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Tugging at my heart

Why did I do that?

I should have known better.

We went to the bookstore last weekend, and while parking we noticed that the SPCA was having an adoption fair.

I had my camera and thought it might be fun to take a few shots of the animals. I don't think I've ever gone to one of these adoption fairs before.

And so I did. And I shouldn't have.

I got caught up reading the stories about each of the animals who were waiting for a good home to adopt them. I petted them. I talked to them (yes, even baby talk a few times). I flattened my hand to the cages so they could smell it and be a little more at ease. I rubbed each of their cool noses and soft, furry jowls before moving on to the next. 

Then about 3/4s of the way through I ran across this guy, and his story. 

For ten years he was left outside and tied up to a dog house. Ten years of no affection or warmth or caring. He was just fed and ignored. His neighbors, who had been trying to find a way to get to this poor little guy for years so they could take him away, finally succeeded in doing just that. I could hardly stand looking into this eyes without breaking up. You can tell he's not a youngster - and he was so shy. Isn't he beautiful? Sigh. I wish I could have taken him home.

Here are two more of the sweet pups. They have such a sad look but really they were having a great time greeting everyone. The cages and their angle of view don't really do justice to how sweet they were. I wish I could have adopted them all!

Weekends are good...

...and we're taking advantage of the beautiful weather before it gets too hot around our neck of the southern woods. Once that happens, we won't play outside much except early morning or later evening.

Last weekend we had the best time hanging out at some of the local events.

On Sat morning we started off with breakfast at Blacksheep. This is one of our favorite watering holes for breakfast. If you like sausage and gravy over biscuits, you really should try it here. But everything I've eaten there is delicious. I love all their vintage decor - each table has vintage S&P shakers, which is really fun. I loved these fat ceramic S&P sheep on our table.

Then we headed over to Maymont's Herb show and sale and picked up our yearly supply of herbs to replant in the garden.

Afterwards we wanted a little snack (we were still full from breakfast), so we headed over to the French food festival sponsored by Little Sisters of the Poor. We went last year for the first time and really enjoyed it, and feel it's a great cause to support. The huge homemade cream puffs were decadent & delicious! And we picked up a fresh loaf of French bread (which they weren't selling last year) - it was still hot when the vendor handed it to us. YUM! It was so good later that evening with dinner.

 

More Easter Sunday Photos

This is such a great Easter festival...thought I'd share a few more snaps. 

Relax

The weekend went a little like this:

Friday went to the Picasso exhibit at VMFA, then had the most wonderful lunch at the restaurant there, Amuse. Terrific exhibit. I've never been a "cubist" fan but enjoyed this extensive display of his works. Virginia is the only venue for this exhibit on the East coast.

Amuse had most lovely Gerbera Daises on the table.

And then on Sunday we headed over to the Easter parade on Monument Avenue. This is not a parade, per se, with floats, etc. Everyone dons hand made Easter bonnets and dresses up their children and dogs in their finest Easter attire. Lots of street vendors, crafters, and tons of food. It was really hot that day and after walking around for about 2 hours we were done with it and decided to get something to eat in a cool environment.

Took this in a window on the way to the parade. Not very Eastery! But that's OK - I love all the reflections in the window and mirror. I guess you could say it's my ode to cubism. :)

We stopped at Kuba Kuba for lunch. Food was great. A lady stopped in that had obviously been to the Easter parade and was still donning her spring hat.

Kuba Kuba has the MOST delicious Tre Leche cake I've ever eaten. Usually when we have dessert the hubs and I split it, but I love this cake so much I got one all on my own, as did the hubs. And the pieces are huge. My brother (I have three b-bros (baby brothers), BTW) was with us and he ordered the chocolate version - he said it was excellent.

My brother is getting better and better every day. His trach and feed tube are both out. He's able to eat on his own (which he's happy about after not having any real food for two weeks - even if all the food IS pureed at this point, he's still enjoying it). The nurses have been getting him up and walking. He's still very weak, having dizzy spells when he gets out of bed, and in pain. But doing so much better! He may be able to go home in a few days.

Hope all of you had a wonderful Easter holiday!