Book ~ "Callie" (2011) Ellen Miles

From Goodreads ~ Mia and Michael Battelli want a pet more than anything. And a cuddly cat or kitten would be perfect for their small brownstone apartment. But their parents aren't sure Mia and Michael are ready for the responsibility.

Then Mia spots a tiny calico foraging for food. Callie doesn't seem to belong to anyone - and she's hurt. Mia can't just leave her to fend for herself! But what if she can't convince her parents to keep the sweet little kitten? Will Callie ever find a home?

Mia and Michael are in elementary school. They'd like to have a pet but they live in an apartment and their parents don't it's the right time or place to have one.

One day Mia and Michael are going home after school and Mia hears a meow. She discovers a kitten and when they catch her, they discover the kitten, who Mia names Callie since she is a calico, has a cut on her paw and take her to the vet. They agree to foster Callie for a week until her paw is better. But Callie isn't used to being cooped up in an apartment and wants to be free. They don't feel comfortable with the thought of letting the kitten loose so they need to find the right home for her.

Though this book is a quick read and directed at elementary-aged children, I found it entertaining. There was a cat quiz at the end along some info about cats. It is written in third person perspective and first person from Callie's point of view. It is the first book in the Kitty Corner series.

Book ~ "Buried Bones" (2000) Carolyn Haines

From Goodreads ~ Private investigation isn't on the list of a southern belle's most desirable accomplishments - but it's saved Sarah Booth Delaney's Delta homestead. Now all she has to cope with is its bossy antebellum ghost who is determined to save Sarah - from spinsterhood. Then comes the perfect social occasion: Lawrence Ambrose's dinner party. 

Ambrose, once a famous man of southern letters, is planning a comeback: a delicious tell-all with a bitchy ex-model as his "biographer." As he taunts his dinner guests with the news that his book will blow the lid off Zinnia's darkest secrets, it becomes plain that each and every guest has a secret - and wants Ambrose to keep it. When the morning-after mess includes a bloody corpse and the manuscript of the biography disappears, Sarah Booth goes digging for answers. But many who hold them are six feet under - or soon will be - and if she doesn't tread carefully, she could join them any day now.

Sarah Booth Delaney is single and living in her family's plantation. She had recently fallen into becoming a private detective but said she's writing a fiction novel as a cover so it wouldn't be suspicious when she asks questions. Lawrence, a once famous writer and artist, invites her to a dinner party he is having. He has written a manuscript about his life and during the party, he lets his guests know that he may be revealing secrets about them. When Sarah visits him the next day, she finds him dead ... it looks like he had cut his hand and bled out before he could call for help. Lawrence's long-time friend suspects he has  been murdered, though, and hires Sarah to find out who did it. Lawrence's manuscript has disappeared so there are many possibilities of who may have done it to protect themselves.

It is written in first person perspective in Sarah's voice. This is the second in the Sarah Booth Delaney series (there are currently 26 books in the series) ... it works as a stand alone as there is enough background provided but it's helpful if you've read the first one. I'd read the first one a couple weeks ago and liked it enough to keep going with the series. I thought this one was just okay. Like the first one, I found there were a lot of characters and it was hard to keep track of them at times. I thought the story was convoluted and the ending farfetched and cheesy. 

The editing could have been better ... there were lots of double quotation marks missing. And Tennessee Williams was sometimes referred to as "Tom" and "Ted" ... his real name was "Thomas" so "Ted" is incorrect.

Sarah's mother's last name was Booth and her father's last name was Delaney and I thought it was weird that everyone called her "Sarah Booth" rather than just "Sarah". It was odd that Jitty, the ghost of her great-great-grandmother's nanny, "lives" with her ... I found Jitty really annoying because she's always putting Sarah down and nagging her about being single and childless. The numerous references in general about Sarah's womb were tiresome.

Twisted Hat

I just finished knitting a twisted hat. It’s the first time I’ve done this pattern and it was easy once I got into the repetitive groove. The colour is arctic.

I found the pattern here.

Directions are for size small; changes for size large are in parentheses.

