Saturday, August 17, 2013

A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING


Now, on to some fun stuff!  Don't you love this dress?  Don't you love this model?  She is definitely not one of your skinny mini's and I love that.  Anyway, I order a lot of clothes from websites that have sizes that range from  10 to 6X.  And the added plus is that these clothes have been designed to enhance your curves and downplay your trouble spots.  As you can see, this dress is an empire style that flairs out and down in pleats and for me, my trouble spot is my tummy.  The color here is charcoal so I'm giving up the basic black I usually wear.  So, it has shipped and I'm so excited to see it.  Emily and I went shopping for shoes the other day.  Have you ever been to DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse)?  I just love it.  The prices are exceptional.  I found shoes for this dress that I think I like, but I also found a pair on Shoedazzle,  So I'll have to choose between the two.  I'll let you know how that goes...maybe we can have a vote!

Now, I do want your opinion on panty hose.  I am aware that the younger generation abhors wearing them, even during the cold Chicago winters.  Just by chance, I haven't had to wear much more than a sundress and sandals for many recent summers.  In the winter I almost always wear black pantyhose with my usual black dress.  So, I'm wondering, are you the type to go au natural in a dress like this, or would you wear, say, nude pantyhose as I am thinking?  I have no tan...zero color on my legs, and these legs of mine have been around for a long while so other than shorts once in awhile or capris, I really don't go around flashing them. 
Let me have your thoughts.

My point in telling you this as they have been found to be toxic.  A few years ago Milo started having seizures.  He'd have a few lasting about 3 minutes, over the course of a few weeks.  We Googled "dogs-seizures-causes", and we were amazed when black walnuts popped up as a culprit.  The connection was first made when bedding for horses was made up of 5% black walnut shells, and the horses began having convulsions and seizures.  Further investigation showed this happened with dogs as well, but not cats.  To make a long story short, my vet had never heard of this connection and told us the only thing we could do would be to medicate Milo and this would cause him  lethargic and tired.  We decided against that.  A few nights ago Milo had about three seizures in a row.  It was so sad.  All we can do is hold him tight and stroke him.  Since the walnuts are everywhere, in all states of deterioration and their mold and oils everywhere, there is not much we can do as far as clean up.  And they will fall from August to October.  Cutting down the trees is not an option due to the cost.  At this point we have been keeping disposable cleaning cloths at the back door and we wipe his feet and underside really well.  We are sure he is getting these toxins into his system by cleaning and grooming himself.  So...please say a prayer for our sweet little guy.

XO,
Jane

48 comments:

Melanie said...

Your roasted red peppers look so good! Can you believe I've never made my own?! I've only bought the ones in the jar at the grocery store. I'll bet there's a big taste difference, right? I *love* that dress you found. You will look stunning. I can't wear a dress like that (above the knees) because I have abnormally huge calves. :-( I've bought shoes at DSW before. They have a great selection but tend to be quite pricey. At least compared to Famous Footwear, Kohls, etc. I can't wear flats - they kill my feet. Probably because I have such high arches. That is SO sad about Milo and the walnuts. Is there any way you can keep him out of the back yard from Aug - Oct? I know that would be really hard, but maybe you could sit out front with him sometimes or take him on walks? xoxo

Unknown said...

I think I'd love the pepper!! Love the dress. I don't wear dresses, cause I'm so over pantyhose! I wear pants all the time. If I wore dresses, I'd feel the need for hose, cause my legs are old too! I had never heard about walnuts causing seizures in some animals. Hope Milo doesn't have to go through that for long! Take care!

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Hello Jane,
Now those roasted red peppers look soooo GOOD! About the panty hose subject...this old gal hasn't worn them in years. At first, I wasn't sure about it, but now you couldn't get me to put on a pair.

Blessings,
Linda

Pondside said...

I love the dress, love the shoes (I wonder if Old Navy up here has them?) and can't wait to see the shoes you pick to go with the dress. Pantyhose? They're called for, I think, in the winter time, unless one's legs are tanned from a winter cruise! Could you find some lovely pale hose or some with just a hint of grey? Sheer, sheer with just a touch.

Art and Sand said...

Oh, I hope your little guy is okay. We are so worried about out yard and the new puppy. She is destroying it by eating and gnawing at everything and I don't know what is toxic and what isn't.

I had to laugh about your basic black dress. I have to say that since I retired in June, my basics are yoga pants or Patagonia shorts. And, a variety of tees. My shoes are flip flops. The other night we went to a party and I actually put on pants, a cute blouse and shoes. My feet were killing me half way through the party. Tomorrow night we have dinner with friends and i hav to put shoes on again. Ugh!

