cat

Huskies and Cats + Back Patio Progress

One of my biggest worries before we brought Niva home was that she wouldn’t get along with Malcolm. I’ve heard that Siberian huskies and cats aren’t a good mix because huskies have a high prey drive for small animals. It was definitely a gamble to bring Niva home to a cat without knowing how she or Malcolm would react, but we had a few things going for us:

  • Niva is a very submissive dog
  • Niva is a puppy
  • Malcolm is a very friendly cat
  • Malcolm has been raised with dogs

Siberian Husky and cat sitting together

It’s totally true that Siberian huskies have a high prey drive. They are also pack-oriented dogs. I think Niva saw Malcolm as part of her pack when we brought her home, so she doesn’t hunt him. 

If you’re considering bringing a husky (or any breed of dog, really) home to a cat or vice versa, I would take into account each animal’s age and temperament before making any decisions. It’s definitely possible for cats and huskies to live together, and it’s amazing to watch them play and live in peace and harmony when they do!

Okay, onto our back patio renovation progress. I wish I had more before pictures, but I snuck into my archives and found this one below from a post I wrote in 2014(!). Our back patio area had wooden railing and a canopy with wooden beams and a ceiling made out of…. I don’t know?!

We eventually took the old canopy down and would put up the one below when we had gatherings at our house.

Lighted pop up canopy at night

Jimmy took down the old railing and posts and put up steel beams. 

Back porch with steel columns and porch swing

He then painted the beams, made and painted new railing, and added some landscaping.

Back porch with black steel columns and black steel mesh railingsBack porch with landscaping, rocks, and mulch and steel mesh railing

Then, it was onto the canopy! It looked like this on Saturday before the boys got to work.

Steel beams for canopy in backyard

It looked like this last night while we ate dinner outside for the first time in a long time!

Black steel canopy for yard that looks industrial and modernSteel canopy painted black

Next, we will be working on a little outdoor kitchen area. Can’t wait!

Tell me about your latest project!

Snapshots

Hello and happy Wednesday! Just popping in to share some snapshots from my life lately.

Fall flower arrangement with pumpkin candle for fall decor

I started to decorate our house for fall, but realized my decorations are a little sparse. I think I went on a declutter spree a few months ago and may have donated more than I thought 😉 I’m liking the simplicity, though!

Glade Cozy Autumn Cuddle fall candle limited edition scent Bear Naked granola pumpkin spice granola for fall

Speaking of fall, I picked up this candle and this granola and give them both a 10 out of 10! The candle smells wonderful and the granola is the perfect blend of spices, oats, and white chocolate.

I had some of the granola the other night mixed into in pumpkin yogurt with a cut up apple and it was fall on fall on fall!

Strawberry cake with vanilla buttercream and rosettes with silver sprinkles Strawberry cake with vanilla buttercream decorated with roses and sprinkles

The cake I made for my mother-in-law’s birthday party went well! I ended up doing exactly what I thought I would (for once, haha): a strawberry cake with strawberry filling, vanilla buttercream, rosettes, and sprinkles.

What was even better than the cake was the company that evening.

Puggle and cocker spaniel

Mavis and my sister-in-law’s dog, Dixie!

Hair twins girls with curly dark blonde hair

My sis-in-law and I were hair twins!

Jimmy and I brought Mavis over to my sister-in-law’s house and we all had dinner and hung out celebrating my mother-in-law! It was a lovely evening and so fun watching Mavis interact with her “cousin” lol!

American cocker spaniel sitting on chair

Mavis paid a visit to the vet over the weekend to get her yearly shots, plus a few extra shots so she can go to doggy daycare. I’m taking her for an interview at Camp Bow Wow today to see if she likes it.

Jimmy and I figure it will be good to have doggy daycare as an option for our little energizer bunny to get her energy out from time to time once her little sister arrives!

And rolling right into the topic of Mavis’ little sister, I’m happy to report that she and I had our last iron infusion!

Pregnant IV iron infusion for anemia

I can’t say enough good things about the doctors, nurses, and staff a the Hillman Cancer Center at Mercy Hospital here in Pittsburgh. I felt so well cared for and had great experiences each time baby and I went in for our infusions. My hematologist (and pretty much everyone) was a little nervous baby and I wouldn’t make it to all four infusions before delivery, but by the grace of God we did!

I’m still anemic, but my hemoglobin levels have risen, which is such a huge blessing! I’ll head back to the hospital in November for more blood work and infusions as needed.

Okay, two more snapshots because I love sharing pictures of our pets!

Cocker spaniel and pit bull Black cat with yellow eyes sitting on blanket

Lola and Mavis went to the groomer and got matching bandanas and Malcolm decided to camp out on our blanket and look adorably handsome.

What would a snapshot of your life lately look like?