Hat circumference at bottom edge: 16 (18)" [41 (46)cm]; Hat stretches to fit 20 (22)” [51 (56)cm]

I used 4.5mm [US 7] and 5.5mm [US 9] needles and 4 ply yarn. 

Hat is worked in the round on double pointed needles.

With smaller needles, cast on 90 (102) sts. Divide sts evenly around double pointed needles. Join to work in rounds, taking care not to twist sts. Place marker for beginning of round.

Ribbing Round: 

[K1 through the back loop, p1] around. Repeat ribbing round until piece measures 1½" [4cm] from beginning.

Round 1: Change to larger needles and knit.
Round 2: [K2, yo, k2, k2tog] around – 90 (102) sts.
Repeat round 2 until piece measures 8 (8½)" [20 (22) cm] from beginning.

Shape Crown

• Decrease round 1: [K2tog, yo, k2, k2tog] 15 (17) times – 75 (85) sts.
• Next round: [K1, yo, k2, k2tog] around – 75 (85) sts.
• Decrease round 2: *K1, yo, [k2tog] twice; repeat from * around – 60 (68) sts
• Next round: [K1, yo, k1, k2tog] around – 60 (68) sts.
• Decrease round 3: [K2, k2tog] 15 (17) times – 45 (51) sts.
• Decrease round 4: [K1, k2tog] around – 30 (34) sts.
• Decrease round 5: [K2tog] around – 15 (17) sts.
• Decrease round 6: [K2tog, k1] 5 times, k2tog 0 (1) time – 10 (11) sts.

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread yarn through remaining sts and pull to gather. Secure end. Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS
k = knit

k2tog = knit 2 sts together

p = purl

St st = Stockinette stitch

st(s) = stitch(es)

yo = yarn over

Ripple Hat

I just knitted a ripple hat. It’s the first time I’ve done it and it includes my favourite pattern, fan and feather. The colours are dark almond and ginger.

I found the pattern here. 

Sizes U.S. 6 (4 mm) and U.S. 7 (4.5 mm) circular knitting needles 20" [51 cm] long. Set of four size U.S. 7 (4.5 mm) double-pointed knitting needles.

K = Knit 

Kfb = Knit into front and back of next stitch (increase made)

K2tog = Knit next 2 stitches together 

MC = main color

P = Purl

Rnd = Round

Sts - Stitches

Yo = Yarn over

With smaller circular needle and MC, cast on 92 sts. Join in rnd, being careful not to twist sts. Place marker on first st for beginning of rnd.

1st rnd: *K2. P2. Repeat from * around. Repeat last rnd of (K2. P2) ribbing for 2" [5 cm].

Change to larger circular needle and proceed as follows:
Next rnd (increase rnd): K2. Kfb. *K5. Kfb. Rep from * to last 5 sts. K4. Kfb. 108 sts.

Begin working in Feather and Fan pattern:
1st and 2nd rnds: With MC, knit.
3rd rnd: With A, *(K2tog) 3 times. (yo. K1) 6 times. (K2tog) 3 times. Rep from * around.
4th rnd: Purl.
Continue in Feather and Fan Pat until work from beginning measures approx 8½" [21.5 cm], ending with a 4th rnd.

Next rnd: With MC, *K4. K2tog. Rep from * around. 90 sts.
Next rnd: Knit.
Next rnd: With A, *K3. K2tog. Rep from * around. 72 sts.
Next rnd: Purl.

Change to double-pointed needles and proceed as follows:
Next rnd: With MC, *K2. K2tog. Rep from * around. 54 sts.
Next rnd: Knit.
Next rnd: With A, *K1. K2tog. Rep from * around. 36 sts.
Next rnd: Purl.
Next rnd: With MC, *K2tog. Rep from * around. 18 sts.

Break yarn, leaving a long end. Draw end tightly through remaining sts and secure.

If desired, sew pompom on top of hat.

Book ~ "Chewy And Chica" (2010) Ellen Miles

From Goodreads ~ Lizzie and Charles Peterson definitely enjoy competing with each other. Especially when Lizzie acts like she knows everything about dogs and Charles just doesn't want to listen. 

