Christmas 2011

Wishing you all Peace and Happiness this Christmas, and always.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Where does time go?

I feel like I went missing in November? That's not very fun....but that's how November was, just not very fun.

Poor little Kippy's eye infection (all better and just about as good as new now), of course just about the time he was about to be cleared from the vet and  not needing any more "check ups"... our neighbors dog tried to eat him. Back to the vet.  The dog grabbed him right down over his back, so he had matching bite marks on both sides.  One side was a nice inch wide tear, which is pretty big when you only weigh 9 pounds!

He's pretty cute even in a cone!

This is how you eat while wearing a lampshade on your head, in case anyone was wondering.

He was down right miserable for about 5 days... they don't stitch bite wounds, so every move he made moved his "wound". He even got a little sympathy from my boss, who tolerates his presence at work, but doesn't really appreciate him much.  Kippy's much better now, the hole is almost closed up and he's as happy as ever.  I guess living with 2 St Bernards toughened him up at a young age! :)))))

Our latest drama, saga, mishap was a phone call from our  neighbors saying there was a wobbly, staggering skunk in the pen with Cricket the Wonder Pony. 

NOT what you want to hear on a Wednesday afternoon, or really any time.

  By the time Scott got home the neighbors had herded Cricket into the barn and the animal control woman, and a police officer had finished the skunk off with their version of a wild west show in our back yard. 

The poor skunk tested positive for rabies ~ so now Cricket, despite being up to date on his rabies vaccine, is under "house arrest".... 

See what I mean about just no fun at all? *sigh.

On a bright note, Cricket seems to have gotten over the shock of gun shots going off in his pen; and  the goats have been moved into the back barn to keep him company! (at this point the goats are not quite sure they are down with this move, and crying piteously, but hopefull they will adjust in the days ahead.)

 I have been working on my Christmas cards, and few projects for the holiday season; so at least there will be some fun stuff to share soon.

I'm sorry to have been so absent, but it was a mentally draining November to say the least.
I'm am going to do my very best to embrace December, because as my hubby reminded me the other day, "It IS the most wonderful time of the year"  (he's funny, it's just hard to tell sometimes) :)

We'll see you again soon,... honest!

Cricket riding up front in the van!

Big cuddly boys.

See how good I am?   I hypnotized him!  "you're getting sleeeeepy..."

Big dog?  Or small couch? Or both?

p.s. the new header picture is my first attempt at "pastels".... How did I do Julie? :))))

Being Creative ~ Vintage

Hello and welcome! Yes... so I'm running a little behind, and I'm not sure if picture taking is cheating?

No, it's not really.... I know it's not... but still.... It's feels like I'm cheating.

I went with my collection of "vintage" office supplies. I'm not sure how it started that I began collecting them, I guess maybe it's because I've worked in an office for so long?

And my Grandmother worked in a office (the ledger books and glasses were hers)... and my mother had a plumbing business with my father way back when, before I was born..

 (the Paymaster Check writer was hers..)

So perhaps we are drawn to what we know best?

I promise I will "make" something more fun for the December theme, winter is a favorite of mine after all; even though so far it's been oddly warm around here....

Keep being creative!

just for fun....

Ye Old Suitcases

I have a great affection for all things old, well loved, and etched with the battle scars that only time and use can produce. Well traveled old suitcases are no exception!

 I have recently acquired my 3rd vintage case. This beauty came complete with it's original travel stickers from far flung places! Of course it also came with the "old suitcase funk"... closed up boxes seem to be a breeding ground this sort of smell.  Sort of a mix of mustyness and stagnant air that's been locked up for way too long.  Worry not, it doesn't diminish my love for the suitcase.

(and be thankful you can't smell it from where you're sitting!)

It's a well built affair.... and quite heavy, even empty!
I guess if you get your initials on your luggage you don't have to worry if your baggage tag falls off!

Nope, didn't come with the key. 

Too bad some of the stickers are beyond being read.

This one is my favorite, it has retained it's lovely colors!

And here's the trio....

This one belonged to an elderly neighbor... and came complete with a selection of retro scarves!

This one i found on the street on "garbage day", parked next to a trash barrel!
 I have turned it  into my traveling art studio.
paints, clay, fabric, pencils, flocking, glitter glue, thread...
 There's a little of everything in there; you can never be to prepared for a crafting emergency!!
(there's also a packet of potpourri to combat the funk!)

I wish they could speak... and tell me where they've been ~ what they've seen. 

So many unanswered questions in life... mysteries to be solved.... or at least partially unraveled...

I guess all I can do is love them for who they are today.

Being Creative, Fire

“Firelight will not let you read fine stories but its warm and you wont see the dust on the floor."

Had to think about this one a minute....

I found fire tough to draw.... so I went with glitter!

It's twinkly in the right light...

I do love a fireplace to cuddle up beside.... which always draws a warm cat to your lap.

Oh for the love of dog...

We are presently going thru a bit of dog drama with our little Kippy.  He's gotten an infection in his eye, from what the vet is not sure ~ but long story short he can either recover, be blind or lose the eye completely. While the last two aren't great options, they are better options than losing the whole dog. 

 I guess when you lose a dog or two... too young, to things that can't be cured ~ a one eyed dog sounds pretty good.  Our standards have lowered accordingly over the years, death is a tough teacher.

At present, the medicine he's taking has made him feel much better, and he's got his 'happy' back; and that's a couple of steps in the right direction!