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

Those roasted red peppers look so good!! I had no idea they were that easy to make. Love the dress! Instead of pantyhose, you could always wear some black winter tights with the dress when it's colder. I had no idea about the black walnuts. I'll definitely keep sweet Milo in my prayers. It's funny to me that so many people are talking about the summer winding down. Our summer goes on and on until about November. LOL! In Texas, we're so happy when October hits, because we can finally enjoy being outside again since it's not so hot. :) Hope you have a relaxing week!

Phyllis @Around the House said...

I think the little black dress with flats or a wedge heel would be so pretty...I haven't seen anyone wear panty hose in years....I wouldn't think of wearing them and I wear high heels, flats and whatever...Pantyhose are dated and tacky, we all need to have our legs breathe...lol, you will look beautiful and chic without them...Phyllis

It's me said...

Wishing you a lovely sunday Jane !!...love from me...x !!

Anonymous said...

I know I have said this many times before but reading your post is pure joy, like a sit down visit with a good friend, I hope sweet little Milo recovers, poor little fella. Your dress is beautiful, I have never shopped online, I need to try things on, my hips and backside are way bigger than my waist so I need a smaller size on top than bottom! I am a pear shape for sure.Those peppers look so good!

Theresa said...

Oh those roasted peppers look yummilicious! I wear pantyhose in the Fall/Winter... I don't care what the style is, my legs get cold:) LOVE the dress and the shoes! Enjoy your day dear friend, BIG HUGS!

Mary said...

I'm thinking of Milo and wishing him well. I've heard about the black walnuts being poisonous before - in fact there are many things in gardens that can cause sickness to animals and kids so we have to be careful!

Enjoyed hearing all the latest but hope A is OK and will be lifting again soon. I feel for him because right now I'm useless when it comes to lifting, pushing etc., even had Bob vacuum the house this week - just couldn't do it with my painful, weak arms! I have this fear about not being able to do my housework in the future - I've never had to have a service and dread doing that some day.

I always roast my red peppers on the grill - buy bags of them at Costco, so much cheaper. I haven't canned any but should. Right now I'm making loads of fig jam - our tree has been most prolific this year.

The dress is pretty Jane - personally I would wear very sheer natural color pantyhose with it in the cooler weather because I'm getting veins and my poor old pins are looking old....well they are old!!!!! I bought a pair of really high heels to wear on the Queen Elizabeth cruise last year because of the formal nights - staggered to dinner in them and soon pulled them off to dance the night away! They've been in the back of my closet ever since.............

Enjoy the remaining Summer days.......we really haven't had any good Summer weather here in the southeast, so much rain. First time ever our lawn has stayed green, usually totally burned to a crisp by now!

Thinking of you as we prepare to go to Asheville - we'll be visiting Penny & K (and hopefully also see Penny & D) end of month - wish you could be there again as know you two love it.

Hugs and love, Mary

Susie said...

Blondie, I have to write this to try to help with Milo. Get a dowel rod or an old handle from a mop or broom,cut to about 3 feet long, duck tape a plastic drinking cup to the rod,around about the middle of the outside on the cup, this takes plenty of duck tape. It should look like a mallot, when you are finished.Now you have made yourself a nut picker. Ted and I use this method to pick up our hickory nuts from the front yard. We need our tree for shade, so when nuts fall we get the pickers out and a bucket and pick them up. this is something we do a few times a week, during the season. You won't wear your back out bending over so much. It's amazing how many nuts come from one tree. xoxo,Susie


Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Those flats look cute, Jane. I need to get a pair of ballet flats that are comfortable. I always wind up with a blister on the back of my foot from them, so I'm always on the look out for a pair that will fit me comfortably for the whole day.

Not sure about the panty hose. I would be undecided myself. Luckily I haven't had to dress up for anything in the cooler months when I might wonder myself about wearing them. When you get the dress you should try it on with and without panty hose and see what you think.

Judi said...

I love roasted peppers too ~ we have done them on the grill ~ Such a shame about the walnuts, I never heard of this before :( Poor puppy! I don't keep up with trendy fashions and didn't even know pantyhose are out! LOL! Judi

Balisha said...

When I think of all the peppers we bought last summer and froze in freezer bags...and we could have had these delicious things so simply. Thanks for the instructions and looking forward to your rosemary salt.I just started forming my rosemary plant into a topiary wreath shape.
Sorry about your hubby not being able to do all he wants to do. So frustrating for a man to be limited so.
I had never heard about black walnuts either. I think I would walk him till they are gone too.
Have a nice Sunday...the heat is coming back.
Balisha

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Your roasted peppers look wonderful. How long would they last packed in oil? I usually only do one at a time for immediate use and this sounds great!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

p.s I don't wear panty hose anymore. In the summer, I go bare legged and in the winter, if I wore a dress I would wear tights I think, but usually in the winter I just wear slacks.

