Christmas Miracles -

Meet Stark.

Or Starky.  Also known as Starky Barky or "NO NO NO!"

Also answers to "OUTSIDE!"

I've been waiting to share this story until we had an idea of what was going to happen, even if I knew in my heart just what was going to happen.

It started the week before Christmas when Ashlyn was on her way to work and witnessed a car pull a hit and run on a helpless puppy.  She immediately pulled over.

The poor puppy was scared, and appeared to have some leg damage, and Ashlyn being Ashlyn, she bundled him up, took him to work and called her sister whose husband's family are veterinarians.

An appointment was made for the next day to see about this little guy.

Breeds as of yet unknown.

He was only about 9 weeks old.  The leg has soft tissue damage, but no breaks and should heal fine.

There was blood in his urine that they were told to watch and if it didn't clear up, to bring him back.

That seems to have cleared up and he is the sweetest, best puppy boy!

There was talk of adopting him out once he was better, but I knew that wouldn't happen.

How can you take a puppy away from a 10 year old boy when he was already attached to him?

So Casden got a puppy for Christmas.  But so did Ashlyn and Jeff.

He was not microchipped.  We figure he was dumped.  It happens all too often out in rural areas.  

Who knows how long he had been on his own at only 9 weeks old?

Those ears - they slay me!

Christmas morning photo.

A boy and his dog.
Welcome to the family Starky!
Yesterday after posting the blog, Hubster Dave came down and asked if I had noticed something with the water pressure being down.
I had showered earlier in the morning - and everything seemed fine to me?
Well, I went up to the kitchen to check at the sink, and dang it...that water was coming out definitely slower until there was nothing but a bare trickle.
Uhoh!
We were afraid it was the well pump - and of course we are in Chrimbo Limbo between holidays.  What was the chance we could get anyone to come all the way out here 2 days before New Year's Eve?
Miracle of Miracles - we found someone who was pulling a well pump earlier in the day and they said they could come up in the afternoon.
I had already started working in my brain how we could all move into the inn if we were going to be without water for a while.
It turns out it is the pressure tank and something about the pressure tank switch - both are 25+ years old.
They will be back today to replace them.  We have water.  I am so grateful for simple things like running water!

My day - My desk.
This is where I spent my time yesterday - the only sewing happening was making a few step out units that didn't photograph well the first time around.
This will be ready for release with a gift-away on January 9th!
I leave for Morocco on January 20th and we need this all wrapped up before I go.  
And yes, our friends at  Cotton to Quilts will be offering up a couple of blue fabric rolls to go with the pattern for our winners.

Binding Progress -
I'm making my away around with this binding, usually with a cat also tucked between my knees making it hard to turn the quilt to get to the next side, but I'll take it.
Today - besides the new pressure tank installation - I'm not sure.
I may be pulling out those danged X-Plus blocks again and see if I can make some more progress there, but spending time at the desk writing up Stardust has me dreaming of another string quilt I'd love to dive into.
There are options - can I do a bit of both?
What are your plans as we run out the clock on 2025?

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

It's all fun and games until your back goes out from doing something simple!

 
The upside is - we have water! And I have a chiropractor appointment next week.

Have a terrific Last Tuesday of 2025, everyone!