Merrylog

First, let me say this: some year, far off into the future apparently, I will remember that turkey day in the US resides on a Thursday and not wish all of you a happy Thanksgiving a full 24 hours earlier. My only excuse is I have continuously been forgetting what day of the week it is all week – since every day has looked the same for two weeks or so! *grin* (However, I would still like some stuffing and gravy and cranberries. And some of Allyson’s corn bread stuffing which sounds amazing. My problem is I like turkey many different ways and many KINDS of potatoes and squashes and turnips and stuffing and really, I need to do three kinds all at once because otherwise I get to The Day and all I want is my traditional flavors which I only get twice a year.)

Second, the poor princess is definitely feeling cranky and worried and a little panicky. We had to leave her alone (just to go pack up the garage) last night and she went up to our front door and threw up the entire contents of her stomach. Poor little thing. Today she was anxious this morning then I finally got smart and moved her dog bed practically underneath my chair, it’s so close – and lo and behold, the princess slept all afternoon instead of barking. I know there’s nothing much I can do but keep her close and try to reassure her while still being as workaday as possible about it, and that it’ll all be over soon, but gosh I’m having pug mommy guilt today.

And to Nadine, who commented yesterday that she’s moving with four pugs… all I can say is, you are my hero. Moving with one is stressful enough! I can’t imagine packing up four of ‘em! *laughs*

The princess pug and I are both in a very “so there!” kind of mood. Running nonstop for two months straight will do that to a girl. Getting ignored and having boxes where there used to be space to run will do that to a pug. Yes, we’re stressed – sorry it’s leaking all over today’s post, but thankfully we’ll be in our new digs soon and able to cuddle and play and show you photos that aren’t a week old! :) Thanks for your patience with me during this time, all – I really, really appreciate it, along with your kind words of good luck and hang in there and thattagirl. Much, much, appreciated.

To our fabulous neighbors to the south, Happy Thanksgiving! Be sure to give thanks today. But once that’s over, have some turkey for us. And some garlic mashed potatoes. And wait, some gravy. Oooh, and a dollop of bourbon maple cranberry chutney. And sausage and apple chestnut stuffing. But you can keep the pumpkin pies all to yourselves. I’m a squash=savory kinda gal. :)

Psst… Have you bought your Merry 2010 Calendar yet?

Today was Merryvaluation Shoot Day around here, which means a day spent in studio prepping one small pug and a handful of dog products to look their best. Every MSD starts the same way, with a few light tests on the (naked! oh no!) pug to ensure we have everything set up correctly before shooting begins.

Which means I have roughly a jillion photos of the pug on a white background – basically, that’s why you don’t see too many white-background shots of the pug, because they all look the same to me now. However, they are *easier* when more than half of your offices and systems are packed in boxes ready for a move, just 5 days from now.

The princess is getting needier now that much of the house and office are in boxes – her world is changing, we’re often busy at night and can’t play much, and so she follows us everywhere and occasionally whimpers and panicks if she thinks we’re leaving. Poor little thing. Extra cuddles for you just as soon as this move is over, promise!

Yes, as usual, the pug is in dire need of a pedi. She HATES getting her nails done and with all the craziness going on it’s been easier to let things slide. Sigh. Little pug, don’t think you’ll get away with this much longer!

One year ago: first snowfall (I can’t believe we had snow today last year)
Two years ago: my little rock star (yes, the Elvis coat strikes again!)
Four years ago: what I love about dogs
Five years ago: slightly damp (yes, that’s Chris’s foot – back when we were first dating! aww)

Yes, folks, if you’ve been wondering what could possibly have been keeping a post-wedding lady so very busy – it’s true, we’re picking up stakes and moving to new digs (both business AND home, since PP is run out of part of our home) at the end of the month.

Basically, we’ve been running since 1 day after we got back from the wedding – finding a new place, arranging movers, sorting through the accumulated *stuff* that just seems to pile up when you live together, packing, making business arrangements, etc.

The princess has been a trooper through it all, but WOW is this a lot of work. They say that marriage and moving house are two of the most stressful things you can go through, and hey! we decided to go through them both in three months. Yeeees, we’re crazy. And I need a nap. For a month. :)

Our readers are raving! Have you bought your Merry 2010 Calendar yet?

Merry and I had some fun practicing her rollovers! I love, love, love the leaves flying in this photo.

For those of you who asked: this week’s DoggyDesktop features a pug y’all might recognize. :)

Psst… Have you bought your Merry 2010 Calendar yet?

Okay, truthfully, she’s waiting for a treat here, but doesn’t it look like she’s waiting for a leaf to fall? :) I loved this shot as soon as I saw it in my head.

Two years ago: red sweater, full tilt

Psst… Have you bought your Merry 2010 Calendar yet?

If you don’t spontaneously exclaim “Awwww!” when you see this, folks, then pugs will never move you. If you’re like me, though, and think pugs are the cutest thing, like, EVER… well, then you’ll love this sleepy pink princess as much as I do. Or close, anyway. :)

Psst… Have you bought your Merry 2010 Calendar yet?

I love this shot of Merry taken yesterday surrounded by fall leaves in brilliant colors. She’s such an adorable pug and I love this expression more than words can say. :)

Love it? See it bigger on Flickr.

One year ago: howler
Three years ago: at the ready
Four years ago: things never change
Five years ago: are we done taking pictures yet?

My regular readers know that I have a little bit of a thing for chocolate. Truth be told, I have a small quantity of dark chocolate every single day – I usually keep good quality Callebaut chips in the house and grab a tablespoon of chips or so at least once a day. I recently learned that one of my favorite cookbook authors, David Lebovitz, does the same thing.) It makes me a happier lady.

Chocolate isn’t just about flavor, though, it’s about color – and that’s why I have so much of it in my home. I love this time of year, because it’s when we change the sheets on our bed from the piles of cream fluffiness we use in the summer to dark chocolate and cranberry colors, and that always makes me feel cozy and happy. The pug looks so adorable on brown sheets I always have to take lots of shots of her surrounded by one of my favorite colors.

(However, please don’t feed your dogs chocolate – it’s dangerous for them! Carob makes a nice replacement.)