chop sticks

Since the fire scare is over, life has gone back to the ordinary and mundane.

So I've been practicing the piano and this is my song.

I hope you enjoy the beautiful music.

1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3...

I'm also working on "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in hopes that I'll be asked to play at Wrigley Field this season.

the rest of the story

(Before I continue with my story, I must explain that while the beans are roasting, they make a "crackle" sound, sort of like popcorn popping, and they have an odor that smells like toast. The roaster also produces a large amount of smoke which is vented out the basement window.)

So after we finished roasting, my mom went upstairs to get a container for the coffee. She glanced out the window. A lady with a dog was looking at our house, and when she saw my mom, she ran over. Mom invited her to come in. She is a new neighbor who was walking her dog around the block and noticed an unusual odor and saw smoke coming from the side of our house. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, sure. Are YOU okay?"
"I just called the fire department because I thought your dryer vent was on fire! There was smoke all of the place! Your lights were on and your TV was, too. I ran around your house calling but nobody answered so I thought you weren't home. And then I called the fire department."
"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

To the rescue they came! Sorry for the poor picture but that really is the fire truck. Mom explained that there wasn't a fire, but the firemen wanted to come inside and check things out.They saw that everyting was under control, and since they liked coffee, we gave them some. They even posed for a picture before heading back to the fire department.

Petra Pie, reporting live from Petnews.

But before I officially sign off, I must stop to wish mom a happy yesterday birthday. She got these balloons from Tad and Fig.

She decided to share them with us, but we weren't sure what to do with them.

Happy Birthday to YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOu!

coffee roast part one

You guys know that I can make peamutt butter treats, but did you know my dad takes after me and is a cook? Yep, he buys green coffee beans and keeps them in the basement. I'm usually not allowed in this room but the other night, I went down there with my mom (motch) and dad and boy and uncle. My dad turned on the big red machine and dumped some green beans inside.

Round and round they went, changing from green (for Ruby) to cinnamon to brown. Everyone was excited because he hadn't used the machine for a very long time (like over a year).

A few of the beans fell to the ground and I pounced on them before anyone could steal them.

While everyone was marveling over the finished product, I entertained myself.

So we were all happy downstairs, but there was was trouble brewing upstairs.

Stay tuned for the rest of the story...

finally warm weather

Finally, finally finally we had warm weather this weekend!

I helped my dad plant a new tree. While he moved the dirt and dug a hole, I looked for a buried treasure. I don't think he dug far enough because there was nothing there.

See how little the tree is? About my size, don't you think? And it's my color, too.

After the tree, we looked for buried treasure in another spot. Since none was there, my dad covered the hole with a new shrub.

Then we went to the back yard to hang up a bird house. This was more boring because there were no holes to dig and I couldn't climb the ladder to help.But I found a stick to chew and it was yummmmmmmmmmy!

peamutt butter cookies

Because of the adoption days of Dawson on 4/21 (Moco) and Flash on 4/15 (Peanut & Flash), I decided to make cookies in their honor. I chose to make the Peamutt Butter ones because Pea is part of my name, even though mutt is not (Petra Pot Pie Peapod Piano Player Pretty Perrific).Quick as a wink, I threw together the olive oil, oatmeal, wholewheat flour, water and peamutt butter, then rolled out the dough and cut it with the bone cookie cutter. Into the oven it went for 35 minutes and presto!
There they were! I really felt like Emeril for a moment.
Then the little red hen - whoops! I mean the little brindle boston -- sat down to eat.

Oh my, was it good.And it kept getting betterto the very last bite.

waiting...

Friends and family: it has now been eleven days since Tadpole bit Fig and we are still waiting for an apology. Fig and I are boycotting playing with him until he says he is sorry.


We have the full support of Massah who whispers in my ear (although you can't hear her), "Petra Pie, don't play with Tad until he apologizes."

rain rain go away

My friend Girl Girl gave me this award, and it came at a good time. Good because I'm tired of all the rain we're getting here, and I am not happy because I won't go outside in the rain. And can you believe that we might even have SNOW tomorrow? That just isn't right. So thank you, Girl Girl, for making this rainy day a little brighter and for making me a little happier! I am now passing on the award to Poppy the LBC!

When it's not raining, I like to go outside and play with Moose who lives next door. He comes over and poops in my grass and I poop in my rocks so our poop doesn't get mixed up. Moose likes to smell me and I sit still when he does. Sometimes we play jump rope. I run around and Moose jumps over my rope so he doesn't trip. That's way more fun than getting smelled.

resting

Aren't these lovely? Moco and Stella and I found these for me in NYC. Whoops, I meant to say that we got them for Motch. I hope they fit her. I hope she will wear them. Ah..um..well..if they're not quite her size or style, perhaps I could put them to good use. The strings would be delightful to play with, don't you think?
Ho hum! All of the shopping and partying wore me out. Is anybody tired besides me?

my first visit to NYC

I'm in NYC, waiting for the party to begin, but instead of going to a Yankees game like Joey & Tanner, I'm going to Ellis Island. Motch's grandparents came from across the ocean (Switzerland) and this was their first stop in America. Lady Liberty is waving and saying "Hi Petra!"

And then shoppping! I need to shop! I'm not looking for clothes for me but Motch could use some new underwear and Stella is helping me!

I am behaving and staying out of trouble, unlike some others (Peanut & Flash) here.

party time

I'm so excited! Today I get to fly on Aire Ruby & go to Asta's Welcome Home party (and shhhh....surprise birthday party for 2-year-old Captain Ruby Bleu). I was so busy this weekend that I didn't have time to get any food ready. I thought these left-over Easter eggs might work, but after one short sniff, I changed my mind.

Yikes! I think I hear the engine roaring above my house right now! I'm outa here!

frail feeble fig

Crisis: My sweet little niece Fig was attacked by this.
Just look what bad Tadpole did to her pretty face.

We need a public apology -- and fast -- Tad, so your image won't be tarnished as you ARE a public figure and ARE running for office. So take off your fancy clothes, Tadwick, and humble yourself. You won't get votes because of the color of your skin or the clothes you wear but by the content of your character, so step up & take responsibility for your actions.In the meantime, I'm taking care of the sick and ailing. Get well soon, Miss Figgy!

piano tuned

It has been like a zillion years since the piano was tuned (so I've been told, since I've only been living here for 4 months.) Motch had someone come over to tune it and fortunately for him, I was there to help. After a thorough inspection of the tools in his box and piano parts on the floor, I determined that it was okay to proceed.

I'm not the bravest of terriers, but I didn't run away or hide when this guy put the piano back together and played it. As a matter of fact, I'm considering taking piano lessons now. It sounds more fun than obedience school.