Fortunately, in this Special Edition, there are TWO chihuahuas to foster. Charles and Lizzie each agree to take one and see who can train theirs more successfully. Will the Peterson household make it through this sibling rivalry?

Lizzie and Charles are in elementary school. Their family, the Petersons, have a puppy named Buddy plus they foster dogs and help them find homes.

Lizzie and Charles were volunteering at a local rescue when a man pulls up with his car full of puppies. There had been a man in a truck selling the puppies and he bought them all to ensure they could find good homes. The rescue has room for all the puppies except for two chihuahuas, which the Petersons agree to foster. Lizzie takes responsibility for the female, who she names Chica, and Charles takes responsibility for the male, who he names Chewy. Chica needs to learn to be better housetrained and Chewy needs to learn not to bite so Lizzie and Charles have a contest to see who can train their puppy the fastest and find a home for them.

In the meantime, their mother, who is a local journalist, investigates and discovers the puppies came from a puppy mill. Together they are all determined to educate people that it's better to adopt a puppy from a rescue than to buy one from a puppy mill.

Though this book is a quick read and directed at elementary-aged children, I found it entertaining. There is a learning experience and a puppy tip at the end. It is written in third person perspective and first person from Chewy, Chica and Buddy's points of view. It is part of the Puppy Place series.

Happy Boxing Day!

Merry Christmas!

Left Field Brewery, Toronto, ON (Liberty Village)

Gord and I checked out the new Left Field Brewery in Liberty Village … it opened about a month ago. 

Men's knitted dorm boots

I just finished knitting Gord a pair of men's medium dorm boots.  I used 6.5mm needles. I combined a strand of bright red and green.

Abbreviations:

• k = knit
• p = purl
• yo = yarn over sl-1 = slip one
• PSSO = pass slipped stitch over
• p2tog = purl 2 together
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• WS = wrong side
• RS = right side
• PM = place marker
• Rep = repeat

Men's sizes:
Sm (8-9), M (9.5-10.5), Lg (11-12), XL (13)

Starting with sole:

• Cast on 52(55, 57, 59) stitches.
• Row 1: Knit.
• Row 2: K1, yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k2(3,3,3), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k1. [56(59,61,63) sts]
• Row 3 and all odd rows: Knit. *knit the yo’s through the back of the loop. 
• Row 4: K2, yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k4(5,5,5), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k2. [60(63,65,67)sts]
• Row 6: K3, yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k6(7,7,7), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k3. [64(67,69,71)sts]
• Row 8: K4, yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k8(9,9,9), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k4. [68(71,73,75) sts]
• Row 10: K5, yo, K24(25,26,27), yo, k10(11,11,11), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k5. [72(75,77,79)sts]
• Row 12: Size Sm ONLY: K6, yo, k(24), yo, k6, yo, k6, yo, (k24), yo, k6. [77 sts]
• Row 12: Size M ONLY: K6, yo, k32, yo, k31, yo, k6. [78 sts]
• Row 12: Size L ONLY: K6, yo, k to last 6 sts, yo, k6. [79 sts]
• Row 12: Size XL ONLY: K39, yo, k40. [80 sts]
• Row 13: Knit (knit any yo's through the back of the loop)

