A Perfect Afternoon

I have had a bit of a cold all week, and so I'm bundled up in sweater and comfy clothes even though it's 80 degrees outside. Cold or no cold, I can still have as good an afternoon as any, sitting at my desk by the window.



I've got ideas galore and it's high time to put pen to paper. Having Pug nearby is always good inspiration. So are the birds outside and the squirrel dangling from the sunflower seed feeder.



I like pretty desks. Somehow I think it helps me concentrate.



Practical schmactical. Sometimes you just need a frog holding an umbrella...



As well as pretty paperweights (the "A" paperweight was from Anthropologie), a miniature book my friend Amelia made for me, and a handknit coaster Amelia's sister made.



One cannot forget the all-important cup of tea.



And my sweet husband surprised me with chocolates! I'm pretty sure chocolate helps both with creativity and getting over a cold. I've already eaten two!



(Adding this on later in the day: truth be told, I ended up spending a good part of the afternoon outside in the hammock with Pug, reading The Diving Bell and the Butterfly for a second time. If you haven't read it, do!)

Dog-Friendly Manzanita

Last week, we went to the Oregon coast. It is awfully pretty there! We hadn't been in a while (since last October?) and we were all happy to be by the ocean again. I took Pug to Manzanita one day, my favorite town on the coast. It's quaint and cute, and best of all, very dog-friendly!



Pug met a bunch of pooches, including this adorable pug named Yeti.



We stopped in Four Paws On The Beach, a pet store that carries a nice selection of dog and cat toys. Dogs (on leashes) are allowed in the store! Pug picked out a red leopard-print toy bone.



While standing outside a cute yarn shop called T-Spot, an employee in the shop spotted Pug and said "Come on in!" They allow "well behaved dogs on leashes" in their store. The same thing happened again up the street when we were standing outside Overboard, a puzzle and game store. The owner has a pug at home and really wanted Pug to check out her shop! So we did:



It's a pug-sized scooter!



After shopping, we hit the beach. Is this not a picture of pure joy?



I've never seen Pug look happier than when he's on the beach.

From The Kitchen: Fruit Crostata

It's peach season! Besides eating them plain, peaches are always good in cooked desserts. I made the Barefoot Contessa's summer fruit crostata with peaches, plums and strawberries. (I substituted strawberries for the blueberries.)



Assembling the ingredients:



Here's the sliced fruit with heaps of sugar and orange peel! Yum.



The fruit and crumbly topping barely fit in the pastry, and the whole thing miraculously made it into the oven without falling apart.



The finished crostata: out of the oven and onto the cooling rack. I wish I could include the smell on the blog. Best just to make your own and find out!



In pug news, I thought I'd include a pictures of Pug from nearly a year ago after we got him. He was a tuckered out pug!

Cabin Quilt

I've finished the quilt/patchwork blanket. Can I still call it a quilt even if I didn't quilt it? I think I'm going to.



I'm happy with how it turned out. I like the color scheme. It'll be nice and cozy!



All bundled up, ready to go.



Pug's been working on tearing his tennis ball/dumbell toy apart.

Willamette Valley

On a lovely summer day, there's nothing nicer than taking a drive in the country. We decided to go look around the Willamette Valley. We had lunch in Newburg and then continued south toward Dundee and Amity.





There were a lot of hazelnut farms. Filbert farms too. Same difference.



We were lucky to be in McMinnville on a Thursday when they have their farmers market.





I got some easter egg radishes. Definitely the prettiest radishes I've ever seen.



Pug spent the day snoozing.

A Curious Cat And A Pug-Nosed Pup

Take a look at one of the best looking cats ever:



His name is Oscar and he lives across the street from my mom. The above picture was taken a couple of years ago. His current haircut is more au naturel.



Pug really likes Oscar. It's so cute to see them together! Interspecies friendships are so sweet.



Pug and Oscar together reminds me a little of one of my favorite movies, Milo and Otis.



If you have not seen this movie, make it a priority! It's a happy feel good movie, and unlike a lot of animal movies, there isn't a sad ending.



Eventually Oscar got tired of Pug and climbed up a fence



and Pug was not quite athletic enough to follow after him.

Cat And Pug At Allied Arts

Last month when we were in California, we took Pug to Allied Arts which is one of my most favorite places to visit in the Bay Area.



I love seeing all the craft studios and the beautiful gardens there. But best of all, there are lots of cats.



We spotted one in a basket. Pug is not the most observant pug ever, but eventually he saw the cat too.



He had to check out the kitty.



And then he stuck his head in a watering can and had a nice long drink.



We wandered around looking at all the pretty things and I made plans for how I hope my house and garden will look someday...