Vel Criste said...

Not much of a pepper person Jane, but yours look tempting! I love those shoes!!!! Hope the dress comes soon and we can see you with the whole outfit on! I too love wearing dresses, a lot! And for church, I always wear a dress, just because. :-)

Kathy said...

Great post, sorry to say we are in the dog days of summer, rain, rain and more rain, but surprising for Aug. the temps are very pleasant.
I love your first photo with the fresh plants, I don't know the name of the greet flower but I dearly love it. It looks so good mixed with flowers. Yum to your peppers I need to get on the ball and do some while they are so cheap at the produce stands. Kathy

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Great shoes!! Looks like you are having fun shopping!!

Low Tide High Style said...

You have had a busy week! I love the idea of roasting red peppers, and I love your new dress and shoes. I hope sweet Milo is alright. We have tons of black walnuts here too and try to pick them up, but like you said it's almost impossible. I hope your husband is doing better and that you can get to the lake for a few more boat rides before summer is gone.

xo Kat

Debra at HOMESPUN: http://www.thehomespun.com said...

Those peppers look great...last year I roasted some with tomatoes and onions to freeze for the winter. Did not do the jar with oil thing though..I shall have to try it!

Hope Milo will be ok!

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Oh poor Milo Jane!
So hoping he will be ok.
I don't wear pantyhose, just tights in the winter time.
Here's what I do Jane. I buy a good self tanner and use it for several days before the big event. Lot's of lotion too.
Sally Hansen has something called air hosiery to spray on, i want to try it. Love your cute shoes~ Can't wear flats much because of my very high arches. Love, love your pretty dress!
Sure hoping Alan is off restrictions soon.
Love Ya girlfriend,
Cindy

Julie Marie said...

Hello Jane... your peppers look so tasty... are those Anaheims or plain red bell?... love that dress!... you will look stunning in it... where are you going all fancied up?... about the pantyhose, I would definitely wear black sheer hose with that dress... I don't care that the young gals don't wear any, I think I always would, unless like you said, I was wearing a sundress and sandals... besides, I think black hose looks sexier than bare legs... poor Milo... are you sure he is not eating any of those walnuts?... I would almost try him on the medication, maybe half strength, to help him rather than him having seizures... that sounds so scary... saying little doggie prayers for him... xoxo Julie Marie

20 North Ora said...

Your peppers look delicious! Like that dress too! Take good care of Milo - that's kinds scary!

Judy

Debbie said...

Oh my goodness! We found out the hard way about the walnuts. One of our Yorkies died from eating one. It was about five years ago.
I'm sorry about your little Milo.
That dress is wonderful!! I LOVE it!
I hate panti-hose...white legs are fine..everyone wears white legs.
Your peppers look yummy.
Hope your hubby feels all better real soon.
xo

Donna said...

I love roasted red peppers, but have never tried making them myself. I love putting them on sandwiches that I make in the panini press! I am so sorry to hear about Milo! That has got to be scary! I knew that black walnuts were toxic, I didn't realize they could hurt dogs, too! We have tons of them in our yard! I will say a prayer for him for sure:)

Donna said...

PS: I hate wearing panty hose, and haven't even attempted to put a pair on in years! You could always try a bronzer on your legs if you wanted some color:)

Linda said...

I love catching up with you!!
What is it that the younger generation can't stand about pantyhose? I always thought they look so glamorous! I still wear them on occasion....
LOVE the black ones!!
Rosemary salt?? I'm so interested in hearing about that! I have two huge rosemary bushes.
Wishing you a very GOOD August week!

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said...

Poor Milo. Can you not get someone to rake the nuts up and throw them away? I would fear that he might die! Honey I am a southern lady and we southern ladies of a certain age would never think of going out in public without hose-well at least not the ones raised right! I think nude panty hose are acceptable anywhere. If you ask me people in this country have relaxed their standards way too much!!

SmilingSally said...

Yep, I like that dress; I hope you do once you've tried it on.

Poor Milo. I'm sorry you guys are going through this time of difficulty.

Now, panty hose. Since I was FORCED into custom-made handicapped shoes, I've worn slack. No skirts, no dresses, and therefore, no panty hose.

Kathleen Grace said...

The dress is darling Jane! What web store is it from? Pantyhose, I feel your pain. My legs are white and ummmm, not young anymore. Lol. Lets just say if fashion is about being comfortable and liking what you wear, I wear pantyhose.

April said...

Lovin' the dress, Jane! Super, duper cute! Oh, what I'd give for a big plate of those roasted red peppers about now! Sure have missed blogging with you! I took most of the summer off to spend time with my family...I'm trying hard to get back in the swing now!

xinex said...