Foot

• Row 1: Knit
• Row 2: (WS) P34(34,34,34,), PM, p9(10,11,12), PM, p34(34,34,34,).
• Row 3: K27(27,27,27), ssk 2x, k3tog, k9(10,11,12), sl-1, k2tog, psso, k2tog 2x, k27(27,27,27). [69(70,71,72) sts)
• Row 4: Purl
• Row 5: K23(23,23,23), ssk 2x, k3tog, k9(10,11,12), sl-1, k2tog, psso, k2tog 2x, k23(23,23,23). [61(62,63,64)sts]
• Row 6: Purl
• Row 7: K35(36,37,38), ssk, turn. [60(61,62,63) sts]
• Row 8: Sl-1, p9(10,11,12), p2tog, turn. [59(60,61,62) sts]
• Row 9: Sl-1, k9(10,11,12), ssk, turn. [58(59,60,61) sts]
• Row 10: Sl-1, p9(10,11,12), p2tog, turn. [57(58,59,60) sts]
• Rows 11-26: Repeat rows 9 and 10. [41(42,43,44) sts]
• Row 27: (RS) Sl-1, k9(10,11,12), ssk, DON’T TURN, k14(14,14,14). [40(41,42,43) sts]
• Row 28: P24(25,26,27), p2tog, p14(14,14,14). [39(40,41,42) sts]
• Row 29: Size S/M ONLY: (Removing markers as you come to them) Knit. Now proceed to row 32.
• Row 29: Size L/XL ONLY: (Removing markers as you come to them) Knit.
• Row 30: Size L/XL ONLY: Purl
• Row 31: Size L/XL ONLY: Knit
• Row 32: P1, p2tog, p2tog, p across to last 5 sts, p2tog, p2tog, p1. [35(36,37,38) sts]
• Row 33: Knit
• Row 34: Purl
• Rows 35-36: Rep rows 33 and 34 once more.

Ribbed Cuff

• Row 37: Sizes S/L ONLY: [k1,p1] 8(-,8,-)x more, k2tog, p1, [k1,p1] to end. [34(-,36,-) sts]
• Row 37: Size M/XL ONLY: [k1, p1] to end.
• Rows 38-45: Work 8 rows of 1x1 rib.

Bind off loosely.

I turned the slippers inside out and sewed the seams. Weave in loose ends.

Book ~ "Scruffy" (2023) Ellen Miles

From Goodreads ~ When Charles and Lizzy find Scruffy stuck in a fence at a scary old house, they aren’t sure if she’s lost or been abandoned. 

Either way, Scruffy has learned that smiling at humans always gets her what she wants ... and soon so does the rest of the world. When she hits social media, Scruffy goes viral, getting her tons of attention and many possible homes. Maybe even too many!

Lizzie and Charles are in elementary school. Their family, the Petersons, have a puppy named Buddy plus they foster dogs and help them find homes.

Charles and his friend, Sammy, are walking home and they hear whining near an abandoned house. They investigate and discover a puppy stuck in a fence. Charles' dad helps get the puppy get free and when they take her to the vet, Rachel, the technician, names her Scruffy because of her appearance. Rachel is very much into social media and creates an account for Scruffy which becomes a hit. So there's no shortage of people wanting to adopt her. Charles and Lizzie, though, have been bickering a lot lately which might jeopardize their future in fostering puppies.

Though this book is a quick read and directed at elementary-aged children, I found it entertaining. There is a learning experience and a puppy tip at the end. It is written in third person perspective and first person from Scruffy's point of view. It is the 67th in the Puppy Place series.

Cat Shelter Building Workshop, Toronto Street Cats, Toronto, ON

I spent this morning volunteering with Toronto Street Cats building cat shelters which are sold to the public. The workshops are held throughout the fall and winter season at the Toronto Humane Society.  I've been volunteering with them since 2018 ... it's so nice helping the kitties in Toronto keep warm and dry during the cold winter.

In addition to selling the shelters for $15 or three for $30, Toronto Street Cats also provides free straw to replenish existing shelters.

When I got there, Thom was cutting the tubes for the entrance ways.

There were a couple tubs that needed to have the the insulated walls taped together.

Before

After

Thom drilled holes into the tubs for entrance ways and we focused on taping the tubing to the holes.

Book ~ "Zig & Zag" (2022) Ellen Miles

From Goodreads ~ When their mom sits the family down for a talk, Charles and Lizzie are excited to hear that they'll be fostering Zig and Zag, twin Brittany puppies! 

Double the puppies should mean double the fun but the twins are very hyper and need a lot of attention. In order to find this adorable duo their forever home, Lizzie will need all the help she can get to train Zig and Zag!

Lizzie is in elementary school. Her family, the Petersons, have a puppy named Buddy plus they foster dogs and help them find homes.