I didn't want a third dog... and I didn't want a tiny dog.... and now I don't want anything to happen to him! My, my what a difference a year makes....

He has become a wonderful little friend, despite his small stature. He's been raised with love and the same strict set of rules as the big dogs ~ and he's a great little boy.  He gets along with everyone; people, dogs, the horse, the cats... he does sometimes like to do a drive by on the 3 skittery chickens when they are out pecking around ~ simply for the joy of watching them scatter, but there's no malice... just a little twinkle of fun in his eye.  He does like to have fun... and preferably at top speed!

So it is with dogs on my mind, that I'd like to share the following tribute, a favorite of mine since the first time I read it 20+ years ago... and it still gets me every time... anyone who has ever had occasion to love a dog should probably get a tissue now... to save time.

George Graham Vest

Tribute to the dog

George Graham Vest (1830-1904) served as U.S. Senator from Missouri from 1879 to 1903 and became one of the leading orators and debaters of his time. This delightful speech is from an earlier period in his life when he practiced law in a small Missouri town. It was given in court while representing a man who sued another for the killing of his dog. During the trial, Vest ignored the testimony, and when his turn came to present a summation to the jury, he made the following speech and won the case.

Gentlemen of the Jury: The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us, may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads.

The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog. A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer. He will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings, and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.

If fortune drives the master forth, an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him, to guard him against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by the graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even in death.

George Graham Vest - c. 1855



This is me with my very first dog, Buffy Ruffles circa 1975

And then, many years later, I got to have a dog again!

Bonnie the crazy dog, 1990 



Krystal  when we were living in California, 1991  (She was Scott's dog when we met...)

Then I moved back to the East Coast, and Cheyenne was my free parting gift....a few years later, when we all reunited ~ we liked to play at the beach!

 

 After we lost Cheyenne at 9..... Our handsome Luke came along.

 

My Luke at the farm, 2006

Then came the little fluff balls.....

Awwwwww, they were so little!  February 2008

and then little Kippy.

 Kippy, napping on his big sister Ava's tail, October of 2010

I leave you with this... another quote I came across just recently and enjoyed.

It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them.

And every dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart.

If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become

as generous and loving as they are.

Someplace in October

Autumn may be creeping in slowly here.... but time seems to scurry off before I can even catch a glimpse of it!  I must say I'm shocked it's past the middle of October. It seems like it was yesterday that I was taking these pictures; when in reality it was a MONTH ago already!

 I feel like I've missed so much in Blogland.... it has just simply been a busy time, and I still can't seem to catch up! I attempted to get up to speed with all the posts I've missed on my favorite blogs, but it overwhelmed me! So I am taking a deep breath, and I'm going to go forward, and not glance back too much! 

and now (drum roll)... I am going to share "yesterday's news" with you now. 

 Better than not at all right?

First we have the horse drawn wagon ride we went on.... It was a mobile history lesson on a farming community that was "removed" in the interest of progress and creating jobs, back in the late 1930's in a small Maine town. They had marked the sites where buildings, and people used to reside.  All that is left today is foundations, old apple trees... and cemetaries.  It was like a glimpse back in time, and hard to believe all that once was as you looked into the woods that have grown up in place of the fields and school houses that once dotted the landscape.

The horses were gorgeous, and the ride was great ~ if you've never been "off roading" in a wagon, you really should try it!  (if that sort of thing appeals to you of course.... personally, I am HUGE fan!) 



This was our team, Ben and Bill

After our wagon ride, we took our own mighty stead for a walk with the dogs.  Down a rough trail thru the woods... we should have brought a picnic lunch, Cricket could have carried it! 

We now have proof, it's true what they say, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink". 
You can't. 



This was a large stone in the middle of the trail... I looked down and there was a heart looking up at me!

This is my freind Finnigan O'Squeak

Here I am making apple turn overs.
Good thing he got a picture, even I hardly believe I baked something all on my own. 

But look, there they are!  I did, I did bake!

I spent a little more time creeping out of my comfort zone that week in September! I sewed the little hearts all on my own too! (recyclers rejoice; the fabric is left over scraps from the lovely banner my Mum made for our Fair booths!)
They are as tiny as they appear...  the locket was a test for some "mini" art.... and the little tag was attached to an apple turnover we delivered to a friend. (she got a little heart too!)

It was a great week.  We even went shopping a bit in some of the fun stores I love, and that was before we went to the Common Ground Fair!  (I found out that I can get away a lot when I play the "it's my birthday, and I want to...." card...) (I highly recommend this tactic... very satisfying.)

Of course we are all back to reality now.... and have been for a while but it's nice to reminisce a bit!

I am currently working some Christmas card designs... and a fun fall design, just because... and I am also working on the October theme for Being Creative ~ which is FIRE..  I took me a minute to work out what I wanted to do for this one.... but I think I've got it now!  You will have to wait patiently to see the results of course.... (If you are one of my poor deprived pen pals,  you will have had lots of experience with the patience theory... and let me formally apologize for echoey silence in your mail boxes...)

I need to redesign my days some how, to make more "me" time... course it could be my life that's gone off kilter, and needs redesigning.... the days are the same still, 24 hours each, 7 per week...  

I want more art, writing, reading and crafting in my world...and I also want to learn to bake and sew better (at least so it's not such a struggle, or remarkable that i made a little pie!), and a "store" on Etsy... or something like it, let's not forget that.  *phewwww.  

 I think I've worn myself out. 
I'll be seeing you around Blogland; and thanks so much for dropping in!!