I am so sorry about Milo, Janie. I hope the situation can be controlled. The model and the dress are so cute! I can see you in it. I don't like using hose so I probably can't give you advice on that...Christine

bj said...

The peppers sound amazing and how pretty they are in the jar. You are so smart to do this.
The dress is cute as can be...I seldom wear them anymore and I haven't put on panty hose if forever. I do wear tights in the winter with skirts and boots. :)
Poor little Milo.....

Our Neck of the Woods said...

I love roasted red peppers! I've never tried making my own so I'll have to give it a go. We didn't grow any peppers this year, but hopefully next year I can get some going and make my own roasted red peppers.

KarenB said...

I've wanted to try roasting red peppers. Once we grilled some kabobs that had red pepper. The charred pieces were especially delicious! Yes, DSW is a dangerous place. I don't wear pantyhose anymore. However, if I lived in a colder climate I would opt for the nude ones with that cute dress.

Connie said...

Hi Jane, well your peppers look so yummy, I'm going to have to get some to roast :) I'm also looking forward to your rosemary salt. I've never heard of it, but I also have a huge rosemary plant and I love trying new things.
Have a lovely week . . . love the dress, and maybe I'm old fashion, but I think if a dress is that dressy it calls for pantyhose. Casual skirts and summer dresses look great with bare-feet and sandals, but when you want to dress up . . . you need pantyhose, right?
Just my opinion,
Your blogging sister, Connie :)

Sue said...

I love that the model isn't a size -0! The dress is very cute. I so seldom wear dresses anymore...I did just get a long skirt that I will wear to dinner next month on our couple days away. With a short dress I always wear hose. My legs are too pale and old, besides, I think bare legs during an Illinois winter is just dumb! I prefer tights when possible. I love DSW!

Sorry that your husband is having complications. I'm sure he is very ready for "normal".

We had a busy weekend and this is medical week for me. Ugh. 3 appointments in one week!

Heaven's Walk said...

Sounds like you've had quite an eventful summer, Jane. Some good, and some not so good. I have heard that about walnuts being toxic to pets - as well as olives, grapes, chocolate, and raisins. You're probably doing the best thing possible for your sweet Milo in cleaning him up every time he comes back inside. Panty hose? Not my cup of tea. When I wear skirts, they're either mid-calf or maxi - and in the winter, I'm always in my fashion or cowboy boots. :)

xoxo laurie

Anonymous said...

Hi Jane, just read on Kris's blog, you guys are meeting up. What fun you will have! We have a huge black walnut tree too and it's loaded this year with nuts. Seems to happen every other year. But it's never bothered our dog, thank goodness. I hear you should not have a garden near one either. It's funny because the nuts are so good. Love the shoes you bought. I see have my pointy flats from the 80's in great condition. Have to pull them out. :) xo

Revi said...

Hi Jane,
I just want to know why I am only just finding you today via Junk Chic Cottage! I'm also a fan of pointy toes, whether they are the height of fashion or not. And I don't do anything over 2" these days, so your new shoes definitely caught my eye! Like you, if I find something I like, I might get 2 or 3 in different colors!
New follower - Revi

Claudia said...

Love, love that dress. DId you say what website you found it on? And yes, I love DSW - I buy nearly all my shoes there!

xo
Claudia

Claudia said...

By the way, thank you for the information on the Black Walnuts - we have a tree as well, though I think the nuts don't fall anywhere in Scout's corral. I will have Don keep a lookout for them.

I hope Milo feels better very soon!

must love junk said...

Poor Milo! That must be so hard to watch him go through that.
Very cute dress-I would say go sans panty hose (the magic of self-tanner! :)
Like others have said, another option is tights and boots.
Susan

Unknown said...

Another long cosy post just like chatting with a good friend. I so hope that little Milo is doing o.k having gone through a similar thing with our English cocker, Ben, last year (seizures caused by a brain tumor) I know how frightening it can be both for you & your pet.
Looking forward to the rosemary salt recipe, the red peppers look so appetising!
Almost forgot I would wear sheer panty hose (we call them tights in the UK)in a pale nude shade with that dress and those shoes. I certainly don't think they are tacky!

Sarah said...

Jane, I always enjoy your posts. Just like a newsy letter or a chat with a good friend. Love roasted red peppers. One of our local stores just had their Hatch Chili festival, but those peppers are HOT. I like to shop DSW and have found some great buys. As for panty hose, I still wear them if I wear a dress and closed shoes. Of course I rarely wear a dress these days. '-)
Sad to hear Milo is suffering from the toxins of the walnuts. That's frightening. Take care......Sarah

Art and Sand said...

I am so envious. You got to have lunch with Kris and Anne. It must have been so much fun to look around Kris's house and then talk, talk, talk.