From a woman she works with, Lizzie's mother hears about Zig and Zag, two energetic Brittany spaniel puppies, who need homes. Because she has a deadline coming up, Mom is hesitant to foster two puppies but when she meets them she knows they have to take them. Lizzie takes on the responsibilities of walking them. It's a lot of work but she's happy when she discovers a doggy park not far from home where the puppies can run and tire themselves out with other dogs and puppies. She knows it's going to be hard to find a home for the two puppies together.

Though this book is a quick read and directed at elementary-aged children, I found it entertaining. There is a learning experience and a puppy tip at the end. It is written in third person perspective and first person from Zig and Zag's points of view. It is the 64th in the Puppy Place series, which currently has 66 books in the series, and works as a stand alone.

“Hair Care”, The Red Sandcastle Theatre, Toronto, ON

Gord and I saw Hair Care at the Red Sandcastle Theatre (922 Queen Street E) this evening.

Devised by 17 creators, this play was conceived deep in Covid-19 lockdown. Through four Zoom workshops, these young artists shared their good and bad hair days. These stories were then braided together by Alyssa Featherstone and Tanisha Sinclair, with dramaturgy by Alicia Richardson. 

The play follows eight characters on their hair care journey: from inhairitence, to growing hairier, to finding their hairy identity and celebrating their hair just as it is. 

Come with us as we learn about the knots and tangles in all kinds of hair — and dare to care for it all.

It was funny, serious and emotional. The performers played different parts and all were excellent.

The Roy Public House, Toronto, ON

Gord and I had supper this evening at The Roy Public House in Leslieville.

He had Guinness Steak & Mushroom Pot Pie (tender beef & mushrooms in a rich Guinness gravy, topped with puff pastry; served with veg & chips).

I had medium East End Curry (authentic butter chicken curry served with basmati rice, butter brushed naan, topped with fresh cilantro). 

Both were very good! 

Lane was our server … she was friendly and took good care of us.

Book ~ "Donut" (2021) Ellen Miles

From Goodreads ~ Lizzie's so excited to head up into the country for her Aunt Amanda's sleepaway doggy camp to learn new ways to train dogs. But they're both surprised by the arrival of Donut, a Lab-Shepherd mix puppy who might not join her family on their move. 

Lizzie will have to use her new skills to show that Donut is sweet and well-trained for her family's new home.

Lizzie is in elementary school. Her family, the Petersons, have a puppy named Buddy plus they foster dogs and help them find homes.

Lizzie is spending the weekend with her Aunt Amanda, who runs a doggy daycare, at her camp in the country to learn how to click-train dogs with her aunt's dog, Bowser. One of her aunt's clients, though, is moving to California. The family is sad their new landlord won't let their Lab/Shepherd puppy, Donut, live with them in their rented house. Lizzie and Aunt Amanda offer to take Donut with them for the weekend while the family packs and it's up to Lizzie to find Donut a new home.

Though this book is a quick read and directed at elementary-aged children, I found it entertaining. There is a learning experience and a puppy tip at the end. It is written in third person perspective and first person from Donut's point of view. It is the 63rd in the Puppy Place series, which currently has 66 books in the series, and works as a stand alone.

Men's knitted dorm boots

I just finished knitting Gord a pair of men's medium dorm boots.  I used 6.5mm needles. The tops are navy and the bottoms are cornflower.

Abbreviations:

• k = knit
• p = purl
• yo = yarn over sl-1 = slip one
• PSSO = pass slipped stitch over
• p2tog = purl 2 together
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• WS = wrong side
• RS = right side
• PM = place marker
• Rep = repeat

Men's sizes:
Sm (8-9), M (9.5-10.5), Lg (11-12), XL (13)

Starting with sole:

• Cast on 52(55, 57, 59) stitches.
• Row 1: Knit.
• Row 2: K1, yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k2(3,3,3), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k1. [56(59,61,63) sts]
• Row 3 and all odd rows: Knit. *knit the yo’s through the back of the loop. 
• Row 4: K2, yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k4(5,5,5), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k2. [60(63,65,67)sts]
• Row 6: K3, yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k6(7,7,7), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k3. [64(67,69,71)sts]
• Row 8: K4, yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k8(9,9,9), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k4. [68(71,73,75) sts]
• Row 10: K5, yo, K24(25,26,27), yo, k10(11,11,11), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k5. [72(75,77,79)sts]
• Row 12: Size Sm ONLY: K6, yo, k(24), yo, k6, yo, k6, yo, (k24), yo, k6. [77 sts]
• Row 12: Size M ONLY: K6, yo, k32, yo, k31, yo, k6. [78 sts]
• Row 12: Size L ONLY: K6, yo, k to last 6 sts, yo, k6. [79 sts]
• Row 12: Size XL ONLY: K39, yo, k40. [80 sts]
• Row 13: Knit (knit any yo's through the back of the loop)

Foot

• Row 1: Knit
• Row 2: (WS) P34(34,34,34,), PM, p9(10,11,12), PM, p34(34,34,34,).
• Row 3: K27(27,27,27), ssk 2x, k3tog, k9(10,11,12), sl-1, k2tog, psso, k2tog 2x, k27(27,27,27). [69(70,71,72) sts)
• Row 4: Purl
• Row 5: K23(23,23,23), ssk 2x, k3tog, k9(10,11,12), sl-1, k2tog, psso, k2tog 2x, k23(23,23,23). [61(62,63,64)sts]
• Row 6: Purl
• Row 7: K35(36,37,38), ssk, turn. [60(61,62,63) sts]
• Row 8: Sl-1, p9(10,11,12), p2tog, turn. [59(60,61,62) sts]
• Row 9: Sl-1, k9(10,11,12), ssk, turn. [58(59,60,61) sts]
• Row 10: Sl-1, p9(10,11,12), p2tog, turn. [57(58,59,60) sts]
• Rows 11-26: Repeat rows 9 and 10. [41(42,43,44) sts]
• Row 27: (RS) Sl-1, k9(10,11,12), ssk, DON’T TURN, k14(14,14,14). [40(41,42,43) sts]
• Row 28: P24(25,26,27), p2tog, p14(14,14,14). [39(40,41,42) sts]
• Row 29: Size S/M ONLY: (Removing markers as you come to them) Knit. Now proceed to row 32.
• Row 29: Size L/XL ONLY: (Removing markers as you come to them) Knit.
• Row 30: Size L/XL ONLY: Purl
• Row 31: Size L/XL ONLY: Knit
• Row 32: P1, p2tog, p2tog, p across to last 5 sts, p2tog, p2tog, p1. [35(36,37,38) sts]
• Row 33: Knit
• Row 34: Purl
• Rows 35-36: Rep rows 33 and 34 once more.

Ribbed Cuff

• Row 37: Sizes S/L ONLY: [k1,p1] 8(-,8,-)x more, k2tog, p1, [k1,p1] to end. [34(-,36,-) sts]
• Row 37: Size M/XL ONLY: [k1, p1] to end.
• Rows 38-45: Work 8 rows of 1x1 rib.

Bind off loosely.

I turned the slippers inside out and sewed the seams. Weave in loose ends.

Book ~ "Them Bones" (1999) Carolyn Haines

From Goodreads ~ No self-respecting lady would allow herself to end up in Sarah Booth's situation. Unwed, unemployed and over thirty, she's flat broke and about to lose the family plantation. Not to mention being haunted by the ghost of her great-great-grandmother's nanny, who never misses an opportunity to remind her of her sorry state - or to suggest a plan of action, like ransoming her friend's prize pooch to raise some cash.

But soon Sarah Booth's walk on the criminal side leads her deeper into unladylike territory, and she's hired to solve a murder. Did gorgeous, landed Hamilton Garrett V really kill his mother twenty years ago? And if so, what is Sarah Booth doing falling for this possible murderer? When she asks one too many questions and a new corpse turns up, she is suddenly a suspect herself ... and Sarah Booth finds that digging up the bones of the past could leave her rolling over in her grave.

