Tough Love

Well, how's this for a sad face? Yes, Chloe is using her new quilt, but she is not very happy with me as she has been prescribed some Tough Love by the Dog Training Lady. The DTLady has many years experience with beagles at the Quarantine Service, and she says the only way to Chloe's brain is via her stomach.

So Chloe is now only being fed as treats - the bowl has been put away. Treats are given only as rewards for allowing the training harness to be put on, and when it is on, for walking properly. Poor Chloe... She is very stubborn, and must be getting a bit peckish by now, but still she resists some of the time. Sometimes she just turns her head when I try to put the lead on, other times she will allow it if I have food in my hand. When we get it on she is walking quite well on it in the house and yard, so she is getting some food, but I suspect from the looks I am getting that the tummy is rumbling a bit. The big question is can I be strong enough to wait her out??

In quilting news, I have laid out the blocks I have for the 4patch, and now I feel I either didn't make enough, or I can't find some. This is the problem when you make something over a 12 month period - each time you get back to it you can't remember what you're doing or where you've put everything. My latest calculations indicate that I need 255 4 patch blocks. A blog entry some time back indicates that I was going to make 248. Pretty close really. However when I counted up what I had I could only count 211. So I re-searched, and found another 11 which takes me to 222. Where the rest are, or whether I actually made them, I don't know.

So I think I'll just make some more and if the others turn up one day I can make a doll quilt out of them. I have some strips left over and will make a few from newer fabrics, then get to it. Why do I always make it so hard for myself

In other news, Mum had my old Sunbeam mixmaster fixed this week. It was actually my Grandmother's (Mum's Mum), and my Mum can remember it when she was a teenager, so that makes it circa 1950-ish. I have one original bowl, and a replacement bowl, and the beaters which are a bit mangled looking, but they work.

Mum's Mixmaster is younger obviously but still pretty ancient, and this week we have been looking on ebay for some new beaters for hers, and maybe a back up pair for mine, but I tell you, there are many many shapes and models.

I have bought one pair, which I suspect will fit Mum's machine, as her's has a bigger gap between the beaters, so it can accommodate bigger beaters. So when they arrive we will see. I feel like I should make a cake just because I can. For the last couple of years I have had to search for recipes that don't start with "cream the butter and the sugar", and I'll give you the tip - most recipes start that way!

I have been perusing the recipe books but can't make up my mind. Anyway better dash as it is our Federal Election Day here in Australia, and it is compulsory to vote here. I'd better go and do it now so I don't forget.

PS Something's happened to my header - the last word has dropped off the photo. Why do these things happen? I've been in to try and fix it, but can't.