Friday Things
1. Duke is continuing to grow like a weed! I’m knocking on wood like a mad woman, but I think we have finally gotten over the hump with house breaking. He’s been going to the door for over a week now and has only had one accident (which was fully our fault – he was at the door and we didn’t let him out in time).
2. One of the trees in our backyard started dropping what looked to be some sort of fruit. We’ve been cursing that tree because, of course, Einstein and Duke are absolutely obsessed with these things on the ground and we’re constantly pulling them out of their mouths and trying to round them up and throw them over the fence everyday. We finally broke one open this week and, lo and behold, they’re actually PECANS! What?! I didn’t even know that pecan trees grew in this area! Apparently Einstein and Duke have pretty advanced palates ;-) Now we’re going out in the yard and picking them up instead of trying to get rid of them!
3. The new treadmill that we got has a TV attached to the top of it, so I’ve been watching Beverly Hills 90210 reruns while I walk each day. It seems as though it’s on pretty much all day, every day. Ahh, high school memories! I was totally a goody two-shoes Brandon Walsh girl. What about you? Were you in the Brandon camp or the Dylan camp? Steve or David?
4. October sky sunsets are beautiful!
5. I have a ridiculous amount of Valrhona chocolate sitting in my Amazon cart right now. I haven’t pulled the trigger yet. I need an enabler to help me ;-)
6. What I did pull the trigger on this week, though, was a pair of Frye boots.
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I have had my eye on Frye boots for the better part of two years, and after spending two winters with various pairs of less-expensive boots that I really didn’t like, I finally decided to make the investment. They should be here later today and I can’t wait to slip them on!
7. I am finally caught up on the first two episodes of Homeland… ahhh, such a great show! Now I just need one more episode of Boardwalk Empire and I’m all ready for Sunday night. I still need to catch up on all of the new episodes of Parks and Recreation, too. So much sports to watch lately, TV has taken a back seat!
8. I just got my StitchFix shipment for October and it may have been the best one yet. I kept four out of the five pieces. Really loved this month’s selections; I am working on a post to share the clothes with you, since I know many of you have been curious about the types of clothes that are sent and the price points. Stay tuned!
9. I am probably WAY late to this party, but I just discovered the fabulousness that is the Pittsburgh Popcorn Company this week. They make some outrageously delicious popcorn flavors and rotate different “flavors of the week” throughout all of their locations. They have the standards, which includes a chunky chocolate caramel (oh my God, delicious! I’ve been eating it all week!), but their flavors of the week are so genius. I’m talking s’mores, cinnamon toast, vanilla cashew, thin mint, jalapeño popper… and that’s just the beginning. If you don’t live in Pittsburgh, you can still buy online.
10. TGIF! I hope you get to enjoy some wonderful fall weather this weekend!
I am an admitted 90210 ADDICT (the old ones, not the new ones) and watch those re-runs whenever I can, usually on the weekends when I’m messing around in the kitchen. Glad I’m not the ONLY one!
Your puppy is adorable–makes me ALMOST want another one. We have two full grown German Shepherds, not sure I’m ready for a baby anytime soon! But I love seeing the photos!
Oh my goodness, your puppy is SO adorable! They grow up so quickly. Don’t you wish they just stayed that small forever? Too cute.
Could Duke be any cuter??? Does he still have puppy breath? Call me strange, but that is one of my favorite things!!!! LOL!
His puppy breath is almost completely gone. We were just talking about that yesterday!
Michelle, I copied a link of fruits, vegetables and nuts that are harmful to pets. It lists what can happen, symptoms and outcomes. I too am a dog lover and hope this will be helpful to you.
http://www.dogheirs.com/dogheirs/posts/141-toxic-foods-for-dogs-fruits-vegetables-and-nuts
Have a great weekend!
Thank you for sharing!
Shame on me for not writing this earlier when you were in full potty training mode! If you have a fenced yard, you should check out Hale Pet Doors for their double-flap in-wall version. Einstein and Duke will thank you forever! (and you won’t need to be quite as worried about being there to let the pup out.) I don’t know what my dogs would do without it! In case you’re thinking “that’s too big a hole in my wall” – my door is a tall medium & my big dogs (a Lab and a Lab/Saluki mix plus my daughter’s German Shepherd) fit through fine. I just checked their website and they do have dealers in the Pittsburgh area. One more thing, they totally customize to your situation! Sorry if this sounds like a commercial for them, but I just love the independence it gives to my dogs.
You have certainly found your nitch! Your blog certainly inspires so many people, me included. Thank you for sharing.
I have those boots!! I bought them last year on Zappos (I am a Zappos freak!) and I love them. I wear them with dresses or jeans – you are going to love them.
Duke is such a handsome boy! :D
Oh my GOSH! Duke does look like he’s grown in the first picture, but the bottom picture really shows just how much! He is adorable! And that last picture of the three of you is precious!
Pittsburgh Popcorn was always a highlight of a Saturday morning trip to the Strip. I can’t wait to come back to the burgh to visit that place again!