Sarah Booth Delaney is living in her family's plantation and is minutes away from losing it because she has no money and no job. Harold, a local banker, wants to marry her and, though she doesn't love him, she is considering it in order to keep her home. As she thinks about it, she decides to steal her rich friend's dog, Chablis, and hold it for ransom for $5,000 to get enough money to tide her over. When she "rescues" the dog, her friend hires her to follow up to see if a fortune teller's prediction is going to come true. Someone else hires her to check into something else and suddenly she becomes a private detective getting mixed up in some decades old accidents that may be murders and some apparently missing money.

This is the first in the Sarah Booth Delaney series (there are currently 26 books in the series, soon to be 27) and I thought it was okay (okay enough to keep going with the series). I found there were a lot of characters, though, and it was hard to remember who was who at times. It is written in first person perspective in Sarah's voice. Sarah's mother's last name was Booth and her father's last name was Delaney and I thought it was weird that everyone called her "Sarah Booth" rather than just "Sarah". I found it hard to believe that she fell in love with someone basically as soon as she met him even though he may be a murderer. The oddest thing about the story is that Jitty, the ghost of her great-great-grandmother's nanny, "lives" with her ... maybe to add some humour?

Book ~ "Lily" (2021) Ellen Miles

From Goodreads ~ The Petersons are headed to the beach! 

On their vacation at the Fair Harbor Inn, Charles meets Lily, an untrained English cream golden retriever puppy. Charles will need all the help he can get with this rambunctious pup. Will he be able to find her a perfect permanent new home?

Charles is in elementary school. His family, the Petersons, have a puppy named Buddy plus they foster dogs and help them find homes.

Charles and his family are headed to at B 'n B at the beach for a vacation. There they meet Lily, a golden retriever puppy, and her family. Lily is a rambunctious puppy and when her family goes home, they leave Lily behind in her crate in their room! The family that runs their B 'n B are too busy to keep the dog so Charles is determined to find her a home since his mom and dad say they can't keep her because they already have a puppy at home.

Though this book is a quick read and directed at elementary-aged children, I found it entertaining. There is a learning experience and a puppy tip at the end. It is written in third person perspective and first person from Lily's point of view. It is the 61st in the Puppy Place series, which currently has 66 books in the series, and works as a stand alone.

Book ~ "Biggie" (2021) Ellen Miles

From Goodreads ~ After getting home from school, Lizzie is surprised to hear that her parents are fostering another yorkie puppy. After all, their last yorkie foster, Princess, was a little spoiled. But Biggie is Princess's total opposite. He's energetic and tenacious! 

Can Lizzie find this teeny puppy with a big heart a perfect home?

Lizzie is in elementary school. His family, the Petersons, have a puppy named Buddy plus they foster dogs and help them find homes.

Lizzie and her family agree to foster a yorkie puppy named Biggie. He belongs to some friends who are just starting their adult lives and don't have enough time to devote to him. They are sad to give him up but they know it's the best thing for him. The Petersons had fostered a yorkie in the past who was a spoiled princess but happily Biggie has a different personality. 

Lizzie and her friends have a dog walking company and she takes Biggie with her as she's walking her dogs. Biggie takes a liking to a Jack Russell dog named Domino and helps to find him when he gets lost in the woods.

Though this book is a quick read and directed at elementary-aged children, I found it entertaining. There is a learning experience and a puppy tip at the end. It is written in third person perspective and first person from Biggie's point of view. It is the 60th in the Puppy Place series, which currently has 66 books in the series, and works as a stand alone.

A Dog's Breakfast, Windsor, ON

Gord and I had brunch this morning at the Dog's Breakfast in Windsor.

A mimosa seemed like a good idea!

Gord had Eggs Benny with bacon and I had a Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich (I took half the sandwich as leftovers).  Yum! 

The Dominion House Tavern, Windsor, ON

The Dominion House Tavern (on Sandwich Street), built before 1850, is the oldest remaining continuously run tavern in the Windsor-Detroit Border region and one of the oldest in Ontario. Gord and I had read Genevieve Graham's novel Bluebird and her characters went there during prohibition. We both like history so we wanted to check it out.

What a fun spot! The band was good and everyone was friendly.