Booming Banter

We have more or less mastered the art of the scone. Except when we forget to add shortening and poor Dad and me have to eat them at home.

Ma can make them in her sleep. In fact she does on occasion and they usually are burning or doing something they shouldn’t. It’s a nightmare of sultanas.

Given that more than half the good old Walkers shortbread that she bought for the tearoom have been broken and so she can’t serve it we are looking into the possibility of making our own.

It’s not rocket science but Ma needs something simple so if you have an idiot proof recipe for shortbread send her.

Seems her own Ma made it regular and it was always good.

This mornings efforts were far from stellar. I inspected them and the didn’t pass muster.

So more snack for Dad and me.

There is method in my madness!

Blessing # 1108 – Experiments

The AC was not working at the Tearoom and it was sweltering this morning when Ma had a group of Ladies over.

They are part of a book club and were very kind about the conditions but clearly drinking hot tea is not so wonderful when you are baking like a bun in an oven. Go figure how I feel with the fur coat on.

Just as they were leaving a torrent of rain poured down. It pulled about a river of humidity out of the air and a plethora of pollen to boot. Helped the conditions but that was a tad late for the ladies.

Still it will make for more comfortable conditions for Ma as she does the dishes and does help the roses too that are behaving themselves and blooming just as they should.

Now the engineers are here and have fixed most things.

The green light is on not just flashing.

They are still working on a unit that is leaking but progress is promising.

Very true that old saying. It never rains but it pours.

Blessing # 1107 – Cool Off

Be prepared to be grossed out. The once in every seventeen year emergence of the Cicadas has started.

Dad is petrified I’ll eat some so Ma is under strict instructions to keep me away from them. It’s difficult to avoid them as they are everywhere and it’s only just the start we have several days to go before the peak of their season.

Here’re some pics from our yard taken this morning after our early trot.

The critters are up to all sorts of things.

They’re also shedding their skins all over the place. Some of their skeletons are even stuck to our brick wall. They must make their own superglue!

Gives an interesting perspective on the insect world. One that you rarely see.

They are kinda creepy though. I prefer squirrels and chipmunks and bunnies.

Think while they’re above ground I’ll go undercover and stay cool.

Blessing# 1106– Inside View

Day off for both Ma and the bro spells fun for me. YEOH!

Herself was not in great form this morning as a new leak has appeared at the old house. Seems they had torrential rain there yesterday and a puddle made its way into the back room.

After our morning outing which matched the pace of her mood, frantic, she baked two dozen scones and then ripped out two trash bags full of weeds and daffodil leaves. That brought her back to normal.

She then took the Pa out to their favorite thrift store and left me with the bro.

They bought so many things the haul has had to be homed in our garage. Never say never again Ma. Although I do quite like this monster painting. It’s big enough for me to practice my deer hunting!

I couldn’t give a hoot though what they did as the bro took me out cruising. It’s so much better being out with someone of my own age than the ancients. I cannot reveal details of our sojourn as it involved visits with females!!!!!

Blessing # 1105– Age Appropriate Activities.

We had such a great relaxing day and some nature study too.

We went out with Auntie Denise and checked out our goslings at the pond.

The critters have to swim through the algae that has already bloomed but they don’t seem to mind that or me.

They better be careful about hawks though as there are some big birds about. This particularly proud one was strutting his stuff a few days ago.

The Doe’s also need to watch out because these big guys could get their Fawns.

Ma and I saw one lying in a neighbors yard. It looked dead so we went to check it out.

It was sleeping and when we got up beside it we could see it’s nose move. When it smelled us it let out a bleat and took off. Where was that Mama! Gave us an experience though. If you’ve never heard a fawn talk it’s really special. Sounds like a very high pitched lamb. Quite shocking really.

Blessing # 1104-Alive and Kicking

You know those book summaries that give you the whole deal in a few words?

Well that’s what your getting tonight as my personal assistant is exhausted. She feels like I look!

She is also very delighted that the Google maps site that we created this morning has worked.

She got her first customers this afternoon who found the workplace by searching tearoom.

Awesome! We did it Ma!

Now refreshment of a different kind.

Blessing # 1103 – Search Engines

This post was written a few days ago. Ma forgot to hit the publish button.

Just as well we have Facebook memories. They can be encouraging.

One appeared in Moms feed yesterday that was timely.

It showed a picture of a single bearded iris that had appeared out of nowhere in our yard some four years ago.

Now there is a whole family of them. At the last count about a dozen plants all ready to bloom.

Ma says it’s a good sign and a lesson.

Like her mint that once was a single stalk and now is everywhere the iris shows that with Gods grace and some patience beautiful bounty abounds.

It certainly fits well in that springy vase at her store.

Blessing #1102 – Reaping Rewards

My Ma loves Friday. She loves it so much that she preponed it this week and made it today.

She always tries to post a funny little saying.

Well today the funniest thing was that it was the wrong day and she was totally convinced it wasn’t Thursday at all.

Her friend Maggie who is a nurse came to her rescue. She is a sweetheart.

I tried but she just won’t listen to me.

Says canines don’t know about days and times.

My paw! She’s loosing the plot! Completely of track on reality. All she can think of is TEA!

Blessing # 1101– Preemptive Posts

Talk about dodging a bullet. I was a hairs breath from a trip to the groomers when the phone rang.

I was hiding in my safe space trying to ignore Ma’s pleas to “get ready for a big ride Scooby” She thinks I didn’t know where we were going but the bro told me last night.

My sweet coiffeuse was indisposed.

I was ecstatic. Talk about a lucky elf!

It is gettin a tad toasty in my fur but it’s far from critical so I have three weeks more to go before the shears sound

Blessing # 1100 – Reprieved

Ma was at her third home today The Delaware Antique Mall aka her alma mater for the study of the art and science of collectibles.

She took me and Dad with her to our second home yesterday so I can’t complain too much.

We of course had to go treasure hunting on the way. We found a pile of books and other collectibles that are destined for one place or the other. It’s good to have a choice. As long as they stay in transit and not in our garage again that’s OK.

Now we have to start selling or we’ll need a forth home.

If we don’t she’ll have to work night and day to balance this budget and pay the rent.

Might mean munchie moderation which is not what any woofer want to hear! Do I look worried? You bet ya!

Blessing # 1099 – Extra Time