daybreak shawlette/scarf by Stephen West. Our first KAL of 2012!  It started off by most of us getting to KT just in time to see Suzanne E. finish up her very first knitting project.  It was the Noro Striped Scarf and she did an amazing job considering she just finished Nancy's Beginning Knitting Class on December 10th! Then everyone pulled their color choices out and we spent some time helping each other decide which color to start with.  We all cast on and were able to get our 'Make One's' under control by evening's end. 

I brought a couple bottles of wine and a new recipe called Robert's Corn Dip featured in Where Women Cook magazine.

Robert's Corn Dip (Makes about 6 cups)

• 3 (11-oz) cans sweet corn & diced peppers, drained
• 1 (7-oz) can chopped green chilies
• 1 (6-oz) can chopped jalapenos, drained & liquid added to taste
• 1/2 cup chopped green onion
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 (16 oz) pkg shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• Scoop-style corn chips

Mix all ingredients except corn chips together and refrigerate. Serve with corn chips.

It's not too late to join us for the Daybreak KAL  - Tuesdays in January from 6:00-8:00 p.m.  Most, but not all of us are using two skeins of tosh sock - many beautiful and vibrant colors are left to choose from.

Renee