Spring

Welcoming Spring

Spring has officially arrived! So did a nor’easter here in Pittsburgh. But hey, I think there’s a saying that goes something like if you don’t like the weather in Pittsburgh, wait 15 minutes. So true.

I was able to walk Lola and Mavis in gorgeously sunny 50 degree weather earlier in the week, and today I will be pulling out my snow boots for my pet sitting jobs.

Cocker spaniel and black lab walking on grassy trail in sunshine

Walks with Lola and Mavis are so lovely due to the fact that we have a leash coupler, so I only have to use one leash! Walks with Lola and Mavis aren’t so lovely when Lola walks backwards and slips out of her harness to run away.

Our pets certainly know how to keep Jimmy and I on our toes with their antics. We spoil them anyways. We just bought Lola the harness in the above picture and Mavis chewed the handle (while Lola was wearing it!) until it was hanging on by a thread. So what did I do the other day? Bought them a chew toy.

Cocker spaniel with Petstages deerhorn chew

Mr. Malcolm over here isn’t much more well behaved than his sisters. He’s actually the instigator in our household and has quite the penchant for trying to slip out our back door (is life with us that bad that our pets want to run away?!). But we spoil him, too.

His new obsession, as I mentioned in my most recent vlog, are Friskies Pull ‘n Play treats. He goes crazy for these and runs all around the house with the treats in his mouth. I think he tries to tease Mavis and Lola!

Friskies Pull 'n Play cat treats chicken and cheese flavors

Speaking of cat treats, I have a great resource to share for any cat parents out there! Reviews.com has an awesome cat food guide that has a list of the best cat foods for 2018. The researchers that created the guide analyzed over 2,000 cat food formulas and picked their top 18 high-quality brands.

Okay, back to talking about spring. To celebrate its arrival yesterday, I decided to bake one of my favorite spring-like recipes: lemon poppy seed muffins! When I typed out poppy seed, I accidentally typed “puppy seed.” I guess I have dogs on the brain?!

Lemon poppy seed muffins

I think I’ll go enjoy one now as I watch the snow pile up outside 😉

What food reminds you most of spring?

Currently: March 2018

Current book The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller. I’m about 1/3 of the way into it and so far it has been a light, easy read.

Current Drink I literally just finished drinking a Dunkin’ Donuts coffee as I started this post. ‘Twas delicious.

Small Dunkin' Donuts coffee with cream

Current beauty product DevaCurl shampoo and conditioner. As I mentioned in my last post, my hairdresser really wanted me to try this out. I feel like it’s too soon to tell a difference since I haven’t used it for a solid amount of time, but I’m liking it so far!

Current goal Cleaning out our closets and donating clothes we no longer wear. Also, finishing writing my book. I’m at 81,000 words and so close to wrapping up the first draft!

Current obsession Guys, I’m in cake mode again!! I was asked to make my father-in-law’s wedding cake since he’s getting married in May and I’m 100% obsessed with all things cake right now.

He and his fiancé asked for a Harley Davidson-themed cake, so I’ve been nailing down exactly what I want to do in terms of details and just practicing layering the different tiers of the cake. My fingers are stained with gel food coloring and I’ve been highlighting and studying a guide on working with fondant. I am one happy girl when I’m in cake mode 🙂

Three layer wedding cake with fondant and Harley Davidson colors

A super bare-bones trial run.

Current mood Excited (for spring and Daylight Savings!).

Current blessing Jimmy. He’s just so sweet, kind, caring, and hardworking.

Current excitement Mavis has reached the highest level of training (Adult Level II) at our local pet store and has her last class and Canine Good Citizen test tonight! We have been taking her to training once a week since August, when she was 10 weeks old. She’s basically grown up in this pet store, haha.

It’s definitely bittersweet to be ending this part of her journey because we love the trainer we’ve been working with. I’m sure there’s more training at different facilities in Mavis’ future, though!

Parti colored Cocker Spaniel puppy therapy dog in training harness on walk

Current confession I’ve been so slow about doing laundry lately. I have no problem washing it… it just sits in the laundry basket all clean for like three days until I fold and put it away 😉

Current prayer Healing for all involved in the recent school shooting in Florida.

Current indulgence Researching all things cake-related for my father-in-law’s wedding. I have some flavor combos I’m dying to try!

Wilton cake decorating guide working with fondant

Current procrastination Catching up on all things computer-related. I have some work for my family’s real estate business to do, I want to catch up on blog reading, clear out my email inbox, and more. It will all get done, eventually!

Current food Thin mints! It’s Girl Scout Cookie season, aka the most wonderful time of the year. What are your favorite flavors of Girl Scout Cookies? My #1 is thin mints and then trefoils.

Thin mints girl scout cookies in box

Current craving I want to paint my nails. I just need to find make the time to do it!

Current need A new wire for our Petzi Treat Cam. Mavis and Lola chewed it while trying to get treats out of the camera so its out of commission for the time being! Naughty pups.

Current question What is your favorite part about spring? I think mine is just seeing green grass again and watching flowers and trees bud. Or maybe more daylight and warmer weather? Or maybe spring rain? Love that sound. It’s just such a beautiful time.