Pull the trigger – order the chocolate! Your puppy has grown so fast. In TX there are places where people take their pecans to have them run through a hulling/cracking machine. Sometime you feel like a nut…
Have a great weekend.
I signed up to Stich Fix after seeing your posts and get my first shipment next week- so excited. Reading your blog is one of my favorite things to do every morning- keep up the great work and keep posting puppy pics. Dogs are the best! Have a great weekend!
Your mention of the pecans made me laugh out loud! If they drop early, then they will be covered in the outer green wrap and truly don’t look much like pecans. I also seem to remember that they don’t necessarily produce ever year. Enjoy them! And a warning, we use to have squirrels pick the pecan and bombard us with them when we were out mowing and such in the yard.
Foxes beware! You’ve got the hounds and now you have the boots. Will there be a horse grazing in your backyard next?
Pull the trigger!!
Yet another awesome post. I truly look forward to this on Friday’s…I’m sitting here at my desk with a cup of very sweet and creamy coffee.
What I need to pull the trigger on is Stitch Fix. I’ve filled out the form, picked out what I think trend I am… but I’m worried that it’s just going to be too expensive, and I won’t be able to justify it.
Have a lovely weekend… it’s going to be a beautiful one here. We’re spending the day at my brother in law’s house and making chicken chowder. :-) Should be a great day!
Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!! Duke is just so darn cute!!! Why can’t I take cute pictures of my dogs? As soon as the camera faces them, they jump at it! or bark at it! But they don’t mind when I take photos of food! lol The boots are gorgeous! Well worth the investment! Have a great weekend!!
The dogs are as cute as ever! I need some boots, I may consider the Frye’s! As for me, I as a Dylan girl all the way. I must try this popcorn, I am a sucker for specialty popcorn. I am very jealous of your new treadmill, I worked out on one like that when we stayed at the Venetian in vegas last year, LOVED IT! I still haven’t tried Stitch Fix…I would like to soon, I can’t wait to read your post about it.
I’ve switched to using Valrhona cocoa powder exclusively in my baking. It adds such a depth of flavor, and there’s no going back. I like to use Valrhona baking bars too, but those are more of a treat, due to the price point and volume of chocolate I go through. But you won’t regret that purchase.
You also won’t regret investing in the Frye boots. I happened upon the Jane boots on sale in January 2012, and I’ve worn them SO much. They are so comfortable and well made. I’ve already had to get them re-soled from how much I wear them. It’s worth it!
Hi from a fellow Pittsburgher! :) The popcorn company is amazing. I have that exact pair of boots…bought them during the Nordstrom anniversary sale. No regrets; they’re amazing. Enjoy!!!
Your dogs have the sweetest faces! I really enjoy your blog, and look forward to reading your Friday things post! I too have been dreaming about a pair of Frye boots!
I’d like a pair of Frye myself :(
Love your Blog! Only one I read daily! Loving the puppy pics as I have an extreme fondest for Goldens, since I have two myself. We had 3 but we lost one last year. I refer to them as my “Golden Girls” . Love the boots, enjoy! As for the chocolate, go for it. Indulgences make life worth living!! Have a great week. Look forward to “baby pics” each week.
Hi Michelle,
I just love your Friday things too! I am an AVID follower of yours, and love all your recipes which inspire me no end. Your dog, and puppy, Duke are just beautiful, as are you!! Love the boots! Love your sunset. I love America, having a daughter who lives over there, and miss it all very much. We are getting terribly hot here in South Africa, and in for a drought. Keep up the good work, and the lovely baking! Thank you so much for sharing all your lovely ideas etc.
I’m very intrigued by StitchFix, so please l’ll be looking for your post!
Hi Michelle,
What a lovely photo of you and the “boys”. Love the boots—buy the chocolate! Happy Autumn *_* XO
PS Sorry about the Pirates—our fave team didn’ t even make the post-season this year (we are originally from the NYC area so we are NYY fans).Time to focus on the Pats and the Bruins. So many sports teams to keep up with right now……
Aw the picture of you with the 2 of them is so incredible!
Oh my! You are just a doll! I love keeping up with the puppy growth! So glad you are happy! A new husband,house and dog! What blessings!
I too love Friday things.
Love the boots, and awww Duke’s paws :)
Valhrona is (I think) the kind of chocolate that The Back In the Day Bakery uses in their awesome chocolate bread recipe so pull that trigger! I’ve always wanted Frye boots myself but have never been sure about making the investment; please do share whether or not they’re worth the price so I can justify it. Your puppy sounds like a really smart, really good boy! Congrats on getting on the good side of housebreaking, it’s such a challenge and takes so much patience (not that I have to tell you!)
l love reading your “Friday Things”
First your dog is adorable, I have a little Maltese named Cayman too. Second, I love those boots..too pricey for me right now. Third, If you pulled the trigger on those hot boots, I think you can pull the trigger on the chocolate you have sitting on Amazon.
I love your blog page. I visit every week.. I’m a new blogger, and I look for inspiration on other blogs.
Have a fantastic Friday!